The manor's library was filled to the brim with books. There was a seating area with comfortable chairs at the center of the room, atop a carpet of green, and a fireplace surrounded by brick and shielded by panes of glass center of the east wall. The only windows shown light down the stretches of shelves from the north, and there, upon the floor, just underneath the light of the sun's rays, beaming from the outside, sat Erik with over a dozen books at his feet.
He read each word with darted eyes, from one line to the next beneath, with a turn of the page to the next. He had read eleven books already, each one thick, and in no way, written for children his age. They were void of any illustrations, filled to the brim with words, with many being of unknown definitions. His curiosity and drive to learn were beyond ordinary children.
"Nomay, what does this word mean?" he asked, pointing to the page.
Upon closer look, Nomay would be taken aback, becoming flustered as the tips of her ears turned red. "My, my..." said uttered, darting her eyes away. "Young master, that is... A word you are much too young to hear.
"What about this one?" he pointed to another.
Sheepishly, Nomay peaked to see what he pointed to, though she was still reeling from the first shock, this one she simply did not know. "I am afraid, I do not know, young master. There are many words of High-Common that I simply would not know. Perhaps your father would be inclined to hiring you an instructor to teach you."
With the Chamber family's wealth and connections, it was a simple task finding an instructor, but finding one who was trustworthy, required exactly the kind of influence Lord Vindor possessed. With a letter alone, sent to the Scholar's Guild in Novergracia, his request for a fitting instructor to teach his son, would reach the hands of the higherups, whereas the letters of lower standing houses would be ignored, as the Scholar's Guild had a reputation for being rather prude, when it came to noble houses. They often disregarded nobles, for their lack of knowledge and education, which was seconded to prowess and ability in the magical arts. However, one look at the seal on the letter, and even the master of the Scholar's Guild would consider the request.
"Hm... Send for Godfrey." A deep and calm voice ordered.
Ben Godfrey was a man in his forties, who often had a careless, if not hateful expression and a lack of proper wear. He lacked manners and tact, known to possess an enormous ego and a smart mouth, and yet, he was a scholar by talent that could not be denied, a mind comparable to the greatest.
"You called for me, Guild Master?"
"Indeed, I did" the Guild Master stroked his long, grey beard, lifting his eyes off the work on his desk to look Godfrey in the eyes. "I received a letter today, from Lord Vindor Chamber." he slid the letter forward, the stamped wax of the Chamber household, clearly displayed. "He requests an instructor to teach his four year old son, claiming that the boy is a natural born genius, that, as he so boldly states in writing, any great scholar would jump at the opportunity to claim the to-be fame, of having taught son, as he believes the child will certainly be great in the future, if nurtured accordingly."
Godfrey couldn't help but snark. "Everyone one of these noblemen say that about their child, but they all end up being disappointments in the end. An affair here, a scandal there, surely, with all due respect, Guild Master, you do not expect me to answer this request."
"Lord Vindor Chamber holds an impeccable reputation, and is married to Count Henry Codux's daughter. If Henry Codux were to put in such a request, we would answer it all the same, and to be related to him, I am certain the boy is gifted with intelligence. Now, I know you are bothered by the responsibility of being given this task, but you will, go to Finefield, and you will, teach this young boy to the utmost of your ability. Do you understand?"
Though unhappy with the decision, Godfrey would accept. "Yes, Guild Master. I shall teach the boy."
Within the day, Ben Godfrey would set out to Finefield. He would read over the request's instructions as he rode in the carriage, seeing that he was expected to teach in a many manor of subjects. "Math, Speech, History, Philosophy? No wonder I was given this request, no other scholar would be able to teach such a wide range of subjects."
He arrived that afternoon, and with an annoyed grunt, he pulled at his luggage as he made his way up the stairs to the front door. He lifted the iron ring knocker and let it fall with a hollow thud. Eventually, the door opened, and the butler stood in greeting him. "Welcome, may I inquire as to your identity, good sir?"
"Ben Godfrey, of the Scholar's Guild."
Godfrey wore a rough, dark coat, and a fedora that Nomay took from his as he entered into the library. She followed behind him, placing it on the head of the seat as he sat down, right across from the dark haired boy who was deep into a book.
"Young Master, this is your new instructor, from the Scholar's Guild."
Erik lifted his eyes, glancing at the man who leered back. Shutting his book, he placed it down on the table beside his seat, just as Godfrey introduced himself.
"I am Scholar Godfrey, your new instructor."
"Can you teach me magic?" Erik immediately asked, much to the immediate displeasure of Godfrey.
"Magic?" he clicked his tongue, his face, wrinkled in a scowl. "No, I will not. I am a Scholar, not a magician. We will first begin with simple math. Quickly, maid, bring me some parchment and ink."
Erik's brow wrinkled at the sound of his words.
"Ah, yes. Right away." Nomay rushed off.
"Now then, let me tell you, child." Godfrey began. "Magic, is nothing without the mind. It is a gift, I shall give it that, but magical gifts, physical prowess, bartering skills, nor pointful precision, can compare to the wealthily intelligent. The man who knows all is the wealthiest, for he knows how to farm, while others beg. Never forget this."
"I want to learn magic."
"Perhaps you may, someday, but not this day. It is not magic, that I teach. I am a renowned Scholar. I teach math, economy, history, philosophy! I know a multitude of languages, such as Common, Serudinian, Elvish, Telvanian, even Highlandish! The tongue of our ancestors which has long been phased out by the words of Common. I can teach you all, and more, it is only a matter of your ability. I am even a dabbler in musical instruments."
Hearing that, Erik's eyes jumped. "Piano?"
"Piano? Yes, yes. I too, know the keys of the Serudinian instrument. Now, we will begin with how you shall address me, Scholar Godfrey."
Ben Godfrey was quick to begin lessons, starting off with High-Common's more difficult vocabulary, that Erik repeated back perfectly. Quickly, he realized Erik's ability to memorize. It was almost robotic, enough to stop Godfrey in his pace and raise an eyebrow.
"Was I mistaken?" Erik asked.
"Hmm... No. ...No." he shut close the book in his one hand. "We shall see how you numerate." he turned to walk toward the chalkboard, grabbing the prepared chalk and writing quickly a simple math equation. "This is math. I am sure you have some understanding of numeral equations, yes?"
"Yes, Scholar Godfrey."
"Good. Can you answer this?"
"Twenty-four."
"This?" he wrote another."
"Eighty-eight."
"Huh... Marvelous." he whispered under his breath. Godfrey wrote another equation, this time a far more difficult one, equipped with multiplication and thrice as many numbers. "This?"
Erik stumbled, seeming to have a difficult time answering. "I do not know."
"Your limitation is bound only by your inexperience and lack of knowing. However, your talent is impressive enough."
Godfrey taught Erik until dinnertime, at which he was more than eager to rush off in sport of good food. "That will be the end of today's lesson." he uttered as he left out the door.
Godfrey was invited to attend dinner, encouraged even, by Celia and Vindor. "Might I ask, how was Erik's first lesson, Scholar Godfrey?"
"Yes, well, I give him high regards. He is indeed talented, your lordship."
Vindor could not help but laugh heartedly. "I see! I see! I knew I was not wrong. Even a great scholar admits it."