Meeting Calydan

POV: Melwyn

Date: Late February, 370 Ac

Location: The City of Moratt / The City of Gandasi.

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I ran along one of the port's many long wooden piers, towards one of the large ship anchored to it. I knew Omaren was probably already waiting for me there, and i didn't want to waste time. It didn't help that i had overslept and woke up late at the Inn, and then i got distracted on the way here by some delicious food i found at the market. What were they called again? Crispels, i think? They tasted like honey...   I gripped the tight rope stretched around my shoulder to re-ajust the small bag full of my belongings it was holding against my back. Makhlem had helped me pack them, since it was the first time i had my own stuff to bring with me while traveling. I even had his latest gift: A shirt and a pair of pants made out of soul cloth, so i could shift without loosing or breaking them. Apparently, these were very expensive, but Makhlem wouldn't admit to it. Even so, i would have to repay him someday...   He and i had been traveling together for the past week and a half, as we made our way from Larasor to here, the city of Moratt. We we finally arrived, Makhlem found us an Inn to stay the night at, before leaving this morning back to Larasor. Now, it was up to me to continue on.   As i arrived at the ship, someone called out my name. I looked up, and saw Omaren, leaning lazily against the wooden railing of the ship's deck. We waved at each other before i then walked up the plank laid between the docks and the ship's deck.   I barely had time to look around before i was pulled into a hug. I had a huge smile on my face, happy to finally see him after so many months. In fact, the last time we had seen each other was during the Guild's joint mission, last summer.   "You're late, by the way" He said with a little smile. I laughed as we turned to lean against the railing, and for a moment i admired the view in front of us. Moratt was a hilly city, and it stretched on in front of us for many leagues in all directions. Its grey stone houses and their brown tilled roofs looking like they were stacked upon each other, with their brown tilled roofs looking like interlocked waves, much like the ones coming into the ship-clogged harbour from the sea beyond.   "I got distracted." I said. "Did you know about these little fried things they sell at the market? I think they're called crispels or something, and they're so good!"   "Dude" He said, turning slightly towards me. "Did you forget that I've been basically living here for the past 2 years? I can eat those every day. But you're right, they are very delicious. And cheap. Somehow, that makes them taste even better."   "So, you're telling me you're a few hours late just because you ate a couple crispels?" He then said.   "I also may or may not have overslept" i admitted, and he chuckled.   "You nearly did the same on the morning of our joint mission too, remember?"   "Yeah... i do" I said, scratching my neck. I was slightly embarrassed that he still remembered that. It hadn't been my best first impression to the rest of the mission team.   "Don't worry" He said. "I'm pretty sure that where we're going, they have a rooster. He'll make sure you never over sleep again" He said with a laugh and i joined him for a moment, before i realised what he'd said, and by extension, the reason i was even here, and my smile disappeared.   "Are you ready?" He asked in a more serious tone, and i shrugged back.   In truth, i wasn't really sure if i was. I felt both scared and excited at the same time. Above all however, i kept asking myself if any of this was actually a good idea. Traveling to another kingdom i knew little to nothing about, to go live with strangers for half a year wasn't something i was expecting to do anytime soon, especially since i wasn't even a real mercenary yet. But, since it had been Makhlem's idea, and Captain Tirun had approved it, off i went.   Apparently, Makhlem knew of a friend that lived in that country, and they had both agreed that i would stay with them for the next 6 months. Of course, i refused at first, as i wasn't too keen on leaving my new home in Larasor, and especially my friend Luka. However, the captain's promise to officially make me a mercenary of the guild upon my return was enticing enough. That is because when i became a true Mercenary of the Guild of Fethir, i would finally be able to repay Makhlem by working with him on missions. I hoped i would also have the opportunity to strike at Mr. Gelv, my old master, and free the slaves still under his thumb. And... i want to avenge Caleon.   The fact that Omaren already knew Makhlem's friend as he'd previously stayed at their house for a few weeks reassured me a lot as well. So while i still had a lot of questions and worries, i decided to focus on those positives instead. I was confident that everything would be fine, since Omaren was traveling with me, and i trusted him. And Makhlem wouldn't send me to live with someone that was bad, right?   "I'm as ready as I'll ever be, i guess." I said with a small shrug. "I don't really know what to expect"   "Ah come on!" He said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Aren't you even a little excited? Seeing a new country? New people? The food!"   "I mean, yeah?" I said, scratching my neck. "It's just a bit scary, you know? This is my first time outside of Kavasia."   "Don't worry" He said, putting both hands on my shoulders. He leaned down so our eye would be level as he looked at me with a very serious gaze. "I'll be there to protect you with my life from all of the evil monsters across the sea."   "Yeah, ok" I said, giving him a bump on the shoulder as we burst out laughing at the overwhelming sarcasm in his voice. It felt nice to laugh together like this. I could already feel my anxiety about the voyage ease a little.   "Don't stress yourself too much, friend" He said with a more serious tone. "I've known both Makhlem's friend, and their son for a few year now, and i can tell you that they are very good people." He stayed silent for a moment as he looked on at the city.   "They helped me a lot a few years back." He said. To the point that i owe them a lot for the great position I'm in today at the guild. But most importantly is the fact that, even if i was a complete stranger at the time, they never made me feel like one, and they never treated me like one either. I always felt welcomed in their house, and I'm sure they'll make you feel the same way in no time."   I nodded back at him with a smile. I forgot that Omaren was in a similar position as me just a few years ago, and so he would know best what i'm going through. Hearing him praise them so much was definitely good news for me. Just then, the ship's bell rang out, two times in quick succession. Omaren turned to me.   "That mean's the ship's leaving in about an hour" He explained. "But it's usually later than that."   "How do you know?"   "I have some experience" He said with a shrug. "I travel by ship a lot, especially during the last year or so. Mainly to Gandasi, which is where we're going"   "Fair enough" I said. "What should we do until then?"   "I can show you our rooms?" He said. "They've already been assigned"   "Sounds good"       * * * * *       The city's skyline grew larger on the horizon as we slowly approached it's harbour. Long walls, tall grey towers, a large bronze-coloured domed temple roof, and an imposing lighthouse greeted us as we entered Gandasi's crescent shaped port. After a week and a half at sea, we had finally made it to the kingdom of Gysia.   The ship's wooden hull creaked as it was pulled towards one of the many stone brick piers by numerous dock workers pulling on thick ropes they had attached to the ship. They talked and yelled at each other in a language i didn't recognize.   With a final pull, the ship was dragged to its docking area and anchored in place by those same ropes, tied down to wooden posts along the pier, allowing the ship to only bob slightly over the harbour's gentle current, and no more.   "Well, here we are." Omaren said, turning to me with a huge smile. "Welcome to Gandasi!" I smiled, happy that not only the long trip was over, but also that i was finally on solid land again since, during the past week, i had discovered what sea sickness was. I couldn't wait to leave the water behind and get on solid ground.   We quickly got off the ship, and after a final thank you to the ship's captain and crew, made our way onto the pier and reached the actual shore. There a colourful market area stretched on for much of the shoreline. Many people tried selling us all kinds of stuff as we passed, most of which i recognized from across the sea, most notably Crispels. At least, that means I'm not too far from home, right?   I followed Omaren as he breezed through the market, occasionally glancing behind him through the crowd of people to make sure i was following.   Finally, we made it onto the main street and entered the actual city through a large stone gate. We continued along the main street as it made its way deeper into the city, until it reached a large temple. The building was topped with the same bronze dome i saw earlier. I wonder who they pray to here?   "I should tell you something..." Omaren suddently said in a low voice as we walked past the temple and turned north onto another street.   "The people here aren't as... welcoming as they are in Kavasia. Specifically, with people like you."   "You mean... Soulmages?"   "Yes, and shapeshifters especially."   "Oh.."   "I don't know why" He said with a shrug. "I think it's related to their religion, but i wouldn't know the details. For that, you should ask Benars."   Benars... I remembered that name. During our voyage, Omaren explained to me that he was the owner of the house i would stay at, and the father of another kid a bit older than me. What was his name again... urgh, he told me earlier but i forgot. Wait, aren't they also Gysians? What if they don't like me? Do they even know what i am?   "What if... Benars thinks the same of me?" I asked, and Omaren seemed confused for a moment. Then, he started laughing.   "No no. Don't worry about that." He said, tapping my shoulder. "Both him and his son are not at all like the people i just described."   "Oh, alright." I said with a little chuckle. I'll take his word for it.   We continued through the northern section of the city, until we reached a poorer neighbourhood, located near a wall that was built along the river that flowed to the north of the city. As we walked, many people turned to look at us, casting suspicious glances and whispering amongst themselves. Some, mostly kids, would point at us, before being hushed by their parents.   "Here's the gate" Omaren announced as he pointed to a large entrance along the wall, framed on both sides by large guard towers. There was a hint of relief in his voice as he explained where we were going next.   "Their house is about 20 minutes away from the city, and up a few hills." He explained. After passing a few guards posted at the gate, we crossed a wide stone bridge that spanned over the large river. As we did, Omaren recounted the time when Benars Mentioned to him that a small stream flowed in the woods behind his house, and that it was connected to the river we were passing over.   "I never did find it" He said more to himself than for me, with a shrug. I nodded. I'm definitely going to find it. It'll be my own little spot, just for me.   Pass the bridge, the path continued and went up a steep hill. As we climbed, i thought back to the people we had seen in the city, and to how they acted around us.   "Do people here not like strangers?" I asked, and Omaren glanced at me for a second before turning back.   "They're more suspicious of them, yeah." He said. "Especially Kavasians"   "Why?"   "Ah... well both countries had a big war recently, and this city in particular suffered a lot from it. Many people died."   "Oh... that's sad..." I said. War is gross...   But to be honest" He added. "You probably won't go into the city for a while, so you don't have to worry too much about it."   "Finally, we arrived at the top of the hill, where we found ourselves in the middle of a small clearing. Fallen tree logs were placed in a semi-circle on one side of the road, while the other had a low lying boulder, perfect for us to sit on and catch our breath...   "No rest. Let's keep going," Omaren said as he saw me eyeing the rock. "We're almost there, c'mon"   I groaned at him, but followed anyways as we continued walking along the paved road. But after a few moments of nothing appearing on the horizon, i started to doubt how close we really were to Benars's house. However, just as i was about to ask Omaren, i saw it.   It was big, but still very modest. To anyone passing by, it was obvious that whoever lived here wasn't poor, but also that they weren't any kind of lord of baron. The house itself was two stories tall, had large windows, especially on the second floor. The walls were made out of wood, except for as stone foundation on the first floor. Two red brick chimneys rose slightly above the house's black pitched roof, and one was spewing smoke.   My heart started beating faster in my chest as we turned onto a smaller dirt path that lead to the house's small porche. My palms turned balmy and my entire body tensed up. What if they don't like me? What will i do?   "I'll be ok, Mel" Omaren said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Just relax, and you'll be fine."   I nodded and followed him up the porch stairs. He waited until i was beside him to knock at the door. The next moments felt like years as i stared at the worn out paint on the door in front of me, waiting for someone to answer.   With a squeak, the door finally opened, and a young man appeared. He wore a pair of brown pants and grey shirt. He had short brown hair and pale skin. He was turned away for a second, apparently still talking to someone else inside the house. I couldn't understand what he was saying, just like the vendors at the market, or the people in that slum.   When he turned to us, he looked very surprised. But then a large smile appeared on his face as he seemed to recognize Omaren.   "Omaren!" He said in a cherry tone and a notable accent. "Father said you'd be here soon! Welcome back!"   "Happy to see you again, Calydan!" Omaren said as they quickly hugged each other.   Calydan briefly turned away to talk to someone in the house, and again i couldn't understand anything he was saying, except for when he said Omaren's name. When he turned around again, his dark eyes landed on me, and i gave him a half smile. I wanted to say hello, but the lump in my throat made talking somewhat difficult.   "And uh... who is he?" He said to Omaren.   "Ah, right" Omaren said, stepping slightly out of the way so me and Calydan would face each other.   "Calydan, this is Melwyn!" He said pointing to me. "Melwyn, this is Calydan. He's Benars's son that i told you about."   "Welcome to Gysia, Melwyn!" Calydan said with a smile. He extended a hand towards me. "Glad you made it here safely!"   "H-hi" I said, shaking his hand. "Glad to be here as well"   "Alright, let's go inside and wait for father." He said. "He's busy with a client's potion right now, but it shouldn't take too long."   "Sounds good" Omaren said as he stepped inside while Calydan held to door open for us. Did he say potion? Is this an alchemist's house- I flinched when the door closed behind me, and apparently, Omaren noticed.   "Someone's a bit nervous." He said, chucking to himself before turning to Calydan. "I swear he's usually a lot more fun." I shot him an angry look, much to his glee as he started laughing even harder.   "Oh come on, don't bully him." Calydan said. "Do you think i forgot how nervous you were when you first came here?" He teased, and Omaren grumbled. Wait, i want to hear about that story...   Let's sit here." Calydan said, gesturing to the table in the middle of the room. We sat on the chairs around it, with Calydan facing both me and Omaren.   "So!" Calydan said as he put his arms on the table to lean towards me. "I heard from father that a shapeshifter would be staying with us. Are you who he was talking about?"   Omaren and i exchanged a look. He looked amused. I wasn't. One of the first things i learned from Makhlem when he brought me into the guild was to never reveal my magic to a stranger if i don't have to, as it can be a crucial advantage in any confrontation. There's also the danger that it may put a unnecessary target on my back. I never really had to apply that rule before, since I'd been living with other shapeshifters for the past year, and none of them were strangers anyways. But this was different.   But is Calydan really a stranger? I asked myself. Right now, yes. But staying here for the next 6 months is surely going to change that... I glanced at him as he waited eagerly for my answer, and then at Omaren, who simply gave me a small nod. It wasn't much, but it gave me the push i needed to reveal the truth. I dont want to live with someone who i have to hide what i am, so... i guess... I'll tell him.   "Y-yeah" I said. "That's me."   Wow, this is incredible!" He said, very clearly excited about this. "I've read so much about your people over the years. Your magic is really fascinating to me."   "Thank you?" I said, and Omaren laughed.   "He was the same when i showed him my flames for the first time" He said. "He really likes magic."   "What kind of shapeshifter are you?" Calydan asked. "I mean, what kind of animal do you turn into?"   "A wolf" I said.   "Ah, that makes sense! They're rare here, but there's apparently a lot of them in the east! Wolves are scary, but also very beautiful you know!" He said, and i blushed slightly.   "Could you show it to us?" He then asked a bit hesitantly. "I would really like to see that."   "Oh...uh, I'm not sure..." I said, rubbing my arm as my eyes darted to where the talisman i wore would be on my wrist, now hidden under my long sleeve shirt. "Maybe one day..."   Thankfully, he didn't seem mad at all about the refusal, just disappointed. After that, the conversation pivoted away from me and my magic, and more towards what Omaren and Calydan had each been up to over the past few months. As they talked, i realised how close they were as friends, and that they had been this way for a while. It reminded me of the friendship between me and Luka, or Caleon and i.   As they talked, they would occasionaly bring me into the conversation for a question or a mention, and while i was still very shy, i eventualy started to participate on my own. To the point that i even began to make jokes with them. That's how i realised how confortable i felt here, and slowly the mountain of worries that had stacked up for the past 2-3 weeks began to vanish.   Staying here for 6 months will be long, but that just means I'll have more time to become friends with Calydan. Just like i did with Luka, and then Omaren. And for the first time since Makhlem told that he was sending me here, i felt that i would truly enjoy my stay here   Well, well well! If it isn't our guests!" A booming voice said as an older man entered the kitchen from the back of the house. He wore similar clothes to Calydan, but bigger. He had greying hair and a full but short beard.   "Welcome back Omaren!" He said, giving him and firm tap on the shoulder. "Oh, and i assume this is Melwyn, right?" He asked, and i nodded.   He walked up to me and we shook hand. "My name's Benars Rayel, but you can just call me Benars."   "I'm glad you've both made it here safe and sound." He said with a warm smile, before turning to Calydan.   "Perhaps, you could show young Melwyn here the room he'll be staying in?"   "Sure" Calydan said before getting up. "Follow me" He told me.   I got up as well and followed him, along with Omaren, who insisted he needed to come as well, so he could see my reaction.   "You're going to love it, i promise you!" He said.   We climbed up a set of creaky woodden stairs and reached the second floor. We walked pass a closed door near the stairs which Calydan said was his room. Then, we arrived at another door. Omaren looked at me with a smile before he pushed it open. Surely, it can't be this good-   I gasped as i saw the room in front of me. It was large, luminous and had a high slanted roof. A large round window took up much of the far wall, allowing the warm sunlight of the outside to enter the room. A small red oval rug laid on the floor between two beds, which faced each other across the room. That's when it hit me.   "We're sharing a room?!" I asked Omaren, nearly yelling as i did. He simply nodded with a smile.   "Told you you'd like it"   "Oh, Halin! This is awesome! The room looks awesome!"   "I have the right-side bed by the way so you'll get this one" He said, pointing to the one on the left. I walked up to it in mild disbelief and dropped my bag next to it before climbing into the bed. It's soft...   "I can't believe this" I said, almost tearing up. "This is so much better than i thought it would be." It's better than at the Guild, and even the inns we slept at...   "Thank you." I said sincerely to Calydan, who suddenly blushed as he put his hands up. "Oh, don't thank me! This was all my father's work!"   "I'm just happy you're here" He said, and Omaren nodded. I smiled.   "Me too"