Chapter 1:The Trip

A Story by Ilerah

The whole chapter beginning with Dwen at the market, ending with him leaving his home.

Chapter 1: The trip

The sun rose over the ocean to signal the rooster to give the morning call. Slowly the citizens of Brendomin rose to their feet, making breakfast and doing chores. One of these citizens who were slow to get up was a teenager with brown curly hair down to his shoulders. Each morning he got up at dawn, made his bed the way his mother had taught him and went down stairs to have breakfast.

Breakfast everyday was porridge his mother had said it was the easiest to make and was good for energy. Afterwards, this new energy his mother said it gave him, would help with his chores. Not farm chores or anything of the sort. For the Geddy family lived in a busy city. He had chores such as fixing the roof, painting the house, fixing or painting the fence, tending to the garden, and getting food from the market, which was today. Today on every Saturday he would go to the market and get food for the family.

“Hullo Dwen, how are you this fine morning?” his mother said when he entered the kitchen. She had an apron on and had brown hair same as his. She held a long wooden spoon which she used to stir the porridge.

“Oh me?” he replied

“Yes you. Who else would I call Dwen, but Dwenlin, who is you.”

“Oh right. So am I going to the market mother?”

“Yes, like every other Saturday.”

“Except last time, because you said that we had enough food,” he said as he sat at the table.

“Ok your right, now eat your food. When you are done go buy some. Here’s my list,” she put the list on the table.

Dwenlin ate his food in a few minutes, got in a leather coat and left the house. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze from the sea. There were no clouds and everyone was happy. The market was bustling with people. There where fruit stands, meat stands, clothes, fish, actors, jugglers, men who played with fire. Everything and one was happy. Dwenlin walked down looking at everything as if he had never seen it before in his life, although he had seen it many times. Each Saturday he would go out to the market. And every time his mother would say “don’t pay any attention to the jugglers, and fire players, just buy what you need and leave the market.” Of course he listened to his mother, almost every time. The first time he saw the market he used almost all the money he had to see a show. How stupid he had felt coming home with only a few things on the list saying that the money had run out. His mother had taken his dinner away from him.

Dwenlin kept walking along looking for the vegetable stand. It was not hard to miss a large stand with carrots hanging from the top, and cucumbers and turnips lying in crates on the sides. When he saw it on his right he went over in that direction when a man walked into him. “Hey watch where you’re going.” The man said as he almost fell over. “I am sorry.” Dwenlin replied. The man grunted and hobbled away. Most likely drunk Dwen thought.

The man at the stand new Dwenlin from when he was a young boy coming to get vegetables. At the time his mother was with him for it she did not want him to waste the money again. For years now he had been going by himself and new most of the men at the stands. This man wore an old apron and was in his thirties. Prime of life for a human, still a boy for the mamarde, he had blond hair and a clean shaven face. He had a few wrinkles in his face but he still looked young.

“Hi Dwen, how’s the family?” the man as he waved to a shopper leaving the stand.

“Oh my parents are alright; my brother cries a lot though.” Dwenlin said while looking and feeling a tomato.

“Yah the young ones, you did to yah know?” The man looked at him.

“Yes, I know that I did, but it seems that he does more, he is four you know. And he cries a lot for his age is what I am saying.” He said as he took a few carrots and tomatoes in his basket, “I need some celery too John.”

“We’re out, sorry Dwen but the farms celery was not good down in Thremen area, the rain and the storms washed away my crops, so the tomatoes are soft and the carrots, well not to good, and no celery. At least that is what my cousin says, he farms the farm, and has his son drive a cart up here where I sell them.” John moved closer to Dwen, “He may have eaten some of the better ones, he’s the type.”

“Oh well… see you later I have to go.” He said as he paid for the tomatoes and carrots and left the stand.

He then walked over to the meat stand; he did not know the owner for there where many and he always chose a different one to buy from. It had meat hanging from the roof of the stand, and meat behind the stand in crates. “Hello sir.” He said.

“Hello to you to young man. What may I do for you?” The man said after putting a slab of meat in a crate.

“My mother said that she wanted some good cow meat, I think something called steaks.” He said while looking around at the market.

“Yes, steaks, ok well I’m not one of those meat sellers who cheats you, selling things for a lot of gold saying that it is good, but I’m going to show you some of my meat.” He turned around looked into some of the crates, and finally found a steak putting it on the counter of the stand where a butcher’s knife lay.

“Don’t worry about the cheating thing, my mom taught me how to identify a good steak, or any kind of meat. She said that for starters it has to be juicy.” He said while looking at the steak, he picked it up and felt it.

“That is right, juicy; I never knew how to explain it,” said the vender as he took another piece of meat and put it beside the first.

Dwenlin picked up the second steak and felt it, some blood trickled down his hand an arm as he held the steak. He put both of the steaks down and nodded. “I will take both of these; hum do you have a basket or something to wrap the meat in so that I don’t get cow blood over the vegetables?”

The vender looked up at Dwenlin musing over what he had said. He looked around the stand and then after leaving for a minute or two he came back with some cow hide to wrap the steaks in. “Will these do?” The vender asked

“Yes those will do.” Dwen said, gave the vender the steaks so that he could wrap them and pulled out some money to pay with. The vender nodded his thanks, took the money, quickly counted it and put it in his money pouch.

Dwenlin continued walking, he saw many stands but none of the ones that he needed still. He had bought the meat, the vegetables that he needed, other than the celery. But the list said that he needed to buy some eggs, nails, and some milk which he did last so that it stayed colder longer.

He continued to walk around the market place, when he noticed the fruit stand, his mom never bought fruit because it always spoiled, well maybe she knew best, he kept and walking but had to look back, the fruit looked so good. He stopped walking, and looked around, everywhere people were walking from one stand to the next, buying, and gossiping. He wondered what it was like to get to the age when all you did was gossip, and go to the market, he did it as a chore, lots of the people he saw where in their eighties, and had almost nothing to do. Well except gossip he thought. He continued walking. He went down the street, for about one minute, and then turned right at the corner. He saw the egg stand, were a lot of chickens where kept in cages, and eggs on platters.

He walked up to the egg stand, recognizing the chicken farmer Mike as he got closer, and his son Alith, both happy as they helped a different customer, and as they dealt with the chickens. When Dwen got closer he saw that the customer was not happy with the produce, and that he was arguing with Mike, or trying to, Mike with his usual smile did not change moods at all. Dwen got close enough to hear them.

“Well? Don’t you think that you are a little over priced?” asked the customer

“No I do not; I think that my prices are fine, after all the chicken eggs are amazing, and because the price is not actually ridiculous,” looking over to the side he saw Dwen coming closer, “Ah! Dwen, do you think that my prices are to high, after all a man must make a profit.

Dwen instantly answered the question without hesitation, “No Mike, I don’t, after all your eggs are amazing.”

“Oh! You don’t want to mock me boy, you will never want to mock me. These eggs are overpriced and I’m not the sole person who thinks so!” the customer said angrily and then left the stand.

“So, how’s business?” asked Dwenlin, almost ironically.

“Well, fill that in yourself, with people like him spreading news that I am overpriced, it’s not to good, but better than some weeks. Two dozen like usual Dwen?” Mike replied rather joyfully.

“Yes sir, two dozen, enough for the week let’s hopes.”

After handing the eggs to Dwenlin in a small basket, “Hope I didn’t cause any trouble for you with my angry customers Dwen, that would be bad business,” Mike asked.

“No, of course not, see you next week Mike,” Dwen said as he waved goodbye and left the stand.

Heading to the rest of the market Dwen still needed only milk, oh and of course some nails for the fence and roof. To boxes his dad had added to the list. Dwen surveyed the market, noticing that the milk stand was close, the milk can last a few more minutes can’t it? Of course he may take some time finding the stand with nails, what people call the hardware stand, two of them in the market; one owned them owned by a kind man by the name of Gerald. He would find this stand first, and then come back for milk.

It did not take him long at all to find the stand; it was across the street and was easy to spot. He walked up to it, noticing that no one was there. Odd if you think about it, a hardware stand with no customers. As he got closer he say Gerald come out from the back of the stand. He stepped out seeing Dwen coming close.

“Why hello… Dwen, right?” asked the rough man

“Yes its Dwen, and hello Gerald. No customers today?”

“No no, the bigger planks I sell round back, what do you need? I have a customer out back so let’s be quick.”

“Simply two boxes of nails,” Dwen replied.

The tall man ducked under the stand, grabbed two boxes of nails, Dwen paid and was on his way. He headed back to where he needed the milk, paid for it quickly, since he needed to get home, and then started to leave the market. On the way home, he saw the man who was at Mike’s egg stand. He couldn’t be up to anything good as he talked to some other men. All of them in their thirties, Dwen didn’t want to get involved, so he continued on his way, hoping Mike would be ok.

When he got home his mother was waiting for him, he gave her the food right away, and went to the back of the house to find his father in the shed. He saw his dad bent over trying to find something in the bottom shelf or a bookcase, which had anything but books.

“Hullo father, how are you today?” Dwen said with a smile on his face, at seeing his dad working at home.

“I am quite fine Dwen, couldn’t have been better, unless I could find some nails,” his father replied, almost hinting at the nails.

Dwen handed him the nails, then followed him around the yard, helping him in his work. For the rest of the day Dwenlin and his father cut the grass, patched the roof, and repainted the fences in the back yard. Other chores where done by his mother and his younger brother just sat on a chair, and cried.

After a filling dinner of steak, beans, and potatoes Dwen went out to town, to spend some time by himself. He had some friends, but he decided to stay alone. Dwen went for a nice walk along the cobblestone bridges by the harbor, thinking to himself, and then went to the tavern for a drink.

As he entered the tavern he saw that it was quite empty, considering the time. Dwen got a small beer and then sat down by himself at a table. As he continued his thoughts, he realized that he had no life here. Sure he had some friends, but no really good ones. He did his chores and he did them well. But in the end, his life was all chores, he longed for adventure. His mother said that he was rash in that way, and if he had the chance he would be gone in an instant. Of course he denied it, saying he would plan every moment. When he sat down at night, he realized his mother was right.

He looked around at the tavern, seeing almost no one but older men. No one talked, they all just sat there contemplating live, enjoying a drink. These men did nothing else, they would sit there silently and in the end, would have a good time. Of course all of these men were sailors; they had seen and done things that some people would never experience. They needed some quiet time, and they got some. They enjoyed the peace, Dwen needed adventure.

He surveyed the room, looking at the familiar bar. The old wood with chipped paint, all the tables positioned around the bar counter, a friendly face behind it greeting all who entered through the creaky doors. Old bar stools creaked at the weight of the customers, though it was not much weight at all. In the end, though they place was old, it was a nice old. Everyone who came here came here to think, all the loud drinkers would go to other taverns. This particular tavern was made for the wise, who contemplated life with a cold beer in their hand.

Dwen finished his beer and left the tavern, leaving a small tip at the table. His walk back home was just as nice as the walk to the tavern. He continued to think about his need for adventure, he wanted to go sailing. Thinking about going off to where no one had gone before was exciting to him, and he liked it. He imagined sailing across rough waters, seeing strange sea creatures. All he thought about on the way home was his adventures, rather the ones he wished he could be on. When he got home, he quietly went to his bed, still thinking about how he could get away, making up plans in his head. He just hoped, hoped that someday he could get away from his life, from this life.

Dwen woke up to, almost falling of his bed. He rolled over, only to realize that today he had not work, his parents told him to take the day off. He would make the most of it, by not sleeping till noon. He slowly got up, got dressed and then hobbled down the stairs

At the bottom of the stair case he found his younger brother, like usual, whining about, well nothing really. Dwenlin continued to the kitchen where he grabbed some bread, and some milk. He ate it while just thinking. He thought about the grumpy man at the market place at Mike’s stand, he thought about his make belief adventures, and how ridiculous he was to even have a hint of going anywhere. He hardly believed himself when he thought about his longing taste for adventure. Before he knew it, he was day dreaming again, thinking about the rough seas, sailing to islands across the world, depending on the size of the world that is.

Dwen then left the house leaving to go, well no where in particular, just on a walk. He left the house, putting on his brown shabby coat and turning left. He continued along the same path as the night before, but didn’t mind. He walked past he inn he had ended up earlier the past night. Then he stopped when he heard the word “adventure”. Dwenlin turned around in shock, thinking he was dreaming.

Quickly he ran over to the inn where he saw an old man speaking to a small crowd of people about leaving the port. “Who needs this crowded, dump of a port, when you could spend a day in the boat, or maybe two, and yer’ll be in a paradise,” said the old sailor.

Dwen walked closer to see more of what the old sailor said. The scruffy old man pulled out a map and said, “In this corner over here,” pointing to the bottom right corner, “is an island which has no oppressing government, and yet, no crime. A rotten place like this no sir, this ole place is a paradise, a bloody paradise!” The old sailor sounded so excited about it, that Dwen could not believe that he would be lying; he had to have seen it before.

Dwen pushed through the few people left in front of him and walked up to the old sailor, who was conveniently smoking his pipe. “Sir, what do you need for me to come with you?” Dwen asked politely.

The experienced sailor turned his head, almost in surprise. “Well, well do yer want to come with me? Thank yer, all I needed was one more person on me ole boat; it has to be manned by at least two yer see. Oh, and I ask nothing but a few coins for supplies for the way, oh and the time yer want to leave.”

Dwen stared back at him for a moment, thinking of his proposal. Finally he answered, “Sir, if we leave in three days that will give me time to pack, say my goodbyes, and second guess myself.”

The elderly man looked at Dwen, smiled and started to laugh. “Second guess yerself eh? Well I’ll be ready then, meet here at noon, give me the money now though; if yer don’t want to come I’ll pay yer back. Oh and for the record, this journey though short is rough, that’s why all those there people left, and… my name is Bronk.”

“Well, then Bronk, I will have to think it over in those three days, and will meet you here at noon. Also, all I have with me is 10 silver, not much.”

“Enough for some food for two days, it will do, after all, the place is a paradise.”

“Ok, see you in three days,” Dwen said giving him the money and waving goodbye. The old sailor waved back and smiled, looking so happy that Dwen could feel he was doing something for more than his own gain.

When Dwen got home his mother was in the middle of making lunch, while his father was sitting at the kitchen table smoking his pipe, and whistling at the same time, something which took him a while to perfect.

“Hi Dwen, lunch is almost ready, perfect timing!” His mother said to him, excited as always on summer afternoons.

“Hi mother, hi father, can I talk to you about something?” Dwen replied to his parents.

Dwen explained what had happened with the old sailor named Bronk. His father did not seem fazed, but his mother was worried, less than expected by Dwen. He explained that he had three days to get ready, no more, and that he was planning on going.

His father after listening sighed and said, “Well Dwenlin my son, you should do it. The waters are rough out there, more so during winter, but this place sounds fabulous. If you get there, and start a life, come back and take us there. That is all I ask of you if you go, take us there some day.”

His mother looked at her husband, in less shock than expected and said, “I agree, this life was never meant for you, you were always a restless little boy. But… be careful Dwen, and come back.”

Dwen looked at both of his parents in shock, they took this much better than he had thought, “If you approve then I shall go, and if it is a paradise, I shall come back.”

The next few, three days, consisted of Dwen packing for the trip, and his mother helping him. His father gave him his old knife, though not much was something. His mother packed enough food for a day. Dwenlin packed all his clothes, and his personal belongings. He said goodbye to his family, and left the house. His brother did not even say goodbye, but was complaining about how hot it was, Dwen didn’t mind though, he had expected it.

Dwen continued the well-traveled path to the inn where all this had begun. He entered, with his two brown bags, one on his back the other he carried, to see the old sailor Bronk sitting at a table, by himself, smoking his pipe. The old man smiled and waved to Dwenlin, motioning him to sit with him.

Dwen sat down and looked up at the old sailor, “If yer want to back down, last chance sonny, here’s yer money,” said Bronk placing his 10 silver coins on the table.

Dwen looked him in the eye and said, “No Bronk, I am going with you, to paradise, or maybe the edge of the earth.”

Bronk smiled, but then started to laugh again. Once he had calmed down he motioned for Dwen to follow him. They left the inn and turned right, taking the path that led to the harbor, which was quiet obvious. Bronk and Dwen followed the path right past all the fishing boats, the cargo boats, to a small sailing ship. This ship was not made for fishing, but for sailing small trips. It was like any other cargo ship but smaller. The boat had a square sail, with patches in it, and the same hull as a schooner.

Bronk smiled at Dwen, “Ain’t she a beauty? Well if yer don’t think so, I sure do.

“No, she sure is nice, especially for a small boat,” Dwen replied.

“Well then, let’s set her loose, come on Dwen, let’s get ready for hot beaches, after cold seas that is.”

Dwen stepped onto the boat, feeling like he was on an adventure already. He set his bags down, then looked back at his home. As the boat pulled out of the harbor, and as Bronk yelled orders at him, he just stood there. He stood there and thought about this, was it a dream, no it was not. He was leaving his home, to find his fortune, and for adventure.