Ten Years Ago
Rye was helping his father till the ground on their farm. He lifted his head to see Juvita and Yash waving at him.
He waved them over, and they walked to them. Yash took the tiller from Rye's father and helped him. Rye's dad went to sit under a tree close by.
"I thought you were supposed to go for an appraisal," Rye said looking at Juvita.
"Yes, I just got back. They say I have an affinity for magic," Juvita said smiling from ear to ear.
"Our very own mage," Yash praised her.
"At least one of us is closer to their dream," Rye said and Juvita bowed her head.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to rub my success in your face," she said and Rye shook his head.
"No, don't apologize for being successful. I am happy for you," Rye mentioned and Yash nodded.
"So what are you going to do about school?" Yash asked and they all stared at each other.
"Don't worry. I don't need to go to magic school to be a great magician. I will find a great mage to learn from," Juvita explained.
Rye and Juvita turn toward Yash.
"You told him?" Yash said and his face turned red.
"I know you want to be a battle mage but there are some really powerful knights. Some make really good money," Rye mentioned, and Yash held up his tiller like a sword.
"Hmm, I will look cool in armor. That's it my new dream is to be a knight," Yash said and swung his tiller around.
Rye and Juvita laughed.
"As soon as I am of age, I will leave this village. I will go to the city of Fel and pull out the sword in the stone," Rye said as his face lit up.
"Is your dad alright?" Juvita asked as she watched his father wheeze.
"Yes, he is just tired," Rye said as he watched
His father breathed heavily.
Rye saved money he got from doing menial jobs around the village. One day he came home from a job to see his father on the floor.
"Dad!" he ran towards him, he carried him into the house and laid him on his bed. He poured water into a bowl and he dipped a rag into it.
He wrung out the rag and wiped his father's arm and legs with it. He rinsed it in the water again. He folded it and placed it on his father's forehead.
He stayed by his bedside waiting for him to wake up. After a while, he passed out.
He was snoring when someone tapped him. He opened his eyes to see his father awake. He was seated upright.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Rye asked checking his father's temperature by placing his hand on his forehead.
"I'm fine!" his father said swatting his hand away. He took a cup of water from his bedside.
Rye watched as his father's hand shook violently as he tried to drink.
His heart started to pound, and he then wiped tears from his eyes before they fell. Hoping his father won't notice.