A Dozen In None

Chapter One;
Normalcy As Seen

The cool, slippery rocks felt refreshing in the evening after a hard day of training. The boy stared off into the distance, watching the sea. About a mile out, he saw some Cahrakh moving lazily with the current. Cahrakh were a good sign because they meant the seas were clean and the local empires headed for prosperity. Unfortunately this wealth came at the expense of the Cahrakh, as they were hunted for their oil and fat. This fat was a new source of fuel; it burned easily. He continued to watch and noticed a hunting vessel appear as if from nowhere. He considered the appearance could have come from below the sea, but quickly discarded it. Travel below the sea was suicide; one can’t breathe underwater. His wonder turned to sorrow as he felt the pain the Cahrakh must be enduring from the brutal assault by cannon-fire and rope-bearing spearheads. He couldn’t watch another second of it, but something made him keep his eyes on that ghastly sight. A welcome distraction came from behind as he stood. A voice was calling to him, the voice of his long-time friend Johannaa,

"Chakarh! I’ve been looking everywhere... I should have known you would be here." she said, purposely mispronouncing his name the way it is spelled rather than the correct way, said as "Shakahr." He learned to accept this as her little inside joke, and soon stopped complaining except to return the joke.

"Heh... I had to get away for a while. Training's getting so much harder..." he said, speaking the truth. He often came to the rocks to relax after a hard day at training. There was something about them that drew his attention, his curiosity, as if he'd known this place in a past life or had some prior event occur in his past before initiation. He could recall nothing before that point, but still liked to think about it. To his knowledge he had spent the past two years in this country, and had been initiated into training almost immediately because of his natural connection to the magical forces around him. The king, Lord Droverson, had seen Chakahr’s obvious power during a parade. Chakahr had appeared out of nowhere and was surrounded by the Kami no Kanka; the most difficult defensive ability, the shield of the gods. How an unknown stranger had procured the power, Lord Droverson did not care. He had his guards bring the boy to the castle and question him, then if worthy, set him to training starting at level four.

Two years have passed since then, and Chakahr is progressing better than any in his class, save for his rival and friend, Johannaa. He woke up from his daydream and saw where he was; the center of town, outside the training facility. He had been dwelling on the past again, still trying to understand how his appearance had happened, and where he had come from. He entered the main gate, and ran straight to the tavern. He had always met his friends here after his visit to the rocks, and today was no exception. Upon entering, the barkeep saw him and sent the usual non-intoxicant that Chakahr always ordered towards him. Nodding to the man, he flipped a 10-Dakra in his direction. Like a snake striking prey, the barkeep snatched it from the air and hurriedly placed it among the others in one of a set of jars under the counter. The bar was well kept, always clean save for the damage brawls caused, but the barkeep had seen better days. A ragged shirt, various scars and an unkempt beard told all who entered that his life hasn’t been and still wasn’t a pretty one. He had stopped more than his share of bar brawls in his day, and was still good for a fight if need be. Chakahr found his friends at their table and joined them, ensuring a quiet entrance so he would not interrupt Utahk’s story.

            “… The great demon was right outside the door. The poor little Goja, being a rodent, didn’t have a chance. It hid among the bookcases, hoping the demon wouldn’t find it. In fear it knocked over a single book, which fell open and, being an enchanted book, turned the Goja into a knight. It proudly faced the demon, which upon seeing the knight, had fled to its tower. The Goja followed, cornering the once-great minion of darkness. With nowhere to run, it backed into the corner and whimpered like a scared puppy. Undeterred, the Goja-gone-knight struck, ending the life of the evil monster.”

Everyone sat back, taking a deep drink of their various beverages. They all knew the story well enough, it was a tale passed down among the entire kingdom. Utahk possessed the ability to tell it over and over and still captivate his audiences. Johannaa had joined them after conversing with her friends at another table some time ago, and was now discussing the day at training with Hakau. Yukav was still drinking, and he was about to fall over as he chugged his mug. Several turned to goad him on, and when he finished, they all clapped and cheered. He stood on his table and began dancing in his drunken fashion, and everyone joined in, mimicking his by-now repetitive movements. The Bard saw this, and changed the tune to fit the mood. Soon the whole bar was at it, all enjoying themselves in the mock-drunk dance. Even the barkeep could be seen fighting a losing battle against a smile. He settled for a half-smirk, and left it at that.