FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

From Past to Present

copyright comidacomida 2024

Matthias was filled with disquiet for most of his journey to the south-lands, but all of that finally started to ease during the last four hour leg of his two day journey. It had been over a decade since he was last in the Earldom of Whitecliff but much had changed in that time. As a Baron, Matthias often found reason to travel, but his stay in Whitecliff had lasted for more than two years, and was for a very specific reason: he had been tasked in training Earl Whitecliff's son in the ways of magic.

Of all instructors in the kingdom, Baronet Matthias Frostridge was the eminent mentor for most of the noble families so it was not abnormal for him to be assigned for weeks or sometimes months to other Baronries, Viscounties, and, on occasion, Counties. All noblemen wanted the best magical education for their children since spell casting was a pursuit of nobles and was one of many attributes that separated them from commoners. Considering that magical aptitude was solidified in potential casters by age ten, most noble houses considered it the most important education for their children.

Baronet Matthias had been born to Baron Ulysses Frostridge, one of the more influential Barons of the mid-kingdom. Although the Frostridges had no real claim to fame, that all changed when Matthias' magical talents were discovered at two years of age. Not of any great station to recruit the best tutors, Matthias' father nevertheless did everything that could be done to cultivate it, and it helped that Matthias was a natural prodigy. Developing his first unique spell at 5, Matthias had greatly surpassed all practitioners by age eight and by ten years of age he had a dozen pupils learn the ways of spell casting. His true test, however, was set upon him when he was twelve.

Earl Grarr Whitecliff from the south lands was the first Earl who had made a request of Matthias to serve as an instructor, and it was a unique request for numerous reasons, not the least of which being that the Whitecliffs were rulers of an Earldom. Being an Earl, Grarr Whitecliff had a great amount of sway in court and, as such, requested that Matthias serve as a live-in instructor for his son Wynn. His son, as it turned out, was almost eight years old and didn't know even the most basic incantation. There were not many Canins among the nobility in the kingdom, and the Dog-folk were often at odds with the Humans, meaning Earl Whitecliff would not stand for his son being a pariah with little-to-no magical power.

Matthias leaned on his elbow, looking out the window of his carriage as it made its way along the country roads that he remembered from his time living in Whitecliff; nostalgia began to push its way through his minor concerns as he began to recognize more and more of the countryside. He found himself thinking of the little furball he'd been hired to teach, and the numerous arguments they got into in the Human's attempt to get the all-but-hopeless puppy learning how to use magic. It didn't help that little Lord Wynn was far more capable with a sword and resisted magical training with a passion.

Wynn looked like a short little puffball, but the Canin still managed to resist the training for well over a month. Ultimately, utilizing the most ardent and willful teaching techniques, along with permission from the Earl to deprive Wynn of meals for lack of success, they ultimately had a breakthrough in a rather unconventional manner: most casters used wands, rods, or even gestures to enact their spells but the pint-sized fluffy oddity that was Wynn had far more success channeling spells with his sword. Once that initial casting was completed, the tutoring could begin in earnest.

Matthias had always considered him a harsh-but-fair tutor, especially since students only had a limited window in which to improve. He had tried-and-true methods for getting children to focus; despite being one himself, he often lacked empathy for those who learned slower-- in that, Wynn was no exception. Once it was discovered that young Lord Wynn had an aptitude for the rare art of spell-swording, Matthias changed his teaching method and included components of dueling and sword fighting into the instruction. Matthias himself was no real swordsman, but he had taken enough classes to be semi-competent, and his older age and longer reach was more than enough to give the pup a run for his money, forcing the Canin to grow his magical skills in order to keep up.

By the end of their first season together, Wynn had finally come out of his shell, developing a harder edge as he pushed himself to keep up with his instructor; Matthias noticed it, and pushed him even harder until they had their second break-through, and it was the biggest one of Matthias' young life. During his few years as a tutor, Matthias had made more than his fair share of students cry-- it was usually from frustration or anger or, occasionally, their realization that they were failing miserably because they weren't trying hard enough. For Wynn, however, his breakdown was something else entirely, and it blindsided Matthias in a completely unforeseen way.

The two had been heavily invested in a lengthy round of swordplay combined with sorcery when Wynn threw himself off-balance with a reckless swing, and used an unconventional blast of magical energy to force Matthias back so he could have sufficient time to recover-- that blast was a collection of roses spontaneously appearing in the air, sent flying at the Human. Matthias stopped the fight right then and there, spending no less than five minutes ranting about how magic was an art and no amount of silly parlor tricks would ever make Wynn amount to a decent caster.

The Baronet winced inwardly as he thought back to his tirade and how long it took him to realize that Wynn was barely holding it together, overcome with tears. Only when the Human DID notice it did the Dog finally give in and begin blubbering but, even so, the pup did some manage to hold it together long enough to say "I... promised my mama I'd learn how to... to summon flowers."

Matthias knew that the pup's mother had died the prior summer and the objection broke through just enough of his professionalism that he started to feel just a little bit of self reproach. Clearing his throat, the Baronet powered forward, attempting to take hold of the situation. "Well.. be that as it may, your form was sloppy. If you want to make your memory of her worth something, try harder... She would not have been impressed."

The pup stopped in his whimpering, a hard edge coming to his eye as he stood back up, glaring daggers at his instructor and he stated clearly, speaking with candor that seemed far beyond his age. "Father hired you to help me and teach me... but I don't need a critic... I need a friend."

That had been the end of their training for the day since the pup had stormed off, but it had given Matthias a lot to think about before they continued Wynn's education the following morning. Something had changed between them after that and, Matthias remembered, Wynn's skills grew even faster. He had promised to himself that he'd be gentler in his corrections, and more encouraging with praise. They started using more of their days talking and interacting, and simply spending time together. Training was still a large part of their lives, but they also began connecting.

Matthias smiled to himself as he saw the Earldom's castle on the horizon, eyeing it as his carriage drew closer. He'd lived there for several years, guiding Wynn's growth as a caster and his own growth as a tutor. He learned almost as much from the young Canin as he taught, and, perhaps, he found a part of his humanity he hadn't quite had before truly taking Wynn under his wing. For as long as Matthias could remember he'd wanted a sibling and, one evening after dinner, Wynn had admitted the same, only it was in a much more personal manner. "Matty... you are the only child in your family, right?"

Matthias was indeed and he nodded. "I am. Like yours, my mother passed away. I often wished I had a brother, but it was not to be."

The pup's ears blushed. "I always wanted a brother too."

Wynn's tail wagged slightly after the admission and, unable to help himself, Matthias reached his hand out and rested it on the little Canin's head, giving him a small pat. "Well... I'm still here for more than two years. I suppose, if you want... you can call me 'brother'."

It made the pup's day... and the following week, and month, and years. At that point, Wynn was almost inseparable from him. Wynn's father was a Dog of little emotional availability and the young Canin latched quickly onto Matthias, immediately embracing the idea that they were family. They spent almost all their waking hours together and, while they continued training in the ways of magic, they remained inseparable otherwise.

Wynn became the company that Matthias didn't realize that he needed and they even slept together on many occasions, both dressed in their night clothing, the little furball curled up in Matthias' arms, sleeping soundly and contentedly. There was no time in his life when the Human felt more appreciated or wanted. He had truly been happy.

The carriage slowed to a stop within the courtyard, pulling Matthias from his reverie. He had said goodbye to Wynn nearly twelve years prior and, despite often thinking about him, the Human had been all but forced to put the young Canin out of his mind since his duties as a magic tutor took him all over the kingdom with little downtime. He was all the more surprised for it when he had received a missive stating that he was being called back to Whitecliff by the Baron. The signature on the letter said it all since it was signed by Earl Wynn Whitecliff-- the young pup had assumed the title after his father had passed.

Not sure what to expect as he stepped out of the carriage, Matthias froze when he saw the enormous black-white-and-tan furred dog striding toward him. Earlier in life, the Human had stood more than a head taller than Wynn but, despite having to look up to meet the gaze of his former student, Matthias new right away who greeted him. Maintaining an air of reserved nobility (all except for the faintest back-and-forth sway of his long-furred tail), Baron Whitecliff offered a courteous nod of his head. "Baronet Matthias... I am pleased that you answered my summons."

The Human returned to polite greeting with a deep bow. "Freely, Earl Whitecliff. It is my pleasure to be of service."

Presenting his response with a simple incline of his muzzle, the Canin gestured to the entrance to his keep. "If you would, Matthias."

The Human obediently entered the door. "Of course, my Lord."

There was something almost alien to the big Dog's voice; while he was unmistakably Wynn, the deep vibrato to his rich tone seemed almost otherworldly, and being addressed by his full name by the Dog who, at one time had been his 'little brother' seemed almost painful to experience. That thought was cut short as, upon the door closing behind the two of them, the enormous Dog wrapped his arms around the Matthias and lifted him up in a huge embrace. "Welcome back, Matty."

The Human found himself smiling; he arrived expecting to have been summoned for work. Thankfully, that was not the reason... after all, he didn't need an employer; he needed a brother.