The Miskin Legacy - Generation Two, Part Five: A Heir-y Problem

Montague had a tricky decision to make.

Despite the odd squabble, he loved both of his sons - but Mordecai seemed to have absolutely no interest in continuing to built the legacy his grandfather had established. Having been Myron's only son, Montague knew all too well what pressures an heir was placed under, and some of Mordecai's viewpoints did make sense - but whether he liked it or not, this was his destiny. Once Montague was gone, the future of the family name would be in his hands. Could he be trusted with such an important role?

Matthias, on the other hand, was blossoming as he grew up. Charismatic and athletic, he had dreams of becoming a great sportsman... but made sure to develop his brain as well as his body. He studied hard at school, taking part in sports in his spare time, and hoped that both his athletic and academic achievements might win him a scholarship to some great college. He was on track... and not just racing-wise.

Montague was very proud of him. He was behaving as a Miskin son should... showing some responsibility and preparing for the future. Contrary to the custom, he was beginning to hope that the elder child would be influenced by the younger. In fact, more times than he cared to admit... he'd wished they arrived into the world in the opposite order. Matthias was, quite clearly, the perfect heir.

That damn law. Mordecai would get everything once Montague passed, and there was nothing he could do about it. 

Unless...

The only legal way for Matthias to inherit would be for Montague to disown Mordecai. He would no longer be a Miskin, or his son, and could be left to his own devices - while Matthias continued to build on the foundations laid by his forefathers. 

There was another possibility, of course - but that was unthinkable. Unbearable. Montague would never wish for that... even in his angriest, most frustrated moments.

Yet there was an elephant in the room. None of this was Mordecai's fault. His waywardness was just how he was - how he'd turned out. It was completely natural to him rather than some deliberate form of rebellion. As a child, he'd done everything he was expected to - but had transformed after Myron's death. Presumably, this was the moment the Reaper's deal came into being. Montague knew in his heart that the blame didn't lie with Mordecai, but with him. The Reaper had named his price... and now both father and son were paying it, although only one of them knew.

Time was running out. Montague was rapidly approaching old age, and both of his sons were on the brink of adulthood. Mordecai would be twenty-one in just a few days' time. A decision had to be made, and soon. For the sake of the Miskin Legacy.

Perhaps he could afford to wait another month or so - just to see if Mordecai started to straighten up a little... although he didn't have high hopes. 

Then again, it wasn't as if the boy had got himself into any serious trouble...

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Although Mordecai is now a young adult, I feel that I need to wrap up the story of Montague's dilemma before moving on to Generation Three fully. As such, Generation Two will continue for a few more installments, until I feel an appropriate cut-off point has been reached. Thanks for your understanding.