“Family tradition?’ Orn looked back and forth between his parents.

“Yes, everyone spends a year with our relatives. It means everyone knows some important traditions and landmarks.” His father nodded. “Most do this around their pathday, but you were not in a state to try.”

“You are not going now.” His mother added reaching over the breakfast table to pat Orn’s hand. “We were thinking about having you go when you turn seven. You are finally healthy, and we wanted to spend some time with you where you were not wrapped in bandages.”

Orn was shocked his mother was fine with this. She hated Olrich. “I…” He struggled to find the words. Finally giving up he cleared his throat, “Father after meeting Olrich I…”

“Wait.” His father quickly waived his hands back and forth, “Olrich is a cousin on my mother’s side. I am not talking about them. I am talking about my father’s relatives.”

His mother chuckled and turned to his father, “That would be a concerning. Having to spend a year with your mother’s people.”

His father cringed, “You have no idea. Olrich is actually one of the better ones. His faith kept him from getting as bad as the others. He was awful because he truly thought it would save souls, the rest care about nothing that does not benefit them.”

Olrich is not as bad… Orn was horrified as he imagined what kind of monsters the others must be.

“We are getting off the path here.” His father continued, “My uncle and his family are strict. I will not lie to you; they can even seem hard at times. But in the end, it is always for a good reason. They care deeply about everyone in the family. They ask about you every time I see them and have been badgering me to visit with you so you can meet them.”

“They are good people.” His mother added, “I would not have agreed to this if they were not. When I first came here, they welcomed me without reservation, it was like coming home.” She smiled softly clearly thinking back on that time.

“You were shocked by the reception as I recall.” His father smiled at his mother.

She snorted, “Among other things.”

Smiling he turned back to Orn, “I know it is a lot to take in. That is why we wanted to tell you now, so you know it is coming.”

Orn nodded, it was a lot to take in, but they were letting him know early rather than just dropping it on him. “I understand.”

“Good it is settled then.” His father clapped his hands, “Now I do not want to have your first time meeting them to be when you are going to be there for a year. So, I want you to come with me to visit them later. I sent a hunter to see when the best time would be. He should be back this evening.”

A family trip sounded nice. He turned back to his mother who shook her head. “You two will be on your own for this trip. I will be staying here and keeping the territory in one piece for when you get back. Besides, I get to spend most of the day with you during your lessons. This will give the two of you a chance to spend some quality time together.”