• It had already been a day since the death of Gnal and Kitan couldn't believe he would never hear his arrogant voice, or feel his friends arm on his shoulder when he needed a friend. Kitan pulled out the map to check what was between him and his destination. According to this, he thought to himself, Tyuli and master's place is half a day north. I still have to travel another good day and a half till I reach the village of Peldon. His master's last request entered his thoughts then.

    "Promise me, my hot-headed pupil, to compete in this years tournament in Dralgo. I want the world to know I have passed on my dreams to another more...lively generation. I don't care if you win or lose but make sure you deliver this message to His Majesty. He will be able to help you. Whatever you do, don't open it until you are in his presence. Think of it as my final test of self control for you."

    Kitan decided to take a break and get something to eat. He left the dirt road and headed for a tree on a nearby hill. It would provide him with a great view to relax and enjoy his food. As he walked to the hill he began to hear a faint sound. He thought it was his ears so he tipped his head to the side and rubbed the inside gently. He listened for a moment and the sound was gone. He continued walking and the sound returned. This time he looked around for something that could be the source. He saw figures in the distance and decided to check it out. He jogged silently to close the distance, when he got closer he was shocked by what he saw. A small band of bandits was trying to rob a single woman. He only say three men but in any case he could vent some of his frustration on them. His spot where he was going to eat was now home to a traveling caravan. He figured she wandered off from the merchants. He was silently running now to close the gap. One of the men saw him coming and alerted the others. They stopped harassing the woman and focused on him. That didn't bother him. The one that spotted him first pulled out a bow and began to fire at him. He zigzagged from side to side avoiding the arrows. One came dangerously close to killing him but thankfully he moved his head slightly and only left a grazing scar. He was now within twenty feet from the men and they were drawing their blades. He decided to take out the one throwing the bow down. He pivoted on his left foot and struck the man in his gut with his right foot. One of his comrades attempted to strike his back but Kitan rolled over the man. While in mid roll he intertwined his arm with the man's arm and used the momentum from the roll to flip the man onto his face. His comrade was now shouting a war cry and coming for him. Kitan drew Byarin and took him down with a strike to un-arm him and a strike to his midsection. after all he didn't want to kill them, just rescue the woman. After seeing the other two be taken down so easily he dropped his weapon and ran off, shouting his plea for Kitan to spare him. He watched him, making sure he didn't have any reinforcements. He turned to help the woman up but she had already gotten to her feet. She was checking the area around them and picking up her belongings.

    "Thanks, not many people would help a stranger. Your bleeding let me take care of that." She said getting a small cloth she got wet and cleaned the cut.

    "I had some stuff I wanted to get off my chest" Kitan replied trying to give his most friendly smile as she finished, "beating them into the ground was just a bonus."

    She laughed. It was a pleasant sound. He realized he was laughing too, and it felt great.

    "If your not too busy then why don't you have dinner with my family. To repay you for helping me."

    "I would like that, after all I need to get some idea of whats been happening outside of my village. Who better to find out then with a traveling merchant."

    She smiled and said, "plus if you play your cards right my uncle might just tell you about all the places he's been, oh I almost forgot my name is Rachel, Rachel Elwin."

    The two talked all the way back to the others. He learned a lot from Rachel. She explained to him the Great Divide ended just a couple of years ago, and the major powers in the war still had minor disputes over their borders. She told him a new ruler of Dralgo had been announced after the previous ruler stepped down for reasons unknown. The official inauguration of the new ruler would take place after the tournament. She told him about what life was like in these other places after the results of the war. Some were sad. The people of the Dolyon empire still suffer and persecuted for lighting the match of the war. she quickly turned to happier more lively places, Like Thirsh. She described how the people lived not on the ground, but in many houses built among the tree tops.

    "So whats it like to travel and have so many of these adventures?" Kitan asked

    "It's not all fun, because we travel so much bandits try and raid our supplies" her head drooped a little, "my brother was killed a month ago while we were traveling to a village further to the south. We were coming from another place to the east, I think it was called lunaal. The people were friendly but they were having trouble from bandits" She looked up at him, "those people you saved me from were the last of them that were following us."

    They reached the others then. They each in turn greeted him and thanked him for what he did. He was polite and shook their hands and returned the hugs. When it was finally out of their systems and they all returned to what they were doing. All except one man. He was a bit taller than Kitan and much more muscular than Kitan.

    "Ah me boy, I d'not no how te thenk ya cept with a little knowledge from an ol fart like me. Where ya be goin?"

    "I am going to Dralgo to enter in the tournament."

    "Ah a fighter ye be then? I wish ya luck then laddie, When ya get there if ya be needin a room stop by the Lucky Dice. It be an inn and tavern run by me brotha and his kin, tell him I sent ya and he should help ya out."

    "I will keep that in mind sir, thank you"

    He dipped his head and then the man left. Kitan and Rachel sat by the fire for a couple hours, just watching the fire until Kitan yawned.

    "here you can use these" Rachel said standing next to him. He didn't even hear her move to get the blankets. She was very light on her feet. "We have very little room in the wagons but if you can find a spot then its all yours."

    "No thats alright I like sleeping under the stars, its very calming." He said getting up, taking the blankets.

    He walked a few feet from the fire and set up his spot then just layed there, gazing at the stars. He made images with the stars, like he used to when he was younger. He made designs from an old, very abstract fighter with a sword and shield, to an angel, to the outline of a tree. He heard a quiet rustling next to him. He tilted his head to the side to see what it was, but it was too dark.

    "Hello? Whose there?"

    A lamp was lit then, It was Rachel.

    "Sorry if I startled you, It was kinda crowded. I was also kinda worried about you" she said as she slowly set up her own blanket.

    "You didn't startle me, I was just laying here makin things with the stars."

    "Oh I love doing that!" She said quickly laying down. The two of them layed there pointing out what they saw. after a few moments they both were silent, listening to the sounds of the night. He hadn't heard anything from her and figured she had finally gone to sleep.

    "Hey can I ask you a question? Why did you leave your village?"

    Kitan thought about it. She doesn't need to feel burdened to give me sympathy, she doesn't need to know.

    He just smiled."I wanted to get out of my village and see the world, travel and experience what I only read about. Meet new people and heh maybe even find some sort of treasure or secret that would change the world" he said. Everything he said was true in some aspect. He had always wanted to leave that small routine lifestyle and travel the world with... He couldn't come to say his name.

    "Wow, I guess this is an honor, I am glad I was the first person you met" she said blushing slightly.

    Kitan, over the years, had seen the reactions from the women in his village. He thought himself somewhat good looking from the way the women his age would smile and bat there full eyes and ask him to dance at the summer festival, and, It would appear she might as well.

    "Well I don't know if it's that but I am glad I ran into you just as well."

    He rolled over and went to sleep. His rest was was more peaceful than he could remember. He woke to the morning rays shining across his face. He squinted, letting his eyes adjust to the sunlight and rubbed the morning gunk from the corners of his eyes.

    "That was the best I have slept in quite a while, you awake Rachel?"

    She wasn't. When the sunlight hit her he just couldn't help but to watch her sleep. He was never able to see what a woman sleeping looked like when he was living in Tyuli. He was glad he could experience such a beautiful sight. She began to wake up, rolling to her side and sitting up. She looked to him and smiled.

    "Why good morning, Kitan would you like something to eat?"

    "No thank you though." He replied smiling and getting to his feet, "I have to be going. Gotta make it to Dralgo in order to register in the tournament."

    "Oh that's right, well at least let me give you directions" She said looking around. She pointed down the path they met yesterday. "If you continue down that path and take a left when it forks, you should reach the village of Ulralon. It's a straight shot from there to Dralgo."

    Kitan thanked her and her family, then went on his way. When he got a good distance he turned and saw their wagons were already heading west. He continued on without much excitement. As he walked he scanned his surroundings, taking in everything. He smelled the scents of the many flowers that sailed along with the wind. He tasted a fruit he picked off a tree, he took in all that he could see. Life outside his village was so different. back home people would be busy doing tedious jobs here and there because their whole lives were already planned out. Outside people like Rachel and her family did what they wanted, they traveled to new places and met new people. They defied the ordinary and made their lives as full as they could make them. Kitan was excited to see what he would come across in his travels. He was coming up on the fork, so he stopped and read the worn sign.

    The arrow pointing right said 'Summer Springs.' He had never been to a spa. He would have to remember to come back when he was finished with what he had to do. The arrow pointing left said 'Ulralon Village.' That's where I need to go. Kitan told himself. He went down the left path and continued. It was a long walk and took a little less than he had first determined. The sun had reached its full height and was just coming down. He could see Ulralon in the distance. It was like nothing he had ever seen. As he got closer the town -that was what he had to call it because a village was small and this place was grander than anything he had seen or read about- grew like a beast waking from its slumber. He approached the guards at the entrance. They crossed their spears to block his path and gripped their swords on their hips.

    "Who goes there? State your name and business?" The one on the left said

    "I am Kitan Namathorn from Tyuli, I am looking to gain passage to Dralgo. I was told this is the quickest path."

    The man on the right rolled his eyes and muttered to himself, "damn another nobody lookin to get famous." He looked at Kitan and pointed his spear at him. "Don't make no trouble, we get a lot of people comin and goin and don't take kindly to people who stir up trouble. Mind yerself and none will bother ya." They removed their spears from his path and let him through.

    He walked on slowly, looking from side to side amazed at how different this place was. Buildings with families living on top of one another, huge fountains in the center where people gathered to share gossip, greet old friends, or just to feel the coolness of the water. It was so much more than what the stories described.

    I can't believe places like this existed, Kitan thought to himself containing his excitement, I can't wait to see what else lies out here.

    A man suddenly rushed by him pushing him off balanced. over his shoulder he yelled, "thanks and sorry!" He turned a corner and was out of sight in seconds.

    "Man do people forget manners living here?"

    A raspy laugh caught his attention. "I believe you just met your first pickpocket stranger, better keep a tight hold on your purse if you plan on being here for very long." He laughed again and walked off into the crowd. Kitan checked his belongings.

    "Damn! That guy stole the money Master gave me, I gotta find him!" Kitan started in the direction he last saw him but stopped when he saw a group of armed guards going in the same direction.

    I might as well as follow them.

    Kitan followed them a few feet away. From the central fountain they wove a very confusing path. The guards had taken many turns and he prayed he would be able to find his way around. The guards were slowing down so he decided to get a better look from higher up. He looked around and saw a couple windows and a small ledge he deemed fit. Hopping into the bottom window he leaped up and grabbed the bottom of the second floor window, pulling himself up so he could perch himself on the ledge. He could hear the voices of people now.

    "He has to be here, this is where they last saw him running! Search the area, I want that filthy sack of bones caught." said one of the guards.

    From his vantage point he could see better than they could. He looked around hoping to spot him before they did. Nothing. This guy was good. He spotted a broken ledge on the other side of the dead end. It looked like it broke off recently.

    "Man that guy they're lookin for sure is good, they wont find him that way." A confident sounding voice said quietly over his shoulder. Kitan tilted his head to see who said it. This was the guy who brushed by him and stole his money, He knew instantly from the voice.

    "Gimme back my money, and I wont turn you in."

    "I said sorry sheesh, it's a force of habit. I know I shouldn't take from you tourists but its so easy. You guys should keep a better hold on your koins." He said "Hows about a trade? I give your money back, a message, and a little guidance. In return you buy me a room for the night and we work out the details in the morning. Agreed?"

    "Who is the message from first? How do you know it's for me?" Kitan asked suspiciously.

    "The lady who gave it to me described you perfectly, right down to the hair. Although she may have exaggerated on how smart you were, kept callin you a moron and making you out to be some total loser."

    Kitan mind raced. How did she know? Then it hit him. She sent him on this path of course she would know where he was going.

    "Alright, you have any recommended places?"

    "Just the place, my fine gent!" this man said with a boyish grin, "it's the second building on the right from the southeast gate. Goes by the name of the 'Lucky Dice', best place in town in my opinion. Boy the dice must have been with me today, meeting you on your first day in the city."

    Kitan grumbled. They must have not have been with me. How quaint....