First Meeting
A place called Nicklecleak

Part 2

"The beginning of your journey can be the first stepof a great destiny."

+ William Merringer + 

I wanted to introduce myself properly, but the familiar voice of Lord Crucious thwarted any possible attempt.

"As you can see, those who did not take this initiation seriously are the only ones left."

"This is not fair," They demanded, but the glance of Crucious was such that they kept their words for themselves.

"Dockstand and Merringer" We looked at each other in confusion "I want you to carry this box" Announced "It contains a letter and information that you must deliver to the port of Woodsack, you will recognize your contact when you get there. According to the training of the Ardatars, you must carry this mission without question. However, you are free to take the necessary actions to reach your objective.

 For a moment, we looked at the ornate wooden box with Omakens' shield as a seal, its weight made me think that it was fragile and it could break at any moment, so we needed to be careful. The seriousness of our superiors' faces was a mask to the pride they felt by choosing us as their messenger.

"Lord Crucious, I am honored to take this task. I will carry it out with the maximum of my abilities without neglecting my primary mission, the well-being of my companion."

"Lady Agnes, you are honoring us with this task. We hope to meet your expectations and still achieve our primary goal" Both seemed pleased by our answer. Pride appeared in my smile while joy overflowed Dockstand's eyes.

 During our training, we were taught how the outside world could be and that we needed to see it from many angles to understand it. While the Herbnz observed the goodness, the Ardatars were educated to notice the stark reality as the shadows that would protect them from the inhabitants of the lands, their majestic cultures, and their cities' unique life from the dubious truth of their nobility. We didn't know more than we had read about the world and what our superiors told us. Ardatars lives between the tiny lines that difference a noble knight from a devious murderer, separating crime from justice. Some believe that we are judges, executors, mercenaries, or bounty hunters, but their opinion didn't matter or our title. Only the weight of our actions can make our goal worthy.

 "May the currents of the sea guide you in the right direction, may your feet grasp the solid ground, and the wind takes you where you are needed. Ardatar and Herbnz take this treasure beyond the eye of the storm. We have experienced this road filled with tribulations but know that your companion will be with you until the end. This is the fate of the Wanderers." Lady Agnes touched us with her words while Lord Crucious dismissed us with a military salute. 

+ Daisy Dockstand + 

My parents were renowned Herbnz, known for treating many sick people during their travels; they were extremely proud of me; their names were Joseph and Elizabeth, my brothers were Edmund and Tobias.

 Edmund was not present after all he had reached the age in which he had to choose if he wanted to be an Ardatar, a Herbnz, or any other profession,  wanted to say goodbye to him, and this saddened me, but I knew that both of us were fulfilling our duty. My mother carried Tobias while my father delivered my belongings specially prepared for the occasion. Small travel bags and wooden compartments designed by my dad to withstand the arduous ahead. Each of them carried ingredients, instruments, leather, fabric, alcohol that will serve to clean wounds, not to mention water and a bag full of gold coins, enough money for a long trip or any eventuality; of course, I took this inside a secret compartment in my dress for more protection.

"Oh, my little girl, today you become a Herbnz. The emotions fill the heart of your mother."

"Your father and I believe that this particular mission from the Superiors will be a useful tool to bring peace between nations in this chaotic world. Just remember what we have taught you, and you will be okay" Nostalgia filled her eyes with memories of her traveling time.

"Daisy! I hope your Ardatar could teach me how to fight when you come back".

Little Tobias showed a great combative spirit. Mama once said that he kicked too hard inside her belly that it looked like he wanted to escape.   

 They made me blush with all their words of encouragement, but something caught my attention. Lord Crucious and Lady Agnes spoke with William with such familiarity that I thought they were giving him advice, but his body expression made me understand that they knew each other from somewhere else; also, his travel bags were on the floor me the sensation that he was alone.

"Daisy, it is rude to look at the people in that way" My mother chided me for looking at William so closely; his hazel eyes showed a determination that I did not understand, his disheveled hair and tan skin distracted me from the important matter at hand, my parents' final instructions.

"So, remember, if someone breaks an arm, you should…"

"Is he alone?" I took away my father's inspiration; it was rare to see me so deviated from a subject as important as this.

"He is a survivor of a shipwreck that happened many years ago, but don't mention it will be rude to do it."

"Why does Lady Agnes speak with him with such familiarity?"

"Because he became the adoptive son of both Superiors, dear."

My curiosity intensified, my yearning for research was greater than my height, he looked like an odd specimen that I would have to deal with during this journey from the beginning to the very end. I just hoped that its conclusion would literary take us through.

"Focus dear, focus, there will be time for the young to be young, remember that the most important item that you are carrying with you is your heart, never stop believing in it, this sets you apart from those greedy enough that fight for land that they end up ruining."

"What your mother is trying to say is: Do not forget to follow the goodness in your heart. The young Merringer will be the one to put your feet on the ground; remember that you must trust your Ardatar. He is more than your bodyguard. No matter what kind of actions he takes, they will be done to protect you and for the mission's sake.

"I understand. I hope he does too. Conflicts are the last thing that I want to deal with from the very start."

My parents' words will be of use shortly, although both of us were partners' maybe we would not always share the same point of view, that was for sure.

"Daisy Marie Dockstand, it is a pleasure to meet you" He held out his hand to me with gallantry and chivalry and kissed it, but his eyes met mine, challenging me unobtrusively.

"Young Merringer, we ask you, as dictated by the code of the Ardatars, to take care of our daughter."

"I will gladly do it, sire, but we have to leave now. If she continues with her farewells, our classmates will become a tiny dot on the horizon."

"We understand. May the winds guide your ship."

 From my perspective, they left me with the mouth wide open, which was an impolite way to act, but my parents just nodded with happy smiles at his words. It was the first thing that I did not like about Ardatars; our teachers trained them to be strict and to give orders, which I did not think were necessary, after all, we were supposed to be a team, also as doctors, we already had enough procedures and methods to follow. My parents noticed that I was about to start an argument, but with a hand gesture, they made me stop, I felt aggravated, but I believe that everyone deserves to be respected no matter who you are.

+ William Merringer +

           Saying my farewells to Lady Agnes and Master Crucious was an act of respect and gratitude. They took me when I lived in this place, giving me a home, protection, and helped me become who I am today.

 Lost in the gaze of the horizon, the words of Dockstand while she was saying goodbye made me return to the past. When a storm caught a ship full of refugees and people who wanted to flee from the horrors of wars, a mother who faded in the sky night, and a captain determined to save his crew already decimated by the pirates and stormy waves. I was immersed in my thoughts as we start walking away from the place we called home, from the only place that had welcomed me. There were no ways to change the situation, not even the most emotional farewell that could strain our throats' feelings by separating from loved ones.

 In her eyes, I could notice that she was upset by my behavior. However, it would be better if she experienced the world's shifts from my hand before leaving the island. I knew that the road would be long and complicated if she couldn't bear something so small.

 It was the beginning of our journey when our paths crossed.

 It was time to leave a place called Nickelfleak.