Kal sat in a tranquil clearing within the sanctuary, trying to meditate. He closed his eyes and began concentrating, seeking to access his inner sanctuary. However, Pudin, the little spiritual cat, seemed to have other plans. She jumped around Kal, poking him with her paws and nibbling at his fingers.
Kal opened his eyes and looked at Pudin, who was now lying on her back, trying to play with him. He sighed, trying to understand the cat's behavior. "Pudin, why do you want to play so much now?" asked Kal, keeping his patience.
Pudin rolled and sat down, looking at Kal with big sad eyes. "Because no one here is happy," she responded. "All the spirits living in this sanctuary have lost their homes and friends. They are refugees and, although this place is safe and calm, there is no happiness here."
Kal felt a tightness in his heart upon hearing that. He looked around and noticed that, although the place was a paradise, it lacked the joy that would normally be present in such a beautiful environment. "But Pudin, will playing with me bring that happiness back?" he asked.
Pudin jumped into Kal's lap, purring softly. "Maybe not completely, but at least it makes me forget some of the sadness," she said, rubbing her head against Kal's chest. "And maybe, just maybe, if everyone saw that we can have a little fun, they'd cheer up too."
Kal smiled shyly and stroked Pudin. "All right, let's play a little then. I think everyone here deserves a little joy, including you." He picked up a small twig and began playing with Pudin, who chased the twig enthusiastically. As they played, Kal couldn't help thinking how much this place needed more than just safety, it needed hope and happiness to really be a refuge.
As Kal and Pudin played, a spirit bird emerged from among the trees, flying low until landing near them. Its feathers were a bright blue, with a slight ethereal glow. It observed the scene with serious eyes before speaking.
"Please stop this playing," said the bird in a soft but firm voice. Kal and Pudin immediately stopped and looked at him. "Everyone here is living their own mourning. All this joy can be interpreted as an offense to those still suffering."
Kal looked at Pudin, who had lowered her head respectfully. He stood up slowly and bowed to the spirit bird. "Sorry," said Kal. "We did not intend to disrespect anyone. We were just trying to find a little joy."
Before the bird could respond, a spirit turtle slowly emerged from the nearby lake. Its shell was decorated with ancient symbols, and its eyes shone with deep wisdom. It walked until it was where Kal, Pudin and the spirit bird were, looking at them all with a serene expression.
"Do not be rude to the visitor, Wyn," said the turtle in a deep, calm voice. "He was merely trying to cheer the child, who has not felt true joy for a long time."
The bird immediately lowered its head respectfully and said, "Forgive me, Wise Ogan. I did not mean to be disrespectful."
Pudin, also bowing to the turtle, whispered, "Wise Ogan, thank you for intervening."
Ogan looked at Kal and smiled. "You have a good heart, young man," he said. "In this place, sadness is constant, but small sparks of joy are needed so that hope does not completely disappear. Continue trying to bring light to this sanctuary, but do so with respect for everyone's feelings here."
Kal bowed deeply to the wise Ogan. "I appreciate your wise words. I will do my best to respect all the spirits while trying to bring a little joy to this place."
Wise Ogan, before leaving, turned to Pudin with a curious look and asked: "Pudin, how did you find this young man?"
Pudin, a little nervous, replied: "Kal saved me from demonic wolves. I was seriously injured and he took care of me. I thought he was a strong spirit who could help us fight the demons infesting the forest."
Ogan nodded slowly, wisdom in his eyes. He then said: "Kal indeed has a strong spirit, but I must correct you, Pudin. He is not a spirit. Kal is a human."
The revelation caused an immediate impact. Wig, the spirit bird, jumped back, his wings flapping frantically. He looked at Kal with wide, fearful eyes.
Pudin, noticing Wig's fear, tried to awkwardly explain: "I... I didn't know. He helped me so much, I thought he could be useful here. I just wanted to bring someone who could help us."
Kal, observing the situation, was confused by Wig's reaction. "I don't understand," he said, looking from Wig to Pudin and then to Wise Ogan. "Why is this so frightening to you?"
Ogan, maintaining his serenity, explained: "Many spirits were hunted and destroyed by humans in a distant past, so it is natural for them to fear. We are everywhere, yet humans cannot see us, as my master Arath long ago cast a worldly magic that prevents humans from seeing us."
Kal nodded, now understanding the depth of the spirits' distrust and fear. He kneeled to be at Pudin and Wig's level, and said sincerely: "I mean no harm to any of you. I want to help and protect this place as much as you. Let us work together to bring peace back to this forest."
Wise Ogan looked at Kal with admiration. "Your words are true, Kal. I see that. Let us give him a chance, Pudin, Wig. Perhaps he is the ally we need to restore balance to our home."
Pudin, relieved, nodded her head, while Wig still seemed reluctant but began to accept the wise one's decision. The tension in the air lessened, and they began to see Kal not as a threat but as a possible hope for the future.
After Kal and Pudin left so the young man could continue his meditation, Wig, still with a worried look, turned to Ogan and asked: "Is he truly human, Wise Ogan?"
Ogan looked at Wig with a comprehending gaze and responded: "I understand your distrust, Wig. Kal's presence here is unusual, but his acts have been noble. When spirits look at Kal, they see something peculiar. Within him is a small core that shines like the sun, though it is very pale and weak. This core is connected by a thin line that runs through his body, like delicate web threads, almost making his physical form disappear."
Wig, curious, asked: "What does this mean, Ogan? Why does he seem different from other humans?"
Ogan pondered for a moment before answering: "That glow is the manifestation of his spirit. Though he is human, his spiritual essence is extraordinary. The line you see is his spiritual connection, which looks fragile but remains intact. Kal possesses a unique potential, something I believe even he does not fully understand. He is a bridge between the human world and the spiritual."
Wig nodded, still reflecting on Ogan's words. "Then should we trust him, Wise Ogan?"
Ogan, with his calm and serene voice, responded: "Trust is something built over time, Wig. But we should give him a chance. He may be the key to restoring the balance we so greatly need."
With this, Wig felt a little more at ease, still cautious but willing to observe Kal with a new perspective. Ogan, with his wisdom, knew difficult times were approaching, but also saw in Kal a hope that could change everyone's destiny there.
Meanwhile, Arphaxad and Adonis were approaching Zoarlath. Upon arriving in the city, they saw the same poverty and neglect they had been observing during the journey: open sewage, women selling themselves on the streets and children playing in filth. The misery was palpable, and the reality of the capital of the Duchy of Saladon seemed even harsher than the villages they had passed through.
When they arrived, they tied their horses in a local stable. Adonis picked up the goods he had brought to sell and, as they walked, Arphaxad couldn't help but comment on the terrible reality of the capital.
"It is truly desolate to see a city in such a state," said Arphaxad, observing the decay around them.
Adonis, though accustomed to that view, replied in an accepting tone: "Yes, unfortunately this is the reality here. Zoarlath is a city where wealth and poverty coexist side by side."
Curious about how commerce worked in that place, Arphaxad asked: "Where will you sell all these goods?"
Adonis smiled and explained: "Zoarlath has the largest open-air market in the whole continent. Everything is sold here, from food and clothes to... slaves." He paused, seeing the look of revulsion on Arphaxad's face before continuing. "It is a market where life and death are negotiated without compunction. But do not worry, the city is always full of people doing business."
Adonis handed Arphaxad some gold coins along with a list of things he should buy. "Here are the coins and the list. You will easily find what we need. And if you get lost, ask anyone. Everyone knows the central market."
With that, Adonis and Arphaxad went their separate ways, each with their own tasks to accomplish. Adonis, accustomed to Zoarlath's harsh reality, followed toward the market with confidence, while Arphaxad, still impacted by what he had seen, headed to the same destination with a mixture of curiosity and concern, ready to face the chaos of the continent's largest open-air market.
As Arphaxad walked through Zoarlath's busy streets, he had the list of items Adonis had given him. He thought about how it had already been three months since they had left Nannu to come to the Duchy of Saladon. Reflecting on all that had changed in such a short time, he knew he could not let things remain as they were. There was a growing desire within him to help Draka, Eron and Ninea find a better destiny.
As Arphaxad walked, he observed the misery around him. The contrast between wealth and poverty was stark. Children played in filth, women tried to sell their bodies to survive, and sewage ran openly. He felt a heaviness in his heart seeing so much decay, and vowed to himself that he would do something to change this situation.
In another part of the city, Adonis covered his face with a cloak, trying to hide from the many soldiers of the duchy that filled the streets of the capital. Walking quickly, he overheard some men talking about an underground fighting arena run by a mercenary from Karastea called Hwin. Realizing the men were watching him, he sped up, leaving them behind as they continued their conversations.
Adonis finally arrived at the market, an imposing sight of endless open-air shops. All tried to attract attention to their wares, and vendors' cries echoed through the streets. Slave traders exhibited their "products" while a crowd of people from nobles to commoners circulated, negotiating and bargaining.
Arphaxad marveled at the size of the market, but did not fail to notice the harsh reality of many there. He knew his mission was to buy the items on the list, but he was also determined to find a way to help the new friends he had made on this journey. With a deep sigh, he plunged into the crowd, ready to face the chaos of the continent's largest open-air market.
Arphaxad walked through the market, attentive to the list of items Adonis had given him. While looking for goods, suddenly he came upon a disturbing scene: shackled demi-humans, dressed in rags, being led to a trader's stalls. Among them were children with desolate looks, in deplorable conditions. Instinctively, Arphaxad tried to grasp the chains to release them, but was struck hard, falling to the ground. A guard of the trader, responsible for protecting the "merchandise," had delivered the blow.
"Don't touch my merchandise again or I'll call the guards to arrest you!" threatened the trader, with a threatening expression. Remembering not to draw attention to himself, Arphaxad contained his anger and kept silent, watching the trader continue on his way with the slaves. The scene continued in his mind, fueling his determination to change this reality.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the market, Adonis arrived at his usual trading spot. As he set up his tent, an elderly man selling handicrafts in the next tent recognized him and approached.
"Ah, Master Adonis, it's been months since I've seen you. I thought you had given up," said the old man with a friendly smile. Adonis looked at him and immediately recognized him.
"Hello, Mr. Catoni. It's been a long time!" Adonis replied, smiling back.
Catoni went to Adonis and began helping him set up his tent. "Thank you for always being so helpful, sir!" Adonis appreciated the assistance.
"It's nothing. I want to see everyone well in this place!" responded Catoni, helping Adonis arrange his goods.
With the tent erected and everything in place, Adonis thanked Catoni again, feeling grateful for this small community of traders who aided each other even in difficult times.
Adonis and Catoni talked as they finished setting up the tent. "So what happened around here while I was gone?" asked Adonis, arranging the last few goods.
Catoni sighed, looking around at the market. "Everything remains the same, Adonis. Things are getting harder every day. When Tenai was once people, even with the strange rituals of the kings, the people had a better life. After Mother Tenai was divided in two, all was divided with her. I fear for the future of my grandsons."
Adonis listened carefully, trying to understand the depth of the situation. "But why do you feel nostalgic for the old Kingdom of Tenai? The books say that the kings were opulent and arrogant, exploited the people and practiced sodomy, were sinners in the eyes of the gods."
Catoni interrupted Adonis, shaking his head. "Ah, my young man, the power of narrative is great. Even if you are seeing things with your own eyes, a narrative has the power to convince you that, even seeing that, it is not real. Yes, the kings of Tenai had their flaws and their rituals were strange, but people had their needs met. There was food, work, and a certain order. Now, with the duchy and the Free Peoples, disorder and misery have spread. I am already old and may not live to see Tenai's total ruin, but living with the memory of how things were is also terrible."
Adonis reflected on Catoni's words, understanding better the complexity of the changes that had occurred. "I understand what you mean, Mr. Catoni. People's perspectives are shaped by what they experience and the stories they are told."
Catoni nodded. "Exactly, Adonis. That is why truth is so important, even if it is difficult to see amid so much darkness."