The Awakening

Chapter 2

Sun filtered into the room through the old blinds that draped over the window. Kiel gripped a worn yellow paper in his right hand, careful not to scrunch it up he carefully folded it open. Inside was a sprawling text, one written in a hurried and messy style. Lars's handwriting may not have been the greatest, but it was readable nonetheless.

As his eyes scanned over the page, Lars's words from the previous night came back to him. "Kiel, if that's what you've decided then so be it. I never intended to stay here with you long, just to help you along and push you in the right direction."
Lars handed Kiel a yellowing folded paper. Kiel brought it close to his face and inspected it with his steel gray eyes. Kiel gave Lars an inquisitive look and raised one of his thin eyebrows.
"It's a guide, it'll tell you where you should go next. I wrote the directions to the forest of Yortin that lies southwest from here." Lars cut off his speech as if that's all there was to tell about Kiel's supposed destination.
"Why the hell am I going to a forest, and how will I know when I've arrived at the right one? The entire continent of Fraendallr is covered in forests." Kiel sighed at Lars's less than average skill of giving details. As a commander and a soldier, Lars had no purpose for unnecessary details. Commands were given, and commands were followed. Those are the rules of living life as a soldier.
Regardless, he could use to elaborate a bit more. I'll need to know why I'm doing something before I can decide if it's worth my time. Kiel's thoughts ran as he waited for Lars's less than quick answers.
"It shouldn't be hard to find, it sprawls nearly across the entirety of Fraendallr. Besides the trees are all the size of small buildings" Lars said this as if it were common knowledge. "I'd be more surprised if you could find another forest akin to Yortin compared to getting lost."
Lars cleared his throat somewhat roughly. "As for why you're going, it's to see a trusted old friend of your Kievia. He's been teacher to the last 3 rulers"
Kiel's face shone with doubt. "So this man, he's at least 300 then?" That familiar eyebrow raise that Kiel always wore when asking questions appeared on his face.
"I have no doubt that someone is waiting for me if you say so Master Lars, but how am I supposed to believe he's tripled a normal man's lifespan?"
Lars gave a deep sigh in response. "I can use magic, but I'm neither a fortune teller nor a mystic. I have no idea how he does it, but it's a fact that he still lives in Yortin."
Seemingly satisfied, Kiel posed no more questions. With a sigh of relief, Lars continued to explain. "Your father always spoke of The Sage in a way that showed respect. If that hardass could respect him, he must be quite a fellow. I'm not exactly sure what he teaches, but I have a feeling that it's just what you need now." Lars stood still with a palm on the back of his head, reluctantly admitting his true feelings about the former king.  "The sage will give you guidance, he'll help you along the path that you wish to pursue." Lars spoke that last part somberly.
Lars took a deep breath in, exhaled, and started to speak before cutting himself off multiple times. Kiel gazed at him expectantly, wondering what was so hard to say after everything that had come before it. "Kiel... be careful yeah?" With a reddened face, Lars sheepishly looked off to the side, stroking his coarse grey beard with a large and calloused hand.
Resolve flowed as Kiel reflected on his meeting. I'll make a new home for us. One where we don't have to be so tense with one another. Kiel thought to himself resolutely.

Packing his meager belongings into a worn leather knapsack, Kiel latched the flap shut and threw it over his shoulder onto his back. The old but clean floor creaked in response to the added weight, but held sturdy. With his belongings from the last year over his shoulder, Kiel made his way to the door.
After making his way down the stairs, Kiel approached the neat bar counter where Thala was wiping an obviously clean mug with a dry linen cloth. The last bit of business Kiel had to take care of before he left was checking out of his room in Thala's inn.
"I'd like to check out of my room, all my possessions are out already." Kiel pointed to his knapsack with a thumb and Thala raised one of her eyebrows.
"So you found someone better huh? I'll cut your price if you stay." Thala had a bit of humor in her voice.
Unsure whether it was a joke or not, Kiel decided to respond seriously. "No ma'am, I'm leaving town so I'll no longer need the space." Thala blew some air out of her nose and chuckled.
"Yeah yeah, sure thing kid. You're free to go." Pampering him with a gentle tone, Thala leaned forward and gently waved Kiel off with one hand.
Kiel smiled at Thala and turned around, striding across the oaken floor towards the heavy inn door. Despite diving into more danger than he ever had before, Kiel felt a keen sense of excitement. He had a direction, and he had no intent of stopping.
Without a clue of what he was getting himself into, Kiel strode through the busy daytime town towards the large gate that led beyond.