Shattered Realm

Tell me. When a story begins of a land that was once peaceful, broken in the face of adversity. That perhaps a strong kingdom fell to an outside power who established an evil Empire poised to take over the world, or a band of evil people came together to take over the land that saw a kind king deposed by those greedy. Sadly, that’s not my story. My land was weak and never really was strong, not wanting anything more in the world than what was already in their possession. Where everyone else did not invade since there was never a real reason to leave this small piece of land alone because it was better that way. Sadly, it didn’t stay that way forever. Tell me. What is worse for a person? Someone who lived in that land since birth seeing it being taken by someone else and now they must live with that new power that was put in place? Or someone who gave everything to fight for that land, who’s sole duty was to lay down their life for it, only to see it crumble around them without being able to do anything. Even worse, what if that person didn’t have their life ended, instead thrown away in the ponds of history because it was less of a hassle for the powerful.

That is how my tale went. I was a knight whose bravery gave hope to the people, wanting nothing more than to serve my people and my nation for all eternity. Only for us to lose and be told, “This realm is no more, you are no longer needed and are free to go. But you may never return, for if you do the consequences are not on yourself… But the people you hold dear.” Those were the words the victors told us, and like ghosts we disappeared from the land as if we never really existed. So I headed east, towards a city where people say you can start anew.

“Hey. Pay attention Ves, I want to show you something.” said the person who was sitting in the cart with me, breaking me from my memories. Sadly, the honorifics of knighthood were gone when you were exiled from your home. Slowly, an orb glowed in their hand to shine some light inside the cart they were riding in. It was rare to see a wizard using their magic so openly, of course I never really found wizards when I was a knight. Least, none as unqualified as this person. “Look at that! I can finally make my own light, it’s beautiful isn’t it?” I would have thought so at one point, watching a hedge wizard learn magic right in front of me as I sparred against my peers. Sadly, times weren’t the same as back then. Now watching the hedge wizard make magic was just a requirement to be tolerant and not have another enemy in the world, at least it was entertaining from time to time when they failed. Ultimately the orb went out without a second thought, which caused a smirk to spread across my face as I stared at the hedge wizard who sat there confused, only to look up and pout at the sight of my face. Clearly unhappy with the look.

“You know. Magic is harder than it looks.” That was always the excuse they gave, “I’m sure it is, good thing I don’t need to worry about it. Magic just makes it so you don’t have things like these.” With a small bit of pride, I decided to hold up my left arm and flex my muscles, which got me pelted in the face with flowers. Which made me realize as I was pulling them off, I spent so much time with this person but didn't even know their name. “So, Wizard. What’s your name anyways.” Finally with a smile, the hedge wizard who I could obviously tell was not comfortable starting the conversation about themselves finally could loosen up a bit. “I’m Noric. Noric Gratu. I’m from the southlands, I explored a little bit before I decided I wanted to learn at the Halls of Magic and Rituals. I want to be a full wizard so I can do magic just like the greats! I also cannot wait to get my own wizard tower, my own dungeon, even my own pet dragon!”

Holding my hand to my face, I couldn’t help but laugh a little bit at the idea of this short hedge wizard having a pet dragon, at most I can see a chicken. Poor kid probably thinks those fairy tales are true, but I couldn’t blame them for thinking so. “Well. I hope you manage to get yourself in then, maybe I’ll see you around the city when we get there.” Noric looked interested in me, almost a little bit intrusive but then smiled at the excitement of it. “No wonder you’re riding on this lonely cart with me! You want to come to the city too! What were you thinking of doing there? Being a soldier? A knight-” It was rather ironic when he said this, “Maybe even a guard?” With a small laugh, I reached over and patted them on the head. Only just realizing my gauntlets still on my hands, it felt so long ago that I used these hands to defend something. Only to have it be taken from them. A pang of sadness went through my chest, but I forced a smile when I looked over at Noric.

“I don’t know yet. Maybe. But I think I want to settle in first, before trying to do something I might not like later.” With a nod, they understood that, “Well then hopefully you’ll be able to find something you do like, maybe you could come with me and learn magic tog- Oh… You don’t have magic. Sorry.” With a visible sad smile, I shook my head, “Well. How about we sleep the remaining portions of the way there. It’s a long journey ahead and I don’t think the driver is stopping the cart any time soon. With a smile, Noric crawled over and wrapped his cloak over the both of them, only now do I realize it was made out of moss that was stitched together. With a sigh, I remember about home and my people. Only one thing is left that I know about them for certain now.

They are gone.