A Fey Lord's Guide to Raising Monsters

Eogan stares at the doctor through dense silver eyelashes. He knows what to do but is uncertain if his young body possesses enough magic power to pull it off. "Doctor? What does it mean for my meridian to be fully developed?" He asks carefully.

The man sighs as he runs his hand through his red hair and replies, "It simply means you can use level magic spells. Children your age can only use basic elemental magic. I'm simply concerned that the fact that you have them already might be the side effects of an illness of some sort, which is why I intend to go to the capital to do some research. Your condition is unprecedented."

Eogan excitedly bounces up and down in his seated position on the bed. "That means I can learn magic earlier than others!"

"Indeed it does, sir." Maeve grins as Eogon. "I'll talk to your mother about this. She would probably be more receptive to finding you a tutor than your father."

The doctor turns to Maeve, confused. "Why would that be?"

Maeve blushes in embarrassment as she realizes she said something she shouldn't have in front of someone not involved with Dubhan's house. "Uhm, I can't answer that, " she mutters.

The doctor nods and responds. "Then I will not pry." He digs around in his pocket and pulls out a black business card with silver trim. "This has my father's address on it, so if the boy's mother needs to contact me about his health, I will return to this town immediately. I'll stay with him in the capital while searching for information on other early bloomers."

Maeve takes it into her hand and gives it a brief glance over. "Alright, I will give this to her. Thank you for your help, Doctor Leigheas."

"There is no need to thank me; I am simply doing my job." He packs up his tools as he talks. "I must be on my way, as a i was invited over for dinner by a friend. I hope you all have a lovely evening." He walks out the door before anyone can say anything.

"Oh, Maeve!" Eogan suddenly realizes with a yell. "Where is Aine?"

Maeve looks startled for a second before answering. "My mother's neighbors are watching her. They have a daughter the same age as Aine, so they're probably playing together."

The elderly woman speaks up. "Maeve, you should probably take the two kids back to their house. You did mention they snuck out to go to the flower field. Everyone there must be worried."

Eogan flinched and looked at the wall. Maeve nods in agreement. "Still not quite sure why father was willing to let them. And they didn't even wait for me to arrive before running off."

Maeve's mother laughs, "Sounds like they are quite the handful." The woman begins to wave her hands in a shooting motion at pay. "Grab your things and get going."

Eogan hops off the bed and follows Maeve. Glancing back at the woman. "Thank you for having me over, Miss."

She smiles kindly at him before turning to close the door behind them.

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Sometime later, Eogan and Aine are standing with their heads hanging in front of their father, Lord Dubhan. "What do you children have to say for yourselves?" He is sitting on a swivel chair behind a massive desk. The two pieces of furniture are obviously a set, as both are carved with the seal of the hero's family. A large lion with wings is on the back of the chair and both sides of the desk.

Eogan gulps and feels Aine trembling next to him. "F-f-Father," he begins. " I wanted to see the field of flowers by the town and dragged Aine with me because I thought she would enjoy it."

Aine stops trembling and looks up slowly. She holds up the bouquet of wildflowers she picked. "I picked these for Mother."

Their father is silent for several long minutes before speaking. "Alright, Aine. You may go. I am sure your mother will appreciate those beautiful flowers."

Aine's grin is blinding, and she skips out of the office.

The man stands up and closes the door to the office. He then turns to face Eogan. "Son, I expect better from you. You may not hold any right to succeed me as the next lord of this domain, but you are still a descendant of the great and mighty hero, Cian Chulainn."

Eogan groans and walks over to one of the many bookshelves lining the room's wall. He quickly scans the titles before responding. "I never asked to be born into this dysfunctional family. You and my mother hate each other's guts, and I don't even want anything to do with the legacy of the hero. The only person in this house that I like is Aine, and that's because she is younger than me."

His father sighs and sits back down. "Do not speak like that, young man. You may have been born out of wedlock, but you are still my son. My relationship with your mother is complicated, but I can say with absolute certainty that we love you dearly." He pauses before continuing. "Since you decided to sneak out today to look at flowers and skipped your sword lessons today, I will be instructing you personally tomorrow. If you are not there, you cannot borrow that book that has caught your interest."

Eogan looks at him awkwardly. He didn't realize his father was paying close enough attention to him to know he had been eyeing a large dark brown book with a single amethyst on its spine. "Yes, father."

"Good, I am glad you understand. Go get yourself cleaned up for dinner."

Eogan hurries out of the office, catching a brief glimpse of his father's hands as he closes the door. He clenches his knees tightly. Eogan isn't sure what his father thinks, but he doesn't care.