Stone Cross was one of the towns Leo’s father delivered village resources. It’s also the place that Leo talked of yesterday, causing him to get excited by it all. But the excitement was short lived when the young sorcerer begun to realize something. He turned his attention over to the witch and Kagemusha, looking coldly at the both of them.

“What is it, Leo?” Kazu asked.

“You told my dad what I wanted for my birthday, didn’t you?” He suspected.

The two jolted at their friend’s accusation, sitting silently atop of their horses. But they practically felt the harsh disappointment coming off of Leo’s piercing gaze.

“Leo do not be angry at them,” defended Fredrick.

“Your father’s right,” Akira stated. “Besides, it was all his idea.”

When hearing the words, Leo and Fredrick shot Akira with a look of surprise. That’s when the former Kagemusha realized what he said and quickly covering his mouth. But it didn’t keep Fredrick from teleporting behind and locking an arm around his neck. Akira fought to break free but failed as his friend’s grip grew even tighter. Kazu and Celine were snickering like children as they watched it happen.

“You. Have. Got. The biggest mouth in ALL of Savína!” Fredrick gritted angrily through his teeth.

“I-I’m… I’m s-sorry!” Gasped the other man.

“Dad, stop it!” Leo told him and ordered, “Get down from there!”

Fredrick kept strangling Akira till he finally complied to his son’s wish. He teleported back to the ground beside Leo, while the former Kagemusha panted for air.

“That was… unnecessary, Fredrick!” he coughed.

“Well, I am sorry for that!” Apologized the sorcerer.

The older sorcerer’s apology sounded half sincere for strangling Akira. And yet, when he turned his attention back on Leo, his anger had changed to guilt. His face held no emotion, but the disappointment behind it seemed far more obvious. Fredrick sighed as he placed comforting hands atop of both his son’s shoulders.

“Please understand Leo,” he began hesitantly, “I asked your friends to help me know what the perfect gift for your birthday would be.”

“So, you were eavesdropping?” Leo questioned in disbelief. “How could you do something like that?”

Fredrick was silent because nothing he’d say would make it better. Leo saw the guilt so plainly visible on his father’s face for devising his little scheme. The younger sorcerer wanted to storm off, but also wished he hadn’t learned the truth. He prayed for the earth under his feet to swallow him whole in order to escape. But those thoughts, however, were soon cut short when a pair of arms wrapped around him.

“Cub, I truly am sorry for eavesdropping,” his father apologized. “I will make this right one day, I promise.”

The younger sorcerer’s anger softened a bit and hugged him back. Hearing that apology from his father made the Leo feel guilty for how he reacted. He wanted to tell the man he wasn’t at fault, but their hug ended before anything was said. The older sorcerer walked over to Akira, holding out his hand for something to be placed there. Then, the former Kagemusha reached over and gave him a thick, little bag.

“Thank you, Akira,” Fredrick said, then turned to his son. “Here you go, Leo. Take this money bag with you to Stone Cross.”

“Money bag?” He repeated, taking the bag. “How much is in here?”

“A thousand gold coins exactly.”

Leo looked baffled at both his father, then back at the bag in hand. Even Kazu and Celine were shocked to hear of that amount in one bag.

“D-Dad, I can’t accept this!” Exasperated Leo. “It’s too much!”

“You deserve it,” He accentuated seriously. “Now, go. And when you reach the end of the passage, be sure to close it behind you.”

Everything that’s happened so far was all too unbelievable. A surprise trip from home at a neighboring town had changed into an emergency evacuation. Leo wanted to say more, but when he looked in Fredrick’s eyes, the words wouldn’t come out. The young sorcerer turned and hoisted himself upon Ariel, feeling unsure in taking the money. Kazu and Celine were first to ride off through Fredrick’s secret passage. Leo joined after them but stopped to look back to his father and said…

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Cub,” Fredrick stated back.

They both smiled at each other before Leo began to ride away. Fredrick noticed the first sign of tears in his eyes and wiped them quickly before they fell. He couldn’t help but wonder if Leo was truly ready to explore out of home with his friends. And yet, though conflicted on the decision, the sorcerer knew he was doing the right thing. That aside, Fredrick called upon his magic, coating his end of the passage and yelled…

“Shroud!”

All foliage that had vanished suddenly reappeared again in its place. Fredrick stared at the forest wall before him, imagining Leo was still in his sight riding. Finally, after walking over to his horse, the sorcerer hoisted up on his horse in silence. He directed Copper back to the village with Akira following closely behind.

“You spoil that boy of yours!” Amusingly shouted Akira.

“Well, of course I do!” Fredrick yelled back. “But I hold no shame in that!” 

End of Chapter Four.