Aidan woke up to the sound of his mother cooking on the lower floor, the boy rose from his bed, got dressed in a simple khaki shirt and brown pants and moved to the kitchen. His appearance was nimble and delicate, some would say even feminine, his black hair was short and straight, his skin had a tanned bronze hue, he'd an average height and slim body and had just turned eighteen.
The boy arrived at the kitchen to see his mother, the beautiful woman shared her appearance with her son except she was taller and her skin looked like porcelain, she was wearing a grey dress, while the dress was meant to look plain and ordinary, it highlighted her thin waste and wide hips and it's tight grip made her breasts stood out. Aidan entered the kitchen and sat on the wooden table, the anxiousness of his mother was evident by the way she moved.
"Morning." Said still half asleep Aidan.
His mother startled turned to him.
"My god you scared me!"
"Sorry, it wasn't intentional." Trying to soften his next words he added hopeful "Had there been any news?"
His mother negated with her head.
"No, no one has sent any message, in fact I was thinking maybe I could ask the people in the market about any news, also I will need you to come with me and help me since your father isn't here it's not like there's any work in the shop."
"Okay." Aidan actually liked the idea since Liesa would likely be there.
Both ate in silence worry clear on their faces. After that they got to the market, the day seemed normal but a keen observer might notice the small number of men on the streets. They reached the market in the center of the city's stone streets, they stopped at one of the outer shops, there a beautiful dark skinned girl with a braid reaching her hips was attending, she was slim and around Aidan's age and height. Her face was round and her eyes were an emerald green, she wore a red dress, despite the prudish design her round small breasts were highlighted and the curve of her large rear and wide hips was evident. Aidan smiled recognizing Liesa.
"Hello!" Said the boy enthusiastic.
"Oh, hi." Answered the girl blushing but cheerful, then she noticed Aidan's mother and composed herself "How can I help you?"
"We came looking for some vegetables." Said Aidan's mom "Also is your mother here? I would like to talk with her." Added the woman gravely.
"She left to buy some things but should return soon, you can pick the vegetables while she arrives."
Aidan's mother did that and filled some bags with different products which she gave to Aidan to carry, meanwhile he was cheerfully chatting with Liesa. After some minutes a woman very similar to Liesa arrived.
"Good morning Aidan, Elena, I didn't expect to find you here today."
"I decided to come shopping earlier." Answered Elena "Also I wanted to ask you some questions Melissa." Added Elena lowering her tone.
"Of course." Answered Melissa, she moved behind her shop's bar and looked Elena to the eyes.
"So I suppose it's about the mobilization isn't it?"
"Yes, what can you tell me? Had there been any news?"
Melissa sighed. Aidan and his mother looked attentive and hopeful.
"I'm afraid not, no one has heard of them since they left, supposedly they should have sent a message two days ago, but nothing came."
Both mother and child were downhearted.
"But there's something interesting if you would like to know, I heard rumors of why the count ordered the mobilization."
"And the reason was?" Asked Elena.
"Well you know the count would always send hunting parties to bring him meat, it seems one of those parties disappeared after crossing the warding stones."
"What?! Why would anyone cross the stones, that's inviting misfortune." Said Elena worried.
"It seems the count's men didn't believe the stories, like many on the court, it seems the count is seeking revenge."
"Oh my god, so Aaron was sent there?!" Asked Elena fearful.
"But he was sent along all the men didn't he, he has a chance to survive?" Asked Aidan seeking some hope about his father's fate. Liesa and Melissa looked at them with pity.
"Well." continued Melissa "The rumor says the count asked the help of the king, but the king rejected the idea and so the count went to seek revenge himself, the rest you know each household was forced to provide at least one man." Melissa stood silent, her eyes avoiding the gaze of Aidan and his mother.
Both mother and son looked at each other and were now more worried than ever, they knew enough history to understand what Melissa implied. In the past the first human king attempted to conquer the fae kingdom, with disastrous results, the warding stones were placed to indicate the agreed border between the realms, one that was meant to never be crossed by either side.
"Has anyone survived in the forest?" Asked Aidan.
"Yes." Said Melissa "There are humans living there actually, many were from lands taken by the fae, others moved to the forest after the war, but they are... well, different..."
"Different how?" Asked the boy.
"They are very libertine, the way they act, talk and even dress would scandalize any priest of the kingdom, also they have weird beliefs and behaviours, they reject the Lord and practice witchcraft." Said the woman as if describing the most barbaric thing. Aidan and his mother looked fearful yet interested "Anyway, that's all I can tell you, oh I'm just glad my dear Thomas isn't here dealing with this, may his soul rest. I just hope Aaron is safe, we can only pray for him now."
