Young Writers Society

"I was supposed to go see the king of something or another. Knew him - he was always angry with something. I didn't think he'd ever be king, 'cause his granddad was around forever." Kellach turned and looked up at the newcomer, who'd made what Kellach assumed was a greeting, and his eyes widened in joy. "Is that you?" He smiled, but it faded just as quickly. "Nah, the eyes are all wrong, and you don't look proud enough."

Kixig smiled as he watched Rin pet the little goat. The kid let out a happy bleat and pushed its head into her hand.

"I think he likes you," Kixig chuckled.



Jordan listened to what to her, sounded like the babbling of a man who'd had too much to drink. She simply smiled and nodded before addressing the newcomer.

"Can I help you to anything, sir?"

Rin merely smiled and stroked its head. "I've always liked animals," she said, "but until just recently, life has been rather . . . restricting."


"What would you recommend?" he asked, helping himself to a seat at the counter. Briefly, he turned to the man, who had obviously mistaken him for someone else. Or perhaps he was drunk.

"I'm sorry to disappoint," he said, but gave a polite nod before turning back to the woman.

"Nothing alcoholic, if you please. I like to keep my wits about me."

Kixig nodded, watching Rin's face closely as she replied. "Is that a human way of saying you've come upon hard times?"



"If you want something non-alcoholic, maybe you shouldn't have sat yourself at the bar," Jordan chuckled. "But I can get you some water if you like."

"I think I'll have some water too," Kellach said, putting a hand up to a temple. "Shouldn't have had some beer."

"I suppose so," said Rin. "There was a war in my kingdom. We had to fight to regain our independence." And to win back my rightful place.

He had heard countless times that people could be reborn, or that doppelgangers roamed the known universe. He had never bought into that, but he did know that it became harder to clearly remember someone the longer they were gone. Minuscule details of faces that should have been forever etched into his mind became difficult to recall, and soon it was easy to mistake one person for another. Voices became impossible to replace. Before long, they were reduced to generalizations and memories.

But then he had seen that young woman watching them from one of the doorways.

And she had looked far too familiar to be a coincidence.

He had glanced back at the others and decided that talking with her was more important than sticking with them. Even if it resulted in him being left behind when they left later on, it would be worth it. But before he could reach her, she had already left the store. He had been forced to follow her - which, in retrospect, probably was the reason why she had been so eager to leave.

It was only a matter of time before he caught up.

"I assumed that there was more to be served at a tavern than alcohol," he said, leaning forward and tilting his head slightly. "I am but a traveling foreigner who hopes to learn more about other lands."


Then Rin suddenly wondered where the captain and Maahes had gone off to, as Kellach had entered the tavern. She remembered Maahes merely standing there, staring off into the distance at something in the village.

Just then, she saw something move in her peripheral vision. There he was, walking among the houses.

"Maahes!" she called, hoping to be friendly and perhaps invite him to see the animals.

"...I'm not in charge of what we serve here, dear. We have a much wider menu for our food. But I'll go get you your water, ok?" Jordan said with a polite smile. She poured their glasses and brought them to them promptly.



Kixig nodded solmnly, remembering that she must've been talking about a kingdom not from this world. "Oh. I'm sorry..." he looked up and around, but still held the goat for her to pet.

With keen eyes he caught sight of one of the fellows from the ship, and it seemed Rin did as well. He smiled over to Maahes, waving at him in a welcoming manner.

Hearing someone call his name made him come to a halt. The woman was too far away to hear what exact words had been spoken, but she seemed to realize that she had an opportunity to escape her follower. By the time he glanced back in her direction, she had already disappeared among the people crowding the streets.

He walked over to Rin and Kixig. He'd have to figure out where she went later. It would be rude to ignore both of them, especially when they seem so friendly towards him.

"Hi," he said, looking down at the adorable baby goat. He hesitantly reached a hand and gave it a little pat on the head. "What are you guys doing?"

"Petting animals," Kixig said with a smile.

"Traveler? I've traveled everywhere. Worth your time, but not always fun." Kellach downed all of the water in his glass in one go, and set the glass down on the table. "I'll have another."

He took a small, careful sip as he watched the other man. He was strange, a little hard to read. Interesting. Is that because that's the way he is, or is it because he's drunk?

"What are your names?" he asked casually, watching the water in his glass as he gently swirled it around.

"I love animals," Maahes said, giving the baby goat a brief smile before once again focusing on the street. "Did you see a young woman run by? She had black hair cut into a bob, and there was a large scar on her cheek. She's about my height."

"Kellach. Nice to meet you," he said. "And you are?"