DRAGON AND SWORD.

Farewell.

Felix woke up the next morning. He spent the night in the library. He took a deep breath and stood up from the ground. He walked and the pain in his leg was gone. He tidied up the library after mopping the floor. The boy dusted the bookshelves. He stood at the door of the library, gazing at this familiar place. Most of his time in the past three years was spent in this room reading books and gaining knowledge about the world. Today he had finished all the books inside and it was now time to leave this place to start his journey.

He came out of the library and closed the door, rubbed his palm on the knob and the door while a complex look in his eyes. He calmed himself and let go of the door. The boy made his way to the common bathroom and washed his body. After drying himself with a worn-out towel he came to the room where he was supposed to stay. The door was slightly open; he pushed it open and saw that three people were sleeping in their bunk beds. As for the empty bed, it was for him. These three people were three kids who he did not know.

People adopted kids from the orphanage. The people he used to share the room with seemed to have left, and their place was taken by these new faces. Felix did not bother and came beside his bed. He changed into clean clothes. These three kids knew that the guy who shared the room with them would only come to change his clothes every morning. After changing his clothes, Felix put some relatively better clothes in a bag and left the rest on the bed. He came out of the building and stood in the prayer hall. He searched around the clergy's desk and found a paper and inkpot. He dipped his index finger in the pot to write a letter to the Matron.

These past three years he would practice writing on the dusty floor of the library as he did not have ink. The characters were gentle and calm. He wrote, 'Mother, Felix is now ten years old and because of the rules, he should not stay in the orphanage, thus Felix had left today. I beg for forgiveness as I leave, without saying goodbye to you, but I cannot bear to bid you farewell. I have never seen my parents, but you are family to me. In the past three years, I have not spoken a word, afraid that I will start crying. Do not worry, for I will grow strong. I will carry you and your teachings in my heart.

Your Child,

Felix.'

He folded the paper and put the inkpot back to where he took it from. He made his way to the Matron's room. He saw the door was closed, it meant that the Matron was asleep. Felix slid the letter inside from below the door. He smiled as he caressed the door. After taking a deep breath, he left. Behind the door, Deligentia stood with tears in her eyes and a helpless smile on her lips. She knew this child will leave today. She had her hand placed where Felix was touching just now. Their palms were separated by the door. She picked up the letter from the ground and read the content. She wiped her tears and put the letter under her pillow. She was content to see that finally, Felix opened his heart to her. She folded her palms together and closed her eyes to pray for his safety.

Felix walked out and spend some time sorting the garden one last time before his arrival. Today a red rose had bloomed in the garden. The people of Meros believed that if you come across a freshly bloomed rose before starting your journey, then your journey will be smooth. Felix watered the flower, used some fertilizer as well. After washing off the mud from his hands, he walked up to the main entrance of the orphanage. Felix wanted to travel to the next city and find work.

He turns back to look at the building where he spent ten years of his life. He waved to the window and then left with firm eyes. Deligentia was watching him from the window in her room and waved back. She smiled and shook her head. She also had to get on with work. Though she constantly kept praying for his safety.

...

Felix came to the town gate. A town guard stood there wearing silver armor. He stopped him and said, "Kid, why are you leaving so early in the morning?" it was indeed early to leave the city, and that too for a kid like Felix.

Felix spoke, "Sir, to cover the maximum distance before sunset, I need to leave early as well." this was the first time he has spoken in three years and he felt weird. He always kept silent in front of Deligentia as to not cry.

The guard nodded and asked, "Where are you heading?"

Felix answered, "The City."

The guard nodded and let him pass the town's gate. Felix walked without turning back. After an hour he came to a hilltop. He turned back and mumbled, "Farewell, Mother Deligentia. Farewell, Rising Sun Town." he then continued on his journey. The town was called rising sun town because it was the furthest corner of the world. Felix was currently living on the edge of the eastern continent, Orientalis.

His goal lied in the western continent. Occidentalis, the place where Immortous reigned supreme. Felix was heading to the only big city in this region, The Acies City. He wanted to find a job before he could do anything else. He had a saving of 5 gold coins. All saved from the allowance he got in the orphanage through the years. A child was given 10 silver per month. He saved as much as he could for the past three years. Before that, he would give it to the bullies to avoid beating. But when he read the letter, his mother left him. His heart turned cold and no matter how much the bullies beat him, he would not cry. He did not pay them a single penny. But occasionally bought stuff for the younger kids in the orphanage to ease Deligentia's burden.

Felix looked up at the horizon and kept walking with a firm look in his eyes.