In a reflex Atreius retracted his foot and the crab’s pincer missed. His father laughed. “Seems like you did pick up on some of my lessons son”, he stated while making pincer like movements with both hands. Atreius laughed at his father’s imitation of a crab, but his mind was elsewhere. Tomorrow would be his sixteenth birthday. It made him feel sad and filled him with joy at the same time. All his life he had been the fisherman’s son, nothing special, nothing great. But in his heart he felt the need for something different, something more. Don’t be mistaken, he loves his parents, and he loves fishing and the sea. He just felt this urge, and was unwilling to accept that this was all there was going to be to his life.

Rodin glanced at Atreius while throwing a hooked line over a buoy. “What is on your mind son? Thinking about your birthday, are you?”, Rodin said. “My father reads me like a book”, he thought, “as do all the people in our small village.” Atreius swallowed twice to clear the lump in his throat, then looked at his father. He saw the rough hands, the scars on them. The missing left pink. His slightly curved back that was the result of years of manual labor. His brown and grey beard and mustache partly covering a tanned salt worn face. Wrinkled over the years by the sun’s rays and the salty sweat and water. “Do I want to become like my father?” Atreius wondered. His heart ached as he admitted to himself he did not wish that. It felt to him like betrayal, like stepping on someone’s love and care for him. “Tomorrow I will tell them of my plans” he mumbled. “What was that son?”, his father asked casually. “Nothing dad, nothing at all”, Atreius replied. “Shouldn’t we be heading back?”, he quickly asked.

It remained still for a few seconds while Atreius waited for a reply. A gust of warm wind grabbed a lock of Atreius’ hair. A whisper touched his ear, a whisper he had heard so often. “Treanton blows in my face again”, he concluded, “a wind of change.” As he hoisted the last crab pod on board Rodin sighed. “Another day passed.” He peered to the horizon as if expecting something to be there that they had never seen before. Atreius noticed the nostalgic tone in his voice, as if he were looking at a past that would never return. Atreius raised the boats’ small sail as his father sat down at the helm. They both gazed quietly at the strip of land in the distance. They both looked towards Solas, their home.

A hug, a kiss on the cheek and a quick thanks to the sea God Treanton for their safe return. “How was today’s catch?.” This was exactly what Atreius mother did every day when her son and husband came home. “We did fine”, Rodin replied. “Treanton has been kind to us. Plenty to sell and plenty to spare for the special day tomorrow.” He glanced at Atreius and smiled. Atreius smiled back as he sat down at the old wooden table.

Evening had fallen and Atreius home was lit by several torches. The flickering fire threw shadows on the walls that were all too familiar. Shapes dancing around on the sandy floor that felt soothing and comfortable. Atreius home was nothing more than a circle of bulky palisades with a palm tree leaves roof. A leather flap was all that kept the outside out. Only the linen curtains draped around the beds provided a meager form of privacy. Atreius and his parents basically lived around the large wooden table in the center of the space. The walls lined with all that was needed for fishing and keeping the house.

Rodin sat down at the table next to Atreius as Isilde served each of them and herself a seafood meal. As the smell of the baked fish, seagrass and mashed potatoes penetrated Atreius nose, he suddenly felt a sadness fall over him. “How I am going to miss this”, he thought to himself. He took his spoon and started eating. As he lifted his cup of grape juice his eyes crossed his mother’s. Isilde looked at him in a way he had never seen before. Her eyes were calm and soothing. Tiny wrinkles in their corners from the smile on her lips. Her looks revealed a sense of pride, of hope, and of resignation with the future. She pushed a strand of her curly long hair behind her ears and also started eating.

They ate in silence as the first stars of night peeked in on them through the tiny windows. Atreius loved the stars. They made him feel tiny and fueled his will to explore. On warm summer nights he liked to sleep outside on the beach. Gazing up as the sea breathed in and out on the shore, dreaming of faraway places and unseen sights. His father never noticed, but his mother did see his eyes twinkling whenever he had heard stories of travelers from afar.

“Mom?” Atreius asked as they were doing the dishes. “Tomorrow, when I’m sixteen….” “I know”, Isilde said without looking up. She looked over her shoulder and noticed her husband dozing off in his favorite chair. She whispered, “I know of your dreams my dear, I know. Let it rest until tomorrow.” She gently nudged Atreius with her hip. Atreius felt his heart warming with love for his parents. He felt infinitely grateful for all they had taught him and done for him. They adopted him as their own and loved him likewise.

That night Atreius could not fall asleep. A thousand thoughts crossed his mind. He second guessed his decisions, cursed himself for his dreams, blessed his parents and prayed to Treanton for guidance.It must have been far past midnight when he stepped out of bed and into the fresh air of the late summer night. In his hand he held a copper piece. As he strolled towards the beach the wind rustled through the palm leaves by the seaside. It carried with it the sounds of the last townsfolk leaving the Inn. A dog barked in the distance as Atreius felt the cool beach sand wiggle it’s way between his toes. The foam on the little waves lit up in the light of a nearly full moon and the sky was filled with stars whose beautiful light reflected in the calm sea.

Atreius sat down for a few minutes gazing into the distance. His mind still in doubt about his plans for the next day. A seagull landed a few feet away from him and looked at him, stared at him, motionless, as if waiting for something to happen. Slowly Atreius up righted himself and he walked towards the sea only to stop when the water was washing over his knees. He bended forward and washed his face in the waters that provided for him and his family. He whispered, “Treanton, I thank you for all you have given me and my family. I know better than to ask for more, but I beg of you. I need guidance. Should I follow my heart, or my mind?” He remained silent for a moment letting his thoughts flow away through his legs into the seas endless waters. “Please, Treanton, as your child I ask of you. Show me wisdom, show me the way.” As he spoke his last word Atreius raised his hands to throw the copper coin into the sea as was custom for followers of Treanton, the Sea God. He took aim and as he threw the coin a tear rolled down his cheek and fell into the washing waters. The coin glimmered in the light of the moon as it made its way through the dark of night.

Suddenly a screeching sound and a ‘woosh’ as the seagull raced right past Atreius’ head. The creature dived and a clear ‘pling’ could be heard as it snatched the coin from the air. Atreius was startled and fell backwards on his bottom into the seawater. His eyes followed the seabird as it turned and flew away with the coin towards the southwest. Atreius gazed into the night his eyes peering to try and follow the bird. Just as it passed out of his vision Atreius noticed a sudden beam of light in the night sky. A falling star where only seconds before the seagull had flown. A falling star coming from the constellation of Treanton. In that moment Atreius found his answer. He would leave tomorrow, and head southwest. He would see what was unseen to him. He would follow his heart.

The next morning Atreius was woken up by voices outside. People were shouting and discussing something. It took him a few moments to focus on what they were saying. He heard the Jewel of the North mentioned a few times. There were parts of a missing gem and something about a call to aid. Atreius peeked out of his window and suddenly realized it was already late in the morning. The sun rode high and he jumped out of bed. He hastily put on his shorts and opened his bedcurtain. He heard his mother laughing at the sight. Her half-dressed son, his hair still stuck in positions that can only be created by a restless night. She sat at the table looking at him, and as he wanted to hurry towards her she calmly said, “take it easy love, no need to hurry. Come here and give your mother a hug.” Atreius smiled back at her.

“Oh mom, you know I love to see you in that dress. Where is dad?” His mother stood up and straightened a fold in her dresses skirt. A beam of sunlight touched her face and Atreius was struck by her beauty. The long light blue dress with dark blue ribbons and white lace edges, with tiny white seashells as buttons. It perfectly matched her bright blue eyes and soft skin tone. Atreius still remembered the first time he saw his mother in this dress. It was six years ago when King Khalid visited Solas. She looked prettier than all the Kings daughters put together. The King noticed this and kissed her hand. Atreius felt so proud. He decided in that moment his mother was the best looking mother in the world.

“You look like a noblewoman” Atreius said. His mother blushed. Atreius hugged his mother and she grabbed his arms and looked at him. For a moment she just looked than pulled him close again. “Congratulations my dear son on your sixteenth birthday and coming of age. I made you your favorite breakfast.” Suddenly the smell of sweet rolls and vanilla took a hold of Atreius senses. “Oh mom, you are the best” he hollered as he jumped to the chair and sat down ready to attack. His mother laughed. “You may be a man now” she said, “but never lose that heart of a boy.”

“Where is dad”, Atreius mumbled as he gobbled up a piece of the vanilla sweet roll. The dampened sound of his mother’s voice coming from the cellar replied. “Out at sea”, she answered. Atreius suddenly remembered last night and his plans for today. He stopped chewing for a second as he realized he was not going to see his father for a long time and didn’t say goodbye. He felt bad about himself and suddenly the sweet roll didn’t taste so sweet anymore.

“Ah, there it is”, he heard his mother say from the cellar. She came back up carrying a long wooden box and a linen sack. Atreius watched her struggle, making him realize the contents weren’t light. His mother put the box and sack on the table and padded it with her hand as if convincing herself they were in the right place. Atreius finished his sweet roll and his mother pulled her chair closer to his. She took Atreius hand and put her other hand on top of it. She looked at Atreius and smiled deeply this time. Atreius smiled back in a bit of a silly way. It was his attempt to fool himself out of what was to come next. He knew his mother’s look. It meant something serious and important was about to be shared.

“Mom, I have to tell…” Atreius mother put a finger on his lips. “I know.” She said, “and so does your father. Ever since Treanton gifted us with your grace we knew this day would come. I saw the look in your eyes when you came back home with new stories of lands far away. I’ve see you look at the travelling bards and knights of the King.” Atreius looks at his mother with a mixture of confusion and relief.

“My heart weighs heavy as I know I have to let you go. But at the same time it is filled with joy knowing you will set out to become more than we could ever give you. Don’t linger, don’t be sad, for the only wish your father and I have for you is for you to be happy. Is for you to follow your dreams. We knew this day would come all along and did out best to prepare you. We taught you how to read. We allowed you to be trained in the art of swordsmanship. We let you listen to those stories, because we know that as you fulfil your dreams, we will be part of them. We will be with you on those adventures you may find.”

Atreius throat is clogged up and as he looks his mother in the eye tears start rolling down his cheeks. He tries to stand up but his knees are too weak with emotion to support his weight. He falls to his knees his head in his mother’s lap. “Oh mother, father” he sobs, “I love you both so much. I don’t want to go, I am going to stay with you forever.”

His mother lifts him up and puts him back into his chair. “Oh my dear, you will not, for it is not what your hearts yearns for.” Atreius wipes his eyes and looks again at his mother. His eyes show gratitude and a deep respect for her. They sit quietly for a while. Looking at each other, finding solace in their union. Than Atreius mother slowly pushes the long wooden box towards Atreius. Atreius looks at her than lets his hand touch the light colored lacquered wood of the box. His fingertips glide along it’s edges and make their way to the box’s sliding bolt. He looks at his mother with an expression of question. His mother carefully nods.

Atreius slides open the bolt and slowly opens the box. A red velvet lining, an exquisite leather sheath, a hilt finely carved with strange markings. The thin pointed sword glimmers in the light. “For you my son, that it may aid you on your journeys.” Atreius looks at his mother in awe. Slowly he takes the rapier from the box and holds it in his hands as if it were fragile as porcelain. He looked back at his mother and stutters, “Th… Th… Thanks mom, are you sure? This used to belong to your grandfather.” “And now it belongs to you my love.”

Than Atreius mother pointed at the linen sack. “Open it dear, I think you will find it quite useful.” Atreius carefully placed the sword back on the soft red velvet in the box and stood up to open the sack. “I think It will fit, though it is not new. Father and I have been saving up for this”, mother said as Atreius undid the knot that closed the sack. He laid out the contents on the table in front of him. He couldn’t believe his eyes. A beautiful studded leather armor and a razor-sharp hunting knife. “But mom, this is way too expensive, I can’t take this”, Atreius uttered. His mom laughed, “Well we have no need for it son, go ahead and try it on.”

Atreius quickly slipped into a shirt and changed his shorts for a pair of decent trousers. He put on the armor with a little help from his mom. “And the sword”, his mom added. Atreius carefully took the sword from the box and sheathed it in the leather sheath. He tied the sturdy leather belt around his waist. “Almost perfect”, his mother said. She stood up and walked to her bed. She took a brush from the nightstand and gave it to Atreius. “Come on dear, tidy yourself up. Don’t want the world to see you like this”, she laughed. Atreius quickly straightened his hair and put on his soft leather boots. “How do I look mom?” he asked.

“You look like a man”, his mother replied. She couldn’t hide the note of sadness in her voice, but quickly regained herself. Atreius didn’t notice. He was too busy admiring the smell of the armor he had put on. “This is fantastic mother, truly fantastic. I will take very good care of these things.” “I’m sure you will”, his mother replied. “I packed your backpack as you were sleeping. I tried to get the things you have written down on your list.” Atreius looked up a bit startled. His mother laughed at his funny face. “Hahaha, yes I found your notes on what you would need for your travels. You know you can’ keep a secret from your mother“. Atreius laughed as he nodded. His mother pointed him to his backpack next to one of the footlockers.

Atreius took the backpack and peeked inside. Flint and steel, a whetstone, a torch, provisions. He looked up at his mother in gratitude. “Don’t mention it”, she answered before Atreius could say a word. “Now sit with me for a cup of tea. It will be our last one for a long time I think.” Atreius sat down as his mother poured the tea in the simple clay cups. She looked Atreius deep in the eyes, her face serious, yet gentle. “Now promise me that you will be careful, don’t take any unnecessary chances. Always say your prayers to Treanton. Think back, but don’t look back. I’m sure we will meet again sooner than you think.”

Atreius couldn’t help but notice her words sounded as if she had long prepared to say them. He could see a weight lifted of her shoulders after this. They sat quietly sipping tea together for what seemed an eternity. Once again doubt crept into Atreius’ heart. With each sip of the tea he felt less sure of himself. “What if things are different from what I imagined? Where will I sleep tonight? How can I…” Atreius mother stood up and took the cups to the kitchen table. She turned around, looked at Atreius. “Go now my love, before either of us change their mind.”

Atreius could see the tears well up in her eyes, even though she tried to hide it with a faint smile. “But I haven’t said goodbye to father.” “You know your father”, she replied. “He watched you sleep this morning, he loves you. No need to say goodbye he said, because Atreius will never leave my heart.” “And he will never leave mine”, Atreius added. “Nor will you mom.” Atreius ran to his mother and grabbed her tight. “And nor will you”, he whispered, as tears rolled down his cheeks.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

“Go now love, follow your dreams”, she said. Atreius slowly let go of her and walked to the door. It felt like walking a hundred miles. As he pulled aside the leather flap that acted as barrier between the inside and outside world, he glanced back one last time. His mother smiled as she leaned against the kitchen table. He made one more step and let the flap fall shut. Atreius looked around, and to the sky. The sun was shining bright and a calm warm breeze touched his sun-bleached hair. “Come on Atreius“, he whispered to himself. “Step into your future.” He moved his left foot forward and took that first step. He had no idea where his journey would take him, but at that moment he made a promise to himself. A promise to do what is good, to help those in need and to never forget where he came from. Atreius felt right.

Suddenly Atreius remembered the fuss that woke him up earlier. He heard voices coming from the Inn and decided to see for himself what this fuss was all about. He paced towards the inn and arrived just in time to see a kings guard ride away on horseback. The guards armor glistened in the sunlight as he cornered the inn and galloped out of sight. A crowd had gathered in front of the inn. Atreius made his way through them when he heard a familiar voice shout his name.

“Is that you Atreius?” It was the voice of Slojan the harbormaster. “Well bless my barnacles, you are dressed up fancy. Going to war?”, Slojan joked as he walked towards Atreius. Some of the people surrounding Atreius noticed him and his expensive looking outfit. They all took a few steps back and a few ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ could be heard.

Slojan slapped Atreius on the shoulder. “So, the day has finally come that you will leave us all behind. You are finally going to leave this smelly pile of fish heads”, Slojan laughed. Atreius smiled back at him. “I guess so”, Atreius replied. “I was just wondering what the fuss was about.” Slojan laughed out loud, his bulky belly shaking up and down. “Now who would have thought that, Atreius sticking his nose in other people’s business”, he shouted sarcastically. Some of the townsfolk that were acquainted with Atreius laughed.

“Yes, who would have thought that.” The inn keeps son Brady answered. Slightly annoyed Atreius asked Brady what the fuss was about, and why one of the kings guard was here. “Look for yourself” Brady answered as he pointed at a sign posted on the inns outer wall. Slojan slapped Atreius on the shoulder again. “Good luck to you lad, it’s been a pleasure knowing you. Please come back one day.” Atreius waved distractedly as he was keen on reading the message. He looked at the note on the inns wall. it had been nailed to the wall with a hexagonal nail. Trademark of the king. The kings stamp was on top, in blue and gold. It depicted the silhouette of the two peaks with a tower in between set against a golden sunset. Atreius started reading.

~

By royal decree King Khalid el Abdhul has called for aid in a matter of the utmost importance concerning the welfare of the kingdom. Those willing to serve under the king’s name are charged to report to the Swift Foot inn at the commoners district of the Jewel of the North. Further instructions will be given upon reporting to the Kings guard in aforementioned establishment. Travel expenses for those that answer will be compensated.

In name of his Royal Highness, King Khalid el Abdhul

Shin, head of household.

~

“The king calls for your aid oh mighty Atreius”, Brady laughed. “I am sure he will hire a fisherman’s son as his personal bodyguard!” Just as Atreius wanted to walk towards the brat and say something sarcastic in reply, a wet mop flew from out the taverns door and landed in the inn keeps son’s neck. Water splashed of it as it slapped Brady in the face. “And you will surely make the difference!”, shouted a voice from inside the tavern. “Get your lazy self in here and mop the floor you poor excuse for a kitchen wench.” It was Martin the innkeeper. He grabbed his son by the ear and gracefully guided him back to his chores. After giving his son a ceremonial kick in the butt Martin turned around and signaled Atreius to come in. Atreius, being a good friend of the innkeeper didn’t hesitate to follow.

The inn wasn’t spectacular. Crude wooden furniture placed in a circle around a large firepit. The only thing Atreius really liked was a painting depicting a gigantic statue of a winged blue eyed cat set in the middle of a great desert. And of course the bar that was made from a railing taken from the shipwreck of one of the King’s warships.

“Sit boy” Martin commanded. Atreius sat down at a table near the front window and looked outside. The crowd had dispersed and townsfolk had returned to their daily activities. Martin poured two mugs of sugarpunch and grabbed a loaf of bread he broke into pieces and a good chunk of cheese. He sat down at the table facing Atreius from the other end, pushed a mug towards Atreius and gestured at the bread and cheese.

“So my boy”, he started, “Finally going on an adventure I see. All dressed up and all. I got to admit you look the part.” Atreius drenched a piece of bread in the sugarpunch and put it in his mouth. The overly sweet flavor made him pinch his eyes, but the acidity of the fruit that followed somehow balanced out all the sugar in this homebrew. “Yes”, Atreius replied. “Well where are you going than”, Martin asked. “To be honest, I don’t really know”, Atreius said.

“Your son Brady, sarcastic as he may be, is probably right about me and serving the king.” Martin laughed as he wiped some drops of sugarpunch from his beard. “Listen now boy, if there is anyone I know that is good enough for the king, it is you. If I had a drink for every time you helped me I’d be drunk until they bury my bones. And you never asked a penny for wager. Don’t listen to that idiot son of mine. He is a good boy but has the wits of a donkey.” Atreius laughed as Martin tried to brag like a donkey. They both grabbed a piece of cheese as Martin continued. “Seriously lad, you should go to the Jewel of the North. What have you got to loose. Besides, they say the city is beautiful. A sight worth seeing at least ones in one’s lifetime. You should go.”

“And maybe I will” Atreius replied. He paused for a second. “In fact I will, and I will leave now” he stated firmly. “Well good for you”, Martin laughed. “Do you hear that, here is a man with purpose!”, he shouted at his son in the kitchen. Of course no reply was to be heard. “Well lad”, Martin said, “nothing comes for free in this world, and you helped me oft enough. So take this and don ’t you dare say no.” The innkeeper threw a pouch on the table that rang with the sound of silver. “Twenty silverlings should at least get you on a boat to the mainland and pay for a few nights at inns that probably are better than mine.”

The look on Martin’s face prevented Atreius from arguing. Atreius took the pouch and said, “But they won’t have a son like yours or a homebrew this sweet.” Martin laughed as he slammed the table with his palm. “Right you are boy, right you are! Now of you go. Talk to Zarald, I think he is getting ready to sail to the mainland. He can always use a hard working deckhand.” Atreius thanked Martin and stepped outside.

Without hesitation he walked to the warehouse where he was sure to find Zarald. “A bit of hard work on Zarald’s Schooner is a small price to pay for the stories he shares with me”, Atreius thought, as he turned the corner and approached the warehouse’s main entrance. The warehouse like the inn was entirely build of stone. It was the biggest building in the town of Solas. Three stories high with an attic. Outside, left and right of the huge wooden doors marking the entrance, were pully systems to haul cargo in and out of the warehouse’s second and third floor. A heavy lift was currently underway as three man were pulling the ropes to lift a large crate. The main doors to the warehouse were open and Atreius walked straight inn and left to the office of the trade master. Just as he wanted to knock the door to the office swung open.

“Thank you trade master. I will be seeing you in two weeks.” It was the voice of Zarald who apparently had just finished up the paperwork concerning his latest delivery. In his haste Zarald almost stumbled over Atreius who quickly made a step back. “Whoa!”, Zarald shouted. “You sneaking up on me Atreius!“. Zarald laughed. “Scared me good“. Atreius laughed and raised his hands while grumbling imitating a childhood dreams monster. “Are you here to see the trade master?”, Zarald asked, as he tried to hide his amazement over the outfit Atreius was wearing. “No, actually I’m here for you Zarald”, Atreius replied. “I wish to join you on your ship to the mainland. I will work for my stay of course.”

Zarald looked at Atreius in disbelief. “Are you pulling my leg here boy?. Don’t tell me my stories got the better of you and you decided to seek fame and fortune elsewhere.” Atreius pulled down the bottom of his leather armor, tapped the sheath dangling of his left hip and gave Zarald a vicious look. “You bet I am”, Atreius said while straightening his stance. “Take me onboard and I will make it worth your while”, Atreius stated. Zarald stood thinking for a few seconds than the smile on his scarred face broadened. “Wait a minute, It’s your birthday today. Hahahaaa lad! Sixteen now hey, and ready to conquer the world. Well, if Rodin and Isilde agree, sure. Hop aboard. We set sail in an hour with the outgoing tide.”

Atreius thanked Zarald and walked outside as Zarald moved off to the back of the warehouse. As Atreius stepped outside a sudden shout. “It’s going to fall!”, It was one of the men hoisting the heavy crate. Atreius glanced to the right and saw a little girl running around the corner. At that moment the rope with the heavy crate dangling at its end snapped an the three men hoisting the load tumbled backward. In a reflex Atreius jumped to the right and grabbed the little girl dragging her along. A loud bang followed by the sound of wood splintering and pottery breaking. The crate scraped Atreius’ backpack as he pushed the girl to safety.

Behind him the crate lay in splinters, and it’s content lay shattered on the ground. Fifty jugs of wine smashed to pieces, coloring the ground red while spreading a strong smell of alcohol. The little girl started to cry while the hoisters shouted. “By Treanton! Woeha!” Atreius felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The girl looked at Atreius through her tears than turned around and ran away. Atreius let out a sigh of relief than turned around to observe the damage. One of the hoisters approached him, face pale as a corpse and eyes so wide they could fall out of their sockets at any moment. “Treanton praise you boy!”, the hoister shouted. “If it weren’t for you and your lightning reflexes… well, I don’t want to think about that.”

Atreius looked down at the mess right beside him. “No worries sir”, he replied. “I didn’t think but just acted, couldn’t have done things differently.” The hoister laughed and rummaged the rubble. He managed to find a still unbroken jug. “Take this boy, you earned it, and this delivery is lost anyways.” Atreius laughed and took the jug. “I will put it to good use”, Atreius stated.

As he walked away with his newly acquired treasure he felt a sense of pride falling onto him. “Well done Atreius”, he said to himself. “On your first adventuring day you already made a difference and got rewarded.” Atreius walked towards the docks with a big smile on his face. He knew he had taken the right decision and was now more eager than ever to set out and explore the world. With firm steps he walked onto the docks scaffolding. He knew which ship belonged to Zarald and walked straight towards it.

It was a sleek schooner with two masts. In the largest mast an orange flag depicting a seagull carrying a sea chest, the mark of the Paradisian Sea Trading Company. The ship was about a hundred foot long and 40 foot wide. It had a wooden crane on both sides of the midship. Two large hatches provided access to its cargo hold. On the stern of the ship stood a small wooden structure, with a rather small door leading to the captains quarters and the stairs down to the crews bunks. The ship smelled of tar and sweat. A strangely pleasant smell to Atreius, which he associated with the smell of adventure. The ship was already loaded with goods as it’s front deck was stacked with merchandise. On its bow a unicorns head carved from ebony wood and beautifully painted in white with a golden horn gazed to the horizon. “The Sea Piercer” Atreius mumbled as he walked the plank onto the main deck. “As good a place as any to start my journey.”

Atreius had been on this ship many times, but never sailed with it. Zarald had explained to Atreius a lot about the ship and how it works. Some of the sailors glanced at Atreius with a look of curiosity on their face, but they quickly returned to their chores as Zarald stepped aboard. “Well if it isn’t the hero of the day”, Zarald said while lifting a fist in the air. “Good job there boy.” Zarald gave Atreius another good look. He laughed. “No longer a boy, you deserve some respect. You are a man now, and more of a man than most of these sea rats on this ship.” Atreius smiled at Zarald, carefully avoiding to cross eyes with one of the shipmates. “Get your stuff below deck, than report to me in my hut”, Zarald commanded. “I think I have the perfect job for you.” Atreius hesitated for a moment but then shouted “Aye aye captain!”, while saluting Zarald. Atreius turned around and walked towards the rear deck. “We will make a sailor out of you yet!” Zarald shouted to Atreius.

Atreius stepped through the small door and walked left down the stairs to the shipmates bunks. It was immediately obvious that captain Zarald runs a tight household. The men’s bunks were clean and neat. Their grey blankets folded into a triangle placed on top of their pillow in in their hammock. The sleeping quarters had a low ceiling so Atreius had to bend down to prevent his head bumping into the top decks crossmembers. The floor had recently been mopped, and the smell of tar and sweat mixed with a strong smell of wood oil. Atreius picked a hammock with an open footlocker. The open footlocker indicating an unused sleeping place. He stashed his silverlings, backpack and dagger in the footlocker. The sword didn’t fit, so he decided to just take it along. He took of his armor and placed it neatly beside his pillow. The sound of the water could be heard gently tapping the side of the ship. The two oil lanterns dimly lit the bunks an wiggled gently at the rhythm of the sea. “They make the shadows dance on the walls just like the torches did at home”, Atreius thought, as he walked back to the stairs while bending down.

He walked up the stairs and noticed the door to the captain’s quarters was open. He looked inside and saw Zarald bending over a large piece of paper on his dark wooden table with legs shaped in a graceful swirl. A lantern stood on the table right next to a silver chalice, a pot of ink and a quill. On the other side a pile of books and an ashtray with a pipe on it that was still lit. The smell of the tobacco was sharp and spicy, nothing like the sweet tobacco Atreius’ father smoked. Zarald looked up from his paper and noticed Atreius observing the inside of his office. “Come in”, said Zarald. “Have a seat. Care for a drink? .” “Thanks, but no drink”, Atreius replied as he walked in and sat down at the table. The walls were lined with several paintings depicting ships Atreius had never seen before. Behind the captain a scimitar was hung on the wall next to a decree declaring Zarald a first class captain of the Paradisian Sea Trading Company. At its bottom a stamp with the royal emblem.

Zarald noticed Atreius reading the decree. “You can read? ”, he asked with a tone of disbelief in his voice. “My mother taught me”, Atreius answered. Zarald paced up and down the room once scratching his chin. He stopped near the ashtray, picked up the pipe and puffed a few times to reignite the ember still glowing inside. “You are full of surprises”, Zalard said while smoke blew out of his nose. “I guess I will have to come up with a better job for you. Don’t want to let a decent set of brains go to waste.” Atreius had learned from their previous meetings not to say anything while Zarald was thinking. After two tugs of the pipe a twinkle appeared in Zarald’s eyes as he smiled widely pipe still in the mouth. “I have just the thing for you”, he said as he looked down on Atreius and placed the pipe back in the ashtray. “While we set sail and leave port, clean my quarters. Once that is done we are going to look at maps, yes.” Atreius laughed inside himself. Zarald often answered his own thoughts with a yes as if he needed to confirm that which he thought up himself. “I will start right away” Atreius said. He took the broom from the room’s corner and started swiping the floor. “Don’t forget to polish the silver and copper”, Zalard said as he stepped onto the main deck.

Whilst sweeping the floor Atreius heard Zalard shouting commands at the men. “Hoist the plank! . Into the crow’s nest Darian!. Raise anchor and sails!” Atreius scooped up the dust he had gathered and opened one of the rear portholes to throw it out. He felt the ship starting to move as he looked out of the porthole at his hometown of Solas slowly drifting away. A feeling of anticipation with a hint of fear crept onto him. “It is really happening”, he thought to himself. He looked to the right and could just make out his house. He thought he saw his mother but couldn’t be sure. All sorts of strange thoughts flashed before him, but one lingered. “I will return mother, father. And when I do I will have stories of my own to tell you. And I will pay you back for the sword and armor three times over.” He hung out the porthole for a while as the shipped turned south to round the island he had lived on his whole life. In the distance to the north he could discern the small triangular shapes of the fishing boats. “Goodbye father”, Atreius mumbled, “Until we meet again.” He kept looking until his home was nothing more than a silhouette trembling in the heat rising from the island. Atreius reached into his pocket and took a copper coin from it. “Treanton, please guide my father safely back to port on this day”, he said as he tossed the coin into the water. The coin glimmered as it sank to the bottom of the sea.

Atreius closed the porthole and turned around. “Think back, don’t look back”, he whispered to himself. “That’s what mom said, and that is exactly what I am going to do.” He took a piece of cloth and started polishing the captains silver chalice. He saw his own reflection in the chalice, distorted by its roundness and the dents in it. He gazed at himself, observing his half-long dark brown hair and green eyes, his suntanned skin and the v-shaped scar just above his curved left eyebrow he got from a misplaced fishing hook. He laughed at his reflection with a sense of pride and awe, and thought to himself “That is you Atreius, a boy becoming a man.”