Chapter 2

Garen awoke with a hangover to the unpleasant and unwelcoming sound of the churches bell chimes, indicating the suns rising. You would expect bells to sound merrily but there was no happiness in Garen’s mind regarding this tune. The bell was locally produced, crudely forged iron from the local blacksmiths, whom didn’t have a clue about the art of sound tuning. As he emerged from his slumber (his mind still foggy from the previous evenings ale), Garen was welcomed by a misty chill enveloping his body as he shivered from the sweat clinging to his clothing.

Nightmares ravished his nights constantly through the years as he struggle to come to terms with the death of his mother and the scorn given to him for carrying the ‘Kindred’ house name. But last night was different, “What was that? Those feelings, it’s like I was experiencing it for real.” Groaning miserably into his welcoming pillow, his nose picked up the sweet scent of bacon and bread floating into his room as his stomach rumbled with hunger. Mustering his strength despite the protests his sleepy body made, Garen pulled himself out of bed as he made his way toward the source of the scent.

“It’s about time you woke up, you’re such a pig you know that?” Standing in front of the stove in the Gabbits pub was a girl that has barely made it into adulthood. “Why are you staring at me, do I have something on me?” She spoke to Garen in a familiar tone and a questioning eye.

“No it’s nothing; I’m just a bit dazed from the alcohol that I had last night.” Garen seated himself beside her. “Your parents must have given me something really strong last night, I only had one cup but I feel like I drank a whole barrel.” Garen spoke as if looking for sympathy from her.

“Serves you right for having such a weak alcohol tolerance,” handing a scrumptious looking plate of bacon and egg to Garen. “You know pops never liked it when you decided to go work as a soldier, he always complained the soldiers of the empire only know how to fight and squabble over women. Then eventually they would just die, leaving their family penniless and alone on the streets.” The young girl lectured him like a teacher would on a daily basis. “Also do not call Marlene as my parent, she’s only a few years older than me you know!” Garen wanted to argue back but knew it was best to finish his meal first.

The young woman with her long red hair and green eyes was named Crystal; a childhood friend of Garen’s. The two had known each as long as they can remember in their memories. The daily ritual of the two close friends had always remained the same. Crystal would cook breakfast in the morning and Garen would come in, half asleep to get lectured by her as he ate everything on his plate, it’s not a bad situation for Garen.

At the tender age of eight, Garen’s mother had passed away early in her years from the grief and sadness of their family name, leaving him alone with a father that was never around. Once a while, his father would drop in only to be half drunk and penniless. Struggling on his own to make ends meet, Garen worked hard in order to prove himself to his employers. It’s not easy for a child to find work in this world, especially when your father had a reputation of a disgraced master swordsman.

“The job is not bad, I get paid well for the work I do. It’s not like I’m stealing it off people.” Garen shot back at Crystal after his plate was empty of food.

“Oh so that’s why you always run errands for that corrupted captain of yours, everyone knows he’s a smuggler. If he could sell his own mother, I’m sure he would do it in an instant.” Crystal eyed him with a smirk, knowing full well Garen wouldn’t have a comeback for that because it was the truth.

“Look Crystal, I need this job, how else am I supposed to pay for my expenses?” Garen replied in a defeated voice with his hands out. “And please don’t say there are other jobs I can do, you know those don’t pay nearly as well and enough to cover the rent on my room. If I miss even a months’ worth of rent, your pops would have me out on the streets in a moment’s notice. Besides, you know very well the fastest way I can achieve my dream of redeeming my family name is to work for the empire.”

Finally relenting when the subject of her father was brought up, Crystal quietly picked up the empty dish from his table. Noticing the tense atmosphere brought on by her silence, Crystal wanted to change the subject because she understood Garen truly did care for her. “Oh yes, I wanted to ask you what did you get me for my birthday next week? Also, you better take me out for dinner; I expect something special this year since I am officially old enough to take part in the magician’s exam!” Crystal spoke in a cheerful voice.

Garen sat in his seat dumbfounded at himself for not remembering such a important date. Crystal had been constantly badgering him for months about her birthday this year, yet he did not realize the issue last night. Gathering his wits knowing the fore coming storm from his reply, “I’m going to be away for a week, I just received an order to deliver something to the neighboring city.” Garen squeezed the words out in a mutter, expecting the fabric of reality to unfold any moment.

Crystal froze instantly in her track as her fists tightened into a ball. “Do whatever you want you idiot, what’s so important about a family name when you just ignore everyone around you!” Crystal shouted in an angry voice then stormed into the back room, leaving Garen alone in the main dining hall. Out of Garen’s sight, Crystal quietly wept tears of sadness at his friend’s foolishness.

“I’m such an idiot, why did I go and mention that,” Garen mutters in a low voice to himself. Realizing he royally messed up; Garen had no choice but leave the issue at hand and not pursue her for the time being. “I’ll need to make up for this after I come back.” Garen sighed as he headed back to his room.

The trip across the mountain roads will not be a easy one, especially in the winter seasons when the weather becomes so unpredictable. Gathering the necessary supplies for his trek across the mountain roads, Garen soon realized a major problem; the wooden boxed package was too big for him to carry with only his hand. “Damn, what am I supposed to do, I can’t exactly go back to the captain and tell him I can’t do the job. I’d be lucky if he only yelled at me, if worse, I’d be relieved of my post!” Garen wanted to slap himself as he walked back and forth trying to think of a solution. “Come on Garen, you’ve never let something this simple stop you before, why start now. If I want to raise my head high as a member of the ‘Kindred’ house, there’s still a long road ahead of me and many hurdles to overcome!” Spending the next hour contemplating possible solutions, Garen’s thought came up blank. Tired and thirsty, he sat down on his bed, eyeing the wooden box on the floor and wondering what was inside.

“Release me… release me…….”

Garen jumped at the sudden whispering voice in his ear, wondering who else was in the room with him. Agitated at the unknown voice, Garen readied his body for combat as he looked around the room. Minutes passed as he scanned the room for the tiniest hint of movement but no one was there, not even a shadow…. “Come on Garen, you must have imagined it. The stress must be getting to your head.” He muttered to himself in reassurance.

A chime of the church bell knocked him back into reality, realizing it was already getting late into the morning. The day has already started with the sun shining bright in the sky and not a hint of a storm coming. If he didn’t head out soon, it would be too late and he will have to postpone his plans till tomorrow. Ignoring the problem at hand, Garen lifted the box with both hands as he carried his supplies on his back.

Making his way out into the main street, men and women littered the streets with life, a complete opposite to the emptiness of yesterday night. Ignoring the crowds, he squeezed passed vendor stalls and citizens of all ages, each going about their business for the day. Garen intentionally walked toward the city guards, hoping to avoid the line ups that formed as merchants and travelers leave through the city gates. Upon reaching the old iron defense gate, a friendly looking young soldier walked towards Garen with a hand waving in the air.

“Morning Garen, what are you doing here so early?” the young man asked with a smile.

“Just following orders from the captain, need to deliver this package to someone in the neighboring city,” Garen replied as he stopped in front of the young man. “But Colin, why are you on gate duty, weren’t you part of the scouting party today?” Garen asked in a wondering tone but something else quickly took hold of his attention. Further back from where Colin stood, another soldier was riding on a horse used primarily for scouting missions; this scene gave Garen the answer to his problem of transporting his luggage through the mountain.

The young man around his age made a flushed face as he answered Garen’s previous question, “I asked to be transferred to this post, and you remember the girl I told you about before? I found out she worked around the corner as a seamstress. I was hoping my chance will be higher if I get to meet her more often.” Garen felt like laughing his guts out but knew better then to upset Colin. Having more people on your good side tended to be helpful when a favor is needed.

“Hey Colin, didn’t you mention your uncle was in charge of the sentry stables?” Garen asked in excitement. Colin was confused by the sudden question about his uncle but answered anyway, “yes, the old man been with the job for the past 10 years, he’s practically living with them.” Delighted by the answer, Garen got straight to the point. “Colin, I need a favor from you, help me get a horse from your uncle. Please, you owe me from before remember?” Making an uncomfortable face, Colin hesitated in thought until Garen brought out his finishing move. “If you get the horse for me, I’ll help set up a date with that girl you wanted so much.” Garen spoke with a sinister smile across his face.

Colin did not need any more encouragement at this point; the guy literally sprinted toward the stable across the street. Garen relaxed his body as he settled himself on top of a pile of packed snow; waiting patiently for Colin to bring him his ride. After a good while, Colin finally returned with what Garen wanted, a mare with a brownish tinge in her coloration was following closely behind the young man.

“My uncle said she’s the best in the stable, will get you there and back in no time.” Colin bragged as he handed the harness over to Garen. “Don’t forget what you promised, I expect you to come back quickly with her help.” Colin spoke in demanding voice.

At that moment, he really wanted to laugh at his colleague but stopped because he felt like a villain in the way he was taking advantage of Colin’s feelings. “Don’t worry lover boy; I’ll be back in no time if I have this beautiful steed, it will only take a week instead of two on foot, you know? Then I’ll work my magic and get you two love birds in bed without a hitch.” Garen spoke in a teasing tone as Colin’s face turned red from embarrassment and anger. “And I’ll be damned if I waste any more time, with this horse I can make it back in for Crystal’s birthday!” Garen inner happiness exploded from giddy joy.

“heeahh” Garen shouted as he nudged the horse with his foot, riding out of the city in style and speed, the package tied securely to the buttocks of the horse. Garen felt amazing from the excitement of riding at the speed he was going; it wasn’t common for an average civilian or soldier to get the chance to ride a horse. The expense of caring for the animal was far too costly and time consuming for someone like him. There was the option of renting a horse from a private stable in the city but the price involved was more then what Garen made in a month.

By night fall, Garen had already crossed more distance than what he would have on foot in two days. Moving across hills and forest lands, Garen enjoyed the lands scenery all the more compared to his previous trips. Knowing the likelihood of scoring another favor like this will not come easily with Colin. Along the way, the rare sight of merchants and their caravan added to the experience and his enjoyment. It’s not always wise to be traveling alone in the wilderness; sometimes even the strongest may need assistance. This was how life should be, free from the whims of others and doing what you wished. That’s how Garen felt at this moment and also the reason he could still put up with the constant insults. There was no pleasure in his line of work, it was exactly as Crystal said, there are other jobs out there but none gave the same amount of pay and freedom like a soldier had. It was also the easiest way for him to reach his goal of restoring his family name.

Garen had set up camp that night next to the road as beast and man huddled together next to the flames. The bon fire burned with welcoming warmth, acting as a beacon of life in the desolate cold. It was simply safer this way; you may never know what roamed the woods in these lands so close to the frontier. Unknown to Garen, another presence lurked through the trees, stalking him, feeling him, readying to jump at its prey in a moment’s notice.

End chapter 2