Epilogue 4.2: Family Dinner
Elimar watched reservedly as servants placed large platters of food in the center of the table. He was unaccustomed to such treatment, both from sixty-six years serving in the imperial army and from the measured upbringing of his parents. All of them waited politely for everyone to arrive at the table before they began eating, just as they’d been taught when they were children.
“Uncle Vincent, how come you know so much about the Last Calamity?” came chatter from one of Elimar’s nephews. “You talk about it just like grandpa.”
“Good question, kid. Very good question.” Vincent drank from his glass of water.
When Vincent didn’t answer, the child demanded rambunctiously, “Then answer!”
Castro snapped his fingers, and a very weak spark of lightning jolted the child in the nose. Elimar’s nephew winced more from surprise than hurt, like he’d been flicked on the nose. “What did your mother tell you about asking nicely, son?”
“Jeez, don’t shock the boy on my behalf.” Vincent shook his head. “I just studied a lot. If you want to grow up to tell stories to little kids at family reunions, then read a lot of books like me. But honestly, you’re better off trying to be like your dad, or your uncle Elimar, or your aunt Gisele. Or, best of all, you could try to be like Sophia.”
“I’m gonna be the emperor, like grandpa!” The child declared boldly.
All of the adults smiled or laughed at the carefree ambition of youth. Eventually, his fickle nature took over, and he darted away to be with some of his peers.
“Your youngest, right?” His sister Lieselotte asked Castro. “Good kid. Smart.”