Dawn was about to break in Iris. A boy tossed and turned in a bed that was too small to fit a tall fifteen-year-old. He had a mop of jet black curly hair, a plain-looking face and light brown almond-shaped eyes. Marius Elrick had been faking sleep for a good part of the last two hours, feeling restless. He found it difficult going to bed last night for today was an especially exciting day; trial day. Today, after four years in Novicius Academy, he and his friends will be given the chance to earn the title of adventurers. Novice adventurers, but adventurers nonetheless.
After feigning sleep for another half hour, Marius finally made his mind up to just start the day early. He propped himself up on one elbow and looked around the room to check if Freighly was still asleep. Their room was small and had only enough space to fit two beds perpendicular to each other in one corner and a few pieces of furniture here and there. It had a wooden floor, a single window and a doorway leading to the hallway.
Freighly’s bed was at the end of the room directly under the window. A slow steady rhythm of breathing confirms that she’s still sound asleep. Worried he might wake her, Marius quietly got up and sat at the edge of his bed and fished out his boots from beneath the nightstand.
Exiting the bedroom, he headed straight for the backyard where the outhouse was, careful not to make the floorboards squeak. However, after a few hurried steps, he found himself stumbling over an assortment of small loud objects on the floor and finally landing on his hands and knees. He swore silently and stopped to listen if he’d woken anyone. Silence met his ears. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned to see the culprit of his abrupt meeting with the hard wooden floor. He saw a variety of pots and pans strewn across the hallway. Some were still upright and some spilling water on the floor.
“We gotta fix that roof,” he muttered to himself as he pushed off the ground and cautiously went to the backyard.
After relieving himself, Marius walked over to the low fence of the yard and rested his arms over it to take in the sight of the silently sleeping town of Longhill start to wake from its night’s slumber. The rising sun slowly revealed the many small colorful houses along the cluster of hills to which the town was named after. Longhill was always a busy town. Its location made it an ideal rest stop for adventurers. To the west lies the great city of Albertras; the center of trade, guild halls and where Marius and Freighly go to training school. To the east were the mountains of Araya; rich with hunting grounds, hidden dungeons, and farmlands. It was a great starting point for freshly inducted adventurers. And straight north was the purpose for most adventurers; the Tower. It stretched toward the sky and disappeared into the heavens themselves, connecting the many worlds of Babel. There are currently twelve worlds connected, half of which were still inhabitable and the other half had been consumed by the Rot. Marius himself had never visited the other worlds but he devoured every book, scripture, and map he could get his eager hands on about the lands beyond.
Marius looked toward the north where the yellow light of the rising sun was slowly creeping up the Tower. He drank in the sight of the goliath structure and felt a sense of excitement. Soon he would be allowed to enter it at last. Ever since he was young, his head had been filled with thrilling tales of adventures within the giant structure. Most of the stories were told by his parents and some were by his dear old grandfather, all of which were great adventurers themselves.
The Tower did not only serve as a link between the worlds, it was also an obstacle that needed to be crossed in order to reach an entirely new region where humanity could thrive. ‘Obstacle’ was an appropriate description for it, based on the stories of those who have entered. Inside, they say, was a complex system of pitch-black tunnels that often lead to traps and dead ends or worse; to packs of crazed monsters ranging from dire wolves to bloodthirsty abominations. But some of those tunnels lead to extraordinary wonders in the likes of giant lakes a mile across, huge mountains and even entire woodlands stretching for acres all of which were still somehow contained inside the Tower. And if you’re lucky enough, a tunnel might take you to a hidden chamber fully stocked with gold bullions, gems, valuable magical scrolls or a vault containing armor and weapons imbued with unique properties that grant the owner powers such as increased speed, strength, intellect or even invisibility. This, for the most part, was the reason why so many adventurers endure the dangers of the Tower again and again and why so many children, like Marius himself, aspire of becoming adventurers in turn when they grow up. The prospect of coming from nothing and becoming unimaginably rich overnight was alluring to most people. But to Marius, the idea of becoming known for one’s bravery, skill, and great deeds was more appealing. He often daydreamed of becoming a formidable warrior like his grandfather, whose name and deeds were spoken of in awe in every tavern or a skilled scout like his parents, whose discoveries will be immortalized in scriptures and songs.
The first crow of a rooster sounded off in the distance, signaling the start of a new day. The sun illuminated half of the Tower. The black stone exterior walls seem to absorb the light. Marius fixed his eyes on the north road.
“Where are you?” he asked quietly to no one.
What if they got lost? he thought with concern.
What if they’re hurt? What if they're trapped? What if they’re de… he dared not complete the thought. Somewhere in the frontier at Liros, his parents were fighting for their lives.
“Worrying won’t make them come back any sooner, son.” said a deep gentle voice from behind.
This sudden disturbance from his thoughts made Marius turn his head around so fast that his neck cracked. The speaker towered before him in a plain white shirt under worn-out brown overalls. He was thick of chest and round of belly. He had a wooden peg in place of a left leg and owns a face so bearded it could match a bear’s.
“Grandpa Nic,” Marius said in surprise. Looking down at the man’s hands he saw pieces of a broken clay pot. Probably a casualty of his earlier fall. “Sorry about that. . . did the noise wake you?” he said apologetically.
“Nah, I was already up in the kitchen when I heard you’re little tumble.” Nic chuckled. “That was quite a ruckus you made. I thought I was the only one up this early. . . nearly made me soil myself.” Nic laughed. “And Freighly’s still sleeping if you’re wondering. That girl could sleep through anything. The house could be on fire through an earthquake and a flood and she’d still be snoring .” Nic rambled on.
“That’s good. . . good to hear.” Marius replied absently, his attention back on the north road.
Nic frowned, sensing the boy’s concern and let out a deep sigh.
“Your folks will be fine, Marius. They didn’t get to where they are by being careless. They’ve come back before and they will come back again.”
“I know. . . I just hoped they'd be back for the trials. It’s been two months.”
“Well Liros is a tough nut to crack but they’re the finest scouts in the frontier,” Nic exclaimed. “With their skills, they’ll be more than a match for anything in the Tower. Trust me, I’ve been there myself.”
“I still wish they could be here though. . . you know. . . for a bit of moral support.”
“Ow, excuse me. . . Is your own dear grandfather not enough of moral support for the likes of the great Marius, soon to be master adventurer?” Nic said, his voice filled with false indignation.
At this, Marius’ mood lightened slightly and even mustered a smile for his bear of a grandfather.
“Now come on. You have other things to worry about. . . Let’s have breakfast. I made rice porridge with salt pork.” Nic said in his ever-cheerful tone as he started for the kitchen. His wooden left foot clacked on the stone walkway leading to the house
Marius trailed behind and regarded his grandfather’s comforting words. Nic would know what he’s talking about. After all he was a former adventurer himself and a great one at that. Nic the Bruin they called him. Retired adventurers are a rare sight due to the mortality rate of their chosen vocation. But old man Nic was as tough as they come. He survived every battle and sought out every quest he took to completion. Some of those quests even took him to the frontier; the unexplored parts of the Tower. If the stories could be believed, Nic also lent a hand in killing the gate guardian at Helios that opened Iris to the human race. Grandpa Nic had a long lustrous career filled with excitement, danger and it’s share of horrors. In the end he retired at the ripe age of fifty-seven. With Nic’s experience, Marius was reassured that the old man was right; his parents would be fine.
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of ginger and garlic from the rice porridge slowly bubbling inside a black iron pot. The salt pork gently roasting over the charcoal stove gave off a scent that made Marius’ stomach rumble. Grandpa Nic ladled a large helping of porridge into a deep wooden bowl and slid it over the kitchen table to his grandson. Marius took the bowl with bewilderment, slightly alarmed to be offered such a hefty breakfast.
His grandfather caught the confused expression on his face.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
“You're a growing young man, . . you’ll need your energy for whatever they throw at you later.”
Marius looked up suspiciously.
“You made too much porridge again, didn't you?” he said to his grandfather.
“Maybe. . .” Nic mumbled and promptly plopped a plate of roasted salt pork on the table.
Grandpa Nic always loved to cook, perhaps a little too much. Marius can recall more than a handful of times where his grandfather became overzealous with cooking, especially during celebrations. May it be birthdays, welcome back parties or ascension day, grandpa Nic could be counted on to cook a feast fit for a dozen for their family of five.
“Ahhh, here she is. . . rise and shine little munchkin. Breakfast is served.” said Nic looking toward the hallway.
The munchkin referred to by the old man came in the form of Freighly; Marius’ foster sister shuffling in the kitchen practically still half-dreaming with her short brown hair ruffled, her upturned eyes closed to slits and her tiny snub nose twitching as she sniffed the air.
“Wash fer brekfust?” she mumbled sleepily through barely opened lips.
“The usual. Now eat up, you have to be at the academy before mid morn and you know how long you take to get ready young lady.” Nic said to the barely awake girl, offering her a smaller bowl of porridge and sitting down himself.
Freighly didn’t reply. She just dropped herself in a chair, picked up a fork and tried very hard to scoop the runny rice porridge into her mouth. Marius and Nic enjoyed the spectacle for a moment trying their best not to laugh aloud.
“You know things might be easier, . . and this is only a suggestion, but it would be easier if you use this.” Marius said as he presented a spoon in front of her.
Freighly stared at the utensil and froze for a moment. Her small round face slowly turned red. Then she snatched the spoon and got back to eating as if nothing had happened. The old man gave out a thunderous bark of a laugh joined along by Marius’ stifled sniggers.
“Shud up, . . don laaaf!” she protested with a mouth full of food barely containing her own laughter.
In an instant, Marius’ spirits were lifted. He couldn’t help but smile and the earlier morning’s anxieties vanished. This is exactly why he didn’t mind having Freighly around when his parents brought her home six years ago. Their parents were close friends and made vows to take care of each other’s family if anything bad ever happened. It must’ve been hard on Freighly seeing her parents go out one day and only receiving red letters containing condolences in return. But her spirit was never broken by the tragedy. It didn’t take long for them to become fast friends themselves. Marius always wanted a baby brother but Freighly was close enough. Her clumsiness and good humor made excellent company growing up.
“You slept well last night,” Marius said to Freighly over their half-empty bowls. “Not at all excited for the trials?”
“Excited, . . but not as excited as you I think. I’m actually more nervous than anything.” she confessed.
“Nervous? . . what are you worried about? You know I have your back out there.”
“Yeah but. . . but what if we’re in different parties?” she asked timidly.
“So what? You can manage by yourself. I’ve seen it.”
“But I’m not top of the class like you, Marius. . . what if I don’t pass?”
This was the problem with Freighly. She always doubts herself when under pressure. Marius placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Freighly, you have nothing to worry about. . . you’re a good support. Any party would be lucky to have you.”
Freighly nodded and gave a timid smile at his encouragement.
“I just want it over with and get my badge. I have a lot more training to do. . . and so do you if you want to be good scouts like auntie and uncle.”
Marius waved her statement away with his spoon hand, flinging a clump of porridge that landed on grandpa Nic’s black beard.
“Apprenticeships aren’t required. You can join a guild fresh off academy. As long as you pass of course. With all the trouble they’re having up at Liros, they’re gonna need all the adventurers they can get.” Marius said confidently, stabbing his spoon in the air like a dagger sending another wad of food at grandpa Nic’s facial hair.
“Well if you handle a dagger like you handle a spoon then the guardians should be soiling themselves.” spoke out grandpa Nic with a flat smile, looking down his beard then at Marius.
“Ow. . Sorry. . .” Marius said apologetically.
“Freighly has a point, son.” Nic sighed while dabbing his beard with a greasy kitchen rag. “You’re right that apprenticeships aren’t necessary and some guilds do take fresh academy graduates. But, . . if you want even a chance of getting into a guild of any worth, you need to have a heck of a lot more to offer than academy stuff.”
Marius had to agree with that. It’s true that the skills he acquired at the academy were pretty basic. Anything from numbers and letters, map reading, history, crafting to basic magic and combat was taught to them in their four-year stay at the school, but come to think of it only a handful of those skills would be useful in an actual quest. Undergoing apprenticeship would mean learning more practical skill sets from a master. Marius had thought of this situation before and he shifted his choice repeatedly from one side to the other again and again over the last year of school. On one hand, having a master would mean more experience, advanced skills and perhaps he could learn an ability or two. On the other hand, apprenticeships are expensive and could take years and he wanted to go questing as soon as possible.
“Besides, your parents already saved enough gold to afford it,” Nic said, his beard clean once again. “Apprenticeships, I mean. . . for both of you.” he continued looking to Freighly as well. “Under any master of your choosing. So don’t be in such a rush.”
Freighly’s face split in a wide smile. Clearly this was great news to her but Marius was unsure if he felt the same. Since he entered the school, all he could dream of was getting his bronze badge and going off on fantastic adventures with his friends. They had planned it out since enrolment up to the extent that they already decided what each other’s role was going to be in their own party. Marius, of course, was going to be their scout. The last thing Marius wanted after graduation was to let his friends down by going back to studies again.
“Does that mean I can go to Madame Fortuna?” exclaimed Freighly excitedly back to her cheery self.
“The chief herbalist of the Viridi guild?” grandpa Nic asked, stroking his beard thoughtfully while Freighly nodded in confirmation.
“Yes, . . I think. I reckon we could afford her if she’s willing to teach.” the old man replied. The kitchen was pierced with the little girl’s trill of excitement.
“Herbology?” Marius asked, wiggling a finger in his ear to try and stop the ringing in his head. “What’s so exciting about that? . . And who’s Madame Fortuna?”
Freighly turned on him, right eyebrow raised and nose scrunched up to one side. “Being a herbalist happens to be a very important job,” she said in indignation. “And Madame Fortuna Riao, for your information, is the only platinum ranked herbalist ever in history.” Freighly finished with a smug smile.
“Platinum? . . What in the nine hells did she do to earn platinum? She grows plants!” Marius exclaimed in disbelief.
As far as he knows, only people who go into battle attain those types of rankings. People who acquire a trade in non-combat professions like herbalists, merchants and blacksmiths normally retain their initial bronze ranking throughout their career. Perhaps an honorary rank advancement if they invented something or discovered a cure for an illness, but never the prestige of platinum.
“She’s a very skilled woman, Marius.” interjected grandpa Nic before Freighly could reply. “And an accomplished mage as well if I can remember. I’ve been with her on a raid once. Finest support I’ve ever seen. . . she saved a lot of lives that day.”
Freighly turned toward Marius again with her nose in the air, her look even smugger as if Madame Fortuna’s accomplishments were her own.
“Okay,” he said, with both hands held up in surrender. “The seven bless Madame Fortuna then.”
Grandpa Nic propped his elbows on the kitchen table, his eyes on Marius. “And how about you, lad? Any masters come to mind?” he asked seriously.
Marius squirmed in his chair under his grandfather's gaze. The old man and his parents had been pestering him repeatedly about this subject since the start of the school year. Though Marius had expressed his desire to charge head-on in the world of adventuring fresh off the gates, they had persisted that he was not ready, that he needed more training or perhaps he should explore a trade that doesn’t include fighting monsters, finding treasure and any other dangerous pursuits. This suggestion wasn’t even an option in his mind.
“Actually, . . my and I were thinking of forming a party.” he started, gauging his grandfather’s reaction. “And maybe try quests around Araya. . .”
Nic looked at him suspiciously, his eyes shadowed by heavy eyebrows. “Well if you want, . . you could try that for a few months and see how it goes.” grandpa Nic replied. “But no going near the Tower, you hear? Not till I give my say so.”
Marius saw a flash of sternness in his grandfather’s usually kind face at this statement.
“Of course,” he replied innocently.
“Good.” said the old man, a smile back on his face. “Well, you two better get a move on. You got a big day ahead.”
After waiting almost half an hour for Freighly to finish one of her notoriously long baths, Marius had freshened up, readied his rucksack, got changed into the academy’s brown and moss green uniform and was now waiting in the kitchen.
“Hurry up! We’re going to miss the carriage!” he shouted toward their room.
“Just wait a minute! . . I can’t find my other boot!” Freighly replied, panic in her voice.
Marius shook his head and looked around to see grandpa Nic also all dressed. “Are you going out too, grandpa?”
Nic had traded his overalls for a loose white hemp shirt and brown woolen pants. He now carried a walking cane in one hand and a battered brown leather satchel over one shoulder.
“Yup.” replied grandpa Nic. “I’m going to the guild halls to see if there’s any news from Kaya and Felix.”
Marius grew anxious again at the mention of his parents. The old man placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Stop your worrying, son. They probably have a letter from them when I get there. And after that, I’ll be going to the markets to buy ingredients for our celebration tonight.”
Marius forced out a smile.
“Found it!” shouted a call of delight from their bedroom. Freighly came hopping out in one leg, trying to put on her left boot while moving toward them.
“It was under your bed,” she said cheerfully. Her hair was slightly ruffled again. Probably from rooting around under the furniture for her lost footwear. Grandpa Nic smoothed out the little girl’s hair with one massive paw of a hand.
“Alright. Before we leave, I want to make something clear,” said Nic. Marius and Freighly paid close attention.
“Today is an important day. You two have the opportunity to join the ranks of noble and brave men and women. It is a great honor to wear the badge of an adventurer. . . But, under no circumstance are you to endanger yourself during the trials. You are to take no risks, you understand?”
Both of them nodded. Nic had always been overly protective.
“No badge is worth your life. Keep your blades sharp and your wit sharper. Got it?”
Both nodded again.
“Good.” Nic nodded as he opened the door to the busy streets of Longhill.