A week of silence had presented itself during this final voyage of mine with Captain Laflamme. No one had spoken to each other nor me, everyone stared at the horizon or the deck of the ship. We had arrived on land, though not near Ulvenguard. I didn't complain, however, I assume that the fear had consumed them. This whole time an Ulvenguard native had been on their ship, eating their food, laughing and drinking together, and working side by side. Someone with a history of violence and death. They had dropped me off in the Empire of Vescolar. The ancient rival of my native land. Though no longer at war, The empire is extremely reserved about Ulfguardians visiting their territory, some they pay no mind to, other non-human likes however, they give them looks or insult them in silence.
A quick historical refresher for those who know about the empire. The empire was first established by King Ronald Vescolar I. For nearly 70 years King Ronald had made it his goal to conquer the land and have the strongest army on the continent. However nearing the end of his life, his days of conquering land had been numbered as his scouts had come across an enormous mountain wall. The wall stood 200 feet tall and the ends took weeks to reach and when reached, they were 20-30 feet tall. These mountains caused his massive armies to be held back for days on end especially if they were bringing siege equipment. Since then the borders of the empire were limited to the very tip in the north to the southeastern mountain wall. His law was still the same as well, only allowing humans to be the sole population in his empire, though it became slightly more loose. Though humans are the dominant population in the empire there are still various races living within the empire throughout.
From the capital city to the bordering towns past the great mountain wall in the southeast a small number of half-human to non-human races reside within the empire. Within the empire, there are humans, elves, half-elves, halflings, dwarves, and gnomes. There some Dragonborn and half-orcs around as well, though not in great quantities. Those past the wall consist of the more non-human races, Orcs, half-orcs, tieflings, and more. Of course, the more human-like folk are treated better and are more likely to be successful and would likely be higher in class than most of the others within the empire itself. Though it is not always the case, for those who mingle or associate with the non-humans or non-human like types, whether they be humans themselves or visitors from another land they are not treated well either and are often thrown into the slums with the other folk. It is truly a sad existence. An existence that has been kept alive for generations to today where Ronald's great-granddaughter Queen Helena Vescolar III has been the sole ruler of the land for her 18 years and her law, as her great grandfather's is absolute.
Before I had walked off the ship to begin making my journey back home, Captain Laflamme had stopped me. She gave me a leather pouch with 1,300 gold pieces. "Captain I-I can't take this! I wasn't even supposed to be a part of your crew or be on your ship, I-" She had placed a finger on my lips before she had spoken again. "Mon Cher. You need not worry. You had given us a new perspective on your people. Though we still may not have the courage to take our ship to your lands, perhaps one day we shall meet again, and you will tell me the stories of your greatest adventures." Behind her I see the crew smiling thoughtfully and some with tears in their eyes as they may never see me again, I smile back at them as I take the pouch. "Thank you. All of you. May the Allfathers bless your sails." Captain Laflamme places a gentle kiss on my cheek as she returns to take the helm and be off at sea once more. I took a good look around the pier and noticed a young tiefling boy working on the docks along with the other grown men, both human and non-human. I walked towards him and I asked where I could talk to someone about travel to Ulvenguard. He simply pointed to the local pub. The exterior facade had a very strange look to it. The wood on the outside looked as though they are constantly wet and fishing nets were strewn about the outside, and there was a ships' steering wheel under one of the few windows. Inside was surprisingly packed with sailors and dock workers alike. So many of them were drinking and singing along to the bard's songs, it was pretty lively.
I made my way over to the bar, the bar attender was a stern dwarven woman. She had thick dark brown hair tied up into a messy bun, hazel green eyes, and a chin strap beard. She spoke with a very tired but still upbeat and lively voice so she could be heard over her patrons, "Why hello there darlin', What can I do ya for?" I took a quick look around to see if no one would hear me, "I was wondering about travel to a….certain area." As she poured me a glass of what might have been cider, she gave me a confused look, "what do you mean by "certain area" dear?" I took a quick sip of the drink, it was really sweet with hints of cinnamon, something I haven't tasted in a very long time. I took a quick breath before answering, "I mean...Ulvenguard." She was of course taken aback by my response but smiled and asked me to follow her. I shrugged and did as she asked.
She took me to a nice room that she alone had the key for. Within the room, there was a large bear rug, A beautiful bed of soft cloth, and cool pillows, it was beautifully decorated and well kept. She put her hands on my shoulders and told me everything. "Every few years there is a nomad caravan that makes it's way here. No one knows where exactly they come from but they do not stay long and it is said they go as far as the gates of Ulvenguard themselves." It's strangely surprising to hear that, no one would willingly go that far west to even reach the gates without the fear of the native Ulfguardians. "They willingly take people wanting to escape the empire and it's harsh laws to live somewhere else in peace. However, there's a catch. Many of these nomadic caravans require payment. Payment for the protection of the person or persons, their possessions and pets, a place to rest with the caravan, food, and supplies, and how long it takes to reach your destination." "and how much will it cost me?" "How much do you have?" I take out the pouch Captain Laflamme gave me, " 1,300 gold pieces." She shook her head, "I'm sorry darling, that isn't even close to enough for those folk. Some are kind and ask for a simple amount of 5,000 and others especially the ones that come through here, take advantage and ask people for much more, usually up to 20,000-50,000 gold pieces." I look down at my gold, "Oh…" She places her hand on top of my head, "don't worry darlin' get some rest and ask for a job at the docks, they pay pretty well, and on the days they don't need ya, you can work for me here." I smiled as she messed with my hair. "Thank you, ma'am, but I have to ask. Why are being so kind to me?" She gave me one last warm smile before she walked out the door, "Because, an Ulfgurdian keeps their brethren safe." And with that, she closed the door, leaving me this room for me to live in for however long I need to.
Within the first week, I was given a job at the docks. I work under a goliath by the name of, Gralok Mountaintwister. He stood a proud eight feet tall, muscles the size of mountains, black tribal tattoos covered his face and body, however, his left ear was missing and a massive scar covered the majority of that left side of his face. He said it was due to an explosion on a ship he was on, he also said he went back to sailing for three months after it happened. After a long day's work, he would tell us of the days he used to be a sailing adventurer taking to the sea and letting the wind decide where he would go. Once he told of the time a randomly placed magic portal took him to a land known as Exandria. There he had witnessed, from a decent distance, a battle between two goliaths.
The battle was intense and bloody and when it was over he felt a strange sense of relief as he watched the goliath, simply known to him as "Strongjaw" finish his opponent in such a brutal manner. I had asked if he asked his name or if he simply guessed it. He said that the only reason he calls the goliath he saw, "Strongjaw" was because before the final blow the goliath at the top of his lungs screamed, "FOR STRONGJAW!!!!!" as he came down from the air for a terrifyingly over the top final blow. As I took a sip of my drink, I wondered if I would ever have a chance to meet this "Strongjaw" fellow someday. As the barmaid had said, on the days I dont work, I would work with her in the pub. She never told me her name though I did give her mine. It was better than her having to shout "Boy!" or "Sweetie!" all the time. As the months passed by I was starting to gain more gold for the trail ahead.
A year had passed and I was now 15 years of age. I had gotten so used to the routine of working both in the pub and on the docks that I had forgotten to count the gold I had. I usually kept the gold, but the silver, and copper pieces I left for myself to buy new clothes and food. The necessary things. I would also give some money to the less fortuitous down in the slums who couldn't afford a meal or two to feed themselves and others. I had gotten up to my room and went over to a hidden compartment where I had placed all the little punches of gold. "Let's see, the last week I counted about 12,000….then now it's up to…" I did the math in my head, "15,000!" I was almost there. I just needed 5,000 more gold and I can leave. No more having to stay in a random woman's room, though I will miss the friends I made here.
While working the docks one day I spotted a beautiful young woman. She had fair skin, short and wavy golden blonde hair, beautiful light blue eyes, they nearly matched the cloudless sky itself, a simple yet very elegant red dress with gold and black trim. She had the most beautiful and soft lips I had ever seen, and she looked right at me. I turned away as quick as I could and hid my blush as I heard her giggle. While not paying attention one of the other dockhands placed his hand on my shoulder and told me she was on the way over. In a panic, I straightened myself up and made myself look as presentable as possible.
She had a beautiful voice as she spoke, "Hello there. My name is Alice Belladonna Richmond III of the Richmond family. Third Richest family of the empire and only 70th in line for the throne." One of the guards that she is with leans in to whisper in her ear, "Oh. My mistake. 69th in line, it seems great aunt Lucile has passed away." Though slightly confused I begin to introduce myself, "My name is Shane Crowfeather….thats it honestly my lady." She laughs slightly, "You're funny my dear, after you are done here, meet me in the plaza at five o'clock sharp. I'll be tastefully incognito." Before I could give my answer the guard she was with spoke up, "My lady you of a higher status, you should not be conversing nor mingling with this… rabble." She gave him a stern look, "I am 15 years of age, I am perfectly capable of choosing who I mingle with high status or not. Not a word of this is to be said to my parents or I shall have you both...well let's not be too specific should word reach my mother and father. Am I clear?" The both of them looked at each other and nodded in fear. "Good. Now Mr.Crowfeather, Five o'clock?" I simply smiled, "sure. I'll meet you there my lady."
Another year had passed as besides gathering coin on the docks and in the pub, I had spent a good amount of time with Alice. We would often sneak away when her family was asleep, I would take her on board ships and to the tops of buildings to stare at the night sky with its countless stars. We would kiss under the moonlight and slow dance to the songs the bards played in the plaza. Everything was going great until the days came where the convoy was arriving within the week. I was just short 500 coins. I was getting desperate, and one night while out with Alice I spotted a man with a large coin purse hanging around his belt. There had to have been just enough to pay the nomads. I excused myself from Alice, telling her that I would only take a moment. I snuck behind an ally and quietly made my way towards the man. When he finally stopped I took a hold of the coin purse and in one quick and unnoticeable movement took it right from him. I watched as he kept walking until he was out of sight, unfortunately, for me, I wasn't out of sight of the young lady behind me.
When I turned around, Alice was staring right at me, eyes red and swollen. "I…." No words escaped my mouth as she tearfully asked, "Why did you do it? Why did you take it?" I pursed my lips not wanting to say anything and she spoke again, "Tell me this instant, or I'll call the guards." I watched as tears fell from her eyes, "I….I need it to go back home. To Ulvenguard….I'm not from here I don't belong here. If they caught me they'd most likely kill me." "I would have protected you. I would have given you the coin I could have gone with you." "You still can! You can come with me we'll start a life, a family." She shook her head. More tears fled down her cheeks. "I fell in love with an honest boy….he loved me not for my coin but for me….and I loved him so much I defied my own family. I would have given everything up to be with him, to marry him….but what I saw….I could never love that. I could never love a man who would ever stoop so low as to steal from an innocent person. You could have asked me for the coin, Shane….but for you to rob someone outright when you could have trusted me to….no...no more. Leave my sight. Never come near me again. Never look at me, never speak to me, never even mention my name ever again. I never….want to see you again Shane Crowfeather. You filthy pickpocket." And with those final words, she turned around and left. As she did a heavy rainfall started. I'm glad it did, that way no one would see the tears on my face. She was gone.
The day finally came when the nomads had arrived. The barmaid helped me pack my things as I stood in the strangely short line to leave with their caravans. As I gave them the coin I turned to the barmaid and asked her to tell everyone at the dock that I won't likely be coming back. Not for a while, that is. She nodded and planted a kiss on my forehead. As I got on I turned back around I quietly yelled, "Wait. What should I tell them your name is?" She smiled, "Gala Diamondheart." She waved goodbye and made her way back to the pub, quietly to myself I repeated the name. As we made our way through the city, I spotted Alice. She was wearing a dark purple and black trimmed dress. We locked eyes only for a moment. She closed them tightly and turned away, her lip quivering I watched as a single tear ran down her cheek. I said nothing out loud but in my mind, I repeated a sentence to the point I fell asleep. "Goodbye, Alice, I'm sorry."