The Adventure Begins

"Here's the monthly pay, sir," A man said as he handed the clerk a bag of 86 droushes.

"A week late and still not enough," the clerk responded, setting the bag behind his counter then resting his hands in his pockets. He gave a look of displeasure to the man on the other side of the counter.

"I'm sorry, sir. Next month, I promise."

"That's what you said last time. I can't keep bending over backwards for you, Bannel. If this continues, I'll have no choice but to tell the chief to kick you and the Misses out. I'm sorry, but I can't treat you any differently from my other renters."

"I understand, sir but I promise next month you'll have your full pay."

"And how can you be so sure of that, hunter?"

"I'm going on a trip, sir. I'll bring back many valuables, money too. I'll trade them in for droushes and be a rich man. You'll see, Mr. Hanter, you'll see." And with that Bannel grabbed his bag and skipped back along to his house. His long brown hair flying into his face as he ran. The house was only a rusted little shed but at least it kept the rain out. It was all the way at the other side of the town. The side where the "lower class" resided. He kicked open the rusted metal door with excitement, making his wife jump in shock.

"Darling, I have wonderful news!" He yelled with a smile as he entered the home, not noticing that he had scared his wife.

"What is it, dear?" Iris asked as she gave her husband a soft kiss, chuckling to herself.

"Mr. Abiri said I can leave tomorrow. That means we can get our money sooner!" Bannel jumped with joy.

"That's great, but what are you gonna tell the kids? They were so sad when you told them you'd be leaving next month. They'll be devastated for sure."

"I'll talk to them. Don't worry, darling. They'll be smiling when I tell them what our future beholds. Speaking of which, where are my sons?"

"They're sleeping. They had a long day, so I put them down early. But don't try to change the subject, how long will you be gone?"

"Four weeks."

"Four weeks?" Iris half yelled, taking a step back from her husband. "Before it was only gonna be two."

"Yes, Mr. Abiri designed a new route. The last one was dangerous."

"Fine, but no longer, Bannel Lastarin. And please, would you bring me back some flowers? I wanna make our new home the best in town, the other women will be begging to come over for tea," Iris asked.

"Of course. I'll bring you the brightest flowers in all of Haldin," he said as he placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead and led her to their bedroom, the floorboards creaked with every step, they walked slowly, not wanting to wake their kids. They ended up falling asleep minutes upon entering, though that obviously wasn't their original plan.

The next morning the couple was awoken by two laughing, smiling children at the side of their bed. Bannel rubbed his eyes, adjusting to the sunlight that peaked through the curtains.

"Good morning, Adir," he said as he picked up the youngest of the two, his emerald green eyes picking up the rays of sunlight that Bannel had tried to avoid as he held him in his lap.

"Good morning, Papa," Bruxo, the eldest, greeted, his face almost identical to his brother's. They both had pale white skin of an angel, courtesy of their mother. Bruxo had lived through ten winters while his brother had only lived through five. Bruxo had the dark brown curly hair of his father, however Adir was blessed with the rare white locks of his mother. Their eyes were also different, Bruxo supported two light brown sparkling eyes, like Bannel, while Adir's eyes were lilac, unlike Iris, who's eyes were blue as the sky.

"Is Mama still sleepy?" young Adir asked, shifting in his father's lap.

"It appears so. Your mother seems to be a bit tired this morning," Bannel teased, knowing very well that his wife was no longer sleeping.

"I'm awake," Iris sighed as she got up and out of bed along with Bannel, letting Adir out of his arms.

"I'll make breakfast," Bannel offered.

"I want dragon tails!" Adir yelled.

"You idiot, we don't eat dragon tails," Bruxo responded as he chased Adir into the living quarters.

"Don't run in the house!" Iris shouted back.

"Sorry Mother," the boys responded in unison. Their voices high from the smiles that spread across their faces.

After the children were out in the cosy living room messing around and enjoying each other's company, Bannel and Iris prepared for the day, putting on fresh clothes and rinsing their mouths with cold water.

"What would you like for breakfast?" Bannel asked, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence they had created with a simple conversation.

"I would like you to tell your sons the truth. They're completely blind about what your intentions are today," Iris responded without looking back at Bannel.

"I will tell them, during breakfast; I will."

"Are you all packed?" she asked, changing the topic, finally turning around to look her husband in the eyes.

"Yes. Mr. Abiri said he packed up the wagon full of essentials, and he said he'd have my horse prepared by noon thirty. I also have to stop over to Mr. Dallis the blacksmith to pick up a new sword."

"Then we mustn't waste time chit-chatting. You have a very big day today, and I'm happy for you. I really am."

"Thank you, love."

They got themselves ready for the day and made their way down to the living quarters and small kitchen, where Bannel started preparing four chicken eggs that he got from the town's trader, Mr. Baker. He had traded for them with a few old hand made baskets that his mother, Amaranth had made many years ago. She had died from disease and Bannel found it really difficult to give away the baskets. But they needed food and that was the only solution at the time.

He served the eggs with a small glass of spoiled cow's milk because he didn't have the money to go and purchase anything new and sat down with his family. They ate in silence until Iris broke it.

"Your father has some news to share with you," she informed without looking up from her meal.

"What is it, Father?" Bruxo asked and Adir brought his full attention to his father. Bennel hesitated at first but knew it was necessary to inform his children of the exciting news. News that he was filled with joy over, but also scared to death about.

"I'm leaving today. I'm going on that trip. The one I spoke to you boys about before. I'll return in two fortnights."

"But Father, you can't leave," Adir pleaded.

"I'll be back before you know it. And once I am, we'll move into a fancy new house, and you'll have real food in your bellies. And you'll be able to go to real school to meet new friends."

"But I don't want you to go," Adir started to cry, putting his head into his heads.

"My son, it'll be alright, your big brother is always here to protect you," Bannel comforted him.

"It's okay, Adir, he'll be back before you know it," Bruxo smiled.

"Darling, if you're gonna make it to the blacksmith with time to spare you best be leaving now," Iris said as she rubbed small circles on Adir's back, feeling him starting to calm down.

"Right. Be good boys and listen to your mother. I love you, and I promise I'll be back soon."

"Good-bye Father," Bruxo waved.

"Bye-bye Papa," little Adir sniffled.

Bannel hugged his children and kissed his wife on the cheek. He went out the door with his foul leather satchel around his neck and his empty scabbard around his waist. His long shep-skin coat flowing through the wind as his boots clicked in the dirt. He ran with a smile across his face through the town. The town was never quiet, and his excitement didn't help stop the noise at all. He moved out of the way for no one, causing the town foke to frantically move from his pathway as they carried their freshly baked bread and farm fresh vegetables. The blacksmith was in the center of town in an old building they used to use for the barn, but it didn't take long for Bannel to burst through those wooden doors.

"Mr. Bannel, good to see you," Mr. Dallis greeted as he hung a freshly made iron sword on the spinning racks.

"Is it ready?"Bannel huffed, catching his breath and filling his lungs with the bitter smell of metal.

"Yes. Stayed up all night preparing it just for you, my boy," He said as he turned around, looking at the swords resting on the racks. When he found the one he was looking for he smiled and took it down from it's prison.

"Here you are. It's perfectly balanced. The handle's the same width as the blade. Perfect for you. Your height will allow it to cut through anything gracefully."

"Sir, this is more than I can afford. I gave you all that was left of my droushed," Bannel said, sadly, stepping away from the blacksmith and the sword.

"Nonsense, son. I insist you take it," Mr. Dallis said, handing Bannel the newly crafted weapon.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."Bannel settled the sword in his holster and gave Mr. Dallis a hug.

"Good luck on your adventure!" Mr. Dallis yelled as Bannel stepped out of the doors and back into the chaos of the town.