The day started early at the Aldara house. From four in the morning, father and son would begin preparing for the day. After having breakfast, consisting of hard bread and water, they would rush to set up their stall in the marketplace.
While Frank took on the task of serving customers and making sales, Henry was responsible for attracting potential clients and doing any tasks his father assigned. They would stay there until shortly after dark, to ensure they had made the most of their day.
But one particular day would change everything.
The day had started like any other and followed its usual course until midday, when a tall man with a white beard approached Frank's stall.
" Frank, you old fool ! " shouted the mysterious man.
Frank looked up, confused by the shouting source. He was speaking with a customer and hadn't noticed the man's approach. But as he saw him, he immediately recognized him.
" Marcus, you old stinker ! " Frank shouted back with a smile and went to greet the man. The two embraced like old friends.
Henry, seeing this, couldn't be more confused. He didn't know the man, and his father had never mentioned him. As they pulled apart, Frank noticed his son's puzzled expression and quickly moved to explain.
" Henry, come here. This is Marcus, an old friend of mine whom I thought was dead since he never contacted me again, " Frank said, laughing a little as Henry approached slowly.
" And this, Marcus, is my son Henry, " Frank said, gesturing towards the boy who was now close by.
" Nice to meet you, Mr. Marcus, " Henry said respectfully, unsure of how to behave.
" Hahaha ! No need for formalities, lad ! Your father here has gotten me out of some serious jams ! " Marcus said, giving Frank a hearty slap on the back that nearly knocked him off balance.
Marcus took a closer look at Henry. He was a handsome young man with brown hair and a relatively strong build, but what caught Marcus's attention the most were the boy's eyes.
" By the gods… you have her eyes, " Marcus said in awe. Henry knew what he was referring to—his eyes were a yellowish, almost golden color. His father had said that his mother had eyes like that, but what startled the boy was that the man before him had known his mother.
Henry had never met anyone besides his father who knew who she was. He had searched the entire village for someone who could at least tell him her name. But either people didn't know or made a point of not knowing.
" How did you— " Henry started to ask but was cut off by his father's voice.
" We don't need to talk about that right now, do we, Marcus ? " Frank said, looking at his friend with a serious expression.
" Alright, Frank, " Marcus said, giving in upon seeing his friend's reaction.
" Henry, " Frank called his son's attention.
" I need you to go to the woods and gather some herbs. We're almost out. I'll stay here and chat with Marcus, " Frank said, handing his son a large leather pouch.
Henry didn't understand his father's reaction to the friend's words. How did Marcus know who his mother was? How did he know the color of her eyes?
" …Alright, Dad, " Henry said, making his way away from the marketplace, leaving the two old friends behind.
As Henry disappeared from view, the friends resumed their conversation.
" Frank, haven't you told him anything yet !? " Marcus asked, bewildered.
" He's still too young to know, " Frank said seriously, turning to tidy up the stall.
" That's bullshit, and you know it ! The longer he doesn't know, the worse it will be, for him, and for you, " Marcus said, now taking on a serious tone.
Henry sighed with his eyes closed upon hearing his friend. He knew Marcus was right, but it wasn't the time yet.
" I know, Marcus, but not now. Please, let's just be old friends for today, " Frank asked with a tired expression.
Marcus, seeing his friend in this state, sighed and nodded in agreement.
" I hope you know what you're doing, " Marcus said, standing by his friend's side.
" So do I, " Frank replied sincerely.