Brian stared forlornly out the window. The dull countryside passing by as a light shower pattered the window.
As he rode along with the apathetic bumping of the train, he imagined.
He saw himself rolling, jumping, dancing through the field outside. Doing all sorts of maneuvers and tricks that would boggle the mind and astound any viewers.
And viewers there would be. For in his mind's eye, the scene changed. He was now performing in front of a packed amphitheater for hundreds.
Now he was dancing in front of the court, regaling tales of valor.
Now he was performing in the market square of a distant nation, bringing love and hope to all to see.
The stage always changed, but the dream stays the same.
And with that thought in mind, Brian smiled.
*beep *beep
A smile that he wiped off his face as life makes people do.
Brian reached within his robes and pulled out the crystal that was causing the noise.
With a weary grasp, he lifts it to his ear and accepts the call.
*boop
He waits patiently for a voice to start speaking from the other end. The soft sound of static rustling in the silence. Just slightly present, never a bother.
Still, he waited in nervous silence for the caller to pick up.
Waiting.
Just him and the static.
After a few seconds, Brian realizes what needs to be done.
So he speaks in a quiet voice and says.
"Hello, Father."
No reply.
Nothing except the ever-present static that accompanied him.
He was just about to place the crystal down, when.
"Hello, son."
Instantly, he went to attention and drew the item closer.
"You've made it to your destination, safely, I assume?"
The voice was altered through the crystal, but the low, stern, voice was definitely his.
"Not... quite..."
Brian spoke apprehensively.
"Oh? Why not."
Brian knew he asked a question, but the way he said it made it seem like a statement.
"There was rain on the way... Blocked the sun."
The silence returned as Brian waited for what felt like an eternity. The crystal not giving even a hint that the other end even had someone.
"Very well. I suppose it can't be helped." He finally stated.
"Just remember our goal."
"Yes, father."
"Keep an eye on the Amberston prodigy."
"Yes, father."
"Don't get distracted."
"Yes, father."
"This is our one chance to make history and we can't have anything go wrong."
"I know how you are but I don't want any excuses."
Brian stayed silent.
"Why couldn't you have turned out like...?"
"Why? Was it your mother or..."
Brian just stayed quiet and waited for the call to end.
*sigh
"Just don't let me down. Do something for once in your life besides that ridiculous nonsense."
His grip tightens slightly as the call ends.
He returns the crystal back to where it was a bit harder than he should have. Just to feel the extra
*thump.
"You okay boss?"
Asked one of his friends and bodyguards on this trip.
He'd vouched for them so they could all go together.
*sigh
He leaned all the way back in his seat to the point where his head lay on top of the wooden frame.
"...Yeah, I'll be all right."
*Gong *Gong *Gong
Rang the heavy tones of the train, signaling that they have arrived.
As they made their way off, his friends kept asking if he was okay.
"Really. It's fine guys."
As he tried placating them with both arms.
"I mean, what can he do? Blame me? The guy we're looking for has disappeared so many times that no one even knows how he looks like. You can't even scry the man. I mean come on."
He said as they waited for the other passengers to disembark.
"The man wants me to find a man so elusive, so mysterious, and so hard to find that not even his own clan knows how he looks like."
He said as they stepped off the train.
"Seriously, what does he expect me to do? Just go ahead and work with the first Amberston that happens to walk up?"
"Excuse me."
They turn to see a young couple dressed like they came from a second-tier kingdom approach them.
The man gestured to themselves with an arm.
"We're with the Amberston family."
"We need your help."