Makings of a Monster

Sarevok sat cautiously on the edge of the couch, watching the two men who had ordered the guards away. The goateed, yellow-eyed mage sat closer to Sarevok, while Mr. Anchev was standing and regarding him from above.

- "Listen then, ... Sarevok, was it. My name is Reiltar Anchev, and I'm a merchant in a prominent position in both this city and the Iron Throne. I have succeeded in most of my endeavours. However, there is one thing lacking. My... unfortunate wife has failed to produce a heir to me, and this seems to be a permanent state of affairs. So it would be in my interests to adopt a son. A capable and useful son to raise and one day to be a part of my operations."

The man was all business, apparently very pleased with himself. Sarevok wasn't sure he liked the man at all, but the idea of a home and a father appealed to him. Would this be his opportunity to get out of the misery of the streets? To something grander? Something to match his soaring, hungry soul? The obvious question was why would the man do that.

- "You have strength and agility, and for such a small child you have remarkable skill in fighting. That is all well and good, but more important than that, you have ambition and courage to act on it. These are qualities I would find useful in a son. If I was to adopt you, you could put those talents of yours to use somewhere else than petty thieving. My magician, Winski Perorate here, would educate you. As my son, you'd be expected to show obedience, diligence and willingness to learn and be useful. I don't tolerate sniveling or weakness, nor any kind of disrespect or defiance."

He made a pause to let the effect sink in. Sarevok wondered about his words. He had always done as he had pleased, having had no one to defer to. On the other hand, he would be a fool not to realise what was laid before him. This man was a high-ranking official of the Iron Throne, and the Iron Throne was certainly one of the powers that be. If he continued to live as a homeless street urchin, it would take a lot longer to reach this kind of opportunity for a better life, if it was possible at all.

- "What say you, Sarevok? Would you want to be Sarevok Anchev? Remember, I could always turn you to the authorities. If you are not interested, I'll do that, of course, but it would seem like such a waste. I'd have a real use for you."

- "All right, mister. I'll become your... son." It felt odd, almost blasphemous, to say it.
- "So let it be done then! And Sarevok. You must call me father."
- "Yes, father." It rolled off his tongue with a relative ease. Sarevok didn't know much of families. Who knew how sons talked to their fathers? Reiltar seemed pleased enough.

- "Winski! Will you take care of the arrangements? Provide him with room and proper clothing, and introduce him to Jelena. We'll talk tomorrow once you have had some sleep, son."
- "Come then, Sarevok. Here, take my hand." Winski offered his warm and dry hand to Sarevok, who hesitantly accepted it. He had seen children holding their parents' hands, and the sight had made him angry and miserable at the same time. Now he was holding a hand of an adult. It didn't feel unpleasant at all. Sarevok almost hoped someone would see him now.
As they made their way out of the building, the guards stopped Winski.
- "That damnable girl! We lost her... had a poisoned dagger in her sleeve and stabbed Jorlin. And then she kicked him... in the groin and run."
Sarevok couldn't suppress a grin. It seemed to him that Winski, too, was amused.
- "Oh well. No matter. She is just a street child. Those can give amazing trouble even to armed and trained guards, can they not? Perhaps we won't mention that to Reiltar. He has other things on his mind already, anyway."

Winski talked to Sarevok while leading him to Reiltar's home, which was supposed to be nearby.
- "Talk about a lucky break, little one! You are obviously a bright child, but you need some education. Reading, writing, basics of magic, lore, history..."
Sarevok felt his head spinning. Too much had happened in such a short time. He wanted just to sleep now.
Winski glanced at him and chuckled. "Tired? Just one more person you have to meet. Then I'll show you where you can sleep." He led Sarevok into a kitchen, where a blond woman with blue eyes was arranging tea cups on a table. Her eyes were gentle, but also very sad. There was an aura of resigned suffering around her, and she acted like she was a little scared and apprehensive all the time.
- "Winski! Where is Reiltar? The messenger just said there was some ruckus at the Throne and... who is this?"
The woman stopped what she was doing and just stared at Sarevok. The look in her eyes was so accepting, longing, adoring that Sarevok felt a little frightened, though pleased at the same time.
- "Pour the tea, Jelena, and I'll tell you. Reiltar is fine, no worry there. He'll be home later. Pour some for the boy as well."
They sat at the table and drank. The tea was wonderful, warm and aromatic. All the time Jelena looked at Sarevok. It was as if she had lost something precious and found it, unexpectedly, after a long time. Sarevok didn't understand that, but it wasn't unpleasant. Not unpleasant at all.

Winski described how Reiltar had found the children in the Throne, omitting most of the details. Sarevok was pleased that he didn't tell Jelena about the wounded guard.
- "... and to make a long story short, Reiltar has decided to adopt the boy. You know how he needs a son."
- "I know. I have failed to give him one, and that has strained our relationship..." sighed Jelena.
Winski made a wry and impatient smile.
- "Well, kicking a pregnant woman in stomach can have such consequences."
- "Yes, but it was my fault too, I hadn't remembered that he needed his..."
- "Shh. Let it be. Let's not confuse the child. His name is Sarevok. Sarevok, this is your mother Jelena."
- "Um. Shall I call you mother?"
A tear rolled on her cheek and her voice quivered.
- "Please, Sarevok. Please call me mother."

- "We'll show you your room. Look at you, you almost fall asleep as you sit!" said Winski. The drowsy Sarevok followed the two adults. He was led into a room with clean linen on bed. There were toys on the shelf, as if it was a room of a child, even though the Anchevs clearly didn't have any.
- "I'm kind of dirty for that bed..." hesitated Sarevok.
- "Hush. You need sleep now. Tomorrow you get a bath and clean clothes, and I'll change the linen. But now you sleep, dear, " said Jelena in her musical voice.
She tucked Sarevok inside the blanket and blew the lantern off.
- "Good night, Sarevok."
- "Good night, mother. And mister Winski."

They retreated, closing the door quietly. Sarevok could still hear them.
- "... he's so precious, so beautiful. Reiltar must love me more than he shows that he gave this child to me. I will love and cherish the boy..."
- "... Jelena, Reiltar also has some practical reasons for this arrangement..."
Falling asleep he remembered Sarri. Fare well, Sarri. We had some good times. Moments later he was tight asleep.