“Here you go.”

The vendor held out two breaded meats. Ionyr took them and handed one each to Rayza and Ciel, then took the last for himself before dropping three coppers in the vendor’s open hand.

“Pleasure doing business with you.”

Sure didn’t sound like it. The vendor’s face was marred by a sunk, sullen look. Bags under his eyes and a drooping, monotone voice that could only result from being stripped of your freedom - trapped in an unbreakable cage.

Ionyr could relate to that.

After giving the vendor a curt nod, he followed the girls down the bustling street. Rayza gushed over the local specialty while Ciel curiously nibbled around the edges, looking around the big market as she did. The further in they went, the denser the crowd got, and the more expensive the goods on display appeared to be.

The central square had been turned into a hub for all sorts of merchants, who’d turned it into one big bazaar. The merchants’ workers were busily buzzing around like diligent little bees, carrying crates between different stalls while their bosses fought the real battle - either haggling with fellow merchants, or feverishly selling their merchandise to the locals. The warm, humid air was filled with the smell of myriad dishes of many different cultures mixing together.

It gave the impression of a thriving city, and certainly, the locals were beaming with the nigh endless goods from all over at their disposal. Though even with the market positively bustling, the merchants’ and workers’ faces all shared the same sullen, sunken expression. Like a dog denied his walk. Or a bird in a cage.

Looks like even massive profits weren’t able to make up for the fact they were trapped here.

Ionyr had a bite of the breaded meat. A simple dish, really. It was nothing more than the roasted leg of a Hearthsheep sliced into small ribbons and layered into the bread with a spoonful of vegetables. The meat was juicy and tender, and a comfortable warmth quickly spread in Ionyr’s belly.

Tasted like home. The warm hearth of his home.

Ionyr sighed. How long until they got there? How long until he could meet with Raev and Ielus? These negative thoughts were starting to get out of hand. He’d never felt like this before…and he couldn’t deny them much longer. If there was any way to solve this, then they would know. He had to talk to them about it before it ate him up completely.

But with the bandits out and about, it was too risky to leave the city. And besides, Rayza seemed to be enjoying herself here. Browsing the various stalls of the market, trying new foods…all with her daughter. Cute clothes here, pretty necklaces there…she’d never shown him that side of hers. She’d always chosen practical clothes over pretty ones.

To be honest, he felt a little left behind. Why wasn’t she like that with him? He’d like to see her in cute clothes and pretty necklaces, too.

…maybe it’s no that she didn’t want to, but that she couldn’t. Maybe he was as much a cage to her as…

“Better not finish that thought.” Ionyr shook his head and had another bite of his lunch. Still tasted of home, though a little more bitter than he’d like.

He finished his meal with two large bites, forcefully gulping it down before following Rayza into a large tent, belonging to a clothes merchant. The tent took a brazen amount of space, uncomfortably squeezing the smaller stalls around it together. Clothes of all shapes, sizes and colours were distributed inside, some neatly presented, others haphazardly tossed onto the floor. Ionyr noticed a distinct correlation between how expensive it looked and how it was displayed.

While watching her and Ciel peruse various dresses with a smile, he sighed. Might as well deal with his business now. Not like there was a place for him here.

He tapped on Rayza’s shoulder, startling her out of perusing the clothes in the pile on the floor. “Gonna head to the Pen, send those letters. Let’s meet here, alright?”

“Oh, uh…yeah.” She said, nodding absently. After turning back to the pile, she squealed happily. “Oh my goodness! Ciel, that dress is adorable! Where’d you find it?” Ciel pointed at the pile. “Let’s see if we can find some shoes that go with it!”

Ionyr took that as his cue to leave. Weaving through the crowd of people, he made his way towards the Postage Pen. The large wooden, straw-filled tower was hard to miss, even behind the Ashen Order’s cathedral. As he passed by it, he glanced at the guards by the entrance. Two rough-looking men, their faces bullish and unshaven, glared back at him.

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” One of them growled.

“Nothing. Excuse me.” He averted his eyes. These two were clearly not cut from the same cloth as the gate guards - this was the Ashen Order Rayza knew and loved to hate. Shameless criminals dressing up in knights’ colours, to be ‘redeemed’.

Suddenly, Ionyr felt a knock on his head.

“Ouch.” He said, rubbing his nose and looking up. Standing before him was a handsome man doing the same.

“Sorry, didn’t see you there.” The man laughed, rubbing his forehead before running his hand through his slick, well-groomed hair. He also had a low-tied ponytail, wild and bushy. “You good?”

“Hey, I should be asking you that.” Ionyr chuckled awkwardly. “It was my bad, too lost in thoughts.”

“No, no. ‘Twas my fault, I was too absorbed in the atmosphere.” The man sighed wistfully as he let his gaze trail over the crowd. His honey-coloured eyes glistened with marvel. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“I guess.” Ionyr shrugged. “Feels a little suffocating, I’d say.”

“Indeed, that’s just it.” The man smiled. “So many people in one place, so many lives, so many caged dreams. And every moment is an accident waiting to happen. A fateful accident to put a tiny crack inthat cage.”

He nodded towards the crowd. Ionyr followed his gesture to see a boy stumble, dropping a crate. A merchant, probably his boss, yelled at him before turning back to his customers.

“What’s so special about that?”

“Shhh.” The man continued watching with glee. “Here comes Lady Destiny.”

A cute young girl hastened to the boy’s side, bent down to help him up. After cleaning the scratch on his cheek with her handkerchief, she shyly smiled at him before running off to help another merchant. The boy was left obviously starstruck.

“That’s cute.” Ionyr smiled, as the fond memory of his and Rayza’s first meeting came to mind.

“See? They would’ve never met if it weren’t for that little accident.” The man smiled. “How cruel.”

“Cruel?” Ionyr raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

“She’s that merchant’s daughter, and he’s a drifter. You can tell the path they’ve walked by their clothes.” The man sighed wistfully. “Her father would never let them get together - and his boss would never let him go. Now look, see the stars in his eyes?”

Sure enough, the boy looked starstruck. Mouth agape, staring at the piece of cloth in his hand.

“There’s the crack in the cage - he’s dreaming of their life together right now. Young love, so sweet and pure…and inevitably fated to be harshly struck down.” The man shook his head. “Reality is a harsh mistress, and her binds, indestructible. And yet, there is a certain beauty in dreaming for an impossible future - to yearn for the breaking of those invisible chains that our life’s path places on us. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yeah.” Ionyr nodded. Those words struck a certain chord with him, twisted and guilt-laden. “I do. What’s the point in life without those dreams?”

“Ha! Exactly!” The man laughed and patted Ionyr on the shoulder. “I like you. You’re a dreamer as well, I can tell.”

“Used to be.” He said with a sigh.

“Why, what happened?” The man asked, appearing genuinely concerned.

“Nothing worth talking about.” As much as he’d love to vent his frustrations, this stranger was the wrong person. In fact, that’s why he needed to send those letters in the first place. He better get going. “Actually, I have to get to the Pen, so if I may…”

As Ionyr tried to walk past the stranger, he felt a hand on his shoulder again. “One moment. Here.” The man handed him a golden coin. “I don’t know which star has been taken from your eyes, but I hope this helps.”

Opposite problem, actually. There’s one Star constantly blocking his vision.

“I can’t accept this.” Ionyr went to hand the coin back, but the stranger was already moving on.

“Too bad, it’s already yours.” The man said, heading towards the crowd. “The only thing that can’t change ownership is your passion. Your dream is yours forever.” He said, turning around one last time with a grin. “Don’t let yourself be chained up, man!”

“Hey, wait!”

The man winked before disappearing between the many people mingling in the marketplace. Ionyr, realising that Rayza was waiting, figured it better to not give chase. Glancing at the gold coin in his hand, he shot a look at the starstruck young man. Might as well put this coin to good use, he thought as he made his way over to a florists’ stand. The elderly lady running it was busy arranging her merchandise. “Do you do deliveries?”

“That depends, lad.” She looked up with a warm smile. “Where do you want it delivered to?”

Ionyr pointed at the young girl and drifter from before. “To each of them. And tell them it’s sent by the other.”

“Aw, aren’t you a little old to be playing matchmaker?” The woman laughed heartily.

“One is never too old to have a little fun. And besides…” Ionyr looked at the boy with a nostalgic smile. “I have a soft spot for young dreamers.” He saw the girl glancing back at the drifter and waving shyly. “Young love, too.”

“Alright lad. Which flowers’re you picking for the young couple?”

“Firemane roses.” They indicated an uncertain romantic future, if he recalled correctly. He’d bought a whole bouquet for Rayza on their last anniversary. Now, though, he’d prefer things a little more certain.

Would certainly help him choose how to approach their situation.

“I will see them delivered before the next tolling of the bell.” The lady smiled. “That’ll be one copper.”

Ionyr nodded and reached for his wallet. Hm. Not in its usual spot. Maybe on the left side? Nope, not there either.

…drat.

“...it would seem that I’ve been robbed.”

“You’re taking this remarkably well.” She answered with a hint of worry. “I can’t do this for free, you know.”

“Don’t worry, I know.” He handed her the golden coin. “But fortune did smile upon me today, at least.” In the form of a kind stranger. And now fortune would smile upon those children, too. So they might break their chains and be free.

If they succeeded to make their passion bloom…if it worked out for them…why not for him?

----------------------------------------

After buying a new wallet with the rest of his money, Ionyr made his way to the Pen. The crowd thinned soon after leaving the central square, thankfully making his walk there a little easier. Though, once he stepped into the massive tent, his heart immediately sunk. While the streets were emptier than before, the inside of the Postage Pen was brimming with bickering merchants.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Of course, he thought, facepalming. With the bandit blockade, there were likely irate business partners they needed to explain themselves to. Just his luck. Each of the three open desks was besieged by a long line of angry merchants looking for a fight. And the people at the counter just so happened to be the perfect target. All the polite attempts at de-escalation were met with brusque attitudes and snide remarks, without ever getting to the point.

Fantastic. Didn’t help that the others in line loudly complained as well, sparking more fights in the line, as well as the desks themselves. At this rate, it would take ages before Ionyr got to send those two letters.

From the corner of his eye, Ionyr noticed a cute young woman hastily run out of a backroom, out of breath. She stopped behind an empty desk, wiping a stain from her lips. Did she just get back from her break? Raising her hand, she waved and yelled, trying to overcome the frustrated brouhaha of the crowd. “We’re opening this desk! Y’all can queue here!”

Not a moment too soon. No one else had noticed, and so Ionyr pounced on the opportunity. Before she could call out again, he was already standing in front of her desk.

“May I go first?” He asked with his most charming smile.

“S-sure.”

“Yes! Thank the Four.” He pumped his fist, and shot the men in the other line a cheeky grin. “Sorry, fellas.”

She giggled nervously as the men grumpily filed in line behind Ionyr. Ah, drat. She’d probably get an earful for his little stunt.

“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.” Ionyr said, but she waved it off shyly.

“O-oh, no worries. Would’ve been an awful shift either way. I don’t think…”

She stopped as angry murmurs from the line reached their ears.

“Fucking cheater…”

“He better watch his back…”

They shared a nervous laugh. “I think you should worry more about yourself.”

“Relax.” He flexed his arm and laughed. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Ah…” She paused, staring at his arm before shaking her head. While pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she gave him a shy smile before continuing. “So…what can I do for you?”

“Need two letters sent. One to the Isles, to one Sir Raev.”

The woman nodded and rang a small bell on her desk. Moments later, a small black cat descended from the rafters, using strung up ropes to hop down, until it plopped down on her desk. While she scratched its head, she looked back up at Ionyr.

“Where does this Sir Raev live, if I may ask?”

“Out in the middle of nowhere.” Ionyr pulled out a small metal emblem from his chest pocket and presented it to the woman. Her eyes widened slightly upon seeing it. “Using this should be simpler.”

“My word….” She let the cat sniff the emblem. “Friends in high places, I see.”

“Not anymore.” Ionyr shook his head. “Only good his crest does now is to help us stay in contact.”

The cat then hopped down beside him and nuzzled his leg.

“Looks like little Lori is ready to go.” The woman gave him a bright smile.

What an angel, he thought. Wait no, he’s married. Get those thoughts out of your head. Though, maybe…those were just invisible chains as well…?

He immediately slapped himself. What was he thinking?!

“Uh, sir?” The woman seemed a little taken aback, and slightly worried. ”You mentioned a second letter?”

“Er…yeah. Yeah, I did.” He nodded, trying to shake his increasingly worrisome thoughts. ”This one’s going to one Ielus.”

“You mean…Ielus of Artivia?”

Ionyr nodded. “He’s my brother. Haven’t spoken in ages, and I’d like him to meet his niece.” Looking around, he could see the men behind him staring at him with puzzled, and puzzling expressions. Everyone seemed so…nervous. Like they found a sudden respect for him upon mention of his brother.

“O-of course, sir.” She said, ringing the bell, a little more forcefully this time. “We’ve got his mail emblem in our archive, so you may proceed ahead.”

“Oh, good. That’s a relief.” Ionyr smiled and whipped out his new wallet. “So, how much will that cost me?”

“Nothing. Consider it paid for.” She hastily waved it off. Not a moment later, a white cat dropped onto the desk, looking him up and down before hopping onto the ground where it sat down next to his leg. “Please, be on your way.”

“Nothing? Nonsense, I’ve always paid for these services in the past, what’s different now? Besides, it would be unfair to the fellas in line. So, how much?” He opened his wallet, playing with a silver coin.

“Sir, please. Be on your way, we’ve got other customers waiting.” Her voice cracked a little. Ionyr could clearly see he was no longer welcome here.

“Fine.” Sighing, he placed one of his many silvers on her desk. ”Then let that be your tip, miss.” He gave her a wink, feeling the eyes of the other men on his back. Gave him the creeps. As he walked past the desk and into the backroom, he heard her mumble to herself.

“Friends in high places, indeed…” He caught her glancing at him with an indecipherable expression. She immediately averted her eyes and greeted the next customer, though there was a light blush on her cheeks.

Huh. That girl’s into me, isn’t she? He violently shook his head. What did it matter? He played with his ring, as he continued with an admittedly shameful extra spring in his step. What did it matter…

It all started when he mentioned Ielus. Friends in high places, she said…seems like his brother made it big in the Order. They even had his emblem on file. Ionyr smiled sadly. He always knew his brother would get far in life.

Now look at you, a voice in the back of his head whispered. You let yourself be chained. Even worse, you try to protect them…while yourself being the one to break them.

Ionyr silently buried those thoughts where they came from while heading through a small doorway. It led into the tower’s base, where many desks were placed in small, private booths, with an assortment of all kinds of writing utensils. Quills from every bird, paper of every tree and inks of all colours were neatly arranged on the desks for customer use.

Looking up, he could see the birds and dragonflies coming in and out, dropping the letters they carried into one of four pipes - labelled North, South, West and East. Those then ran downwards and into the outer area of the tent, where the clerks would sort them and distribute them to the appropriate mail caravans.

Maybe he should take up mail delivery. Wages weren’t good, but it was stable work. Got to travel, too - on his own terms to boot. Hey, look. You can be a responsible father and happy adventurer at the same time after all. Problem solved!

…yeah, no. Bad call. That idea was nothing more than an excuse to run away.

Ionyr shook his head and claimed one of the empty booths, the two cats close on his tail. As he sat down in front of the desk, the black cat jumped onto his lap. He stroked its head, and it slowly blinked and purred happily while nuzzling his hand. Then the white cat hopped onto the desk, staring at him with an almost demanding look as it sat down.

“I’m on it, relax.” He chuckled as he took a quill and a sheet of paper. “Let’s start with Raev. Haven’t heard from him in ages.” Well, besides the odd gadget here and there - like the Get-’em-Up. Would’ve been nice to use his pen, but he’d dropped his pouch at the inn earlier. Good thing he kept his valuables and wallet separate - would’ve been a shame to lose those gadgets too.

Putting the quill to paper, he began writing his message.

Hey Raev,

It’s been a while. How are you? Hope you’re not staying cooped up in your study as always. There’s more to life than research.

Like kids. Believe it or not, I’m a father now. Crazy, right?

He paused, realising that there may be some room for misinterpretation. Better clarify.

I know you’ll point it out - it hasn’t even been 9 months since my last letter. Well, let’s just say that this child is special. A blessed angel sent to us from the gods themselves.

He chuckled a little, already seeing a glimpse of Raev’s puzzled expression before his mind’s eye.

On another note, we’ve made a big discovery in our pursuits we’d like to share. As well as a fantastic anecdote for your research on the gems.

There’s the bait. Time to reel in the fish.

I’d like you to come visit - as soon as you can. There’s much to talk about. We’ve learned many things on this journey - things I’m sure you’d be overjoyed to know.

Raev had always gone against the Ashen Order’s world view that there is no deeper meaning to this world beyond the Four Eternals and Firemane’s legacy that stemmed from their blessing. He would be immensely satisfied to learn that the Order was, in Raev’s own words:

“Full of shit.”

Although, now that Ionyr thought about it, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to inflate Raev’s ego even more. The man barely ever left his study, and encouraging that would probably be a drag on his wife and child. In fact, Ionyr was pretty sure that he hadn’t received a letter precisely because of Raev’s insatiable passion for his experiments.

Ah well. Problems for future Ionyr. And present Ionyr desperately needed his friend’s counsel.

Did Raev have the same struggles, he wondered. Did he also feel the weight of those invisible chains? Or did he manage to loosen their grip, to pursue his passion unbound? Was there some middle ground Ionyr failed to see? Or did Raev simply accept that he was born for his research, and not fatherhood?

Did…did his own father have the exact same struggle?

Ionyr paused as he realised that he’d never really thought about it. Sure, there were a few keepsakes left of him, but Mom had never told him what became of his father. Not that it mattered deeply to him, but Ionyr felt like it would be a valuable conversation to have.

Anyway, time’s a wastin’. Focus and finish these letters. Rayza’s waiting.

Hope to see you soon, my friend. I could really use your counsel.

Yours truly,

Ionyr

He looked over the writing and sighed. Was it really him who wrote this? The man who did seemed satisfied with his new life - and he should.

So why wasn’t he?

After folding the paper and placing it inside its envelope, the black cat jumped up from his lap and onto the counter, gently taking the letter in its mouth. Ionyr pet it one last time before it hopped up on a small ladder that led up into the tower. The cat eventually reached one of the many nests and set it down, meowing loudly before heading back down into the rafters - likely to take a well-deserved nap.

Ionyr could faintly see a spacious, pocket-like beak scooping up the letter, shortly followed by the sound of flapping wings, confirming take-off. The mail was on its way to Raev - that only left Ielus.

He took another sheet of paper, and tipped the quill into the ink. Setting it to the paper, he wrote:

Dear Ielus,

Hm. Didn’t sound right. Too simple. They were brothers after all. Ionyr ripped it in half and grabbed another sheet of paper.

My dearest brother,

Now that just sounded weird. Let’s try that again. Maybe with a little more formality, given his station?

To the esteemed Ielus of the Ashen Order,

Yuck. Nope, Ionyr thought, that felt disgusting to write. Maybe it was best to keep it simple after all.

Hello Ielus,

Eh, he still wasn’t happy with it, but at this point, it was the best he had. Might as well go with it.

How are you? It’s been too long. Hope you’re holding up well.

Actually, if Ielus had made a name for himself, his schedule would likely be full. Best get straight to the point.

Me and Rayza are doing well. In fact, we’ve found something…

Huh. Should he just come out and say what they found? Ionyr paused briefly, slowly grinning as an idea came to mind. Nah, it would be way funnier as a surprise. He chuckled while imagining the shock on Ielus’ face. It would be hysterical. Yeah, better to keep it vague.

Also, it would serve as excellent bait - his brother was just as, if not more curious than Ionyr himself. He’d never let an unresolved question with a potentially intriguing answer pass him by.

In fact, we’ve found something promising in our travels. A highly promising lead on the you-know-what.

Yeah, that should do it. Keeping it vague served another purpose, too. After all, who knows who’d be reading this letter? If Ielus had a high station, he likely had an aide that filtered his mail - and it’s better not let everyone know that they were searching for the Creators. Might get him in trouble.

Come visit me, as soon as you can. There is much to discuss.

Ionyr paused again. This was very business-like…not exactly the tone he was going for. They were brothers after all.

And besides, I want to see you again. Make sure you’re okay.

“Look after your little brother.” That was his mother’s final wish, and while he’d never forgotten it, he did fail to keep that promise for many years, chasing his own passion instead. It’s time he made good on it.

And hopefully, Ielus would have some useful counsel to help Ionyr with his troubles, too. He always was the smarter one between the two of them.

I hope to see you soon, Ielus.

Yours truly,

Ionyr

Looking it over, Ionyr nodded approvingly - he was as satisfied as could be. Time to send it and be off. After folding and sealing the letter, the white cat quickly snatched it up and darted up the tower.

Seems like someone was looking forward to their nap. Ionyr chuckled as he saw it drop the letter - but not in any of the birds’ nests, but instead in one of the hive-like structures that sat below. With a loud buzz, a dragonfly soared out of the opening, flew a loop around the tower, then zipped back through the hole, grabbing the letter in its legs on its way out.

Wait…the dragonflies were only used for short-range deliveries, across the land. If the letter had to cross the sea, it would have to go by bird, like with Raev’s letter. Then…this had to mean…

“He’s here. In Idyllis.”

Fate. It had to be fate. Suddenly, Ionyr felt a giddy feeling rising in his gut. He would see his brother again - and soon at that. A smile spread on his face.

At long last. The three of them, together again.

He jumped up and ran out of the tower base. He gave the girl at the desk a happy wave as he ran out the Postage Pen. Zipping through the crowd, he made his way back to the big clothing stall at record pace. He was so giddy that he never once got out of breath.

The air smelled a little fresher, the breeze on his face a little cooler. Everything looked a little more colourful. Man, what a fantastic piece of news. What a fantastic day!

By the Four, he was so excited to see that smile on Rayza’s face. Weaving through the crowded market with a springy step, he quickly arrived at the big tent he’d left her at. He quickly scanned the tent for her familiar blonde hair from the entrance.

There it was! Just barely visible, in the back corner. As he approached, he could see her talking to someone - a man. She was smiling…laughing, even.

She looked happy.