Book 2 Chapter 55

Yew was excited to hear that there was another new letter from Willow today. They seemed to come every other month or so, though his brother did warn them in his last letter that winter might make it difficult for him to send anything.

Which seemed understandable to him, most mail and trade made use of the Seo clan’s waterways to get around quickly, and from what he’d heard the price goes up exorbitantly in the winter months.

He still wasn’t sure why he kept referring to the little gremlin as his brother in his head. In the grand scheme of things they’d only spent a small amount of time around him as a boy, and Willow could shift between the two states on a whim from his understanding.

Yet it brought him a smidge of comfort to not think of himself as the only son.

As Yew and his father made their way back to the house, Rowan placed a hand on his shoulder, surprising him.

“After we read Willow’s letter there’s something I want to discuss with you, son.” He rumbled.

That was worrying, had his Da caught him and Bai kissing? Or had he done his chores incorrectly somehow? From his father’s tone he sounded serious, so Yew doubted it’d be a lighthearted chat.

Despite his racing thoughts Yew simply nodded. “Sounds good.”

After cleaning up they entered the home and joined his sister at the central table. He hadn’t voiced this to anyone, but he much enjoyed the new home and little compound they now lived in. There were so many people just a brisk walk away, and the surroundings were much safer compared to his old home.

Sure that meant he was no longer able to look for a strong spirit in the wilderness as easily, but deep down he knew that he was only emptily boasting whenever he’d told Rom or Bai that he would ever work up the courage to do such a thing.

Yew’s nose scrunched up upon remembering his old friend, but thankfully Maple began reading the letter so he was quickly able to distract himself.

It was largely more of the same as Willow’s previous letters, talks of his training, an update or two on some of the sights he’s seen or foods he’s tried. Still very little on any friends he’s made aside from his spirits which had all of them just a bit concerned.

Community was important, and while spirits could be trusted companions, at the end of the day they weren’t human. Willow was always a bit strange even at the best of times, but he’d likely wind up even stranger if he never made friends with people.

Still, he couldn’t say that he wasn’t jealous of Willow, a feeling that was unfortunately quite familiar to him despite trying to stamp it out.

It wasn’t fair that his brother found a pair of powerful spirits in the woods.

It wasn’t fair that he got apprenticed to a master wanderer, while Yew was stuck at his family’s farm.

It wasn’t fair, but that was life.

And at least he could now be happy for Willow’s success instead of stewing in his foul moods.

He hoped that his brother went far on his path, while Yew would steadily trod on the one his father set for him.

Such was the fate of the eldest son.

He quickly snapped himself out of his funk, and hoped no one noticed he hadn’t been paying attention to the family’s discussion of Willow’s letter. He hadn’t been getting stuck in his own head as often as he had been, but it was still an unfortunate habit of his.

Usually he had Bai or his work to distract him these days but he still slipped up on occasion.

Which brought him back to the impending talk with Da.

He really hoped that his father hadn’t seen him and Bai fooling around a little. It was only a recent thing that he’d worked up the courage to confess to her, but the two of them were paranoid that their parents would find out. Frankly he was more worried about Aunt Jieun and Uncle Lin finding out than he was his own father, but he feared the potentially awkward talking to he’d be given.

One talk about such things had been more than enough.

“Are you all right, Yew?” Maple asked him, startling the young teen. “You seem a little out of it.”

Their father snorted. “He’s probably worked himself up about the talk I had planned.”

He placed a hand on Yew’s shoulder. “It’s not anything bad, so you don’t need to stress yourself out over it, son.”

Yew let out a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding and nodded to the both of them. “I’m fine. Just got a lot on my mind.”

Rowan chuckled. “I’m sure you do, and if you want a bit less on your mind, let’s go have that chat.”

Maple crossed her arms across her chest. “Don’t take too long with your talk, we’re eating dinner with the Xin’s today. I need to head over and start helping with things.”

After the two of them promised to be back in time for dinner, Yew was vaguely surprised that his father began to head back outside towards their field.

Rowan didn’t say a word and continued to walk over to his old companion, Bough. The great turtle of earth and gnarled roots groaning at them as the two of them approached. Yew’s father placed a rough and calloused hand on the top of their shell, still silent, but seeming quite melancholy to his son.

He then turned to face Yew.

“Son, this winter will be your fourteenth. Which means you’ll be one year closer to being a man in your own right. When I was your age, my grandfather passed Bough on to me, and I’ve decided to continue that tradition. Only if you feel ready to bear such a burden, of course.”

Yew felt overwhelmed, but numbly nodded his head. He’d complained before about not having a spirit of his own, and now his father was handing him their family's spirit beast.

The expectations associated with binding the source of their livelihood to him were enormous. It would cement his place as the patriarch to be of his family.

Was he ready for that?

He guessed he would have to be.

His father was staring into his eyes, and seemed to like what he saw since a flash of white teeth appeared amidst his dark beard.

“Good. I’ll start teaching you the binding you’ll need, and the words for the handoff ceremony. As is the family tradition we’ll do the handoff towards the end of winter. There’s not as much urgency so I want to do your binding ceremony properly, unlike your siblings.”

Yew chuckled nervously. It wasn’t a side of his father he saw often, but he really seemed to enjoy keeping the traditions of their family alive.

Though considering what had happened to their family he could understand why. His father was currently the last carrier of said traditions.

And soon it would be his turn.

The weight of expectations fell around him like a cloak.

Yet he found he didn’t mind.