Calytrix's Journey

Chapter I: The Evil King

I waved farewell to everyone in my small village. Saying goodbye brought on a mix of happiness and sadness. My dream was to travel the world, but unfortunately, that led to some bad news such as being unable to call this place my home ever again. My gaze fell upon the letter my parents had just given me. Inside was a short note: Wishing our beloved Calytrix the best of luck. We hope you'll visit and write to us often.

With the letter in my bag, I straightened up and walked faster. My resolve about not looking back couldn't stop my eyes from welling with tears. I pinched my cheeks and then ran to my first destination. I didn't want to get emotional before my journey even began. It wasn't fitting behavior for a witch who'd recently come of age. My 20th birthday fell in springtime, the best time to start the journey since the weather was at its kindest, not too hot or cold. 

A gust of wind suddenly blew my hair into my face, causing me to stumble forward a few steps. As a tall, slender adult, I rarely experienced such strong winds. A brief flash of red and blonde filled my sight before the wind ceased and I could untangle my hair.

My first stop was a close-by citadel. My plan was to get there at dusk and put on a small magic show. The children will surely love it, and I might even get paid by some parents. Self-reliance in funding was essential to any witch's journey. I received some travel money from the village chief and my parents, but it wouldn't be enough for the entire journey, and it wasn't bad to make money when it's easily accessible before a worst-case scenario happens: a money pinch. 

I bypassed the main road, running through green fields and taking shortcuts. On my route, I encountered two black cats playing with each other, one lost cow enjoying her newfound freedom and three teenagers hiding in nearby bushes, whom I pretended not to notice. 

Sunshine brought cozy warmth to my walk. Even the weather seemed to wish me luck today, making for a pleasant journey. 

My haste led to an early arrival at my first destination. As always, the citadel's main roads astonished me with their paved paths made from small stones, especially since my village had no paved paths at all. The citadel, even from afar, was as impressive as one would expect. Its big white walls formed a magic star. 

It's rumored in the area that a powerful ancient witch built the citadel. Old myths and legends of witches have always captivated me. People speculated this citadel was one of the places where many old adventures happened. The writings lacked geographical precision, so it was never affirmed or denied. Legend has it that witches met yearly at a huge, human-built star, a place of magic where they shared skills, and opened portals to other dimensions. It was a fantastic story. I felt a bit disappointed not to have lived during such an exciting time.

While I wanted to encounter other witches along the way, I was uncertain about what that would entail. I envisioned a wonderful meeting, but I had a small undescribable anxiety about it too.  

Since the citadel was nothing new, I questioned whether my journey had truly begun. I visited it a lot with my parents and villagers. The vibrant atmosphere snapped me out of my daydream. Although daytime activity was typical, the nights held their own unique interest. The main square boasted many small shops, specializing in minor repairs, such as shoe and clothing mending, which remained open nearly all day. A bookstore I often went to was situated there too. Although the selection was limited, they eventually fulfilled all of my book requests. There were books I had to wait for an entire year, but they were all worth it. The store let me read some small books without requiring a purchase. 

Although the citadel appeared prosperous, the origin of its wealth remained a secret. The local villages around the citadel weren't prosperous; they were small but people managed to get by with small farming. There wasn't large scale trading or special craftsmanship that would bring in the extra profits. I was advised against interfering in others' affairs, as the citadel wasn't intended as my permanent residence. It was fishy, but it was the truth. I can't find my permanent settlement anywhere near here, so I never pursued the topic.