Chapter Two — The Boy Without a Destiny

Author's Note This chapter slows down on purpose. Before the story takes anything from Aurelian, I want the reader to know exactly what he has — a small life, a loving family, a village that isn't much to look at but means everything to the people in it. We also get our first real look at how his mind works. He's three years old and already noticing things grown-ups think children miss. Keep that in mind. It matters later.