Call of Caldiria Chapter 4

Call of Caldiria Chapter 4.

             Marike sighed as she walked into the Rusty Anchor. It was nearing midnight, and she was mentally and physically exhausted. After what happened on the sky ship, she wanted to drown herself in ale, maybe even to the point that she wouldn’t see the sun again for a few days. She finally had her dream, and she let it slip away. How would she be able to sail through the skies now? She was sure that the captain would spread the word that she was a Sizeran around Anchorhead despite what he said. And even if he didn’t, the rest of his crew would tell the world.

             While the port town was supposed to be a haven for all people in Caldiria, times changed. When the Lunastates vanished and the new governor took over, things became challenging for those who didn’t fit in. While Velerens and Perditions were accepted freely, most of the other races of Caldiria were received with scorn. Aquisiens had it the easiest. They were not liked, but at least they were not turned away by most of the people and treated like total outcasts. Sizerans, Xiros, and the more. . . reclusive races like the Beriesit Witches were treated like outcasts. People were scared of them. In Marike’s case, they were scared that she could change in size, possibly causing destruction on a whim. Other races like the Xiros, while small, could easily channel electrical energy through their fur.

             “Can I have some ale?” Marike sat down at the bar and threw a few copper pieces at the tavern keep.

             He looked her over. “Coming right up.” He didn’t say anymore, seeing the look on her face. As the man returned with her drink, she didn’t know what to do. Her life seemed to crumble before her in the matter of a few hours. Had she done the right thing? Was saving a man worth dashing her chance at happiness? As she drank the ale, its bitter taste dripping down the back of her mouth, the thoughts plagued her. Part of her told her that saving the man was right, but she was still scared that she would never get the chance like that again. Not after the decisions she—

             “Hey. Greenskin!” She turned her head to see a familiar Perdition stumbling up to her. “You have a lot of nerve to still be here in town.”

             She returned to her drink. “I think you are mistaking me for someone else, sir.”

             He pushed her with one of his four arms. “No, I am not! You are nothing but a Sizeran freak.” She could tell he was clearly drunk. “You tried to kill us on our ship.” She narrowed her eyes. Everyone was staring at them. Marike could tell that they were unsure of the Perdition’s words. He was severely drunk, after all. Still, it was drawing too much attention to her.

             “Why would a Sizeran show their face in this town.”

             He grabbed her by her shoulders and picked her up. “Don’t play dumb with me, girl. You want to know what happens to foolish Sizerans like you?” He snarled. “They get what is coming to them. And I will make sure that happens.”

             A blue shimmering blade made out of hardened water suddenly appeared at the Perdition’s throat. “Now, now. Is that any way to treat a young lady?” An Aquisien with long, shimmering sapphire hair seemed to materialize behind the drunk brute. “It seems hardly fair. Especially since the girl doesn’t have anything to defend herself with.” The woman narrowed her eyes. “Or maybe you should pick on someone who has the brain capacity to understand you in your current state.”

             The Perdition dropped Marike and swirled around, the blade coming close to cutting him. Marike gasped that he would even attempt something so foolish, but he seemed overcome by rage as he lumbered about. “You little. . . ughh. . . bitch.”

             The woman dodged out of the way before jabbing at his exposed chest. “Is that really the best insult you have?” Her face darkened. “Or are you so inebriated that your brain is rotting?” She whirled around and kicked him, sending him flying into the bar.

             The Veleren bar keep waved his hands about. “Hey, take this outside. I won’t have you trashing my place of business.” He gulped as the Perdition got to his feet.

             “You should have stayed out of this Aquisien trash.” He ran at the lady, only for a young Veleren man to stand in the way, a flame sword pointed at him.

             “Now, now. I would hold it right there unless you want things to end right here and now. Our barkeep friend said not to mess up his pretty bar.” The man arched an eyebrow. And I am sure you don’t want to test me. You know who I am, right?”

             The Perdition snorted. “Yes.”

             “Then why don’t you head off before I tell your captain that you are starting fights.” The man smiled. “I am sure you don’t want to lose your job over something as simple as this.”

             The Perdition opened his mouth to say something but held his tongue. He looked at Marike one last time before walking towards the door.

             After the Perdition was gone, the Veleren who had humiliated him turned towards Marike. “The name is Telean. I am the captain of the Carnary’s Cry.” He walked around Marike. “Word on the street, you are a Sizeran.”

             Marike tensed up. “I think you are mistaken. I am just a Verlen like you.”

             Telean arched an eyebrow. “Is that so? That is too bad.” He sighed as he turned around. And here I thought I had found someone I could work with; someone I could recruit to my ship. But if you are not the woman everyone is talking about, ohhh, well.”

             “Wait. . .” She took a deep breath. “If I knew of this woman. . . why do you want her?”

             The Aquisien answered Marike. “If you are bloody afraid, we are going to hurt you, I would have just slit your throat when I entered the bar before you knew what happened.”

             Telean turned his head. “Now, Ien, there is no need for such talk.”

             Ien snorted, “I am just being honest. If I wanted to hurt the girl, I would have. I have no reason to, so I don’t know why she is so bloody jumpy. For Velork’s sake, we saved you. Be grateful!”

             Markie was taken aback. She had never seen anyone go out of her way to be helpful to her like this. Not for a long time. But for a few moments, she just stared at Ien. The Aquisien was crude and to the point. She had never seen anyone like her. “I. . . I am a Sizeran. I don’t like talking about it.”

             Telean patted Marike on the shoulder. “I don’t see why not. You have a gift, my dear. And I have a job. I want you on my sky ship.”

             Marike’s face lit up, if only for a moment. “I am honored, but you are just going to lock me below deck, aren’t you?”

             The young man laughed. “What? No. I want you to help. A woman who can change in size? You could do so much.” He put his hand on her back and led her to the door. Why would I confine you to the ship's hold? Someone like you should be free to do what you want, even if that means being any size that you want.” He smiled. Welcome to my crazy little crew.”