For Glory or Gold

Destiny Calls

"You like the cat?" Hesashin said, as if there was not a blade at his throat. "I've enjoyed it's company, and the company of it's owner." He smiled to Estien, earning a low growl from the guardian.

"Where is she?" Another growl escaping his lips, as the doors behind him opened once more. The barkeep came through, with Sestina and Kestrin on his tale. Seraphyn calmly stood in the hallway, as if nothing important was happening.

"We don't want any trouble in here, Hesashin."

"No, Galinth, there is no trouble. My dear friend and I always greet each other like this." He smiled to the bar keep. The smile was charming and immediately put the man at ease. He lifted a hand to the blade at his throat and slowly moved it away. "Move it and I will take you to her." He whispered just loud enough for Estien to hear.

The sound of feet down the hallway was all they heard. Turning a corner, the sound of footsteps filling the corridor, it felt much longer then it was.

"I found her struggling with some scum outside the city." Hesashin began as they rounded the corner. "Her cat did a number on one of them." His eyes and Estien’s shifted to Nel, who was happily following alongside.

"Is she harmed?" Sariphyn asked out from behind.

"She had a bandage about her head, but she said she was fine." Hesashin said, as they passed another door. "She is pretty talented with a knife." He gave a sly grin, "I take it she's spent time in your teaching."

"She has not." Estien responded shortly.

They stopped in front of the last door in the hall. Hesashin reached over and knocked, "Miss, may I come in?"

They heard a hummed response as Estien reached for the door, Hesashin stepped back so he could enter.

"Is it safe yet?" Her back was to the door, her cloak had been torn and was draped over a chair. Her clothes had been damaged and were on the floor by the torn cloak. The leather attire she wore was similar to what Hesashin wore. Dark in color, tight fitting and allowing for quick movements. Her white shirt was loose and hung on her shoulders, revealing the silhouette of her collarbone. She sat on the edge of the bed braiding her long brown hair. The edges curling as they began to dry in the warmth of her room. Her thin frame showed her youthful beauty, as her sapphire eyes scanned the fireplace before her. Her bottom lip curled into her mouth as she slowly chewed on it, deep in thought. She stood from her seat on the bed.

"Yes, it is." Estien spoke out, watching as she realized it was not the one who originally spoke. She spun around quickly and then ran from the bed to her guardian. Greeting him in the most unique way he had ever been greeted. She leapt into his arms, as he struggled to catch her. Her arms and legs wrapped about him. He didn’t dare move, for fear that they would fall over.

They didn't hear Hesashin usher everyone out of the room as she greeted him. They didn't hear the door latch shut or anything else. Her breath filled his ears as she whispered softly.

"You found me." The sigh of relief that left her lips had him pulling her tighter to himself. "I'm complete." Estien’s voice caught in his throat, he had no words. He tried to pull her from his body, in an attempt to see her face, but she held on tight. Her arms about his shoulders and her head buried in his neck. The smell of honeysuckle that had been warmed by the sun was on her hair.

"Torin," he whispered.

"Shh..." She quieted. "I just need you." Still she clung to him.

"You have to let me go." He half chuckled. As if begrudgingly, she released her grasp of her legs about his waist and then lowered herself to the ground.

"I don't want to let you go." She stood there, her short stature showing true as she looked up to him, her tall protector. "I know why I have to see her." She stepped back and sat on the bed, urging him to sit beside her.

"Oh?" Estien sat next to her, turning slightly toward her. His left leg resting in the space between them.

"The world spoke to me." Her eyes turned from Estien and down to the blanket they sat upon, "The forest cried out in pain, the earth screamed as if it was dieing."

He watched tears form in her eyes and the light blue of them reflect the pain she felt. She was about to face a calling that he didn’t know if he could join her on.

"We have to reach La'Octa." Her eyes shot up, frozen for a moment in time, Estien saw the vague reflection of the girl who left her home only weeks ago. This girl had grown up in the little time they had been away. She was not the same anymore.

"I know." He reached his hand for her face, she quickly drew him to her. There was something about being together, they couldn't explain. The touch of his hand, the smell of her hair, the sound of her breath, all brought them comfort. Comfort that Estien had not felt in years.

They spent the day in her room, speaking only when needed. they laid there, holding each other. They didn't know if they were going to have much time together after they arrived at La’Koda. Estien knew he wanted to fill as many memories as he could. Torin told of her childhood and mining with her father. Estien told of his time fighting during Ridge War, and how he met Indarc, Hesashin, and the Marigaun twins.

It was nearly dusk when there was a knock on the door. Torin announced them to enter, but didn't move from her place in his arms. The door opened and Hesashin stepped in.

"Well, had I known she was that close to you, I might have made it more of an urgency to find you." He joked as he came in and sat in the chair by the window. "My ship is ready to sail, and the tide is good. We should leave for the harbor and make our way to Kodaven."

Estien lifted his head and looked to the foot of the bed, they were fully clothed and sitting atop the bedding. It still felt strange having an old acquaintance seated at the food of a bed he was laying in. Estien tapped on Torin gently.

"We should go." He whispered in her ear.

She nodded slowly, her head still buried in his chest. With one last deep breath from each of them, they separated. Already his arms felt empty and longed to hold her once more. He watched as she grabbed her things. He gathered his things, latched his belt and sheathed his sword. He was as prepared as he could be.

Torin had replaced her torn cloak with an older cloak that probably belonged to a former crew member of Hesashin. They exited the room and out into the common area. As they exited the tavern the rest of the party was seen waiting at the base of the stairs. Torin quickly greeted them, then paused at Sariphyn. Before anyone could introduce them, she hugged her tightly.

"Harpy!" A squeak could almost be heard from the quiet figure. "I knew you hadn't left us."

She released her and gave a big smile. We watched as she grabbed her pack from the ground and turned to follow Hesashin to his craft.

"What's gotten into her?" Sestina asked as she came alongside Estien.

"She's hearing the call of Prophecy." Estien said quietly. He shot a glance to Kestrin, as he chuckled from behind them.

"She has no idea what she's walking into." Kestrin said as he joined his sister.

"No, but she's excited." Sestina replied, "That amazing moment of wonder before you are thrust into making a choice you aren't ready for."

"C'mon, let her be. We have been there, and it's different for everyone." He quieted the pair before coming up alongside Torin. He felt her hand brush his, in search of it's grasp. He happily received her hand into his own.

They arrived at the docks in short time. Pausing to take in the site of so many ships docked at this small town. Hesashin escorted us quickly aboard his large vessel.

“She’s a beaut’ ain’t she?” Hesashin spoke as they boarded his craft.

Hesashin’s bright blue eyes seemed to dance and glow at the site of the waters before him. His long black beard was held fast with a tie just below his chin, a white braid wrapped firmly about it and hanging deep into his beard. His long black hair was pulled from his face. The light weight clothes he wore gave the idea that he was accustomed to the waters, while the sword at his waist gave the inclination that he has no problem defending himself or his ship. He was close in height to Torin, but showed the strong muscles needed to man a ship of this caliber.

"Oi! Seshahn!" Hesashin shouted out on the large craft as they stood aimlessly on deck.

"Aye?" A young man appeared from below deck, his arms carrying a bucket and small mop. His bright blue eyes gave way that he was his father’s son, while the stubble of a beard gracing his face, the clarity of his jawline still visible. It was sharp and his chin was rather pointed, giving his face a longer appearance then it was. The resemblance to his father ended with his eyes, as his nose was longer and his hair a dark brown. There was almost a hint of red in his hair when the light shone upon it. He carried himself well, but without showing great importance, as if he was just one of the crew.

"Boy, what'er ya doin?" Hesashin pointed to the contents in the boys hands.

"Small patch below deck and fix’in up a small c***k on the side." He pointed to the far side.

"Well, finish up and prepare to set sail." He turned to show us to the cabin, "We leave for Kodaven."

"Aye Capt'n." The boy scurried off and finished the patch he was set to work.

They followed Hesashin into the Captains Cabin. Torin took a seat on a long padded bench that was built into the side along the wall. From the look in her eyes, she had not been on a ship before. She was wide eyed as they approached but the nervous look took over as they settled in. She sat cross legged, chewing her bottom lip. Estien carefully sat beside her.

"You always yell like that?" Kestrin asked as he walked passed Hesashin.

"Yell? At who?" The look of offense on the Captains face was true to his surprise.

"The boy out there." Sestina answered as she too passed him.

"Oi.. that boy is ma son," Hesashin retorted, "and my chief mate."

"A son?! Who'd you settle down with?" Estien spoke up from his position beside Torin, the comfort of his arm about her shoulder began to settle her nerves.

"Ay now, not the way to talk to yer friend." Hesashin said as he closed the door, "And I'd appreciate ya not mentioning his ma in front of the boy.” He paused briefly before continuing, “She passed during his birth." He was solemn and his face serious. It was not common to see Hesashin show that level of emotion.

In the years that Estien had known him, he was a ruthless sailor. While they were not close, by any means, they did have their occurrences with each other. Hesashin was the one the sailed from Kodaven to Hrisin during the Ridge War. His Vancier heritage giving him the edge over any other ship or captain of the seas.

They hunkered down and waited as Hesashin joined his crew on deck. The shouts of orders and the fluid motion as the ship moved from the harbor held true to his reputation. He was easily known as one of the most skilled sailors.

Sailing from Sesra to La'Koda was fairly easy in high tide. However, if the tides shift during the night, they would run aground or have to go around the tip of Kodaven to find harbor.

Estien sat there, beside Torin, the one that he knew would steal his heart. It was only 5 years back when La'Octa, the great elder, had come to him.

"Child, walk with me." She said as she approached him at the campfire. Estien stood from his place amongst friends and walked with her. She guided them deep within the forest before he broke the silence between them.

"Great Elder," he began, "is it true you are a descendant from La'Kata?"

"It is true, young one." She smiled to him as they came to a stop in a small clearing. "Once, long ago, there were only Primes." She looked to his face, to see if he understood. Recognizing that he did not, she continued, "These formed the Major Ruling races, Henat, La’Kata, Marig and Vancira. They took up land from their father and settled into keeping the wisdom of their elders alive." She gave a long sigh before she continued. "Generations passed before the Rift opened. Allowing new races to come to our world. Now, the same Rift that blessed our land with new races, is killing Edalon."

"Is that the cries we hear from the ground?" Estien spoke up, from his seat on the ground before her, as she had taken a seat on a fallen tree.

"It is, dear one. It's the reason the earth has trembled so much as of late. She can no longer bear the weight of the Rift upon her." She looked to the meadow and then back to the young adult before her. "I fear it will tear Edalon apart."

"So the Rift must be closed." Young Estien said from his naive perspective.

"It must, but that is not why I brought you here." A smile gracing her face, "You are here because of your Prophecy."

He froze, he was aware he had come of age and that it was coming. Some had received theirs and left forever, others came back rejoicing. Estien was visibly scared.

"Don't be afraid." A deep voice spoke up from behind him. Estien jumped to his feet and stood between La'Octa and the intruder.

Laughter came from both parties. "Estien, relax child, he's a friend."

The man strode forward, he was clad in white robes and wore his silver hair tied back. His stride was long and graceful, as if he almost floated. His cloak was covered in white feathers, and moved as gracefully as he did.

"You must be the reason I was summoned." He looked down to Estien. "I am Eazir, I am of The Qorum."

La’Octa’s hand came up to rest on his shoulder. "Child it is well. Eazir is an old friend and will guide you well to understanding your prophecy."

The boat rocked slightly and pulled Estien from his memories. Looking around, he saw Torin, and wondered if she would be ready to face her Prophecy? She pulled closer to him as she rested into his shoulder. Leaning his head back against the wall, he was drawn back into his memories.

"Estien, you must understand" Eazir knelt before him, "I am only a conduit for your prophecy. I cannot sway it or change it."

Estien nodded as Eazir lifted his hands to the young man’s head. "Wait!" Estien’s hands flew up, "How will I remember it after we are done?"

"Your prophecy is bound to you, it can be recalled perfectly as though it just happened." Eazir said calmly as he held his hands beside his head.

Estien dropped his hands and nodded. He was ready.

What followed was a blur of images and understandings. No words came from Eazir, only things Estien could see. A vision of La’Koda and his friends, the village in prosperity and Teru prospering. He witnessed joy and happiness, then he saw calamity. A war raged in the North and a meteor crashed on Edalon. He saw the flooding it caused and the death, people trying to outrun the rushing waters that came from the mountains. That’s when he saw a young girl, about his age. She had long brown hair that was pulled back into a braid. Her eyes shone like sapphire and her laughter like a lost melody. She reached out and touched his arm, Estien could almost hear her call his name. The runes on her neck glimmered in the sunlight, as she stared into his soul.

More images passed by him, and then the pair stood before the Rift. A tear in her eye as she held a black object in her hand. "We must close it." she spoke out. As his hand reached for her, she vanished.

When Estien awoke Eazir was gone and only La'Octa stood beside him.

"Your prophecy is for you alone, child." She said as she rested a hand on his shoulder.

He looked about, to see the fire in the main part of her home. He went to speak and she hushed him.

"Do not tell me, or anyone. Give yourself time to understand before…"

"I saw a girl, she had eyes like yours." Estien said before he could stop himself. He knew he had to say it, he’d never seen such blue eyes, except in La’Octa. Even the great sailors, with their glowing blue eyes like the sea, did not compare to her eyes.

"You have seen," La'Octa sighed, "someone very special."

Kestrin made his way to Estien and began to nudge his foot.

"Sleepy, wake up." Kestrin continued nudging him.

Estien yawned and stretched loudly. Torin had left his side and was over with Sariphyn. They were in a deep discussion about Kodaven.

“What?” Estien asked of Kestrin, as he debated returning to sleep.

“Get up.”Kestrin came low and offered a hand, "You were mumbling in your sleep. You said something about prophecy and I woke you." He whispered down to his friend.

"Thanks." Estien stood and shook the sleepiness from his shoulders. He let out a groan with a strong stretch and then stepped out on deck.

The crew was moving in sync, as though they had been together for hundreds of years. They knew what to do and how to do it, so he kept out of the way and moved when needed. He stepped to the edge of the ship, leaning on the rail. The faint outline of Kodaven in the distance. The sun was rising far off, and he knew they would arrive soon. He slowly glanced back to the cabin and then looked back to Kodaven. Everything was about to change.