Act I: Enter, White

Chapter 1 - The Rough Arrival

8:42 // Day 77, Dienstag. Sol 97c.

Beside me was an oil-lit lantern, swaying. Side to side, tempting to fall from its hinges and crash above my temporary dressing table. But it never did, at least not that night.

I decided now would be as good a time as any to arise from my slumber, so I did. I removed the worn-out brown cloth and the shoddily lined covers as I began to gather my 'gear' from the aforementioned dressing table. They consisted of a; plain white fitted shirt with a larger-than-typical round neck, plain woven trousers, plain black shoes with no lace, plain brown cloak with a minor weather resistance enhancement and a plain black hood - the enhancement alone cost more than all my other clothes combined and then combined another couple of times, my parents insisted I take one for the Luna season which was soon.

My hood had gathered dust overnight, as a quick shake forced the minute particles to disappear to the floor, which presumably housed even more dust, I turned to pick up the rest of my outfit. I spotted a small family of spiders scurrying out from under my shirt, having been alerted to my movement 'at least someone finds those comfortable' I said to no one in particular. I do like to complain sometimes but in reality, life isn't as bad as it could be. This was just how it was in our world right now.

thud thud

"You up and about yet?"

"Huh."

My head is still groggy from sleep so it took me a few moments to remember the situation, the Inn I’m staying at told me I could use a room booked for the next day cheap if I left early.

"I need to be cleaning now, you have fifteen minutes to get up and out."

"Yeah, I’m up ma’am. I’ll be out in a second."

"Thank God you're up. You have no idea how many people come in looking for a room and then sleep through the whole day and heavens it's dreadful dragging their resting corpses outside, come on then love. I'll get out your way."

She retreated down the hallway, all of a sudden, the room was quiet again. Come to think of it, the Innkeeper said she was going to clean the rooms but looking around that was either a lie or she’s hidden the fact very well.

I pondered at my sudden musings for a moment before I finished putting my clothes over my head and grabbed my one valuable, a pouch of silver, containing enough to house and feed me for a month or less. Or more. I honestly still wasn't aware of common sense with money in the capital, the prices are so different from back home. Speaking of home, I had been gone for about five days, four by public caravan and one arriving, then promptly sleeping. I had still yet to explore my immediate surroundings.

I picked up a long, rusted key hanging on the door handle and cautiously placed it inside the lock fearing it may snap and I would be trapped in here forever. Luckily this wasn't the case and as the door swung open, I attached my hood to the crown of my head. Then the cloaked figure emerged from his lair as he made his way outside, he did return the key to reception beforehand, of course.

8:57

The streets were becoming livelier as time went on, I saw the bakery producing a steady stream of customers as they sold out their morning loaves. Newsagents handed out this week's headline to passer-byes, Vein Branders received adventurers and practitioners whereas on the other side of the road was the monument that was currently housing a group of woodwind musicians playing along to the chirping birds. At least, they would be hadn't just migrated south.

I decided to make a sharp left that faced me with the monument, followed either side by rows of miniature shrines where the devout could pray. Myself? I'm far from religious, though I believe there is some truth in the creation stories. I had taken another left at the monument so I was now heading to what I believed was the Merchant's District, the reason. To gather information on job opportunities, go deal hunting for provisions and possibly a new place to stay. The Inn is outside my long-term budget it seems.

tap tap tap

I continued down the cobble pedestrian path. It was wide enough to fit ten cars down - whatever ‘cars’ are - and had a natural unevenness to it but not so much where you were tripping over tiny raises in the ground. It felt nice to walk down this road, there was calming music in an almost organised manner. Sometimes I would walk a few steps out of audible hearing range of an instrument to then be greeted by the sound of another, playing just ahead.

tap tap tap

The signature stalls with canvas covers were becoming visible and a massive archway featuring a sign reading...

...gave away the fact that I was in the Merchant District. The walk only took twenty minutes, so the time was about twenty-past nine now. It was a good time to be here, since most places were open and fewer people were out than at ten-between-twelve.

People gathered around the various stalls that sold various goods, buildings were lined in a grid pattern and acted as a barrier to create this town's forum. Where I currently was is the capital's heart. Hmm. I can't keep referring to the city as the 'capital', I suppose I should give it a name. Well. This place is the capital of the Pentas Dales, which in turn is a group of Five Continents, each with its own culture, the capital, however, is known as 'Rubia'

By now I had arrived on the main commercial street, as pointed out by a kind informant at the entrance. The stalls seemed to brim with every single item you could ever need. Scouting for information and work opportunities, I began reading all the advertisements above each stall and building, looking in gaps between stalls, but no luck. It seemed like all the help needed was adventuring work and I couldn't even afford armour nor had the skills to complete them.

Just as I started becoming sullen, an argument I had been aware of began kicking off into something more, a small crowd was forming and I was unknowingly being dragged into the epicentre. I didn't want to trouble myself with something inconvenient so early, but it seemed to be a daily ritual here by the looks of the crowd's faces.

"Do ya really think I don’t know how much Recovery Salves go for miss. Do you think I’m retarded?"

"Th- T- That’s just the price m- my boss s- s- set the-"

"Sh- Shut the fuck up, where is your ‘boss’ now, I don’t have time to deal with a stuttering child."

The man was a tall dark-skinned adventurer who seemed to be looking for healing equipment for his parties next trip out, the girl, on the other hand, looked almost half his size and was struggling to stand her ground.

This isn’t something I should interfere with, I thought to myself

"He’s, err, he’s gone out to g- get the- stock f- for- this after-"

"Oh, for fuck sakes, just shut yer gob would you. Whatever, I’ll fucking leave then, alright?

"Erm, my boss should be back soon if y- you can wait."

smack

I would have walked away, but after that, I couldn't. Without thinking, I turned around, and with full force, threw my body against the barbarian.

"Ughh, you little shit. FUCK OF- argghh"

He tumbled across the stall, splitting the flimsy table in two - causing everything to go everywhere. Half of the crowd gasped while the others cheered, they cheered because I did something that they couldn’t have done themselves.

The man recovered and grabbed my skull in one hand, he threw me over two metres, causing me to land with a thud. I tried to move but my body felt lifeless. I felt numb, my body unnaturally refused to move, almost as if gravity was stopping me.

How the hell did I end up on the floor only minutes after leaving my room? I thought. As the barbarian approached my limp body, behind him I watched the girl crying, begging him to stop. The crowd's cheers quickly turned to horrified gasps, as they stood and watched two young people being abused, all except one.

The barbarian knelt over my body, all the while he readied his two fists together to bring them down onto me. However, in a flash, the man was sent hurtling away. I heard bones breaking from the impact and a trail of saliva mixed with blood created a path from me, to the impact zone on my left. I was too weak to tilt my head all the way to see his body, all I saw was the falling liquids. I didn’t understand what was happening, it was all too fast, nothing like this would ever happen in my hometown.

snap... crunch

"Huc… Aaah... St- Stop, please. se.."

The barbarian's mouth stopped moving and another took its place.

"Hmph… I leave for ten minutes and this is what I come back to."

He turned to address the crowd after analysing the situation and seeing the girl crying and me on the ground.

"You people allowed this to happen. What did you expect would happen? Perhaps you were all waiting for someone like me to swoop in and save them? If not, well, then I suppose the city wouldn't miss two children."

"huch.."

The man looked towards my body, as coughs rasped and sputtered.

"This boy is more of a man than any of you will ever be, you confuse strength with status and think that ‘It’s fine, someone will help him’, well? Does this look fucking fine to you?"

By now the girl had stopped crying and began fretting more over the current situation, some of the crowd had begun sneaking away as if this was all a show, a show they had no part in. I was fading out of consciousness from the impact as my eyes grew weary but before I did, I heard the shouts of men telling the crowd to part as a troupe came over clanking in their armour and tapping the ground with their spears - almost as if they were walking sticks.

I opened my eyes for the final time, my jaw appeared to be dislocated from the impact. Underneath my mouth lay a small crimson fluid featuring some foodstuff that looked familiar.

My vision is growing dull...

"Thank... you..."

At this point he had fallen unconscious, the sounds he had heard before blacking out was the castle guards storming the streets in response to a citizens explanation of the situation. The man who had saved the boys life was questioned and found innocent but charged with the hospital fees for the other adventurer, the 'barbarians' party came shortly after since he had been gone too long and with shocked faces were briefed on the situation. They didn't appear too surprised, or even that concerned but requested him removed from their group. Finally, the crowd begun to disperse with some feeling guilty and asked how they could help the girl and the boy, the man replied the time for that was gone and the only thing they could do was act when such a situation arose again.

About 20 minutes later the streets were back to normal and the boy's blood and his upturned food were cleaned up. It all seemed very sudden for those involved but in reality, events like this happened all over the city every day, prices had skyrocketed thanks to the government's unwillingness to cooperate with the masses coupled with lavish spending and heavy taxation. Many people reached their limit years ago, I suppose that excuses releasing your pent-up anger on children then…

Just kidding.

17:32, The same day

Beside me was an oil-lit lantern, fixed. Never once moving. It felt so secure, I had thought it must have always been there.

I decided now would be as good a time as any to arise from my slumber, but I couldn't. I tried to move my arms, then my legs, but only felt sharp bursts of pain - not extreme pain but my body was very clear on what I should be doing. I should be resting. Closing my eyes again didn't feel right, I couldn't return to sleep having just woke up. Since I couldn't move, and couldn't rest, my eyes wandered from object to object. The scenery was familiar to my previous room but felt more refined, more lived in. Small details like; off-centre rugs, half-full water jugs, helped to give an impression I was in someone's home.

Below the large mattress lay my bare body, bruised and battered. Bandages covered me from my stomach to my left arm, where I collided. Finally, I fumbled around my face to find multiple butterfly stitches keeping a few minute and one deeper cut together. I could be in better shape.

By now I had recalled the essential information of my predicament. I had stumbled into a fight at its heating point, taking all the recoil of the previous argument. I proceeded to lose my consciousness not long after. A man had saved mine and the girls life. He was of similar build, though taller and slimmer than the 'barbarian' who started the fight. Not necessarily the start I was looking for when I left my home. Though beggars can't be choosers.

After staring at the ceiling for several more minutes, my eyes became heavy. Before they closed, a loud sigh was heard. As I faded away yet again I pondered old memories of home. Of waking up every day in a cheap, rundown bed. I'd then read in the morning, sometimes plough the fields, but only sometimes. I didn't bring a book with me, however, I only brought my money.

That's right! My money.

Since my clothes were nowhere to be seen either I began to worry but now wasn't the time to worry. I wouldn't be here had someone wanted to steal from me.

Feeling a scintilla of security, I heaved into a semi-fetal position on my right-hand side. Just before closing my eyes, I spotted the familiar, tattered, pouch. It was tucked beneath the ends of the pillow. The only place I hadn't checked.

Now I felt completely at ease.

"..."

17:59

"..."

19:23 – The Same Day

"Huh, he's still asleep."

"Of course, he is Sara. He got the wind knocked right out of him... It seems like he's woken once before though, so at least he's alright."

"Yeah, I just wanted to thank him is all."

"I know lady, you'll be able to fawn over him once he's awake, so leave him alone. Go get your dinner. It's on the table already."

"Okay…"

Tiny footsteps could be heard pattering out of the room. The man released a sigh as he walked over to the bed.

I had already woken from the sound of conversation but my eyes were yet to follow.

"You alright kid? She can be a bit of a handful but she's just worried about you."

My eyelids slowly opened, revealing a dark-skinned man with medium length grey hair. His main defining features were his contrasting-coloured beard with a pair of shiny white teeth behind them. Just from his appearance, his wealth was obvious.

"Are… You from, the… ahh…"

"Hey, hey. Don't try to get up just yet friend. I sealed those wounds not hours ago."

"Th… Thanks."

My body fell back onto the warm, cushioned, mattress.

"It's rare seeing a country boy alone in Rubia, are you here for work?"

"That was… the plan."

"But instead, you decided to play hero and save the 'damsel in distress'?"

Looking closer, this guy was the one who saved me. He must have been. I didn't have the time to observe his appearance before but now I see him closer. It must be him. Then that girl, she must be the one from before.

"I wasn't being a hero, I was just doing what I wanted."

"So you helped her for selfish reasons?"

"Y- Yeah."

"I see."

Silence fell. By now I was sitting upright on the beds wooden back-board. The man and I began to size each other up. I noted that in our entire conversation he hadn't once fumbled his words. This led me to believe his job involved heavy reliance on speech. Was he a merchant? A member of the government? I remember hearing the sound of what appeared to be soldiers before losing consciousness. Was I perhaps being held in a prison of some sorts? No, I am sure that isn't the case. If I was, then why does it feel lived in? Wouldn't it be empty and bare?

"I see you need some things explaining to you. I guess I'll start with what's on your mind. I am not affiliated with the Government of Rubia in any way. I trade with them sometimes but, first and foremost, I am a travelling merchant. To answer your next question, that wasn't magic, that was my Insight."

"A... Err… Hmm."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Usually, I ask first. You just seem to talk more to yourself than others."

I felt a chill run through my whole being. To be judged so accurately and quickly by a man I had never met before. That feeling, however, was quickly lifted by his friendly demeanour. Curiously, his face soothed you. It gave an air of trust.

"I'm going to assume the cause of that is your hair and eyes. It's rare seeing someone with just white hair but I don't think I've met someone with white hair and silver eyes. I bet you'd fetch a pretty penny on the market."

"How so?"

"Well, I'm sure some wealthy person is looking for his next collectable. That could be enough to buy me onto the Plateau in the Noble's District."

"Why house me if you're only going to sell me."

"That was a joke little guy. Guess they don't do those where you're from."

"Usually jokes are funny, but I'm not laughing."

"No, you're not."

In another instant, his entire facade switched again. The man could begin talking in a calming manner then adopt a sinister one in a matter of seconds. These sudden changes always left me on the receiving end of the conversation, never getting a chance to formulate and speak a sentence.

"I also imagine you wouldn't be laughing had I not moved your body from the street. You're lucky that hood stayed on, otherwise someone would have beaten me to you. Now, let me ask. Do you have a reason for being in the middle of the Central Continent; alone, unarmed and jobless?"

My hands locked together, he was right, I didn't have a plan when I arrived. I surely don't now. It's not like I wasn't aware of this. My family was extremely against my leaving, they wouldn't even say goodbye to me. I was truly on my own… I think I underestimated how hard that was.

"The only thing worse than being alone, is being alone without a purpose."

Again, he's right, no useless words leave his mouth. The one thing I am scared of is contributing nothing. If I had to return now, our way of life would never change and I would have to accept that I failed on my terms. It would be entirely my failure.

"You seem to have a strong will but don't have the skills to accompany it. Something so minor can be fixed. Skills can be learnt, a will can not. I can see that you are serious about being here so I won't pry further."

"..."

Another silence fell.

Then another few moments passed.

"I can't believe I never asked, but… What is your name?"

"Enryn, Enryn D'jar. Yours?"

"White, just White."

19:40

Chapter 1, End.