Trip home(1)

He was coming back to reality from the dream as he thought about the strangeness of it all. Must over been overly exhausted and it cause me to have a wild dream he thought. As he began to stir he got his bed roll picked up and fire put out all the way preparing for his day he saw the second bedroll and remembered the old man. Looking around there was no trace of anyone. For a second he thought maybe it was part of the dream world he had come out of. He began to roll up the blanket when he noticed a ring. At first glance the ring was very unassuming but the closer you looked the more you would see. A black ring with a small black stone orb set into it. If you looked closer the outside had a scale pattern like a snake or a dragon, the color would seem to change from black to a hue of green up close, and the inside had the most lifelike dragon engraved on it. The dragon seemed as if it would slither out of the ring and into the world any moment. Attached to the ring was a note that just stated "Thanks for the aid, I think you lost this ring so I returned it". Barron was confused to say the least. However he never looked a gift horse in the mouth and so he slid the ring on his finger and decided to go about his day. He cleaned up his area to hide away his camping spot from curious eyes, not that he ever left anything he was not willing to lose or leave behind. He went into market area to hire a carriage. Being early there was a still a few available paying a few bronze coins to head back to the children's home where his adventure had begun.

The ride was a little bumpy but all and all was peaceful. He pondered the time spent exploring the area and all the people he had met and made memories with. All of which was meticulously journaled with beautiful illustrations in books starting with the original Key Journal left by his best friend Wilson.

As he arrived he saw the children's home once a terrifyingly bleak building that oozed despair, now stood beautifully well up kept and decorated like a home. Above the gate a sign that read Wilson's home for Wayward Youth. Just below on a small plaque in the brick of the fence that said "In memory of the dreamer Wilson, the one who not only showed us life could be a dream, but at the cost of his life left us the keys to make those dreams come true."

Barron removed his hat and with a tear that formed in his eye but refused to fall stood there remembering his friend. A smile on his face that almost reached his ears as he saw how the boys paid homage to Wilson and the sacrifice that was made. His mind wandered on and on as his memories played back and he completely lost track of time. Completely unaware a small boy had tried to speak to him. The small boy running into the into the arms of a giant of boy telling him of the strange man staring at the gate outside. As the two reached the door and the boy pointed out Barron a low chuckle came from the older boy. It's alright he's and old friend in fact we used to share a room here before you younger ones showed up. The little boy said oh okay and ran along disappearing into the house.

A low but loud voice broke Barron from his trance "Most visitors make it through the gate before the become overwhelmed by all the children". Barron turned his head to see his old friend Marcus as their eyes met they both let out a laugh greeting eat other as if they had always been brothers. It has been a while my friend said Marcus as he looked at Barron who had grown considerably over the year he had been away. Marcus face became serious as he looked at Barron "Brother it's okay you can tell me, a woman got a hold of you and shook out all your coin that's why your back to refill the coffers" and then roared laughing. Barron laughed along and told Marcus no I came home because I'll be starting the journey and not sure when I will return. The laughter died out slowly but the smiles stayed strong. Barron asked if his room was still empty to which Marcus replied he has turned it into his vault. He had built an armory and stored 3 chest of coins there one for gold, one for silver, and one for bronze. Barron said well that works because I am documenting my journeys and travels so that anyone from the house can be apart of the adventure from home. Real adventures from a real boy who came from right here and hopefully boys that grow and begin to adventure will journal and add those to the library's collection. Together one day we may all travel to all corners known to man for Wilson and collect here in his honor. Barron looking at Marcus and asked "why don't you come along for the trip this time?". Marcus replied "I have my freedom and the smile on the children's faces are my adventure. We scout the area and bring all the children here but now they find warm beds hot food and family. Marcus was telling Barron he had began to recieve an allowance for the children in the home that the previous masters had been hoarding for themselves. The money was plenty to care for everyone and let them live comfortably. They even put back a little each week for build up a treasury. As the bronze or silver would start to add up they would exchange it for gold for the last chest. That's amazing Barron explained. Marcus then offered to finance the beginning of his real adventure going to a drawer and pulling out a bag. The bag was filled with gold silver and bronze coins. "We decided that while your away we would put back an allowance for you that you can collect when you come home to see us" Marcus told Barron. Barron then joking says "I always knew you were actually a big softy but don't worry I won't tell anyone". The two who at one time would fight at the sight of each other were no friends whose bond have woven them into family. Maybe one they were young they had only fought to feel a connection, something that wasn't their vulnerability and the two of them grew closer because they both knew and had felt the rage that had grown deep inside of their soul. Marcus however had found a way to soothe his rage and the demons had remained silent. The smiles of children that they saved their little faces dreaming at night no fear over their sleeping worlds, the warmth that came from the children as they arrived from the streets and had the first hot meal and would cry. The happiness the children had been starved for had created a drought so dry it look to have withered and died. However the moment the child would realize this place was not a lie and they were now home the drought would end. The rains of joy that had been locked away would bust the dam and spill out as tears and cries. This was the cure for Marcus. Barron on the other hand had a fire inside that told him to find it, find every secret the universe held. Reach the end of the world and turn to find the other end. His demons would never be quelled, they were always there whispering words of despair. Words that forlorn failure and loneliness. The cure for Barron was the road, anything unknown or unseen. He pulled from his bag several journals including the original Key Journal and placed them along the top shelf of the library that he had built in his from before he had left. As he did he saw Marcus pull out some journals to ad to another shelf. Telling Barron he was journaling the boys home. The adventures they had here and all the ones who joined the family no matter where they ended up, they would be here in the ledger proving they have a home. So along with the Barron's travels there was now the chronicle of the Wilson's home for Wayward youth and the even had a family ledger showing every kid that would ever come through giving them roosts and a place to call home. The two boys who at this point were only 13 and 15 but in this life had become men already. The two walked out back by the garden where a meditation area had been assembled below the hill were Wilson's cross still stood proudly his glasses swinging and shining bright as the sun reflected what felt like hope into the eyes of anyone who looked up to the resting spot. Some of the older boys they came from the beginning with Barron and Marcus came out started a fire and began roasting meat. Gulliver a new boy who was only 3 or 4 and had not yet spoke came out side and his gaze was instantly pulled toward Barron. Before Barron even noticed the boy he was trying to climb up his leg. Barron laughing lifted the boy into his lap and as the two looked into each other eyes the young boy spoke aloud. "Traveler". That was it nothing else after everyone was stunning and then everyone began laughing. Marcus exclaimed well I guess he has heard of you. So Barron said "why yes I'm a traveler would you like to hear about the adventures of Barron's Travels!!" The fire rage on through the evening and into night as Barron spoke of the interesting things and people he had met, even feeling them about the close call with death he had survived thanks to a kind old chef pulling a dragon dagger from his belt as proof of the trophy he recieved. He noticed the young Gulliver eyes were becoming heavy Barron said Ill take you to bed so you can dream of your own travels tonight. Barron placed the boy in his bed and whistled a song softly as the young boy fell under the spell of sleep.