What is there to see in this world? This question would sum up the boy known as Edmond. This boy grew up on a homestead within the Kingdom of Marna ,a quaint place that had its dangers if you decided to explore off in the wrong direction. The Clarke family was able to live rather modestly thanks to generations of skilled trade of cartography within the bloodline passed from father to son or sons as it happened to be with Edmond and his sibling who was younger by a winter Fendrel. His father, Reynard, began working to teach his children the intricacies of his trade and some bits about living within the wilds from the moment they could walk. Though his mother Ellyn, a fairly worldly woman compared to Reynard, was not different as for as soon as the boys had been able to utter words she would tell them stories of the land of Atlas, and when she had alone time with Edmond she would teach him how to use her old viol.
This combination would be a double edged sword as it encouraged the boys to go out and learn with their father, taking as an opportunity to experience the world. It also got them into trouble as they would scurry of on their own seeking to uncover these tales for themselves. As time passed they became bolder and more curious to see the world, until a harrowing myth was told about the Dominion of Malin by Ellyn.
The story toned down Edmond thirst for adventure the tragedy getting to him as he usually experienced more uplifting stories. However, Fendrel still seemed to have a twinkle in his eye when he heard story his curiosity for the world growing stronger. For years after they set back into a routine of learning and helping around the homestead, though Edmond fell into more line with his father not disappearing anymore, while Fendrel would still vanish for hours.
One night Fendrel woke Edwin and told him that he had to see something. Tired and not in a fully reasoning state Edwin decided to follow as Fendrel led him far off into a foreign wood and toward a clearing where a lone tree stood with light coming from within. Fendrel quickly informed Edmond of what he theorized it to be. Which rubbed him the wrong way Edwin insisted they go back, but Fendrel would not falter as he began to move them closer to the Tree. Things seemed well, but instantly things went sour as they were ambushed presumably by the resident of the home, but Edmond never caught a glimpse of the assailant. In the chaos, Edmond grabbed Fendrel and quickly began sprinting away shaking with fear. Though when they had finally lost them Edmond discovered something horrible Fendrel had been mortally wounded. Panicking he scrambled to try and help, but he prevent his death, and as Fendrel passed he left his dying wish to Edmond, “Please….Continue to explore….the world…. for me…” That night he buried his brother and returned home.
The morning was somber and cloudy, and even after hearing the story of what had transpired there was no anger only sorrow. Time passed and Edwin continued to mature and he continued to learn from his parents their practices being the only thing distracting them from his brother's death. One evening a few years passed Edwin awoke again and there was a bag lying at the end of the bed with a letter telling him what lies before him was his inheritance and that they would like it to be used to grant Fendrel’s dying wish, and to leave before morning came for they didn’t want to see another son go. With that, he felt a rekindling of a flame in his heart and made a promise to himself that he would go along with his brother’s wish, and before the sun rose Edmond had gone from the homestead off to find other human kingdoms.
