Fan Fiction ❯ Praxis remembers his father ❯ Chapter 1

Throughout my childhood I remember my father, only briefly seeing him as he passed through. He was a Mediator for our people and traveled often from tribe to tribe for those who would summon him. He was good at what he did, perhaps to good, and could see plans within plans and lies wrapped in truths; this is what made him so desired. I can't say I was angered at him during these times but I certainly wanted his attention. Many times he would come home weary from his travels, very often he wouldn't make it to bed falling asleep at the table because he had to leave soon allowing us to rest in peace. He wouldn't ever bother to unpack leaving his gear at the door to share a moment with his family.

 

I remember this one time he came in the door and nearly scared my mother to death. It was raining and the storm was awful, the seasons were changing and the windows were fogged from our evening's activities. I was playful with my brothers, as I was the youngest and never allowed that to be my shortcoming. While we wrestled in the living room next to the fire my mother came over to calm us down. From under the pile I looked up at her to see her scorn when the door burst open allowing a cold gust in that rushed through my bones.

 

There stood a man, which at first I didn't recognize. The storm was suddenly fierce and the rain spilled in while the thunder rolled over his shoulders. His boots were the first thing that told me who had entered. There were large as I was small and they hit our wooden floor and made a thud with every step. It was this sound that let me know that my father was home. Excited I squirmed out from under my brothers to rush him.

 

I ran to his leg and as soon as I grasped on I heard his gear hit the ground and slump against the wall as if it knew it was here to rest. He closed the door and patted me on the head. Of course my brothers rushed too and the 4 of use stood there beneath his glory smiling and excited to see him. I knew I couldn't sleep that night knowing that if I did I would wake to find him gone.

 

He greeted us all one at a time ending with me. I was too excited, and couldn't help myself as I spilled all my achievements since his last visit. I spoke so fast he had to stop me as he picked me up and walked over to my mother. He greeted her well and she was driven to tears as she embraced him. It had been a long time and he began to tell her of going to the furthest reaches of the Garthdillian Commonwealth and earned a favor to acquire a transport back.

 

She was happy, I felt as if I had some time and I could finally gain my father's favor or respect. At least gain his admiration for my accomplishments, but hell, all I wanted was his love and an uninterrupted moment of his time. Unfortunately it wasn't that day because as soon as I felt comfortable and calm there was a knock at the door. It sent a chill down my spine for I knew any knock when he was here was a sign that he had to leave. He looked at us and no one smiled. My brothers walked away to distract themselves as he put me down and walked back to answer the door.

 

He went to the door opened it and immediately went outside closing it behind him. I couldn't see who was there and the silence about me was deafening. I wished that he would walk back in and we would continue catching up with all the lost time. The rain fell and blew against the window and I could feel the cold creep in under the door. The deep voices barely came through with all the ruckus of the falling rain. I wanted to hear him so badly I was frozen still afraid to make a sound and breathing slowly. I could hear my heart beat and my mother rustle in the other room. I could also hear my brothers turn the page of a book. I desperately wanted to know what was going on outside.

 

After some time passed the door opened and the only thing that entered was an arm attached to a head looking about. It peered in for only a moment and looked down after his eyes met mine. I would like to think he saw my pain, as I knew I wouldn't have the time with my father, he grabbed my fathers' gear and disappeared as quickly as he came.

 

His job was important and I knew that, it didn't help as another stranger came to take him away. I didn't handle it well and he left as quickly and quietly as he came. I tore the door open and shouted for him. God only knows if he heard me but he certainly didn't respond. I stood there in the doorway crying for him until my mother pulled me inside and shut the door.