In the midst of beauty, a tragic tale unfolds,
A race of friends of all ages, the bright and the bolds,
-Thoubose
THEO
MONTHS AFTER SETTLING IN RIVERSIDE
“And Clyde has done this type of journey before?” Grandfather asked Cliff, trying not to seem at all bothered by the idea as Clyde eyed on in hopeful silence. Clyde sitting at his apprentice desk in the corner of the room as I hastily moved ore from the back storage to two different workstations.
The group was assembled in the main thoroughfare of the blacksmith, divvying up the agenda of work for the day. The room was simple, with limited seating for customers and a sprawled-out secretary desk. A secretary wasn’t a position necessary or affordable to the team at the moment. Beyond the threshold of the main room was workspaces, forges, anvils and all the likes for daily necessities. The equipment might not have been in the best shape look wise, but it was well taken care of; worn, not misused. Roman and Cliff were working through a supply shortage they needed to find a solution for before a significant portion of their productivity was to slow down. Business had really taken off once the backlog was able to get extra hands to dwindle down.
“Yeah, he hasn’t done it alone. It was back when I was a bit less,” Cliff paused, his jolly nature bellowing a short laugh and slapping his belly. “sizable. But, I think the two should be fit enough for the trip. You saw the mail yourself. The mine up in Dracus isn’t going to send coureurs anymore. They want us to arrange for our own transport moving forward. Says they ain’t shipping West no more.” Cliff said as he rifled through a few drawers at the lobby desk till he reached the parchment he was referring to. “Without that essence silver, all our higher end orders have to halt.” The rotund man said, waddling back over to the desk’s seat before gingerly sitting, the small frame of the chair barely able to support the man as it groaned in protest. “The high-end orders are worth ten lower jobs just to start too, so we need to always get to those straight away.”
Essence silver served as the essential element in the rune or gliff making process, distinct from ordinary silver due to its exceptional essence conductivity. This special material facilitated the binding of a chosen medium to a particular symbol, enabling the storage of necessary essence for future utilization within the designated material. Runes and gliffs, whether carved or imprinted, bore the essence's intent, weaving a fragment of the cosmic codex from the very fabric of the universe into the character that embodied its specific goal. While the material used to inscribe the rune held the essence, essence silver acted as both binder and projector of the runic intent. As the final step of the creation process, the silver is melded into the runic channels like an adhesive, causing the rune to shimmer with a silver hue when uncharged.
“They have been doing supply runs fine for years. I don’t understand why they would stop?” Clyde said, grabbing an empty rune from a basket on his desk and beginning to slowly channel essence into it.
These were the daily ones used in the refined approach Grandfather had gotten Cliff and Clyde to pivot to. He did have to divulge he could craft runes, in order to make the process more efficient than just relying on one set of tools, which he ended up being the talk of the town for some time before things settled. It was something Grandfather said he needed to reveal if we wanted to fix this town at all. Odd how lies just keep growing. I liked to jokingly mention that from time to time when we were away from prying eyes. It did help us settle as important members of the town, be it for the good or bad.
We moved a majority of the smithing from smelted goods to essence melded where it made sense. Clyde’s main job instead of managing the forge temperatures was now exclusively charging runes, and occasionally using them on some of the smaller jobs. Grandfather wanted Clyde’s essence abilities to grow, he couldn’t help himself when it came to mentoring people, which is why he was adamite Clyde didn’t focus more on the crafting side while he perfected his earthen essence usage. It took only a month of hard grinding for Grandfather to get Clyde better attuned to the earthen essence type he was familiar with. We became fast friends during his griping sessions of how hard he was being pushed, as he saw glimpses here and there of my own workout routines, the ones that didn’t use any essence and that were done during the days.
For me, I focused mainly on all the menial tasks that kept the three from needing to leave their stations once things got going. The runes Grandfather provided had high efficiency, so it wasn’t that often that Grandfather and Cliff had to stop and charge up the empties before Clyde could replenish what they needed, and they always finished the day charging empties together while I cleaned. We now had a pretty good system in place, after stumbling the first few weeks trying to get a good repour together.
“They did miss the last run completely, maybe there was an issue?” Roman reviewed the note handed to him. “I thought you said we had enough material for some time.”
“It could be any number of things. Either way, we need that silver, or we aren’t going to be able to do those side projects we are trying to keep hush hush for the brothers. I understand their need for secrecy with the amount they are paying us! If word got out we had more essence users in town it could only be good. But its their tale to tell. Anyways, I thought we had enough, but they just keep adding to their designs. They are becoming a pain in the rear end with the constant additions. But they been our top customers and pay the best, so we want to make sure we prioritize.” Cliff grabbed a pair of reading glasses half-focusing attention on some of the stacks of orders in front of him.
“And Dracus has the only essence silver around?” I asked as I finished setting up one station with the necessary ore.
“Aye, you got it!” Cliff smiled and bellowed a chuckle. “Wish that wasn’t the case, we can get some if we journey a few days upriver to a larger town and wait while the order goes around, till it’s finally procured and delivered there.”
“I see the issue.” Roman stroked his beard. “Probably have us sitting around wherever that is for a few weeks or more.”
“Sadly, the truth of the matter.” Cliff confirmed. “Who knows how the supply is affected by the war too. That’s just the normal day without Dracus.” he added.
“I think I should accompany the two at the least, just in case there are any issues.” Roman said with slight worry on the edge of his tone.
I was about to protest before Cliff stepped in. “Roman, they are old ‘nough, it could probably do them some good to get out of the shop for a bit, boys and all getting some fresh air. You know I can’t do the new oven the baker wants without you. Anyways, Jyle couldn’t keep his mouth shut about how you and Theo took care of them when you first arrived, I don’t think the boys will have any trouble just picking up some ore and bringing it back.” Cliff eased back in his chair which made what I thought was its final creak. Cliff looked up with his eyes, taking his focus from the reading glasses positioned at the tip of his nose. “Couple days without the boys.” Cliff said in a rye tone, trying to sweeten the deal.
“How far away is it?” Roman asked hesitantly.
“Little over half a day there at a good pace, then same back.” Cliff replied. “Boys probably need to stay a night on the road or at an inn before getting back, but probably won’t want to stay at the place I remember from Dracus.
I watched Clyde’s eyes almost bulge out in giddy excitement as I shot him a ‘cool it’ look, trying to keep Grandfather at ease with the idea. Clyde hasn’t left Riverside much in his life and often talks about traveling when we are cooped up on long workdays. He wants a chance to leave the shadow that is this place, never long on account of Cliff, but a quick change of pace.
Riverside doesn’t have much going on and Grandfather and I found it was ripe with the typical busybody, not too long after arriving. The telltale first sign was everyone knew everything about us. From what we had for breakfast to what type of knot we used to hitch our horses at the inn’s stable, every meaningless thing seemed to be discussed. It was just something we had to learn how to navigate and use in our favor where possible.
Sloan and Alfred remarked that they were focal points until we came along to distract the masses and they were right, the new excitement died down eventually, turning back to everyone knowing about everyone instead of having us as a sole focal point.
“Roman.” Cliff looked more serious at Grandfather as he could tell there was an inner war raging. “They can handle it. They need to get out, they are young. Look at me, I’ve been here forever and now I probably can’t physically leave.” He looked a bit downtrodden at the statement.
“Fine.” Grandfather grimaced. “Twist my arm why don’t you.” The two had developed a good friendship over the course of us settling here. Cliff looked up to my grandfather as a fatherly figure and Grandfather seemed to want to uphold that regard. He sent me a few knowing looks saying, ‘you better be careful’ and ‘I am trusting you’ and what I took as ‘you better not expose us’ before we started hearing a whooping from the corner.
Clyde was dancing on top of his workbench in excitement. I rolled my eyes, so much for subtle.
…
“Dude, I can’t believe we get to get out of Riverside!” Clyde said in excitement as we rounded the street, headed to pick up supplies for the trip now that our days’ work was complete. Clyde had even offered the rare help when it came to some of the tidying and organizing that was a constant upkeep when you had those three always disregarding any form of assembly, scattering tools and scraps everywhere as they worked.
Milly and Todd’s Inn had goods for sale, but they were mainly the goods that came from the townsfolk and was the way for townsfolk to offload their extra goods without having to hassle through the effort themselves. The other place, where we were headed to gather supplies was the trade warehouse. It was where things brought into town were sold and traded or large excess crop and goods were taken out. This is where we would procure ore or lumber, or anything needed that we didn’t make ourselves here in Riverside.
“I don’t feel the walls closing in like you do here.” I replied with sincerity. “I have traveled to a lot of places, I kind of like the quaint vibe here.”
“Yeah, try living here your whole life.” Clyde remarked before trailing off. “Do you think Remi is working still?” He began fixing his hair and dusting at his overalls, trying to spruce himself up at the reminder.
I let out a quick laugh before composing myself. “I am pretty sure it’s just her and her dad ever working in the place, so yeah, I imagine she is.” I paused at his dumb question for affect. “What are you going to do if she is? You going to not stammer all over yourself this time?”
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Remi’s stunning beauty was undeniable. Her flawless jawline flowed seamlessly into luscious, supple lips that curved into a velvety smile. Her eyes, a captivating shade of chocolate brown, seemed to hold a magnetic pull, capable of melting most men’s resolve. She possessed the allure of a true enchantress. Also worth noting, her figure was striking – the result, no doubt, from having to work hard stacking crates for a living. In my initial encounters, I too felt my heart race, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. However, Clyde’s unwavering devotion for her quenched any budding attraction for her within me. He had carried the weight of his infatuation for as long as he could remember. Loyalty to my best friend will always win out over fleeting desires. He was the first true friend I had ever had, someone I was beginning to be able to rely on unconditionally, a privilege denied to me for most of my life.
“Just... um, waiting, you know,” Clyde mumbled, his face flushing with a rare hint of embarrassment. For a man of his imposing stature, this was a striking contrast. He was still just a boy at heart, and who was I to gauge the age of a heart, when I had spent a lifetime under strict control?
“Waiting for the perfect moment or opportunity to strike,” I quipped, accompanied by an exaggerated motion of a snake's head lunging at the air.
“Exactly,” Clyde replied, adjusting his clothing again with a hint of nervousness. “What do you think?”
“Man, just be yourself. Don’t overthink it. She’ll either like you or not. Better for her to discover the real you early on, rather than facing disappointment later.” I advised, drawing upon the collective wisdom of the team. I had gained little experience with chance encounters as we traveled. My interactions were fleeting due to our nomadic lifestyle. It’s hard to say if I was eyed because I was something new, or there was actual attraction. Then, Grandfather had always discouraged forming close connections in the towns we weren’t just passing through, keeping my circle small. It was better than nothing, I supposed. “Maybe start by trying to not be so stiff around her.”
“Your advice makes sense, but being a blacksmith won't cut it, especially with Lord Donkey Lips around.” Clyde said, his concern furrowing his brow.
Clyde affectionately referred to Lord Richard's entitled and pompous son as "Lord Donkey Lips." The moniker was a fitting jab at the guy’s insufferable demeanor and attitude, although I knew better than to utter it openly, considering the possible consequences.
“Clyde, you shouldn't say such things in public.” I said undertone, nudging him with my elbow.
“It’s fine when it’s just you, I’m sure.” He replied confidently.
“Clyde, I’ve been here for a few months, and you’re telling me no one ever eavesdrops?” I shot him a knowing look, raising my eyebrows playfully as we neared the front of the shop.
Clyde seemed unfazed by gossip, likely due to his upbringing. Losing his mother during his birth had shaped him to focus on hard work rather than social dynamics. His father emphasized quality craftsmanship and integrity, believing that was all people needed to know about them.
“Fair enough.” Clyde nodded.
“The Altrose’s are pure Valarian’s anyways, I bet Lord Richard would never let his son co-mingle.” I pointed out, much of the older generations of aristocracy throughout Thoubose were reluctant to mix their heritage amongst other races even this far removed from the five empires.
“That’s not as common of a practice when prospects are scarce. It’s also a prize amongst the challenge itself. Who’s to say he won’t just take care of the issue, if something better comes along in the future, should she end up settling with him.” Clyde’s tone carried a mixture of disdain and frustration, a testament of an unfortunate reality.
“But I hope she or anyone else sees the person behind a profession, or behind a fake mask,” I said earnestly.
“Theo, you live in a different world, my friend. Women prioritize security – or if not them, their parents. Whether it's the security of a lord or the security of a blacksmith dependent on the lord. One comes with a lavish reputation, the other with nothing but sweat and soot.”
“I wish it weren’t that way,” I replied, contemplating the matter for the first time.
We passed the simple stone-laden patio adorned with a picnic table and a sign that read ‘Earl’s Warehouse,’. He stepped up to the entrance, pausing on the patio's threshold to take a deep breath before pulling open the hefty door and entering. I followed close behind. The shop was situated on the backside of the town, integrated into the main defensive wall. This section showed no signs of dilapidation. Overlooking the river, the shop served as the town’s connection to larger port cities. Riverside's small dock was built snugly around the building, extending beyond the walled portion, and acting as the main conduit for goods coming and going.
As we crossed the entryway, I reviewed the place’s layout, which was a simple yet effective design. Shelves upon shelves organized in categories of needs leading to a register, behind which a divider keeping customers from the remaining stacks of goods that stretched across the rest of the warehouse. Those being items that needed assistance, trade materials, or things ordered in bulk.
Remi was positioned behind the register, a few strains of her brunette hair casually in her face as she focused intently on reading from a book, probably finishing the remaining paragraph, before promptly closing it and greeting the two.
“Morning Clyde! Morning Theo!” the soft, harmonic voice called from the cash register as if with practiced ease as she pulled her hair back.
“Acolytes she’s beautiful.” Clyde gasped under his breath before I initiated a response.
“Lovely day isn’t it, Remi?” I nudged Clyde.
“Much lovelier now that we are here.” Clyde surprised the words shot from his mouth with such ease, reddened immediately in embarrassment, but not before I noticed a slight smile and pinking at the edges of Remi’s cheeks.
“Awe, guys stop it.” She blushed harder when she noticed Clyde cup his mouth. “What are you boys getting into today?”
“Pssh Boys.” Clyde scoffed as the two made the way to the register with a strut. What has gotten into him? “These boys, your age I want to add, get to go off to Dracus… Alone.” He paused for effect, trying to play the cool vibe that wasn’t working out too well from my perspective, noting the slight stumble Clyde made has he tried posting up on the counter that was farther away than he expected, pulling up a little too short.
Remi laughed as he caught himself. So much for playing it cool, I winced as I watched the carriage wreck, actually not doing terrible in an endearing kind of way. Her smile at least was genuine. We might have to ask Alfred to help because this might be out of my league.
The door chimed as Lord Richard Altrose’s son Percy walked in, impeccably dressed with slicked back jet black hair, his Valarian pointed ears displayed prominently. Catching the end of Remi’s laugh with a slight sneer directed toward Clyde, before plastering the widest smile I have seen in my life, close to the first encounter with his father I suppose. They have talent at least.
“Hi Percy!” She waved.
“Hello Remi! … Gentlemen.” He added the last bit with a pompous inflection.
“Percy.” I said nodding to the man, Clyde nodding in suite as Percy made his way to an aisle, casually browsing at items before placing them back.
“So, what does adventurers like yourselves need today?” she gave us a smirk as she turned her attention back to us.
“We’re just going to pick up ore from Dracus and coming back. That isn’t an adventure.” I looked to Clyde who interjected.
“The journey is what you make of it.” He said in a scholarly tone.
“Mhmm.” I turned back to Remi. “We need to loan a cart for the trip, some rope, lantern, and fuel. We will have to borrow a horse or two from the stable. And I guess finally we need to buy some trail rations. I don’t think Millie has it out to make jerky.” I gave a distasteful face as we all laughed.
“We don’t really want to chew a piece for twenty minutes.” Clyde added with a chuckle.
“I hear that.” Remi giggled. The freckles on her creamy complexion accentuating from the small wrinkles her nose made while she smiled.
I noticed Percy’s head peek out from his aisle in distaste when the velvet laugh filled the store.
“Have you seen the new lanterns they got in last week.” Percy called over from his aisle.
Clyde looked at me with a hesitant expression before we headed over to check what Percy was referring to, more out of obligation than anything.
“Check these out! Much bigger, they apparently use a lot less fuel too.” Sincerity on his tone as he showed us the items.
“Ah, thank you Percy.” A genuine shock of the turn around on my face.
“Hey, who’s selling the thing!” Remi playfully yelled from the counter.
“My apologies Remi, she can tell you about them.” He handed us each one before we turned back toward the front.
A loud crash sounded from behind Clyde, a quick shuffle of hands from Percy and feeling of essence discharge came and went before he was a few steps away.
“Be careful you dope!” Percy yelped at Clyde, who turned around to see the remaining lantern display sprawled all over the floor, glass smashed to pieces.
Clyde looked at the floor, then me, before making his own assumption. His back far enough from the shelf as he turned around to cause anything like that. The three of us stood still, tension surmounting as a wicked sneer flashed quickly across Percy’s face, then back to casual.
Before getting a chance to react, Remi turn the aisle with a broom. “Ah guys! Do you two need to be a part of the no touching rule?”
“I” Clyde caught himself, trying his best not to snap at Percy through gritted teeth, smoothed himself over before continuing. “So sorry Remi. I had an accident. How about I offer to not only replace the damage with my wages,” he winced, “but to also help you stock the next few shipments. You and me.” He looked at her, guilt stricken.
“I would love to take you up on that Clyde.” She beamed with enthusiasm. “Those two brothers have been ordering for a town themselves I swear. It’s been taking longer and longer to get everything loaded, organized, and stored. They also work such late hours, must be nice to sleep in, but for farmers, its unusual. I guess they are getting results, whatever they are using as fertilizer has their crops double the size of anything I have ever seen. We started exporting some of the excess and its causing quite the stir.” She shook her head to hold back any more ensuing gossip before smiling deeply as Clyde grabbed the broom and dustpan and began to clean the broken glass. I, assisting with cleaning up the lantern housings that were still serviceable.
Percy, not seeming to like the course of action and future date looked flummoxed and the joy of his plan backfiring gave me a boost I didn’t know I needed for the day. He stammered, not knowing what to say before moving on to another aisle to supposedly browse.
We finished up the transaction and arranged the time she would have it all organized and ready. Clyde even securing his first stocking session with Remi upon our return from Dracus. We stepped out of the shop, allowing a good bit of distance before I turned to Clyde.
“You sure were,” I paused trying to find the right word, “spunky?” I looked to Clyde with a questioning look.
“I was trying not to be so stiff. Was it that bad?”
“Nah, I think it actually worked.”
“Nice!” he puffed his chest out in pride at that.
“Man, what the Krom is with Percy. I swear, dude comes in every single time we go in Earl’s.” I whispered, annoyance thick on my words.
“The guy has such a thing for Remi, he had his daddy move him to the office with the window facing Earl’s.” Clyde pointed at the town hall building that was located across the cobblestone courtyard adjacent the street. The inner wall streets and overall aesthetics having no such sign of deterioration as the outer wall buildings, Theo soon discovered once arriving at Riverside. Prioritizing the enhancement of aesthetics along the inner perimeter, especially near the lord’s manor, was a deliberate strategy to appeal to guests who were captivated by the façade. This approach aimed to create an illusion of exceptional prosperity, rather than merely showcasing a moderately dilapidated town. It didn’t take long to understand why the lord did his best to have guests arrive after nightfall.
“Good point.” I said, noticing the empty office room on the other side of the window as we walked back towards our shop.
“Man, how did he do that so fast?” Clyde looked at me for clarification. “All I knew was I had this intense itch in my back and then the lanterns were broken. Did I actually run into them, I didn’t feel anything touch my back, but the itch was unmistakable?”
“I don’t think the itch was you touching the lanterns. Grandfather says that’s the instinctual feeling people who can use essence get when others around them use essence. He would probably tell you to practice trying to latch onto that feeling because you can hone it into a stronger sense.” Keeping up the guise that I didn’t feel the sensation, not being an essence user and all.
“Can’t believe that pretentious.” His fist clenched and he gargled off, not completing his sentence as he looked around. I guess taking my earlier warning.
“She’s the prettiest girl in town. She has his eye and he’s going to play dirty.” I locked gazes. “Did you think it would go any other way?”
“True.” He replied as we rounded the corner, out of the gates and within view of the blacksmith that was nestled just outside.
“It did get you a date!” I reassured him.
“Krom yeah it did! Did you see his face?” Clyde gave out a laugh eerily similar to how Cliff bellowed, but without the extra depth.
We bumped fists before walking into the smith, pretending nothing out of the usual happened while away. Roman and Cliff working on a massive oven that a person could probably live in, their chuckling cutting off as the door opened, their own fun at play. I stood at the threshold, eying them suspiciously as Clyde’s goofy grin started peeking out of place.
“Nothin” Cliff and Clyde blurted as one, before we all burst out in laughter.