Chapter 44 - China

The guest house towered over them on a hill, surrounded by breath taking scenery. Albin took a deep breath savouring the scent of jasmine and let out a contented sigh.

It was the perfect place to come to chill out and spend some quality time with his son Merlin. Merlin was growing fast and quickly becoming a man and Albin wanted to have a serious talk with him about the future. 

He remembered his own Dad taking him aside at Merlin's age.

But first things first, he wanted to spend time getting to know his son better. This was why the two of them had travelled to China, leaving the rest of family at home. 

The first day they spent in checking out the local tourist sights,

the beautiful scenery,

and meeting the locals.

Albin was happy to find that China also had some interesting underground caverns to explore  with puzzles, such as he had enjoyed in France.

Each evening they spent chatting over the days events and planning the next day and Albin began understand his son better.

On the third day they visited the Phoenix Academy for Martial Arts. Both Albin and Merlin were very taken with Sim Fu and decided to learn it themselves, practising on the dummies they had there.

To begin with neither father or son were very good, In fact, Merlin managed to hit himself in the eye on more than one occasion.

But they were both hooked and spent the next few days avidly training and started to improve and earn belts, they even took to training with the locals.

The end of the week seem to come so quickly and it was on the last evening that Albin took Merlin to one side.

"I wanted to talk to you about something, which was why I planned this holiday for just the two of us. I am getting old and in a few years time I want you to become head of the household."

Merlin looked shocked and Albin continued,

"My Dad passed on the responsibility to me when I left school and I am going to do the same to you. I have spent time with you and can see many fine qualities which leave me in no doubt you will lead our family well. It will be up to to you to decide which era you want the family to live in and to make all the household decisions."

"Thank you", was all that Merlin could reply his eyes brimming with tears at the unexpected news.

Albin smiled and continued "There are two things I would ask of you. Firstly, take care of them all, they will be your responsibility. The River tribe has grown so much. Secondly, marry a good woman and provide me a grandchild to sit on my knee before my time comes."

Merlin could only nod and hug his Dad tight. Albin remembered back to the conversation he had had with his Dad. That day when he had been told, he had changed. He had no longer been a carefree child, but a man with responsibilities. It had been hard but also when his Dad had died he had already been in charge. He felt that from now Merlin would grow up and in a mere few years be ready to shoulder the responsibility.