Chapter 3: High on Rose

As the evening meal with his parents came to an end, Caylen decided to take a walk before meeting Abbie at High on Rose. As he said his goodbyes to his family, he stepped out of the house and embarked towards the pub. The route to the pub diverged from his home in the opposite direction of the library. The sun was gradually sinking, vanishing beyond the rooftops of the shops lining the street across from his residence. There was little wind and the temperature had cooled to a comfortable level. Caylen noticed none of this. His mind was focused on his meeting with Elder Vaslin earlier in the day. What did Vaslin know of his other abilities?

Following the encounter with the Tyral Hound, Caylen's parents resolved to keep his newfound capability a secret. They emphasized the importance of not disclosing the events of that day to anyone. Over the years, Clay and Lauri would occasionally inquire if he had experienced a similar occurrence, to which Caylen truthfully replied that nothing of the sort had happened again. His parents came to the conclusion that it was a one-time event, caused by an unseen force on that fateful day. However, Caylen knew otherwise. He felt that the ability was still within him, waiting for the right circumstances to use it. Despite this, he respected his parents' wishes and kept his secret to himself, even from Abbie.

Hidden away was a final secret, an untold power. Although the ability of sight was rare, it was not unheard of. Once someone who possessed this gift had physically set foot in a place, they could effortlessly return to it at any time. Caylen, sitting in his chair, could transport himself to the library simply by shutting his eyes and projecting his presence there. His hands, if extended in front of him, were invisible to him, almost as if he were not truly there, yet his vision remained.

If Caylen were to make an educated estimate, he would surmise that approximately 100 individuals from Shylea possess this particular ability. However, utilizing it was deemed a punishable offense. Once a person had utilized their mental capabilities to visit a certain location, there was nothing to prevent them from revisiting it at any given time. A bedroom, a confidential business meeting, no place was secure from this extraordinary talent. Hence, it was considered a criminal act to employ the gift of foresight in any circumstance. As a result, no one dared to reveal their possession of such a power.

Caylen's gift of sight was different. As a young child, he recklessly experimented with his ability, often eavesdropping on his parents and teachers. He relished in uncovering their private discussions, even if it meant getting in trouble for starting fights in school. However, his enthusiasm quickly faded once he realized he often regretted hearing or seeing what was said about him. However, after his twelfth summer, he discovered his ability had changed.

One day, while Caylen's mother was away delivering an order to the captain of the guard at the royal palace, he was left in charge of the blacksmith shop. Lauri had generously included a handful of products in an order for a group of soldiers stationed at Macanda, a fortress situated in the distant southern region of Valia, as a token of appreciation. She left a detailed list of those items on the kitchen table before leaving the house. Caylen, who had been at the shop for several hours, suddenly realized he had left the list on the table where his mother had left it. The soldiers were due to arrive at any minute, and he had no idea what to give them. In a moment of panic, Caylen grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and sat down at the back of the shop with his eyes closed. Miraculously, he found himself inside his house, standing just inside the front door. He walked into the kitchen and spotted the list lying face down on the table. Quickly turning it over, he memorized the items before magically returning to the shop. As he finished copying the last item, he suddenly realized something was amiss. He had turned over the list. He turned over the list! This was not supposed to be possible with his gift of sight. Confused and afraid, Caylen magically returned to his house and rushed to the table. This time, he noticed that his hands were not visible as he turned over the paper. He could feel the texture of the paper, but could not see himself touching it. In a state of shock, he ran to the cabinets and opened them, then pulled back a chair from the table. How was this possible? Caylen was as terrified as the day he encountered the Tyral Hound.

In contrast to his encounter with the hound, Caylen refrained from seeking assistance from his parents. Despite his youth, he was aware that exercising his gift of sight could be considered a crime, and he feared that utilizing this magic would result in something even more terrible. Caylen attempted to suppress these thoughts, hoping that with time, the ability would fade away. To his dismay, it did not. It had been some time since he thought about his ability to not only see but to also interact. It had been even longer since he thought about his ability to dispatch a threat with nothing more than a thought. However, ever since his encounter with Vaslin, it is the only thing occupying his thoughts. Looking up, Caylen was startled to see that the sun had already set. He had been so consumed by his thoughts that he failed to realize he had walked past his meeting place with Abbie some time ago.

On the outskirts of the city stood High on Rose, a quaint establishment that exuded a rustic charm. The front had two hitching posts for horses and a small carriage spot, but it was mainly frequented by locals who arrived on foot. Located in the older part of the city, the pub was constructed with logs, much like the surrounding businesses. The exterior was shrouded in darkness, with no street lanterns to provide any illumination; the only source of light was from within. Once inside, one would find a simple yet inviting ambiance. The wooden planks that made up the floors and walls matched the exterior, giving the place a cohesive look. The tavern's only room was filled with four long tables in the center, while booths lined the walls on two sides. Against the back wall, there was a small stage where Abbie would perform a few times a week. To the left, a large bar with stools ran along the wall, often packed with standing patrons on busy nights. As Caylen entered, his eyes immediately fell upon the owner and barkeep, Bear.

The man known as Bear was a towering figure, standing a full head above Caylen. His long, auburn hair and thick beard were tied back in a ponytail, as was his usual style. Caylen greeted him with a wave as he entered the crowded tavern. Bear, who was busy serving ale from the tap at the center of the bar, acknowledged Caylen's presence with a nod. The tavern was bustling with Crafters from various fields, as this was a popular spot for them to gather. Occasionally, a few soldiers passing through Valia would also stop by. However, today Caylen sought solitude and managed to snag a booth towards the back of the tavern, just as a couple was leaving. This would provide a bit of privacy for him and Abbie. Choosing the seat with his back against the wall, Caylen had a clear view of the bar but couldn't see the front door. As he settled into his seat, one of the waitresses slammed a mug of dark ale onto the table without a word of greeting. In typical Crafter fashion, she simply asked, "Tab?" Caylen replied politely with a "Yes, please" but received no response as the waitress walked away. He couldn't help but wonder if there were any taverns in Stormbolt that could match the atmosphere of this one. But with his current state of mind, he doubted he would ever find out.

As Caylen quaffed his ale, memories of his first time visiting High on Rose flooded back to him. It had been four years ago. He couldn't believe it had been that long. After passing his secondary exams, he was granted a few days of leisure. This marked his official transition into adulthood. To commemorate the occasion, he decided to have his first adult beverage in Old Town. It was near his home and in one of the more affordable districts.

As Caylen strolled down High Street, his mind wandered aimlessly. He had no specific destination in mind, trusting that he would recognize it when he saw it. Eventually, he came upon the newly-opened establishment at the junction of High Street and Rose Street, aptly named High on Rose. Its exterior resembled more of a stable than a tavern, with the sign for High on Rose leaning against the front door. Inside, there were no tables or booths, only a bar that remains unchanged to this day. Four or five bar stools were propped up against it, and Caylen made his way to the nearest one by the entrance. Suddenly, a burly man emerged from a backroom behind the bar. Without uttering a word, he walked over to the opposite end of the bar, towering over the young craftsman without saying a word.

Caylen's confidence was instantly shattered. In a timid tone, he inquired, "Excuse me for interrupting, but I was wondering if you are open for business?" The imposing figure simply shook his head with disdain. "Did you try the door? Did anyone stop you?" Caylen struggled to find his voice. "I... I don't think so." The burly man leaned in, close enough to make Caylen even more uncomfortable than he already was. "Then I suppose we're open, ain't we?" At this point, Caylen wished he had never set foot in the place. The man's impatience was palpable. "What do you want? I don't have all day." Caylen's only desire was to leave unscathed, but he was in too deep. "Do you serve food here?" The man could take no more. He dropped his head, shaking it in disbelief. "For the love of Shylea, where else would we serve food? This is a tavern, ain't it? Look, kid, we have hot and cold sandwiches. Now, what'll it be? Hurry up." Caylen was too intimidated to ask for anything else. At this point, he was willing to take whatever was offered at any price. "I'll have a hot sandwich," he managed to utter. The man snarled, "Is that a question or a statement? Based on your appearance, I'm guessing you just graduated and can tell the difference." Caylen cleared his throat once more. "A hot sandwich, please." Still looming over Caylen, the man bellowed in a voice that made Caylen's heart skip a beat, "HOT TURKEY." A voice from the back yelled, "HOT GOBBLER." Unfortunately, the torment was far from over. The man gestured for Caylen to take a seat. The young craftsman did as he was told. "What'll ya have to drink?" the man barked. Scanning the bar for any indication of what beverages were available, Caylen timidly asked, "Do you have tea?" That was the last straw for the bartender. Caylen was certain he was about to get hit. In utter disgust, the man asked, "Do you have any hair on your chest?" Caylen answered without even looking, "Yes." "Then you'll have ale, and by my beard, you'll have dark ale." He grabbed a wooden mug from beneath the bar and filled it from the tap. A few moments later, a woman, almost as large as the man, emerged from the kitchen with a plate covered in the largest turkey sandwich Caylen had ever seen.

After some time, Caylen discovered that he was the first patron of the tavern. This filled him with immense pride. From the very beginning, there was something about Bear that he was drawn to. As time passed, he realized that Bear was a man of integrity, hardworking and possessed a dry, subtle sense of humor. Despite never actually laughing, Bear's response of "that's funny" was the best Caylen could ever hope for. Bear embodied the typical traits of a Crafter - tolerant of other professions, but with a deep admiration for soldiers. However, Bear's emotions were reserved only for Mrs. Bear and one other person. The individual who entered through the door was none other than that person.

As Abbie walked into High on Rose, her presence was undeniable. Her voice rang out with its distinct sound, immediately catching the attention of those around her. She greeted the bartender, Bear, with her signature "BERRY-WERRY" as she approached the bar. Even though Caylen could see Bear and the two Crafters he was serving, Abbie was still out of sight. Bear, always quick to please, slid a stein towards her, intended for one of the Crafters. The two men glanced up at Bear, considering protesting, but ultimately decided against it. Abbie wasted no time in grabbing her drink and making her way to the center of the bar, where Bear was standing. Leaning over the counter, she planted a kiss on his hairy cheek, and though it was barely noticeable, Caylen observed Bear slightly lean in to allow it. He responded with a simple grunt, but it was clear that this small gesture meant more to him than words could express.

It took Abbie only a few seconds to spot Caylen, and she quickly slid into the booth opposite him. “Hey ya Cay” she smiled. Caylen could barely return the gesture. “Hey, Abbs.” “So, what have you decided, Pal?” she quipped. Caylen looked around the room. He wasn’t focusing on anything in particular; he did not want to make eye contact. “I don’t think I can do it, Abbs. I’m not a soldier. I appreciate what they do, but I’m a want-a-be blacksmith. My home is here. I have no desire to be a hero. I would love to go to Stormbolt. You know that. But not as a soldier. The Divide scares me, Abbs. Tell me it doesn’t scare you, E.” Caylen looked down at the floor. He was being truthful, but he was embarrassed. “No, Abbie, I can’t join the Great Hunt.” Abbie reached down and took Caylen by the hands. Caylen was still looking at the floor. “Look at me,” she said sternly. Caylen reluctantly raised his eyes to meet hers. Abbie’s usual animated gestures were gone; her voice was soft and steady. “Of course, you are scared. You’re not an idiot. But please understand. You and I have an opportunity never found in the recorded history of our people. Until now, you were destined to be someone who forged tools only others would use. I am destined to stand on a corner, invisible to those who walk by. And the ones that do see me see nothing more than a Soot. Soldiers know what it’s like to truly be part of something bigger than themselves. This is our chance not to sing of their deeds or to make tools for soldiers to weld. This is a chance for us to take part. To live a life, up until now, we could never dream of. Think how sick you were at just the concept of being a librarian. It’s been said that a soldier’s life is over in 222 days, whether they return or not. But Caylen, can’t you see? Those 222 days give the rest of their lives meaning. A thousand years from now, the buildings constructed by Crafters will have crumbled to dust. You and I can do nothing throughout our lives to measure up to what our soldiers will do during the hunt. Our people’s very existence may very well be decided by the actions of a blacksmith and a Soot. Without Nareallium, there will be no future for our people. You asked me if I am afraid. The answer is yes. I’m afraid, I’m afraid that if I don’t go, I will regret it for the rest of my life. You and I are products of chance. It is chance you were born a Crafter and I a Rook. We can’t escape that. But today, today we have the opportunity to break out of the prison of chance and embrace a new destiny only a handful of people will ever realize.” Abbie squeezed Caylen’s hands so hard they hurt. Tears began to form in her eyes. “Am I afraid? Yes, I am afraid.” I am terrified of going on the hunt; I am terrified of Fiernan and what might happen to me there. But I am more afraid of what I will become if I stay. I can live with fear; I can live with pain. What I can’t live with is the thought of spending the rest of my life with regret.” Abbie leaned over and gently kissed Caylen on his forehead. The spell broke, and Abbie’s childlike expression returned. She turned around in her seat and spotted Bear’s wife coming out of the kitchen, a plate of food in each hand. “Momma Bear!” she yelled, jumped up, and was lost in the crowd.

As Caylen exited from the tavern, he could feel the sudden drop in temperature. The ominous black clouds of storm loomed in the western sky, signaling the approaching darkness. As he gazed towards the heart of his beloved city, tears began to fill his eyes. Tomorrow would mark the start of the half-light, and Caylen had made his choice. He knew it would be a disappointment to Abbie, and the thought of her embarking on this dangerous journey without him was breaking his heart. He reflected on his decision, realizing that he was not prepared for what lay ahead. Regret already weighed heavily on his heart.