Family Vacation

Bryson Coldwater was currently sitting inside an airship heading towards their summer vacation home with the rest of his family. Well, everyone but Gareth, who had now left to pursue his own ventures.

In all honesty Gareth’s departure surprisingly lacked any real fanfare. About a month after Bryson had turned nine, Gareth departed. No farewell party or anything, just a simple goodbye to all of them and then he left.

That was arguably the most humble thing my brother has done his entire life. Bryson mused. Looking out the window he saw the airship was arriving at it’s destination, a massive set of buildings located on the island continent of Wemore.

The continent of Wemore was a rather weird piece of land. From what Bryson can remember the continent is mainly a vacation and tourist destination. Officially owned by The Kingdom, chunks of the land were split among the most prominent nobles houses to use.

It was the most southern piece of land that the Coldwaters owned. Every summer Duke Coldwater would bring the family down here for a few weeks to enjoy themselves. Personally, Bryson never really like these trips.

“We will be landing in five minutes.” A voice on the speakers called out.

I mean, why can’t we visit during winter? Bryson thought. The winters back in Wrabuth were bitterly cold, so cold that the place was known as ‘The Cold North’. Wemore on the other hand had a tropical climate. During winter months, at least from what Bryson knows, the place was comfortably warm. Far better than the scalding hot summers Bryson had always had to deal with over here.

What’s even the point of me coming here? Bryson thought. All he was going to do here was stay inside away from that blasted sun. Bryson hated hot weather, he preferred the cold, it was how he was brought up.

Looking into the interior of the airship he saw the rest of his family seated. Viola, his eldest sister was busy reading off a tablet and compared to him seemed rather happy about their vacation. His other brother Gilles was raring to go and explore the countryside.

Bryson then looked across from his to look at his sister Sable. She in turn completely ignored him. Oh come on! He wanted cry out. Still? It had been over a year since the incident at The Warrington Sprite and the relationship between the two had not changed.

Sable still tries her best to avoid him whenever possible and had doubled her efforts in training the past few months. Though any attempts that Bryson made to communicate with her were quickly shot down.

Looking back out of the window in disappointed he wished he was back in Wrabuth. I mean, it’s not like that place isn’t hot in the summer. He thought, though him staying back at Wrabuth was never possible, what with his parents always wanting him to be more productive. Also if he had stayed back at home, he would have actual work to do.

The farming town that Bryson had to visit around a year ago had just started their summer’s crop rotation. Bryson had more recently given more information and farming advice to the farmer there. Or at least he had told Phillip to do so.

A decent deal was made between Bryson and the farm, thanks to the new farming methods the farm was able to produce more foodstuffs then ever before. Bryson would receive a cut of the profits and also provide improved equipment to the town. The place finally received mechanized vehicles and began to work like the farms that were closer to the cities.

With all of this improved equipment they were able to produce crops faster and at a higher quality. Which also meant that Bryson was able to receive an extra source of income from them. With help from Phillip, this income went unnoticed by Bryson’s father. Though Bryson wasn’t sure if hiding that from his father was the best idea or that he even would care. Nevertheless, Bryson continued to not mention it.

As he finished recalling these ideas the airship had landed before the vacation home.

“Duke Coldwater, we have arrived at our destination.” A voice announced through the loudspeaker.

The door to the exit of the airship was opened with a servant standing by awaited them. Duke Coldwater wordlessly looked over to the rest of his family and gave a small nod of the head to beckon them to exit the airship. He then stood up and was the first to exit the airship with everyone else following along. Bryson tried to let Sable go first, she ignored him.

As they stepped out of the cool airship, Bryson was immediately hit with a wave of hot summer heat. Squinting through the blazing sun he looked around the place.

It was the same as always, a massive manor that led to a massive backyard connected directly to a lake. Of on the horizon Bryson could see the private beach located near the place. Near the massive structure was a very busy market strip brimming with people.

“Can we enter the place now?” Bryson asked as felt as though he was melting already.

“Of course dear!” Duchess Coldwater said as she guided him in, beckoning the servants to bring in their bags.

***

“Well this is a pretty nice place.” Lila said as she was hanging some of Bryson’s clothes inside the walk-in closet, “This place is as big as the manor at home.”

They were currently located at one of the top floor suites on the nine-story tall building. Much like his place back home, his room was extraordinarily large, and several pieces of furniture were placed down to fill up to empty space. Furniture that Bryson would never use, such as a full bar, though it was filled with non alcoholic beverages for Bryson.

“My family is known for being rather grandiose.” Bryson said, “This is going to be miserable.” He said as he looked out of the window that led out the balcony. Which in turn pointed directly at the beach.

“What? This is a lovely vacation spot.” Lila said in surprise.

“It’s hot.”

“The heat is a bit much, but it’s not that bad.” She said, “Besides you can do whatever you want here, so have fun.” She said trying to cheer up the upset Coldwater.

“You say that, but you’re here and Nico is as well.” Bryson scoffed.

“Hey! What’s that suppose to mean?” She said indignantly.

“It means you, Nico, Sable and I plus one random individual are a terrible combination.” Bryson replied as he opened hit tablet, “The last time we were all together was over a year ago and we both know how that turned out.”

“Oh… oh yeah, I guess you’re right. That is an odd coincidence that it has happened twice.” Lila said nodding her head as she recalled the kerfuffle at the now shut down Warrington Sprite.

“Yeah, and three’s a pattern.” Bryson remarked.

“Hey, it’s unlikely that anything will happen.” She said as she knocked on the wooden door, just in case, “Besides, you have Nico and me to protect you.” She assured.

“You? What can you do?”

“Hey! I have this.” She said waving the bracelet on her wrist, “Don’t forget that I saved your life in the past, twice.”

Bryson squinted at Lila as he pretended to think, “I don’t recall that ever happening.”

“What? I even saved you from that old mage guy for you!”

“I don’t ever recall something like that happening.”

“Come on, I deserve some credit for all that.”

“Hmm.” Bryson said nodding his head, “Anyways are you done putting away my clothes?” He asked changing the subject.

Lila raised her hands exasperated before relenting, “Almost done.” She said rolling her eyes and putting the last few things in place.

“You should be careful with that thing though.” Bryson said seriously pointing at the bracelet, “You only have one or two charges left. Also, I’m still not too sure how exactly that thing works.” He said pointing at the bracelet.

After giving the bracelet a proper study and with the help of Primrose, his teacher, he found out that there were some very old engravings within the bracelet. Engravings that allowed the user of the bracelet harness magic even if they naturally lacked the talent to do so.

At one point in time it was enchanted with some type of specific spell, but over time that deteriorated, leaving only part of the spell engraving left over. When Bryson mended the bracelet the mana absorption spell apparently melded with the original engraving.

Much to Lila’s surprise, it turns out that her parents were somewhat telling the truth about how the bracelet was an old artifact. Apparently, the way the spell was engraved on the bracelet was old fashioned according to Primrose.

“Well, follow me Frost, I’m going out.” Bryson said as he as he left his room.

“Wait you’re going outside?” Lila said surprised.

“Nonsense, I’m going to get have ice cream at the dining hall and so that no one can rope me into anything.” Bryson said as he left the room and Lila followed along.