Zarald was obviously quite busy. The copper and silver were polished, the floor swept, the bulky wooden bookcase dusted off, and the battle of Atreius versus the cobwebs also turned out to be a glorious victory for the young man. Atreius couldn’t think of what to do next so he sat down on his chair awaiting further instructions. He peeked at the large paper on the captain’s table. It was a map of Paradise. “Why do they call this land Paradise?”, he wondered. He stood up to get a better look. The map was drawn in color, green obviously being landmasses and blue the sea. Red brown triangles symbolized the scarce mountains in the Kingdom. Atreius quickly found his hometown and was wondering where they were sailing to. In his enthusiasm and the rush of emotions the day had brought he forget to actually ask where they would be going. He noticed a small drawing of a serpent like creature with wings just next to the Kingdom’s capital. “I wonder…” His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door behind him opening.

“You started without me”, said Zarald as he stepped in and glanced around his quarters. He laughed. “And I can see why”, he added. “You should tutor my wife, looks like we will be eating of the floor tonight.” Atreius turned around and snapped into a soldiers posture saluting Zarald as he shouted, “Aye aye captain! .” Zarald looked at the young man, Atreius looked back while maintaining his salute. A few seconds past than both broke into laughter. “At ease soldier, I am not your drill sergeant”, Zarald joked. “Just call me Zarald like the rest of the crew.” Atreius nodded. “I was wondering where we are sailing to Zarald, I forgot to ask earlier. Not that it matters”, he quickly added. “I was just curious.” Zarald took position at the other side of the table and removed the drafting compass from the map.

“We will be sailing to Ezecha, and make port in Azaya along the way.” Zarald pointed the out the dots representing the towns. “Have you already planned your destination?”, he asked. Atreius looked at the map. “Right here”, he stated pointing at the Jewel of the North. “I want to see the city for myself, and I want to see if I can be of help to the King. Did you see the decree at the inn?” Zarald was surprised by Atreius’ determination. “Well than, you had best stay on board until we reach Ezecha. You can travel by carriage from there to the city. We will only be stopping at Azaya for a quick load and offload. Shouldn’t take more than half a day.” Zarald paused. “And yes, I did see the decree.” Atreius waited for some comment or opinion on the matter, but Zarald did not continue. Instead he picked up the drafting compass. Atreius couldn’t help but wonder why Zarald ignored him mentioning the decree, but decided not to press the matter.

“Now for your first lesson”, Zarald resumed. “Let me teach about scales and distances for starters.” Atreius nodded and fully aimed his attention at Zarald. He was eager to learn. The young man and weathered sailor soon found themselves caught up in the lesson. Their focus was broken by the clanging of the ship’s bell. “My goodness, that late already”, Zarald said. That was the bell sounding in the nightshift, and the signal for us to turn in. “More lessons tomorrow young one”, Zarald said while rolling up the large map and putting it into a sturdy leather sleeve. “Thank you for your lesson, I enjoyed it a lot. And I have to admit, I am tired. It has been a long and busy day.” Atreius yawned as he walked towards the door. “Good night captain, aye aye”, he mumbled. The sound of sailors settling down for the night came from the bottom of the staircase. Atreius stopped for a second, than decided to wait until the men lay in their hammocks. The sleeping quarters were cramped and he didn’t want to be in the way. Atreius stepped onto the ship’s deck and walked towards the starboard railing. He leaned his elbows on the railing and stared into the blackness. In the distance faint lights could be seen.

A fresh breeze coming in from the east started to pick up. One of the sailors ordered the deckhands to reef the sails. Atreius turned around and watched the men work hard at the trolleys. The ship’s roll decreasing as less wind was caught. He gazed up at the men climbing high above deck in the ropes. Atreius was quite happy not to perform those tasks, though he was inspired by the courage of the sailors up there, unsecured. After a few minutes he turned his attention once more to the black waters beneath him. The wind tugged at his hair as his thoughts wandered off. Idyllic images of his future endeavors crossed his mind while he started humming a tune he picked up at Martin’s inn. The sound of the waves breaking against the side of the ship seemed to perfectly synchronize with the tune. Atreius felt his eyes becoming heavy and the rocking motion of the ship seemed to slow down with every breath he took. All became dark and still around him, even time itself appeared to be hesitant to pass on. He peered into the sea and saw a flicker of light. It captured his attention, as it playfully zigzagged through the water. Slowly but certainly the light became brighter as it seemed to be coming closer to the water’s surface. Atreius peered even more intently, the light reflecting in his eyes. Slowly but certainly the light began to take shape, though what it was becoming was still unclear. Atreius, mesmerized by the strange phenomenon, bend over the railing further. The light stopped, then suddenly intensified rapidly. A head and pair of shoulders appeared just below the surface. Atreius couldn‘t move, could not blink or turn his head. He felt paralyzed as a hand seemed to move toward him from the depths. Two dark eyes set in a glowing head gazed back at Atreius. The hand suddenly broke surface and touched Atreius on the forehead. A flash of light, an image of a strange place appeared in Atreius’ mind. A doorway in the sand, behind it a cold and menacing blackness. Than an unseen force pushed Atreius backwards making him stumble and fall on his bottom. “Oi, quiet”, a voice sneered. Atreius looked up and noticed he had fallen from his hammock. “Sorry”, he whispered.

Atreius crawled back into his hammock without making a sound. As he stared at the ceiling no more than two feet above his head, he noticed he still felt the touch of the glowing hand lingering on his forehead. “How can this be”, he thought. “It was a dream, wasn’t it. I left the captain’s quarters, stood outside for a while, then went to bed.” His thoughts paused. “I remember the deckhands in the ropes crawling like spiders in a giant web, than I… Wait a minute.” Atreius felt a shiver going down his spine as he became aware of the fact he couldn’t actually remember going to bed. He replayed the events of the evening again in his mind. It ended with the hand touching him and the image of a dark door in the sand. After that, nothing until the moment the sailor told him to be quiet. Atreius paused the image and took a better look. “A stone portal, darkness behind it. An ocean of sand.” He looked at the edges of the portal. Strange markings, he couldn’t read them. The portal pulled on his mind. Atreius shook his head and the image vanished. He focused on the sound of the water and started counting the waves. “One… Two… Three…” He closed his eyes and fell asleep again.

“Ship ahoy!” A voice shouted from high up in the crow’s nest. Atreius opened his eyes blinking a few times as the rising sun’s light shot through the opened portholes. “Morning”, a friendly voice from behind Atreius said. Atreius righted himself sitting up in his hammock, legs dangling over the side. It was the sailor that shouted orders at the deckhands last night. “Had a good sleep lad?”, the sailor asked. Atreius looked the man up and down while scratching his weary head. The sailor was barefooted, wearing dark blue trousers torn at the bottom. A horizontally striped blue and white shirt. His face was round and his wild curly brown hair was kept out of his eyes by a red bandana. “Good enough”, Atreius replied as he pushed himself out of his hammock. The sailor offered Atreius his calloused hand. “Bobby”, he announced, “First mate.”

“That is a firm handshake”, Atreius noticed while telling Bobby his name. “I thought we lost you”, Bobby said. “One minute you were looking out over the sea, the next minute you lay unconscious on the floor. I personally dragged you down here and put you in your hammock. Glad to hear your heart beating and your lungs drawing breath.” Atreius looked at Bobby with a mixture of amazement and gratitude. Bobby stared back as if waiting for an explanation. “I don’t remember what happened”, Atreius said. “There was a strange light in the water. I looked at it and suddenly a glowing hand pushed me over. Next thing I remember is falling from my hammock.” Bobby’s look turned from merry to serious. “Sit down lad, I need to have a word with you.

”They sat opposite to each other on footlockers. Bobby looked left and right, obviously reassuring himself no one else was around. He leaned forward and beckoned Atreius to come closer. In a dampened voice Bobby started talking. “You have been touched by Treanton.” Another quick glance around the room. “Sssht, don’t let anyone hear.” Atreius gave Bobby a confused look. Bobby continued. “I’ve seen it too a long time ago. They said the rum had gotten the better of me, but I know what I saw . When I told the others they laughed at me. I argued that what I saw was real. Stubborn as I was I couldn’t let it go until finally Admiral Tullius, my commanding officer, took me aside. I brought unrest amongst the men and was gracefully dismissed from service. Since that day my friends started referring to me as Holy Bobby.

”Atreius smiled at Bobby. “Well Bobby, thanks for the advice. I thought worshipping Treanton was common practice around the Kingdom.” “Not anymore”, Bobby replied. “At least not for the mainlanders or the King’s soldiers. Besides, believing in or praying to a god is a long ways away from actually claiming you have seen one, let alone be touched by one. Listen buddy, all I’m saying is, be careful with this sort of thing. Not everybody appreciates this.” Atreius thanked Bobby for the advice. “Where are you headed”, Bobby asked while taking of his shirt of revealing a muscular torso marked with scars from whip strokes. The sight shook Atreius and he had to swallow twice before answering. “Ezecha, and then the capital. I’m going to offer my services to the King.” “What a coincidence”, Bobby replied. “I’m getting off there too. Got two weeks shore leave. I was planning myself to visit the city too, I know a woman in a brothel…” Bobby abruptly stopped talking realizing Atreius wasn’t that old probably. “What I meant to say is, maybe we could travel together.” Atreius uncomfortably laughed as he felt his face had turned a bit red. “Yes that sounds good”, he answered. “That last thing you said”, he apologetically added. “So be it than!”, Bobby said in a raised voice as he jumped into his hammock. “Get yourself some breakfast and report to the captain.” Bobby turned to lay on his side his back facing Atreius who started getting dressed.

Several deckhands were standing at the ships stern, looking in the distance. The captain right there with them. Atreius joined them. A ship could be seen in the distance. Zarald noticed Atreius standing next to him. He offered Atreius his spyglass. “Have a look lad, and tell me what you see.” Atreius couldn’t believe his ears. Spyglasses were very expensive. He carefully took the instrument from Zarald’s hand. Zarald noticed the gentle way in which Atreius handled the spyglass. “It’s not a porcelain vase”, Zarald said, “go on, have a look.” Atreius lifted the long brass spyglass and pointed it in the direction of the ship. I took him a few seconds to get it in his scope as he put his feet further apart to gain a more balanced stand. He observed the ship. A three master, Sailing northeast. Dark grey sails. No flag was raised. Tiny movements indicated an active crew on deck. After a minute Zarald ordered his men back to their duties. “Join me for breakfast”, he stated. The tone of Zarald’s voice made it obvious this wasn’t a request.

They entered Zarald’s quarters just as the ship’s cook brought in breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs made Atreius’ mouth water and his belly rumble. They wasted no time and started eating right away. With his mouth already stuffed Atreius thanked the cook. “Anytime”, the man replied obviously surprised by the expression of gratitude. Zarald said nothing and continued chewing his food. After finishing their breakfast with a mug of coconut milk Zarald leaned back in his chair. He looked at Atreius for a second. “Well, what did you notice about the ship you just saw?” Atreius described what he saw and made sure to tell Zarald of the missing flag. “Exactly right!”, said Zarald. “No flag, which is a violation of maritime law. Anything else you noticed?” Atreius looked at the ceiling trying to think of anything out of the ordinary. Nothing came to mind. “Sorry, that’s it Zarald.” Zarald laughed as he stood up and walked to a barrel holding several leather sleeves. “Can ‘t blame you, but I do know now what todays lesson will be.” Zarald rolled out a map on the table.

It looked similar to the map he showed yesterday, but this one was different. There were arrows in the sea everywhere. Also some parts of the sea were colored a lighter blue. “Today I will teach you about currents, sandbanks and shipping lanes. The ship you saw was in a current that leads it away from land, and it wasn’t using a shipping lane.” Zarald paused for a second. “I will have to report this to the harbor master when we reach Ezecha.” Atreius simply nodded eager to learn more. “You can read, but can you write?”, Zarald asked. “I can”, Atreius replied, “though not in that fancy way like on the royal decrees.” Zarald opened a drawer on his side of the table. He took out a small book with leather bindings and a leather strap tied in a knot. He handed the book to Atreius. “I want you to have this. It is called a journal. It helps you keep track of your adventures.” Zarald laughed. “I envy you lad.” Atreius took the gift his eyes shining with joy. “Just promise you will let me read it when we meet again somewhere in the future.” Atreius held the book to his chest coveting it. “I will Zarald, I definitely will.” They spend the rest of the day studying maps as Zarald taught Atreius as much as he could about seamanship and navigation. Atreius absorbed the information like a sponge. The sun was already setting when the voice of Darian could be heard from the crow’s nest. “Land in sight! Prepare for docking. All hands on deck.” The door to the captains quarters swung open. It was Bobby. “We will make port in Azaya soon Sir. Wind is good, want me to navigate us in?” “Yes Bobby”, Zarald replied, “and take Atreius with you, see if he remembered anything I taught him today.” Atreius jumped up in excitement and hasted towards Bobby. They walked to the helm of the ship. The main deck was buzzing with activity. Sails were reefed to slow the ship ‘s speed. The cargo cranes were being prepared for unloading end the bolts securing the cargo hatches were being removed. Bobby briefly explained the working of the ships helm, than stepped back and gestured Atreius to take the helm. Atreius wasn’t completely unfamiliar with steering a ship, but a ship this size, he felt a little nervous. “Ten degrees portside rudder!”, Bobby shouted. Atreius reacted giving the helm a good tug spinning it to the left. Bobby grabbed the helm stopping its rotation. “Don’t overdo it lad”, he laughed. “At least you gave the men the impression you are a worthy captain, their lives are in your hands.” Atreius shuddered at the idea of him leading the crew to a seaman’s grave. Together they navigated the ship into port. Atreius enjoyed every moment of this, standing proud at the helm, a smile covering his face from ear to ear.

Zarald wasn’t lying when he said they would stay at Azaya only briefly. It wasn’t even midnight when they were ready to set sail again. There was just one little problem. The wind had died down fully. Not a breeze could be felt. Atreius was just getting ready to turn in for the night when Zarald and Bobby approached him. “Atreius, I heard you planned to travel with Bobby to the capitol. But it looks like we won’t be going anywhere soon.” Bobby nodded. “I doubt we will be sailing out for at least two full days.” The captain looked at Bobby. “I requested to go ashore and start my leave early”, Bobby said to Atreius. “Since we agreed on travelling to the capitol together, I was wondering if you would like to join me?

”Atreius gave Zarald a questioning look. “Do as you please lad, I’d be more than happy to have you on board a few more days. But no regrets if you decide to trade the waters for the sand right here.” Atreius gave it a brief thought and then decided. “Captain, I would like to ask permission to abandon ship.” Zarald and Bobby burst into laughter. Atreius, with a confused and witless look on his face patiently waited until the two men calmed down. “Was it something I said”, Atreius asked. Again they laughed Bobby rolling on the floor. Zarald managed to regain some of his calm and looked at Atreius with a happy face. “Lad, you abandon ship when it sinks. I think what you meant to say was captain, I’m asking permission to go ashore.” Atreius looked at the floor hands behind his back while swiping a foot left and right.

Stolen story; please report.

Bobby stood up and put an arm around his shoulder. “Are you sure you aren’t a bard, rather than a fisherman.” Atreius looked up at Bobby, and now they both broke into laughter. “I take it you will join me then”, Bobby said. Zarald replied, “You are both permitted to leave ship. I will see you in Ezecha in a few weeks Bobby. And to you Atreius, I can wish you nothing more than the best of luck. May your journeys live up to your dreams.” Suddenly Atreius remembered the jug of wine he got from the hoister at the warehouse. He looked at Bobby and Zarald. “Gentlemen, how about a toast.” Atreius surprised himself by saying this. “I sound like a grown up”, he thought to himself. “Are you buying?” Bobby replied. “Take a seat, I will be right back”, Atreius said while walking down the stairs to the sleeping quarters. The three of them sat in the captain’s hut until early morning, sipping wine and sharing stories. When they finally decided to get some sleep, Atreius was pretty lightheaded. He lay down in his hammock and fell asleep faster than a bolt of lightning made its way from cloud to ground.

Someone was shaking Atreius’ hammock. “Wake up lad, time to go.” Atreius opened his eyes and closed them again right away. His head was pounding and the light was too bright. He heard Bobby laughing beside him. “Had a bit too much last night.” A muffled ‘yes’ could be heard coming from somewhere in Atreius’ pillow. “Meet you on deck in ten”, Bobby said as his footsteps moved away. Atreius opened his eyes again and slowly made his way to the floor. “By Treanton”, he thought, “I won’t be drinking again for a long time.” He stretched and rubbed his aching head. He slowly put on his clothes trying to bend as little as possible, which wasn’t easy with a ceiling this low. Eventually he was dressed and suited up in his armor. His sword dangling from his side again and his backpack firmly around his shoulders. “I need to get some ink and a quill, first thing”, he said to himself. “I tend to keep my promise to Zarald.” He made his way up to the main deck and looked around. Zarald was nowhere to be seen and his door was shut. Bobby stood at the edge of the plank shaking one of the shipmate’s hand. His eye fell on Atreius. “Let’s go princess, let’s get some breakfast in you. We have a long day ahead.” Atreius took a last look around at the ship and its crew, than followed Bobby across the scaffolding and onto the cobblestones of Azaya’s roads.

Atreius looked around in awe. All the buildings were made of stone. Most of them a large yellow sort of stone, and a few with red bricks just like the inn and warehouse in Solas. The sound of horses hooves and the crackling sound of cartwheels on stone. People walking around in what seemed chaos. Several sheep behind an improvised fence. A woman herding three goats carrying a cage with chickens on her back. A group of men shouting prices at each other over something Atreius couldn’t see. It was too much to take in at once. “Come on”, Bobby said, “Let’s find us some transport to the capitol.” Atreius nodded and replied. “Do you know if there is a scribe here somewhere, I need to get some ink and a quill.” “Town hall probably”, Bobby said, as they turned a corner avoiding a merchant and his handcart cutting that corner short. They walked left past what Atreius believed to be the warehouse, onto a large marketplace. The market place was surrounded by buildings, mostly residences and a couple of shops. Atreius studied the signs hanging outside the shops, one even more ornate than the other. One sign in particular caught his attention. A wine-red metal sign with ornate curly edges and graceful golden lettering. “Arabella’s Adventurers Emporium”, Atreius read out loud. Bobby noticed the curious look in Atreius’ eyes. “Listen up”, Bobby said. “I will be going to the stables to arrange some transport for us. We may have to work on the way. We’ll see. The stables are at the end of this street.” Bobby pointed towards a street that cut straight through the row of shops. “Meet me there in an hour, because something tells me you mean to do some business here”, Bobby laughed. Atreius nodded while his eyes raced around at all the new sights to see. “And the large building over there is the townhall”, Bobby added. “Thanks”, Atreius replied. Bobby moved off towards the stables while Atreius took another moment taking in his surroundings. He took a deep breath, the smell of strange spices, grilled meat and fresh fish filling his nose. He dug up the pouch with silverlings from his backpack and tied it to his belt next to his hunting knife. “Ink and quill first”, he remembered.

He crossed the marketplace in a straight line and entered the street leading to the townhall. Several women were busy doing laundry. Two young boys were acting out a swordfight with wooden sticks. When they saw Atreius pass they stopped and gazed at Atreius, or rather his sword, with their jaws dropped almost on the cobblestone road. Atreius smiled at them with a nostalgic feeling remembering he did the same thing when he was their age. The townhall couldn’t be missed. The building had three white marble steps and a large wooden double door set between to marble pillars about as high as an average palm tree. Two guards carrying halberds stood in front of each of the two pillars. Their uniform didn’t bare the king’s mark. Instead their green painted shields depicted a pair of golden scales, matching the gold inlaid carving on the townhall’s door. Atreius approached the steps and as he walked up the guards stepped out and crossed halberds blocking Atreius’ passage. He took a step back.“State your business”, the left guard asked firmly. His eyes fixed on Atreius assessing the threat he could pose. “I seek the scribe. I would like to purchase some ink and a quill”, Atreius calmly replied. The guards stepped back retracting their halberds. “One to enter!”, the guard shouted. “Have a nice day sir.” Atreius made a swift bow as the door opened. Without paying any further attention to the guards he walked in, while gloating inside of himself. “He said Sir to me, Sir Atreius of Solas. Sounds good.” The doorkeeper closed the door behind Atreius. “Welcome young sir, how can I help you.” Atreius looked at the man in his black toga and white collar. “Writing equipment”, Atreius simply stated. He tried to hide his awe of the interior, pretending and imagining himself a noblemen’s son. The shiny polished marble floor glimmered in the light that shone in through the large glass dome about thirty feet above them. Several desks lined the wall, but there was no time to observe them. The porter took Atreius directly to a sturdy wooden door. “Here you go sir, the town scribe.” He held the door open for Atreius and bowed as Atreius entered the room. The porter quietly closed the door behind him.

The scribes office was a small room. Its walls lined with shelving, paperwork stacked high. In the middle of the room a small desk with a gray haired man sitting at it. The man didn’t appear to take notice of Atreius as he was focused on his work. Atreius scraped his throat. Slowly the man looked up revealing an time worn face, but at the same time eyes that hid a deep wisdom. “Yes child, how may I help you”, the scribe said in a trembling voice. Atreius immediately realized his charade of nobility would not work here. “I seek to buy some ink and a quill Sir”, Atreius replied. The man rose and grabbed his walking cane. With bent back he walked towards a chest standing on a table. He uttered some strange sounds. Atreius couldn’t discern the words, and was amazed as the bolts closing the chest slid aside on their own. The scribe placed a small glass ink vial and a quill with a silver point on the table. “That will be two silverlings please”, the scribe mumbled while resting heavily on his cane. Atreius still mesmerized by what he had just witnessed took the money from his pouch and placed it on the table. He wanted to ask the scribe about the bolts, but didn’t get a chance. “Thank you, now off you go”, the scribe sat while sitting back down in his chair with a moan. Atreius took the ink an quill and carefully placed them in his backpack. “Was that magic”, he wondered to himself as he opened the door.

The thought lingered in his mind as he walked back to the marketplace. Being distracted by his own mind Atreius did not notice the somewhat shady figure observing him from the corner of the street leading to the marketplace. The hooded figure followed Atreius at some distance. Atreius, oblivious to his pursuer walked straight to Arabella’s Adventurers Emporium. He stopped to look through the stores front window when he felt a brush along his side. He looked up just in time to see the hooded figure tuck away his pouch. Quick as the wind Atreius drew his sword and jumped at the man pushing him in the back. The man turned around and in a flash Atreius saw a dagger lunge at his body. Instinctively he rolled to his side avoiding the blade by a hair’s breadth.

Atreius jumped back up watching the man running into the crowd. He tried to follow pushing aside some of the startled people. He caught another glimpse of the thief’s hood. A quick dash forward to where he believed the man was while people stepped aside to avoid collision. Atreius looked at the ground while the townsfolk stood around him in a circle. The dark grey cloak was all he saw. His eyes looked left, right, left again. No trace of the robber.

Atreius lowered his sword and poked the cloak in front of his feet. His heart pounding in his throat and hands trembling. A young woman stepped forward from the crowd and puts a hand on his shoulder. Atreius shudders as she touches him, and looks her in the eyes with anger and fear still in his eyes. “Everything ok, are you hurt?”, the woman asked with a soft voice. Atreius couldn’t speak. “That was a close call”, she continued, “It’s over now lad.” Atreius’ breathing slowed down as his face regained its friendly and gentle nature. “Come now and have a drink in my store”, the lady said. Atreius sheathed his sword and picked up the cloak. As he turned around to follow the friendly lady to her store a man stepped forward from the crowd. “Catch boy!”, he shouted and tossed something at Atreius. Atreius turned around and snatched the item from the air in a reflex. Much to his amazement it was his coin pouch. “Don ‘t mention it”, the man said. Atreius looked but the man had already stepped back again. “Where did he go”, he asked the public in general. Some people raised their shoulders, some pointed, but none of them in the same direction. “Guess it’s your lucky unlucky day.” The woman’s voice again. Atreius followed her as the crowd dispersed.

Her hips swayed slowly from left to right as she treaded light footedly in front of him. Her long red dress revealed the silhouette of her legs as light shone through the thin fabric. A red satin ribbon braided through her long black hair from between the shoulders to her lower back. Atreius caught the scent of her perfume. The sweet smell of Jasmin mixed with a hint of something he didn’t recognize. The woman stopped and looked back over her shoulder for a moment. Dark eyes and long lashes set in a gentle face. She beckoned as she resumed her steps. Atreius felt the last bit of fear and anger drifting away at the sight of this enchanting woman. She slowed her pace and turned around facing Atreius. She smiled at him as her mysterious eyes seemed to pierce his very being. To Atreius it felt like a blanket of warmth and kindness had been pulled over him. In that moment he knew he would do anything for her, anything. The woman extended her hand reaching for Atreius. Atreius felt his own hand unwillingly lifting alongside his body. The woman came closer yet didn’t move, and nor did Atreius. He felt himself drawn towards here as his vision started to blur, the women’s face becoming the center of his existence.

Suddenly a firm grip around his left upper arm. A brute tug to the side. The sensation of freefall raced through Atreius’ body as he saw the woman moving away from him, her face turning from kindness to anger to despair. A high pitched shriek cut through Atreius’ mind as his vision of the woman changed to a dark whirlpool twisting reality. A voice from the darkness, “Look at me boy! .” Atreius struggled to turn his head away from the swirling darkness before him. Another tug, “Now boy!”, the loud grunting voice commanded. Atreius turned his head bringing back light and shape to his mind. Slowly the shapes took form. He was standing in front of the Adventurers Emporium. Next to him holding his upper arm a large rowdy looking man. “Have you lost your wits, boy?”, the man grunted. Atreius was to baffled to answer. The man had a kind look in his eye, though his outfit left no doubt about his line of work. A battle worn chainmail and an oversized longsword hung from a wide thick leather belt. The veins on his coconut sized biceps pumped as he lifted Atreius just enough to force him to tiptoe as his feet couldn’t quite reach the ground. They rounded the corner leading to the stables. On the left a tavern. The man pushed Atreius in and sat him down abruptly at the nearest table.

The man gestured at the barman and set down opposite to Atreius. “Bjorn, but most call me Thief slayer”, he simply said. Atreius still confused as to what happened in the last fifteen minutes of his adventuring life replied. “Atreius”, he stuttered, his voice betraying his fear and confusion. “Relax boy, all is well.” The barman set down two mugs of fruit infused water. “First your coin, then your mind. Boy, explain to me how you managed to get robbed of your wealth and your will in less than ten minutes. You were lucky I am always on the lookout and found it easy to pick you out as a tourist.” Atreius looked at his mug, then back up at the man. He noticed the pink scar on Bjorn’s cheek. His eyes lay deep in their sockets and shone with authority and resolve. “I can’t”, Atreius replied. “I honestly have no idea what just happened. Who was that woman?” His eyes looked away from Bjorn in absence as he pictured the lady in his mind again.

Bjorn snapped his fingers. Atreius’ eyes jumped back to his. “Stay here boy, don’t think about it. You fell victim to the magic of the mind. Someone or some entity tried to penetrate your mind. Whatever you saw wasn’t real boy. Let it go.” Atreius nodded trusting the advice Bjorn gave him. Bjorn continued, “And about that street robber. I will catch him sooner or later. I had him but he escaped my grasp and dropped the coin purse as he did. What made you decide to hang your full purse from your belt in plain sight, were you trying to get robbed! .

” It started to dawn on Atreius that his hometown was quite different from this place. “How can I be so naïve”, Atreius blamed himself. “I let myself get carried away.” He remembered one of his father’s first lessons in fishing. “Keep your eyes on the prize, but your mind watchful for your surroundings, or you might be the catch of the day.”

Atreius simply stated to Bjorn, “I’m not from here, I’m from Solas.” Bjorn leaned back in his chair and quickly looked outside through the window. The two boys wielding their fierce wooden swords ran by yelling at each other. He turned his attention back to Atreius. “That’s the little fishing town two days sail from here. The island right?” Atreius nodded. “Listen lad”, Bjorn said as he leaned forward again, “You are no longer on Solas. So keep your coin tucked away and your mind on alert. That’s all I can say. You were lucky today, but there are many ill-willed people around. Just saying.” Atreius took a moment to let this sink in. “Everybody knew everybody in Solas”, he thought. “I can’t be blind to the possibility of strangers with bad intentions.”

Atreius thanked Bjorn for the advice and asked him how he could repay him for his aid. Bjorn laughed. “How about you put that coin purse in your backpack and take your wits back out of it.” “Aye aye captain”, Atreius replied while standing up and saluting Bjorn. The two of them sat down for a while enjoying their drink and talking about Atreius’ plans, Bjorn’s work as a bounty hunter and the smaller joys in life. It turned out Bjorn started life as a farmer’s son that was enlisted in the King’s army, making it all the way to head of the Royal Guard. The guard closest to the King. This strengthened Atreius’ believe a simple fisherman’s son could also become something greater. Atreius insisted on paying the barman two copper pieces for the drinks as he left the inn waving at Bjorn. “Heed my words lad”, was the last thing he heard.

“And for my first wise decision I will go straight to the stables.” Atreius turned left and followed the road leading to the stables. He made sure he was alert to what was happening around him, he wouldn’t fall into the same trap twice. As he reached the stables he immediately picked out Bobby, who was standing next to a horse and carriage, talking to the woman sitting on the bench of the wagon. Atreius joined Bobby and greeted the woman on the bench. “Good news”, Bobby said. “Elanor here is just about to head for the capitol.” Atreius looked at Elanor. “Atreius”, he said making a small bow. “Pleased to meet you.” Elanor smiled. “So it’s settled than?”, she asked Bobby. Atreius looked at Bobby waiting for information. Bobby explained to Atreius that they could travel with Elanor in her wagon in exchange for protection. She would even pay them a small wager with a possible bonus should their skills with the blade be needed along the way. This would make the journey twice as short as by foot. Atreius agreed looking forward to the prospect of observing the country from the back of a covered wagon. Elanor jumped of the bench and rounded het wagon to give it a final checkup. The determination yet grace with which she moved, combined with the gentle eyes and simple dress reminded Atreius of his mother when she was ten years younger. “You could never have taught me these lessons mom”, he thought, as his mind recuperated the last few days.