Fated to rule

Worries

Dendrick wasn´t surprised at the extreme growth of the child. Actually, he was used to it. Children of his kind, Blagods, became already adult after one week since they were born. 

"Don´t worry about it, Norrick. Everyone with this gift or curse, call it however you want, will stop growing after coming of age. I have never seen anybody die to this and trust me, my life is significantly longer than yours and will be." 

This ability was typical for several creatures including, Lummoxes, simple-minded, huge, blind creatures with a head looking like a mole´s, big, strong body of a bear and long sharp claws. Their eyesight was very poor, whereas their sense of smell and hearing was sharp as a dragon´s teeth. You wouldn´t want to meet them without a large spear and a couple of soldiers by your side on the open field. Fortunately, the beasts could be found only on shadow plains, far from Dendrick´s homestead. On the other hand, thanks to this "gift", they could cause serious problems for everyone.

Their existence bothered only men of the east watch, who were monitoring the situation around Shadow peaks and plains. This place was ingloriously known as a place of origin the dark wizard, Inferis, who began the Great War. 

"His age is the smallest thing that bothers me, my friend." they continued in their discussion and slowly moved to the boy, staying still next to the gate.

"Hello, child," said Dendrick with his deep voice, that scared the boy even more. 

He looked up, where the giant´s head was. "Hi,"  quickly responded and moved behind the ranger. It was obvious he is scared since this was the second intelligent being he ever met and it wasn´t a regular person like Norrick. 

Giant kneeled so the child would be able to look straight into his face. "My name is Dendrick. There is no need to be afraid of me unless you have no intention of hurting my friends or me." By his friends, he meant all of the animals that were living outside. 

"I am Gellerion, and I have no evil intentions, sir." 

"Did you hear that Norrick?" He chuckled about what he just heard. 

"Of course I heard it, your highness," Norrick smirked. 

"Boy, we are not here in the Capitol or another town. There is no need to call me sir, just Dendrick." 

"Alright, si... Sorry. Alright, Dendrick." The boy smiled now too.

They moved into the largest building, which was Dendrick´s place to rest. Both of the visitors sat down next to the old, massive table. The host poured dairy milk in a wooden mug for the child. Norrick got a smaller cup, not intended for milk. Dendrick pulled out an old flask covered with dust. Quickly removed the dust and poured the liquid into their cups. Both of them raised snifters. 

"Cheers." said together. Dendrick drank the whole cup, whereas Norrick just puled his face after tasting only a small amount of the drink. 

"Goddamn, that's strong," coughed. 

"Oh really? I am sorry then. Should I rather pour you milk?" Saying that he smirked on Gellerion, expecting him to smile.

The boy with a full mouth actually burst out laughing. Spurting out through his nose, the milk was all over the table. Seeing that, Norrick looked nervously on Dendrick, but he was just smiling. 

"It was a while since I had so entertaining visitors, although something tells me, you are not here to make me laugh." He passed a slice of bread to Gellerion and dried the milk on the table with an old rag. 

"Yes, you are right. I need a new cow, some supplies and materials for the reconstruction of my hut. The boy also needs some new clothes. I am not saying these are not good looking," since the boy was wearing Norrick´s old clothing, "but it could be smaller in size." 

"New cow? What happened to Molly?" Asked Dendrick curiously. He cared almost about all of the living beings. It was obvious just after one look outside at his garden. There were living all kinds of animals, domestic and wild ones such as chickens, cows, horses, even bees. All in harmony under Dendrick´s protection.

"Well, I am sorry, but there was an attack on my house, she didn´t make it." 

"I am glad that you are fine." he sighed.

"I wasn´t there, unfortunately. I had some urgent business to deal with otherwise I would stop them. Gellerion could you go outside, please? Go look at the animals." 

"Of course I can. See you later si... Dendrick. Sorry." With saying that he ran towards the nearest animal and began studying it. 

"He is kind of funny, the boy. Now tell me what is on your mind?" 

"I wanted to discuss if you have ever seen forest´s spiders but the size of a fly."

"That never happened to me before. No." he paused in thought. "I always have to deal with the big ones. Why?" 

"I left the boy in my cottage. I had no other choice. When I got back from the journey, the house was in a horrible condition. Doors and windows were broken, cow dead but the boy inside was playing with shrank spiders under the bed." 

"And you think, these were the same invaders that killed Molly and destroyed your house?" 

"Exactly. What´s been in my mind since the attack. They have never gone inside the house before. They couldn´t even know about him, being inside. Strange things happen around the boy. On the way here we met a shadow. It didn´t attack us, but it formed into a woman." 

Dendrick stiffened, and Norrick noticed it. "You know who am I talking about, don´t you?" 

"Yes, I do. You are describing Meliana, the lady of despair. I haven't seen her since the Great War. This is a bad sign, Norrick. It seems to me she is interested in the child. You should find out why. "