25 Days of Writing – Day 6

Day 6: How was your character’s childhood? Write a scene about them as a child. How was their home life? Their family? Their upbringing? Where did they grow up? What friends did they have?

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Trey dashed out from the bushes toward his older brother, Rion. “Ha-HA!” he hollered, waving his hands in Rion’s face. “It’s my birthday and you have to be nice to me! Ha-ha!” Trey turned and ran away from his brother, who gazed at him unimpressed. Almost immediately, Trey tripped over his own feet and fell headlong onto the path. Rion chuckled. “Trey, you’ll be your own undoing this day.”

Rion went to help his little brother. Trey stood up and looked at Rion with tears welling in his eyes. Skinned knees and raw palms were little Trey’s most common injuries, and today would be no exception. Before Trey began to wail, Rion spoke. “Now Trey, you know today is a big day! Boys beginning their training toward the Mark don’t bawl over skinned knees.”

Trey stifled a sob. He nodded and wandered off to find his mother. His mother had been looking for him. “Time to get dressed for the ceremony, little one,” she said. “Oh, goodness. Did we take a fall?” Trey bit his lip and nodded.

“Well, we’ll have you in good order in no time at all,” she assured.

By the time he was dressed for the ceremony, Trey was in excellent spirits. He walked into the great hall where the King sat, chatting with his two closest friends, Trey’s Uncle Markus, and Sir Gilbert. The King looked up at Trey as he entered. “Trey! My son!”

Trey ran to the King. “Father, Father!” he shouted.

The King scooped up the boy and swung him around. “Ah, my boy. Today is your sixth birthday! Today you can begin along your path to being a man and Mark-bearer!”

“Yes, YES!” cried Trey. “And there will be gifts! Lots of gifts!” The King lowered the delighted boy to the ground.

Trey turned to his uncle and gave him a great hug. “Huzzah, Uncle Markus! I’m so glad you’re here. Will you take me riding today?”

“Perhaps, perhaps, young one. You’ve got a busy day ahead.”

“Yeah,” agreed Trey.

Trey turned to Gilbert and bowed his most practiced bow. “Sir Gilbert, my Lord. Thank you for coming to my celebration.”

Gilbert chuckled and gave the boy a light slap on the cheek. “Oh, I’m here with good cause, young one, as you well know. I look forward to seeing how you fare at your initiation.”

Trey grinned.

“Trey,” spoke the King. “Go and play with your friends for a time. Sirs Gilbert and Markus and I have matters to discuss, then we’ll start the ceremony.”

Trey bowed at the King. “Certainly, Father. I heard Rosaline found a puffball we can make sport of.”

Trey ran off as his father bellowed from behind, “Don’t soil your clothes, boy. Don’t get dirty!” The King slumped his shoulders, and leaned toward his friends. “He’s going to make a mess of his fine clothes, and I’ll catch the blame for it.” The men laughed for a moment, then returned to their discussion.