Chapter #3Saul and Tomas by: Big Boy   Saul felt anticipation build through him as he watched the familiar sights pass by the wagon window. It had been one year since he had left for Mages Academy to pursue his education in the magical arts. It had been tough, leaving home and living away from his family, but once a year he was allowed to go home and visit his family.
As the wagon rolled by, he couldn't help but notice how much things have changed. Some of the stores had closed down and been replaced, some of the buildings had been remodeled, and there were a lot more people than he remembered. Thinking about how things have changed made him wonder if he had changed as well. He was still the somewhat scrawny boy with chestnut brown hair and steel grey eyes. He wasn't very large and would be considered underweight compared to the other village boys, but then again mages weren't known for being muscle bound brutes.
Finally the wagon stopped in front of his home. A wave of nostalgia washed over Saul as he stepped out and stood in front of his family's bakery, the Golden Crumb. It was a small, humble ordinary bakery that supplied bread and baked goods to many of the locals. The wagon man helped him unload his luggage down and rode off, leaving Saul by himself to take in the sight.
"Well, guess I should head in and see if they need my help." Saul grabbed his luggage's handle and walked through the doors. Immediately he was greeted by the door bell, the sound welcoming him back home. Inside there were shelves were covered with breads, pastries and cakes all ready to be sold...though there were a lot less than he was used to seeing. Before he could make any deeper observation, someone came in from the back.
"Welcome to the Golden Crust, how may I- Saul!?" A small blur rushed from behind the counter and tackled Saul, nearly knocking him down. "Saul, you're home!" Tomas said, hugging his brother tightly.
"Yes, I'm home." Tomas smiled and ruffled the hair of his little brother. Tomas looked exactly like he left him, a small, smiling skinny boy with golden brown hair that resembled wheat and blue eyes. "Where's Mom and Dad?"
"Mom's at the market and Dad went to the lumberyard to order firewood." Tomas told him as he pulled back.
"So who's running the shop?" Saul asked.
"I am!" Tomas said, proudly puffing out his chest. It wasn't very impressive considering how flat it was, but Tomas seemed to think it was.
"Well then, I guess I should help you out until Mom and Dad get back." Saul said, rolling up the sleeves of his robes.
"Alright, but you gotta take orders from me! We can't have you baking any bad bread, otherwise you'll scare off the last of our customers."
"Last?" Saul frowned as he followed his brother to the back.
"Yea, ever since that Duke Huffington and his bullying sons bought off most of the stores and land around here, he's been pressuring other shop owners and stealing their customers so he can force them to sell their business to him for cheap. But not the Golden Crust! We're gonna show him that his new bakery down the road can't hold a candle to the bakery that's been in our family for four generations!"
"Is that so?" Saul said, though a part of him started to worry. That would explain the crowd up the street and why there was so much less being sold in the store.
Tomas didn't seem to dwell on it however, as he went to a sack of flour and lifted it. Or at least, tried to. The poor boy could barely get one end of it a few inches off the ground. He was too skinny and weak to be able to lift a thirty pound sack. In fact, Tomas looked like he was the exact same size and weight as when Saul left him the year before. He should have at least grown a little bit, especially since this was a period when you could practically see a boy grow before your eyes. At least he's one thing that hasn't changed. He thought and went to help his brother.
Later that night their parents came home and they had a splendid dinner to celebrate Saul's return. Their mother and father both didn't show and concern about the duke, and instead focused their attention on Saul.
"So Saul, did you learn any new tricks at that fancy school of yours?" Their Dad asked.
"Oh plenty, I've spent hours studying on all sorts of spells, potions and other stuff."
"Can you show us one of your magic tricks?" Tomas asked eagerly.
"Spells, not tricks. Tricks are for street magicians with no real magical talent." Saul corrected him.
"Whatever, just show me a trick already!" Tomas bounced in his seat.
Saul rolled his eyes. "Alright, let me try this new spell I've been learning." He pointed at Tomas and chanted the spell. A spark flew out and hit his brother in the chest. The four of them waited anxiously to see the effect, but seconds dragged by and nothing happened.
"Is that it?" Tomas asked, rubbing the spot the spark had hit him.
"Funny, that should have worked." Saul frowned.
"Exactly what were you trying to do?" Their mom asked.
"Oh, I was trying to make Toma's hair and toenails grow ten inches."
"What!?" Tomas quickly reached up to the top of his head, then pulled up his feet to check.
"Saul..." Their father gave a warning tone.
"I was just joking Dad." Saul said, smiling. "Here, let me show you some other stuff that will are guranteed to work!" The rest of the night Saul performed simple spells, keeping his family entertained. By bed time they had completely forgotten about the little "failed" spell from earlier.
Settling into his old bed, Saul sighed contently. It felt good to be home again. Although he would only be there for a short time, Saul was looking forward to helping out his family. He was especially looking forward to spending time with Tomas, the 10 year old easily got excited about anything. Closing his eyes, he went to sleep.
The next morning...  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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