Chiram sits down at the small table in the hired room. Its a dark, cold evening and the candle is only a small flame. After sitting down he orders his mind. Setting aside anything non-relevant to decide what his journey will be.
He feels hollow. A small sigh exclaims from his chest, and a memory of his mother flies by.
He grabs his pen, and starts writing.
Dear mother,
This will be my last letter to you. I am now at the forefront of the rest of my life, I feel it in my heart.
There are so many questions and insecurities I have, but I will always keep you in my heart, and your wisdom and lessons in my heart.
Maybe I will see father one day again. Now I have to fend for myself.
Your son
Chiram yawns while standing up to splatter some water in his face. There is even a little mirror in the corner, dusty and home to a small spider. As he looks at himself as he observes himself. Looking into his own eyes always fascinated him. Although someone else would see a nimble rugged looking boy, he sees someone who still has much to learn. Insecure sometimes, afraid or alone.
But also convinced of his morals, principles and discipline. The nightlife starts to take shape and different sounds begin to seep into the room. He does not want to stay awake much longer and undresses in a few seconds to lie down on the bed.
What do I want? What do I want?
The thoughts start to gather, and a plan forms vaguely. He talks to himself out loud to give meaning to the concepts.
I want to learn to lead. To inspire. To be self sufficient.
Chiram falls into a restless sleep and dreams of being a savior. Not to a kingdom, but a small group of people. To his future friends, and lords. To serve and protect.
Finally the storm disappears.
When the morning comes he jumps out of bed, sets the distance to his table in one step and writes down; I will serve the ones in need, I will help the one that asks, I shall win where others will lose.
Advisor Description
Walking through the muddy streets Chiram looked for work and anything interesting. The smell of the farmers market, street artists or two dogs having a territorial fight seemed to be the normality of the day to the town people. Chiram pushed through a group of people to see someone shouting about the bear dance in front of the tavern, the person pointing towards one of the many streets.
A bunch of soldiers stood on a less busy street in a relaxed manner together. Suddenly a shout appears from within!
Hey! You there, stop!
Chiram looked confused at first, and from the center of the group stepped out a soldier with an iron helmet and a rugged look. Chiram stepped unconscious a step back, and the soldier started to shout harder, to stay there.
Run, was the first thought of Chiram.
A big man strived pass him just before the soldier could touch him and Chiram saw his chance. As quick as he could he dived away past the big man and ran towards the next crossroads. It was full of carts and people and Chiram had no difficulty hiding in the nearest hall of a wooden building that seemed abandoned.
The soldiers voice was still audible but Chiram did not see him anymore.
Would he stay at the same place? Or move to create distance? Why would a stranger call out for him?
Chiram was riddled with questions.
Carefully he peered around the corner to see if the coast was clear.
Please stay there kid, he heard a voice in his right ear.
Right behind him was the soldier, now with open palms towards Chiram as to indicate he had no ill intent on his mind.
Is your name Chiram? Asked the soldier, while stroking his beard.
What if it is? Bounced Chiram back.
Well, kid. This may surprise you, but I knew your mother.
The unknown soldier invited Chiram for a drink, and when they sat down on their table he started talking.
How he was once hired by Chirams mother, to keep an eye out of her husband. To help him if he needed it to get him home, safe and sound. Without her husband knowing he did his job, and over a couple of years he developed a friendly connection with woman of his colleague.
And thus he bonded with her and on a faithful day he promised her to also take care of her newborn child, if there would be no one else to take care of him.
So you are a soldier? Asked Chiram after a sip of his mug.
Yes I am, but Ill tell you another time about myself. For now, I want you to know this. Im not here to babysit you, but I will help you if you need it. Just come to me and Ill talk to you. No lies from me, just the honest truth about what I think is best. Deal?
Chiram did not know what the downside here was, but maybe that would develop later? For now, he concluded he could use any help he can get, and he already had a little liking towards this man.
At first sight he looked just like any soldier, but the way he talked to him with a deep voice, and his winks when he made a joke had a charm on Chiram he could not explain. The way Timar moved through that street following him, and then appeared behind him was something he was very much impressed by.
Timar would be the saving beacon for Chimar more times then he would know.
Reflections on your mother
Chiram wakes up, not entirely rested but the voice of the Dream Whisper still echoing in his head.
After getting up he yawns and stares out of the window. What was that thing in his dream, he wonders.
Sitting down at his table, he starts to write.
Mom,
Remember that last letter I wrote to you? Apparently that was not the last letter.
Tonight I dreamed about a beautiful woman, sitting there on a pedal. She reminded me of you.
She brought me memories of you. I wasn't even sure about some, and then you appeared.
It was wonderful.
I saw you when I was sick, and you cared for me. You told me a hundred tales to entertain me.
Or the time you saw me fighting on the street. Furious you walked towards us, yelling at the two boys who had me pinned down. And after they fled you gave me a scolding because it was not the first fight with them. After an hour I shuffled to the kitchen and asked for your forgiveness. And all you did was looking me in the eye very long and then set me to work.
I miss you mother.
I will write you more. There doesn't have to be a last letter. I now have a journal anyway.
Love,
Your son.
Reflections on your father
As Chiram arises from his bed his mind goes to his father. Where would he be, right now? So many memories about him are blurry.
He walks to his table, gets his journal from the shelf and starts writing.
Dad,
I met a soldier who knows you even better then you. Hes a friendly person who I can go to if I need help. For a little bit of course in this world.
Why does he know you better then I? Why did you go?
It was not the same without you. All those moments, moms birthday, mine. The roof accident, the burglar. We missed you so much. I don't understand this. Somehow something else was more important to you then your own family?
I hope you're okay though. I hope to see you one time again.
I have seen so much already from this town. Its so complex and interesting. Lots of new stuff. I wish I could talk to you about all of this but I'll just write instead.
Writing I never did much, but now I do it often. Since a strange woman in my dreams appears she nodded me towards it. Maybe its all somehow destined. All these strange events that lead to other, more stranger things.
As Chiram writes down his good bye to his father, he stands up and freshens up.
Today, another day.
Most beautiful lady of Chiram
The days and weeks progress as Chiram learns and tries to find work wherever he can. Not yet having an opportunity to go hunt in the woods he sticks with trapping hogs, doing personal errands for the local businesses. And sometimes even a little trip to another town.
This day Chiram had the most wonderful experience he has ever had in his young life. Walking with a shield on his back to deliver he crossed the street to buy a piece of fruit. When he saw her..
No I won't do that! Screams a young woman while she slams the door closed. Right in front of Chiram she stops, cut off in her track and fury. A tear in each of her big round eyes.
She blushes a little as she realizes Chiram saw everything.
Sorry, she replies with a tiny voice.
No, no, its fine! Replies Chiram. He never saw up close, so vulnerable such a beautiful woman.
She is a little pale in comparison to the locals, even with the diversity that such a big city develops.
Her red hair is long, draped on her shoulders and a small sod still let her shoulders go up and down. Her full cheeks are sparkled with freckles and a small mouth makes her face complete.
After what seems like an eternity she walks by while still keeping her eyes locked on Chirams.
He is still silent and only looking at her. His mouth a little bit open from the surprise.
As she walks away he looks after her. Should he follow her? Is his first thought.
Maybe not, but what if he never saw her again?
She just disappeared in the crowd when Chiram starts running after her. Adrenaline is rushing him into a sprint he didnt know he could pull of. There! A peek of her hair!
Stumbling and shouldering people on his way through the people he loses her again when the street curves towards the nearby gate.
Just before he is in a position to see better forward, a laborer with a wheelbarrow in front of him decides to change direction. In a reflex Chiram tries to jump over it and succeeds but then feels the shield on his back weighing him down and his boot hooks into the wheelbarrow and Chiram falls over.
When he lifts himself up again after a swift check of the shield the street is almost empty. No sign of the girl, or her hair.
With pain in his heart he concludes the girl is gone, and he could only wish to see her ever again.
After the deliver of his burden has been done he heads home. In a sudden wave of emotion he decides to write down the incident of today.