Fortunate Son - Part I

GAME: GUILD WARS 2
CHARACTER: BLAKE BRENNAN

"But mother..." whined a young boy as he pushed his nose up against a cool window, his black hair falling over his eyes as he looked out over the courtyard and the other children playing below. His breathing rapid from excitement, created condensation on the glass pane while his eyes remained fixated on the figures as they chased each other back and forth in some sort of a game that he eagerly wanted to participate in. He wasn't sure what game it was, but he could see the smiles on their lips and the red on their cheeks as they ran around. Writing his name one letter at a time upon the glass before wiping it clear with his hand, he turned around to his mother who was now standing by the fireplace and looking at the boy.

"Blake Bartholomew Brennan. Please return to your studies, your writing has been lacking as of late and don't think I hadn't taken notice." Spoke his mother in a calm and even voice. While not directly tutoring her son herself, she still had an active hand in the boy's education. From a young age she had an interest in reading and writing and had hoped to have a son or daughter who shared her passion for parchment and pen. However The Six didn't bless her in this regard but that didn't stop her from trying to inject her own interests into her son.

Nodding in response the boy walked quickly and quietly to his chair and desk that was near the fire place. Closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath as he tried to drown out the faint cries and laughter emanating from outside. He could feel the heat radiating from the flame as he slowly opened his eyes and glared down at the blank pieces of parchment in front of him. His mind began to wander far from his studies as the crackling of the fire filled his head. He understood to a point as to why his mother forbid him from playing outside, it was an isolated incident from when he was an infant that he became ill and almost perished. His mother told him the story countless times about how they tried to have children for years prior to his birth without success and that he was truly a blessing from The Six as many physicians informed her that she was unable to have children. Ever since she had kept him close to her, unable to spend much time outdoors let alone play with other children even when his cousins came to visit. The issue he had with it all is that aside from that one incident, he had never been sick or ill in his life. He continued to let his mind wander about what his life will be like without experiencing some of the more simplistic things, could one even really call that a life if all one does is reside within thick walls? Shaken from his thoughts as a logged rolled over in the fire, creating a pop as it settled in its new position.

Blake took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh while turning his head to glance at his mother who had taken up residence in her chair. Her chair had a high rise back made of brown and tan fabric with the legs of polished wood with gold trim engraved with a spiral pattern. This was solely her chair, not because she claimed it to be but rather nobody else ever sat in it, and whenever in the study she would only sit in that one chair. She always had a book in her hand while overseeing him in his daily writing and Blake noticed that during this quiet time his mother couldn't help but smile while her eyes remained attached on the pages in her hand. The slight movement of her fingers as she turned the page was the only form of movement from the corner where she resided.

Pushing against the desk as his chair slide across the flooring making a slight screeching sound against the stone panels, Blake stood and turned to his mother. His mind not into his studies there was no way he could finish or even start in this state. A slight smile on his own face as he spoke quietly to the corner "If you would please excuse me mother. I need to do a bit of research on the particular topic I am writing about and will return shortly." He could barely see her eyes as they lifted from the pages in hand, a slight nod from her head and he was out the door.

He kept his head high as he walked down the hallway, passing the library and turning the corner towards his father's office. Knocking twice waiting a moment and then knocking once more upon the wooden door, letting his father know that it was him before opening the large door without hearing a word from the inside. His father's office was a large long room, with built in wooden shelving along both sides filled with books, at the end of the room were large windows that went as high and wide as the walls giving an amazing view of the countryside. In front of those windows were a large wooden desk facing the door and over sized plush chair behind it where his father sat. In front of the desk were two large brown leather chairs that were as comfortable as they looked. Taking a step in before turning around and closing the door behind him, he could see his father was deep in thought over his desk, several pieces of parchment scattered about as he was writing vigorously into a ledger.

Walking halfway into the room he went directly to the sixth shelf from the door and picked out the book he was currently working on. This was their routine, his father when finished with the important business at hand would speak up, it could take a few minutes or a few hours. Blake's goal was to read every single book in his father's office even though he wasn't even a quarter of the way done. The books ranged from all topics of arithmetic, botany, trade restrictions within the districts and even novels telling tales of heroes and legends. The latter are the ones Blake particularly enjoyed and would fantasize about before falling asleep at night. Being the great hero in those books, slaying the dragon, rescuing the damsel in distress and helping the people of the land. It was this that brought him to his father's office this day. He had prepared a speech regarding his current limitations, making certain points and explaining his reasoning behind them. One of his lessons was to accompany his father when doing acquisitions of smaller companies and to watch and learn how to handle such a delicate proceeding. Blake knew his own speech wouldn't come off as polished as one of his father's, but he thought it was rather good for an eight year old.

His thoughts were interrupted as his father put down his pen and spoke to his son. Laying the book on the empty chair to his side, the boy stood up and cleared his throat before going over his proposal. He made sure to talk slowly and clearly which was difficult as usually when excited about something he would start to talk fast, it was difficult for him to stay calm and collected especially in front of his father. He had gone over just one explanation before his father stopped him mid sentence. Blake waited in agony thinking that he was going to get rejected already, tigthening his fists he stood there awaiting for his father to deal the blow.

"I agree, which is why I have already hired an instructor." spoke his father, trying to hide the smile on his face from his son who he knew would be over joyed by the news. "I'm well aware that you haven't been ill since a baby and that a young man such as yourself requires some sort of physical activity."
About to open his mouth to object to be denied, Blake stood there dumb founded that his father actually agreed with him. His whole speech had been about how he needed to get out and start doing some actives, if not actually playing with other children then be allowed to run around on his own. That he understood how they, his mother especially would be concerned regarding this but he hadn't come down with a single illness since and that he needed to spread his wings and play. He tried to leave out the word play as much as possible in his proposal, but being a child he couldn't help it.

Quirking an eyebrow the boy responded to his father "Wait, an instructor?" his mind filled with images of being taught chemistry outside rather then in, not what he was originally going for but it was at least a start.

"Yes. You are to be taught how to use a variety of weapons and how to defend yourself and others. If you think I had not taken notice of the books you seem to enjoy the most in my office then you are sorely mistaken." Looking down at the boy as he spoke, he could see the grin spread quickly from ear to ear. He had been young once himself and read the same books that Blake did, however unlike his son he wasn't confined within the walls he lived in. He did feel bad for his son to an extent but being cautious wasn't exactly an option. Seeing how Blake grew up without any further complications he decided to not only indulge the boy but give him something special, something that he desired when years younger. He would let his son be trained in the art of combat and live out his fantasies somewhat, it was the least he could do.

"So when do I start?!" replied Blake, almost bouncing up and down with excitement. Never could he have imagined this is what would result from this discussion, actually he expected the direct opposite which is why he hadn't come to his father sooner regarding it. However now he was kicking himself about waiting for so long, a lesson learned that he would never forget.
Sitting back down to return to his work, his father responded with just one word "Tomorrow.".