The Emperor's Heir

FOUR

Vin and Jem lived together very well. Vin slept on a mat that Jem provided, but the man had said it was only temporary. Vin didn't mind at all about the mat, but Jem insisted.

Jem was a potion maker, he could make just about any sort of potion. He didn't make a fortune from his trade but, it provided food on the table, and for Vin, nothing else mattered.

A few days in Jem's home, Vin realised how much people really liked Jem. He could understand why; Jem was a really great person. Living with him wasn't awkward or uncomfortable in any way.

As the days flew by, Vin started feeling a sense of guilt about eating Jem's food and giving nothing in return. Jem never showed a single sign of objection, but Vin still didn't feel right. Jem even wanted to get him a bed some days after he began staying with him.

Vin was practicing his magic while Jem was out selling his potions. Vin had begun to make good progress, although a bit slow, he was doing well. He could now grow his shield as big as a wall.

He still had the five coins Jem had given him all those days ago, but he didn't use them. It was only a week after, when he had finished grasping the information contained in the manual, did he go out to buy another one.

Vin found that people with magic in the empire weren't rare, but they weren't too easy to find either. At least one in fifteen. The manual that Vin had been using wasn't cheap, and he knew that an advanced one would be even harder to buy.

Vin went out with a miniscule shred of hope, but came back completely deflated. Jem had never seen Vin do magic because he was always out, but he had noticed the first manual. He thought Vin was just looking for something to do. When he saw Vin deep in thought with a heavy frown as he stared at the first manual, he offered to give him some money to buy an advanced one. Vin didn't hesitate to refuse; he had already taken too much from Jem.

They lived together, and though he was much younger now than in his previous life, Jem was probably a year younger than him, yet Jem took very good care of him without complaint. Vin could not feel settled taking his money.

The following day, Vin went everywhere in the village, looking for a job. He searched hard, not giving up. That is, until a man putting cement on a wall told him, "Give up. Unless you have wares to sell, you won't get any job in the village."

Vin thought about what the man said. He had nothing he could sell. But, quickly remembering that there was a lake nearby, Vin thought, 'fish.'

He could still remember how to fish. Vin didn't waste time. He rushed back to Jem's home, and made a hook. He manufactured a fishing pole, and headed to the local river. In his previous life, Vin learned how to fish from his grandfather. He could do many things only because the man taught him a lot. Vin, since coming to this world, hadn't thought about his grandfather as much. The man was very resourceful, he knew many things, and he never could stand his grandson being idle.

As he patiently waited for the fish at the edge of the lake, Vin ran through his memories of his grandfather. The man died when Vin was twenty–one. Vin suddenly felt a tug on his hook. He drew out the fish, putting it in the bucket beside his feet. A little smile graced his lips.

Vin continued to fish. He made sure the bucket was very full before leaving. At least twenty-eight fishes were in his bucket. They were a bit large, so, quite heavy. But the weight couldn't bother Vin. He was a large man. In his previous life, Vin could be considered average. But in this world, he was big and tall. He towered over most people. This was a big reason for his feeling guilty. Actually, it was more like he felt incapable.

Jem at a first glance, wasn't very large, he had lean muscles on a slim stature that bordered on delicate. And when you put Vin beside Jem, it was easy to believe that Vin would bully Jem. Vin thought about all these, and he couldn't let Jem take care of him like a child, so, here he was.

He carried the bucket of fish to the market. He went stall to stall looking for people to supply them to. It was a stressful thing to do under the sun, but Vin stomached it. He found a few stalls to supply to, and in the market, as he held fresh fish, it wasn't long before only two fish were left in the bucket. Vin was saving these two fishes for Jem.

When he was done selling the fish, he started on his way home, stopping to buy snacks and spices as he walked. Vin continued on the road, feeling very pleased with the money he had made. Jem would be happy.

Almost home, Vin took another turn, and he found a scene that made him frown; Jem stood with his basket of herbs in the middle of five other males. Jem's face was blank, but the other five had amused smiles on their faces. Vin had learned quickly that Jem's blank face usually meant he was angry or upset. It was something that not everyone could pick up on.

Without hesitation, Vin walked up to where they all stood. He saw one of the five reach a hand for Jem's basket, and before Jem could react, a bigger hand took hold of the one reaching for his things. Jem looked at the owner, and found Vin looking at the five males around him with murderous intent.

Vin threw the hand aside, and spoke, "is there something you boys need?" He looked at all five in turn. Faced with this large man in front of them, the other five seemed at a loss.

The first one, who seemed to be the leader of the group, said, "It's nothing. We were just chatting."

Jem scoffed. The little swine were trying to rob him. He felt quite pleased that Vin suddenly appeared, but he was ready for them even before. Jem tucked his little knife away. He could have handled these brats, he thought. They were lucky the big man had shown up.

The boys left after a good stare from Vin, and Vin turned to Jem, he asked, "Are you okay?" Jem simply nodded.

Reassured, Vin smiled, and showed Jem the bucket with two fish inside. Jem was startled, and confused, "why do you have two fishes with you."

In response, Vin said, "I caught some and sold them in the market. I saved these two for you" he continued with his smile, "How bout I make dinner for you tonight?"

Jem had no objections. He beheld the child-like enthusiasm in Vin's eyes, and he was amused. He thought Vin loved food quite a lot, it would be fun to watch him do something with the two fishes.

Vin, immediately after putting the bucket down outside the house, carried the two fishes, and put them in hot water for a minute. He put in the spices he had bought and then after he was sure it had marinated enough, Vin put the fish in hot oil, he made sure neither of the fish could break. He sprinkled some leaves he had bought, on the fish, then covered them with a plate for a few minutes.

Jem, all the while, watched the other man work. He saw Vin use some spices that he would never have thought to use. The whole house was filled with the enticing aroma of spiced fish. What they didn't know was that even the neighbors outside were salivating. Light knocking soon came from the front door.

Opening the door, Jem smiled as a little boy of about three years old, ran right past him into the house. Jem closed the door, before speaking, "what are you doing here, Milo?" Jem looked at the boy with a fond smile, "Where is your mother?"

The boy, Milo, sat on the floor staring at Vin who was feeling slightly confused. Milo answered, "I smelled fish. Mother is coming."

Milo and Tali were Jem's neighbors. They lived right next door. As Jem heard Milo's explanation for coming, he chuckled. Soon, another set of knocks came from the door, these were much heavier.

Jem went to answer, and soon came back with two people, a young male, and a female. Jem had a warm smile, "I'm guessing you two also smelled fish" the two people nodded their heads almost lizard-like. Jem laughed.

He suddenly remembered and looked at Vin who looked very awkward. He quickly made introductions, "Vin, meet Tali and Eton, my neighbors. Milo here is Tali's son." Eton smiled. He was a chubby fellow and seemed to fill the room completely. Vin greeted them, and Jem seeing the crowded room, took the stools and chairs he had, outside for everyone to sit. He set a table in the middle, and Vin brought out the aromatic fish. He had made the fish the way he had learned. The spices had different names here, but they were still the same as in his previous life.

When Vin took away the plate covering the fish, everyone had their eyes trained on the mouthwatering sight. Milo's mouth was opened while he stared, a little drool hanging from the corner of his mouth. Vin felt pleased. He had the sudden urge to cook again. As a lover of good food, in his previous life, Vin had learned to cook even before his grandfather passed, because he wanted to take care of the old man and also couldn't rely on anyone else to prepare a perfect meal for himself. Growing up this way, Vin had learned a lot of things.

Jem cut into the fish and gave each person a piece. It was only two delicious fishes for five people, so, no one was satisfied. Jem disappeared into the house after some time but then returned. Milo kept asking Vin questions.

After conversing with Jem, and Milo nonstop clinging to Vin, the neighbors left. The place became quiet, and Vin cleared up. Putting the chairs, and table back inside, Vin proceeded to wash the plates used. Jem just silently watched in a corner. He spoke after a while, "That fish was probably the best I have ever had. It was a shame to only have two."

Vin, without hesitation, promised to make some for Jem again. As he continued to wash, Jem walked in the direction of his room and came back with two covered bowls. He set them on the table. With Jem removing the covers on the two bowls, Vin saw bread in one bowl, and hot soup in the other.

Jem put in two spoons in the soup. He turned to Vin who looked at him in surprise, "Come, eat. I made some soup for us earlier. That fish definitely did not satisfy your large appetite." Vin remembered Jem leaving for a while when the neighbors were around. He thought, this man thinks about everything. So, even though it was already quite late at night, Vin still had his belly filled.