Sleepers' Sage | ONC 2023

II. Dawn

"During youth, things are much simpler. Acting in a straightforward manner, the world has a way of granting sanctuary in the Dales. Growing up is easy, so familiar you don't have to expend a single thought to your labour. Some are blessed with such a practical upbringing, one free of worry or grief, and Mara was one of these fortunate few.

Her childhood was one of joyful ignorance, and safe for the few encounters with Marewin Salford, Mara's self-proclaimed rival, it was a happy one. During these early years, the innkeeper's children made quite a name for themselves in Forn. While I would love to regale you with their titles and heroics, these names were not ones of honour nor prideful skill. The Barwick children were all known as troublemakers (albeit teasingly so, for they were very loved in their hometown). Especially Mara was the centre of many a hushed whisper, known for her hotheaded and stubborn nature. Everyone had been regaled by the happy girl about her plans for the future. While many shook their heads and smiled, simply hoping her the best of luck on her youthful journey, most fostered a reasonable, yet playful fear for the young girl's stubbornness.

It was no surprise then, during the afternoon of the last school bell, that every soldier and smith in Forn held their breath and waited for a merry, tiny knock on their door. The final school bell, after all, noted the end of the children's schooling and the start of their apprenticeships. With the widespread word of Mara's hopes to become a soldier, everyone had expected her to enrol in the trade of blade and steel.

There came no knock, however, and for an entire week, the smiths and soldiers heard not a single word of the young girl. That evening in the Hearth's Rest Pub, the mystery was finally solved by the ear of a wandering soldier. Mara had indeed not sought an apprenticeship in the smithing business but, to everyone's surprise, had started to study under the humble trade of the shoemakers.

Many raised eyebrows at the sudden change of pace, but the girl seemed pleased with her work, and the smithies had never known such quiet. Quietly she would work on her new trade, a slight smile on her lips. On first look, this grin might be directed at her cobbling, but such a glance was a deceiving one. Her smile was not devoted to her craft but rather, to the ace she had up her sleeve. For Mara had accidentally found herself in the perfect place at the ideal time.

Right before the end of her schooling, a chance encounter left her with a new friend: the esteemed Delard Farlow. This teenage boy was two years older than Mara, and son to the great Graham Farlow, who in turn was the son of the far greater Duarte 'Ironhand of the Goldblades'. A friendly lad, interested in her father's old trade, Delard was most things Marion was not. He stood tall and lean, could speak charm and etiquette, and crafted strategies and battle in the way Mara cobbled shoes. The brown-haired man could even play chess! To her, he was a hero, and to him, she was good company.

With his charm and skills, he quickly won Mara's friendship, and she, in turn, was a new perspective to him. Her life contrasted his, giving a simple, fun (and frankly, enjoyably stubborn) turn to his stern upbringing. They enjoyed each other's company more than anyone in Forn would have expected, and Mara told Delard all about her hopes and dreams. He listened to her carefully and plotted alongside her, not as family like her brothers had, but as a true friend. To her, the esteemed Delard Farlow was just 'Dale', a nickname he'd say with such unfettered mischief whenever he'd talk about the soldiers of their homeland: The Goldblades of the Great Dale. The two would meet frequently in their secret meeting spot: a small, flat roof only reachable by climbing from the inn's balcony to the Farlow residence.

During one of such meetings, Dale animatedly recounted the outcome of one of their more significant plans: enrolling Mara to become a soldier's squire. To her joy, Delard had asked his father to take her in as an apprentice, and as he told, Graham Farlow had agreed. While Mara was delighted, she could already hear the worried questions of her father in her head, telling her not to go. But opportunities like this don't come twice, and she knew it was her only possibility to achieve her dreams and agreed to meet with Graham, as long as Delard told no one.