The Golden Son Chapter 2

Symdus trained for months with Nis as his trainer, constantly pushing him past whatever limits he thought there were and made sure he was as strong as he possibly could be. Before long he was actually able to beat Nis and many other highly trained guards in the palace. He was ready. There were just a few things he needed to do before going on his quest. When training had ended, he walked to his room and had begun to dress himself in armor, nothing too hard or heavy as the intense heat would kill him but it was enough to survive a few blows. Nakia walked into the room and saw Symdus dressed in his marvelous armor and gasped. Tears of both joy and sadness formed in her eyes as she slowly walked up to her son.

“You remind me so much of your father when I first saw him leave into the desert. I remember worrying about him every day he left, terrified that he wouldn't return.” Her breath was shaky and she touched her son’s cheek as if it was a snowflake, delicately stroking his face and smiling. “He was so handsome. I was so proud seeing him leave. My husband always did what was necessary… And now history repeats itself. My own son leaves me behind and the only feeling in my heart is pride. My son is following in his father’s footsteps.”

Symdus smiled and hugged his mother Nakia tightly and she began to cry softly.

“I’m losing my little boy,” she whispered softly.

“You’re not losing anyone. I’ll be back before-” Nakia cut him off by holding a finger to his mouth and laughing.

“No no no. Don’t say that. Last time your father said that he was gone for two years. The longest two years of my life and his.” Symdus smiled and nodded. “I suggest you go see your father. He has something for you. And in truth so do I…” Nakia grabbed the necklace from around her neck and took it off, placing around Symdus’ neck.

“A little trinket your father gave me when he returned from one of his expeditions. Always gave me hope that he would come back. Symdus touched the green gem at the center and smiled. He hugged his mother again.

“I’m so sorry for yelling at you earlier. No man has a right to speak to his mother that way.” Nakia chuckled.

“Oh don’t worry about that. I know you were just upset. Your father acts the same way sometimes. When he’s angry, he shouts. You should have seen him and Nis fighting each other a few years back. I swear they could have deafened the whole palace with all that yelling.” Symdus and Nakia both laughed.

‘Go now. Your father waits for you.” Symdus smiled and held his mother’s hand before leaving his room.Nakia sighed and held her breast in pain.

“Please be safe child. My heart could not take it if you did not return.”

Symdus continued through the palace before wandering into the garden and seeing his father look over the plantlife. He turned around and held his golden sword in hand, a less than happy expression on his face.

“My child… grown and leaving the nest.”

“I’m not a gryphon father.” Symdus smiled and Seruas laughed.

“Very funny.” Seruas thumbed over the blade he held and looked at it as if remembering a distant memory.

“This was given to me by my Father. He said it was is bathed in the golden pools of The Nadi River during the Summerset year. The whole river not far from the city turns gold and anything you push inside it will turn gold as well. It is a beautiful sight. I’ve never seen it but I dream of it quite often. Gold has been on my mind for years. Surely you can guess why.” Symdus nodded and looked at the sword. It had several scratches in it showing years of use and combat but it still held it polished gleam and looked as if it would pierce through the greatest of armor.

“A Goddess gifted him this to prove to the people he was indeed the best person for the job of ruling the land and it’s people. After that he gave it to me and in turn I now give it to you.” Symdus slowly reached for the weapon and when he touched it, it was as if years he could still hear the cries of war and see the battles that were fought with it. It gave him a strong sense of pride.

“Thank you Father,” Symdus said sheathing the blade. Seruas smiled and hugged his son with great strength.

“My son. Hard to imagine that not long ago you were running around with your sister getting into trouble.” Symdus chuckled and Seruas released his son.

“I remember she accidentally mixed one of Nis’ potions and set her room on fire.” Seruas chuckled. There may have been a fire but when she went to her father, she had the biggest smile on her face that he couldn’t help but laugh at. Nakia was livid but Seruas was rather happy with his daughter.

“Feels like just yesterday that happened…” Seruas sighed. “Is there anyway I can convince you not to go?” Symdus shook his head.

“I have to do this so I am going to do this.”Seruas didn’t like it but nodded his head.

“I remember once I told your mother that I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. Come back to us in one piece son. Whole. Beating heart. Blood flowing through your veins.” Seruas grabbed his son’s face and looked him right in the eyes, not shifting focus for a second. Neither person even blinked before Seruas backed off and smiled.

“I promise I will return father. You have my word.” Seruas chuckled before leaving the gardens.

“Promises like that are very hard to keep but I trust you.” And that was that. Symdus lef the garden as well, walking to the stables of the palace and saw a Nekal beast held at the reigns by Maja and Mana who waited for him patiently.

“Was wondering when you’d show up,” Maja said smiled before walking up and putting her arm around her brother. Mana smiled and hugged him before realizing was wearing armor.

“Yes I am wearing armor. Gotta be prepared for this stuff. Don’t know how dangerous it would be.”

“I would totally help you if I knew what it was you were doing but no. You had to tell the only mute person in our family.” Mana punched Maja’s arm earning a groan of pain from the elder sister before Nis walked into the stables. A man clad in Red like her own robes joined her and he wore a hood that completely covered his face giving a mysterious vibe but Symdus saw more good in him than his sisters did.

“Who’s the creepy guy,” Maja whispered to Mana.

“The creepy guy has a name if you’d only cared to ask,” the man said loudly. Maja was shocked this person knew the Jerrik tongue and immediately closed her mouth.

“My name is Kanal. I am of the Khamsin race, a race of shapeshifters and nomads. Nis informed me of your expedition, King Symdus and she has asked me to guide you through the Jerrik sands.” He bowed respectfully and Symdus bowed in return.

“Figures,” Maja said quietly. “Boys get all the respect. I mean aren’t we still of royal blood?” Mana swatted her sister backside with her tail making Maja bark in shock before growling at her younger sister who did her best to hide her laughter. Symdus laughed slightly himself but then returned his attention to the guide.

“Thank you Kanal. I will need all the help I can get on this trip.” The guide nodded and had leapt onto his own Nekal beast and was prepared to leave. Maja and Mana hugged Symdus one last time before Nis came in and handed him a small bag.

“This bag is different from so many other. It is a bottomless bag, capable of holding anything you can force inside it. From gold to weapons to armor to even some creatures. I’ve done it before. Symdus’ eyes widened.

“This…… could prove useful,” he said smiling. “Thank you Nis.” She went for a handshake but was instead met with a hug which she didn’t see coming. Symdus laughed and hugged her tighter and the human woman hugged him back.

“Alright ya big fluffball. It’s time for you to head on. Shan’t keep your guide waiting.” Symdus released her and hopped onto his Nekal beast and rode it out of the stables, his sister waving goodbye as he walked through the city streets. Everyone looked at him with eyes of joy and bewilderment at the same time. The new King was going to do something for them. He may be leaving now but he will be back and all will be perfect. As he walked through the streets, he saw in one of the windows of the homes was Amisi who stood there smiling. She looked right at him and only him as if he was the only person in existence. She blew him a kiss and he did the same to her before mouthing the words, “I’ll be back home soon”. She couldn’t help but tear up. The gates to the city opened up and many people cheered for Symdus as he had walked out the gate on his beast.

“They care an awful lot about you. I can see why you want to do this.” Symdus looked back at them and when the gates to his city closed, he sighed both in sorrow and in pride. He had left his home… He had left his home behind.

“Yeah.” was all he could muster.