Chapter 1

Ethan ran along the hallway into a wide dining room and jumped in front of Arthur. “Come on, Arthur, let’s go outside and play!” Ethan said, tugging on his older brother’s arm. They were in the dining room, the roof was 3 meters tall. The walls were lined with beautiful paintings depicting knights in battle and beautiful forest landscapes. Arthur sat alone at a long 16 seater table. Arthur popped the last bite of his breakfast into his mouth. Ethan was 7 years old and was usually the only one in their family to get up so early in the morning. Arthur sighed as he reluctantly let his brother lead him out of the dining room. They weaved their way through the kitchens where the kitchen maids were starting to prepare their parents' breakfast. Their parents always woke up later in the morning.

“Where are you two going so early in the morning?” Two thick legs stepped out in front of them. It was Mr Gruntz, the cook. His big belly hung out in front of him like a massive keg of beer. The man liked to cook, which meant he liked to eat too.

“We’re heading outside, sir!” Squeaked Ethan running behind Arthur. Arthur smiled. Ethan had always been a shy boy. Only just last night, he had told Arthur how much he liked Mr Gruntz because he always gave him extra sweets on his plate for dinner. It was just that Ethan couldn’t talk to people he didn’t know well. He never spoke to the maids, and it took him a week to speak a word to his new tutor.

“Why are you so scared, little lord? Look people in the eyes when you talk to them,” grunted Mr Gruntz.

“Sorry, sir,” Ethan said quietly, still grabbing hold of Arthur’s shirt. Mr Gruntz glared and turned around to get something from the large kitchen table.
“There were some extra muffins that we made in preparation for your mother’s brunch with the duchess this morning. Take this as a morning treat for you both.” The boys quickly grabbed a muffin each. Mr Gruntz then waved at them. “Now be off with you; I don’t have time for two little sniffling boys in my kitchen.” Arthur was about to thank the cook, but instead let out a cry when Ethan started running while still holding his shirt. He could hear Mr. Gruntz loud belly laughter as they ran off.

When they finally reached the gardens. Ethan ran around on the neatly trimmed grass, laughing. Arthur smiled widely. It was a beautiful blue day, with white fluffy clouds. They sat down near their mother’s rose bushes and chowed down on the blueberry muffins. They were still warm from the oven. This was the main reason why Mr Gruntz had been their cook for 6 years. He had started working for the household when Ethan was born.

“What do you wanna do then, Ethan?”

“Teach me some magic!” he begged, jumping up and down. Arthur paused and looked around to see if anyone was watching them.

“You do know mum and dad would kill me if I taught you right?” Arthur shook his head. Ethan looked up at him. Arthur was only half a head taller; he was only 12 years old, but he felt that he had to be more responsible than his younger brother.

“Pleeeeeease,” begged Ethan. He got down on the ground and grabbed Arthur’s leg, wiggling around back and forth while repeating ‘please’ ‘please’ ‘please’ multiple times. Arthur’s eyebrow twitched. He lasted 1 minute of whining until he shouted, “Okay! Fine! Stop your whining!” It wouldn’t do any harm if he taught him just a little bit, he thought. No one would know.

“Let me show you first what it should look like before you begin.” Arthur took on a horse stance with his legs spread apart and his hands out in front of him. The other hand cupped under his elbow. “First you have to feel the magic from your stomach. It should be a ball of energy that you can draw from. Feel that magic and tap into it. Grab it and drag it up from your stomach, up and around your heart to your arm and across to the palm of your hand.” He was silent for a moment as he breathed slowly in and out. Ethan watched his brother’s hand. Rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. Then Slowly a ball of fire appeared. It was as big as Ethan’s fist. 

“Cool!!” Ethan shouted, his eyes wide with excitement. Arthur smiled. 

“Now when you’re done with it, you pull the magic back inside of you very slowly.” Ethan watched on as the ball floated back down into Arthur’s hands. 

“Teach me! Teach me!” he pleaded jumping up and down. 

“Okay, get up and hold the horse stance your instructor taught you last week.” Ethan leapt up from the ground and immediately took the stance. His elbows up against his side, his fists clenched, and legs bent. “Put your butt out more,” Arthur ordered, kicking Ethan’s butt.

“Hey!” Ethan shot a glare toward his brother.

“Okay, first rule: you can’t glare at your instructor. Second, you have to listen to what I say. Magic can be dangerous. Finally, you need a clear mind throughout the training, which means you need a proper horse stance. Now put your butt out more.” Ethan shuffled his feet and stuck his butt out. “Now clear your mind and breathe in and out slowly.” Arthur watched as his brother’s chest moved up and down, and he seemed to relax a lot more in front of him. “Okay, good, now I want you to slowly put your hands out in front of you and imagine something lying there in the palm of your hands.” Ethan followed his brother’s orders and moved his hands out, making sure that his mind was clear. He imagined a ball of fire was in his hands, not too hot, just a ball of fiery warmth. Fire was their family's magic bloodline. Even the knights they hired controlled fire magic. His family had been making fire for years. He could do this. He felt inside himself, he felt that ball of magic inside of him. He touched it gently then as though he had opened a tap he felt something fiery hot build up in his midsection, and tendrils of it started to burn their way up his ribcage, across his chest, beside his heart. It was so fast as he felt it slide along his arms until it was just below the palms of his hands. He had no fear, tho was supposed to happen, just as his brother had said.

“Oh my, Ethan! What the hell,” Arthur shouted. Ethan opened his eyes and let out a cry of surprise. In his hands was a massive ball of fire. It was the size of his head!
“Arthur! What do I do!” he cried. The ball sat in his palms, glowing like a mini sun. The fire swirled about inside of it.
“How did you learn this, Ethan! Did the knights teach you?”
“No one taught me, I promise. This is my first time doing this!” He knew he had to stop the magic, but at the same time, he was mesmerised by its size and the way it glowed almost as bright as the morning sun.
“You liar! You did this on purpose, just to show off to me. How could you, Ethan!” shouted Arthur. Tears sprang on Ethan’s face.
“What, no, I didn’t!” Ethan turned to look at Arthur, but then he felt a tugging sensation in the palms of his hands, and suddenly the ball started growing.
“Arthur?” Came a voice from inside the mansion. It sounded like their father’s voice.
“Stop it, Ethan. I get it now. I know you are more powerful than me. I get it!” Arthur started to turn away. Ethan shook his head and put his hand out as if to reach for his brother, but suddenly the ball of fire went flying. It flew straight into Arthur’s back. Fire licked its way up and down, his hair instantly lighting up. Arthur gave a strangled cry and fell to the ground, rolling around like crazy.
“Arthur!” shouted Ethan, running to his brother. “What do I do! Someone, please come here!” There were shouts from inside the mansion. Ethan didn’t take any notice as he watched on in horror as his brother screamed in pain. Tears slid down Ethan’s eyes. He stood back up into a horse stance again and this time tried to think of water. Surely, if he made fire, maybe he could make water too. Nothing came; his mind was too messy and panicked. 

“Arthur!” Came a cry from the doors to the house. Mr Gruntz was barreling his way toward them with a big bucket of water in his hands. He threw it over Arthur, dousing the flames instantly. He knelt and cradled Arthur’s limp body in his hands.
“Arthur!” Ethan flinched. This time it was their father coming. Arthur groaned at the sound of their father’s voice. His head and the top of his back were completely red raw. His shirt and jacket had been burnt to a crisp.
“Arthur,” Ethan reached out to grab his brother’s hands. Then a resounding slap landed on his wrist.
“Do not touch him,” growled his father. Shocked, Ethan stood still. That was when his father’s red rage came bearing down on him.
“I told you, you’re not ready to use magic. I warned you both that it can be dangerous.” His father’s fist was like lightning as it landed on Ethan’s cheek. Ethan fell to the ground with a loud thud. “You little imbecile, making your brother come out here to teach you magic! Stay out here until you’ve learnt your damn lesson!” Ethan shook in fear.
“Father, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to!” His father took a step toward him, making Ethan cower. 

“I don’t believe you, you little wretch. You know he is the firstborn son. You know he is fit to inherit this whole estate, while you have absolutely nothing. I’m warning you, don’t even dare to look at me or even try to talk to your brother from now on.”
He watched as his father accompanied Mr Gruntz as he carried his brother inside. Ethan didn’t move a single muscle. Soon, he started to hear his mother’s cries inside. He sank to his knees, tears falling down his cheeks. What had he done? What was he going to do now?