Kalem's journey had become a mix of wonder and strangeness as he drew closer to Arcathis. But he hadn't expected to meet anyone quite like Lyra.
It happened during a stop at a crossroads where a small trading outpost stood—a handful of tents surrounded by wagons and a fire pit. As Kalem browsed for supplies, a commotion near one of the wagons caught his attention.
A young woman with wild, copper-colored hair and a satchel brimming with glass vials and herbs was gesturing animatedly at a merchant.
"I told you not to stack the basilisk scales next to the elemental salts!" she scolded, her voice exasperated. "Do you want to blow up the entire outpost?"
The merchant raised his hands defensively. "I didn't know! You alchemists carry all sorts of dangerous stuff."
Kalem, curious, wandered closer just as the woman snatched the vials and began reorganizing them in her satchel. She muttered under her breath about incompetence, completely oblivious to the growing audience.
An Explosive Introduction
As Kalem watched, one of the vials slipped from her grasp, tumbling toward the ground. Without thinking, he lunged forward, catching it before it could shatter.
"Careful!" she exclaimed, grabbing the vial from him. "Do you have any idea what could've happened if this broke?"
"Judging by your reaction, I'm guessing something dramatic," Kalem replied, brushing dirt from his knees.
The woman paused, then let out a laugh. "Fair point. Thanks for the save. I'm Lyra, alchemist-in-training and occasional disaster magnet."
"Kalem," he introduced himself. "Blacksmith and, apparently, impromptu alchemy assistant."
A Shared Journey
Lyra explained that she was also on her way to Arcathis, hoping to further her alchemical studies. After some conversation and a shared meal, she suggested they travel together.
"Two sets of eyes are better than one," she reasoned. "And if we run into any trouble, you've got that spear and that enormous bull. I've just got... well, highly volatile concoctions."
Kalem chuckled. "Fair enough. Just promise you won't melt the cart."
As they set off the next morning, Kalem found himself growing fond of Lyra's eccentric personality. She talked endlessly about her experiments, ranging from spectacular successes to outright catastrophes.
Chaos and Creativity
"And then the entire tree melted," Lyra said one evening, recounting one of her earlier experiments.
Kalem shook his head, laughing. "That sounds chaotic. Good thing I'm not an alchemist."
"Why not?" Lyra asked, her tone genuinely curious.
"Well, for one, it's expensive," Kalem replied. "And from what you've told me, it's way too chaotic for my taste."
Lyra grinned. "Really? Then what's the appeal of blacksmithing?"
"It's quiet," Kalem said after a moment. "And creative. There's something satisfying about taking raw materials and shaping them into something useful. It's... controlled."
Lyra nodded thoughtfully. "I guess that makes sense. Alchemy's the opposite—messy and unpredictable. But that's what I love about it. You never know what you're going to discover."
Insights into Arcathis
Over the next few days, Lyra proved to be a fountain of knowledge, especially about Arcathis and the world beyond.
"The thing about Arcathis," she explained one evening as they sat by the campfire, "is that it's not just a school. It's a melting pot of power, politics, and ambition. You've got scholars trying to outdo each other, merchants looking to profit, and factions vying for influence. It's as much about who you know as what you know."
Kalem frowned, poking the fire with a stick. "That sounds... complicated. If The Bank oversees everything, why do they allow all that chaos?"
Lyra shrugged. "Because chaos breeds opportunity. The Bank thrives on influence and control, but they're smart enough to let people think they have freedom. The more factions compete, the more they rely on The Bank for mediation, funding, and resources. It's all a game to them."
Kalem considered this, his mind racing. "Sounds like a dangerous place."
"It is," Lyra said, her tone serious. "But it's also full of potential. If you can navigate the politics and prove yourself, the rewards are unmatched."
A Growing Bond
Traveling with Lyra brought a new energy to Kalem's journey. Her optimism and curiosity were infectious, and he found himself enjoying their debates about crafting, magic, and the world at large.
One afternoon, they stopped by a glade to rest. As Onyx grazed nearby, Lyra pulled out her satchel and began mixing ingredients in a small, portable alchemy kit.
"What are you working on now?" Kalem asked, watching her work.
"Just a simple healing salve," she replied. "You never know when you'll need it."
Kalem nodded. "Smart. Do you think you could teach me some basics?"
Lyra looked up, surprised. "Really? I thought alchemy was too chaotic for you."
"It is," Kalem admitted. "But a little chaos might be useful in a pinch."
Lyra grinned. "Fair enough. Let's start with something simple—no explosions, I promise."
As she guided him through the process, Kalem couldn't help but feel grateful for her companionship. The journey to Arcathis was becoming more unpredictable by the day, but with Lyra by his side, he felt more prepared for whatever lay ahead.