01 - The Yawning Gates

There is an old saying, 'Be the sun, for it never tires to rise from the sea daily…', and it is true. And I know from experience something else is true too. One doesn't get tired from watching it daily. While I may have gotten used to it after three weeks sailing in a ship, I still can't get tired of watching it. The slow rise of the sun, as it sheds fiery orange light on the blue ocean, filling the darkness with its light. It sure is breathtaking.

I sat in the crow's nest as I watched the sun gradually rise out of the water munching a roll of bread in the early hours of the day. Today was special for me, special in many different ways. Not only did it mark the end of my maiden voyage into the open sea, but it was also a new beginning for me. A huge sigh escaped my body as I looked out at the sea. This new beginning in my life was beautiful indeed and I can't help enamored by it.

"Oi, brat," a nasal voice shouted at me from the deck.

I popped my head out of the crow's nest and looked at Rohan, the first mate of the ship I was traveling in.

"Get you sorry carcass down and begin packing your bags, we will be reaching in Samara within an hour," Rohan shouted.

"I know, the cook informed me about that," I hollered back smiling ear to ear.

"Then what are you doing up there, you little monkey," Rohan hollered back.

"I am getting my first view of Samara, you dumbo," I replied back by sticking my tongue out in an immature way.

The crew who were in earshot roared out a burst of healthy laughter at my reply. Rohan shook his head in disbelief. Rohan was a sturdy man with a big mustache and a long beard that came down to his chest. He had shaved his head bald after his hair started falling from all the seawater that it got acquainted with. As he shook his head, the sun rays bounced off his shaved head causing me to giggle uncontrollably.

"What are you laughing at, you monkey?" Rohan shouted at me.

"Nothing, your head looks especially bright in the morning sun," I hollered back causing another round of laughter to erupt.

"You, brat, wait till I get my hands on you," he hollered before starting to climb the mast with surprising agility for a man who was in his mid-thirties.

I yelped as I realized what a mistake it was to taunt him about his bald head when I had nowhere to run. I contemplated jumping down and grabbing a line to get away from him, but the height was not optimal. If I miss the line, the jump would be suicidal for my fifteen-year-old body. Also, I didn't want to miss my first view of Samara. I know for a fact that evading Rohan will at least take an hour in this small ship. I sighed as I resigned myself to my fate and watched Rohan climb the mast.

As Rohan reached the crow's nest and jumped over, I raised my hands in surrender. He would have none of that, he bonked my head hard and put me in a headlock as we both struggled to maintain our footing in the cramped space of crow's nest. Laughter erupted from the crew below as some shouted encouragement for Rohan and a few shouted at me to push him down.

It took a few moments, and a lot of bonks on my head, for Rohan to relent to my pleading. We both laughed as we settled side by side in the crow's nest.

"We will miss you brat," Rohan chuckled as we both caught our breath.

"Say for yourself, I will definitely not miss a bunch of sweaty men who don't even wash," I retorted good-naturedly with a smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"Say that with a straight face and I may believe it for a moment," he laughed back as I began to pout.

"Anyways, visit us occasionally. You know the schedule of the crew, right?" he asked ruffling my hair.

"I will try. I don't know whether I will get much free time," I sighed.

"Don't worry, you will be alright," he patted my back as I smiled up at him.

We stood there in the crow's nest for some time in silence enjoying the calm sea breeze and the orange sun.

"You sure have come a long way, brat. If someone had said three weeks ago that a brat like you could make me chase him all over the ship for more than an hour, I would have told that bastard that he had had too much to drink. I can't even wrap my head around the fact that you were a pathetic landlubber before that. You have grown kid."

I smiled back at him nodding along. What Rohan said was indeed true; my sea legs had not even been formed when I came aboard this ship. And now, after three weeks, I can roam the ship like any experienced sailor. I can climb the lines as fast as a born sailor. There is no place on this ship that I haven't explored.

I have always been curious like that. To learn new things. It also helped that I was a fast learner. I learned things faster than normal fifteen-year-old. The crew said it was because of my curiosity, but I think that I have an innate talent for learning new stuff. Within the first week, I have stopped being a burden to the crew. After that, they had warmed up to me pretty easily. Not to mention, the few pirate ships we run into. Fighting together does bring people closer.

I had an easy-going personality. Coupled with my desire to pull pranks, the ice had melted quite soon and I had become as much as I can as a part of the crew without sailing with them for long. I would have loved to sail with them for some time, but alas, not everything is as we wish.

"Look ahead brat, there is your first sight of the legendary Samara city," Rohan's voice roused me from my musings.

I sharply looked ahead and found my first sighting of the infamous Samara city, the capital of the Panja nation. I could make out a few dots on the sea, which I deduced to be the ships. Behind them sprawled a large number of dots that became more and more clear as time passed. But what amazed me was the large line of dots that came into view as we neared the city.

"Is that…."

"Yes, the legendary walls of Samara. The walls that have never been attacked for over a hundred years��" Rohan replied to my unanswered question.

"The legendary walls that have the famous Yawning Gates of Samara," I whispered unable to believe my eyes.

"Yes indeed," Rohan said quietly into the morning air.

The Yawning Gates of Samara, the dream of every adventurer in the world to visit at least once. Even from where I come, everyone knows about the famous gates. In fact, it was the favorite bedtime story of every child in the kingdom of Panja. I stared at the walls with starry-eyed wonder.

'At last, I have seen the famous walls of Samara,' I thought to myself in glee.

One of my reasons to come to Samara was to see the legendary walls that have not been attacked in a hundred years and stand in the shades of the legendary Yawning Gates of Samara. I watched in wonder as the walls slowly formed into sight from the large line of dots. A small opening was present in the large walls causing it to feel like an insignificant detail. But, I knew better. That gap was where the gates were located.

"It's beautiful," I said aloud at last.

"Hmmmph," Rohan snorted, "Wait till you stand in the shades of the gates. That is when you will realize what a true beauty it is."

"Hmmmm," I replied.

A few minutes passed in silence, as we both admired the beautiful morning sight in front of us.

"Now that you have gotten your first glimpse of Samara, go and prepare your luggage brat. Captain will have my head if you are delayed any longer than necessary," Rohan said as he thumped me in the back.

The force rocked me, but I didn't take my eyes from the walls.

"Wait, I haven't seen the city yet," I shouted as he started dragging me by the collar.

"You won't, those walls are damn big. You will get the first glance of the city once you cross the gates. Until then, all you can see is the docks and the walls."

"Are they that big?" I asked in honest curiosity.

"Yes," he replied before bodily hauling me over the crow's nest.

I hung on to the mast for dear life. I knew, how much ever I tried, I wouldn't be able to get into the crow's nest after this. So, like an obedient child, I climbed the mast down and moved towards the cabin to gather my personal belongings. It took me only a short time to pack my meager belongings. After that, I dropped by the kitchen to grab some breakfast along with several of the crew. They called out goodbyes and I even got an extra portion as a goodbye gift from the kind cook.

I bid them my goodbyes and returned to my room to pick up my belongings. I strapped my trusty sword to my hip and walked to the deck as the ship started slowing down considerably. When I emerged back on the deck, the docks were clearly visible and apart from them all I could see was the massive wall in front of me. I couldn't see The Yawning Gates anywhere. All I could see was the frenzy of activity in the docks and around the deck as the crew dashed around reeling sails in and dropping anchor. At last, my maiden voyage on the sea came to an end.

"Are you done with your packing?" a rough voice asked me as I stared around.

"Yes Captain," I said without taking my eyes of the bustling activities on the docks.

"First time in a city?" the Captain asked as he came up to me.

I nodded my head unable to say anything. There were more people here on the docks alone than in my entire village. Even during the Summer Solstice festival we didn't have this much crowd in a single place. I had thought that the crowd in my village during the Summer Solstice festival was big. But, it was nothing when compared to this.

"It would be a little too much to believe first. Later, you will get used to this. And very soon, you will start longing for your village," the Captain said in a nonchalant tone which gave me the impression that he has been through this before.

"Well, here we are. Come, hurry up. Samara city is waiting for you," the Captain said joyously as he hopped into a rowboat.

I stared at him for a moment as to what he meant by his statement. Then I shook my thoughts clear. It was just a phrase he had used and my paranoid mind had caught on to it in a negative way. I chuckled inwardly lamenting the fact that how true the statement was. The Samara city is indeed waiting for me, but not in the meaning as Captain thought. If only he knew my secret, he would know how big of an understatement it was.

"Well, hop over lad! We ain't got all day to waste about," the Captain said before grabbing the paddle.

I jumped over the railing without hesitation and landed in the rowboat with a mighty thud causing it to oscillate.

"Easy there brat, you planning to take a swim by any chance?" Rohan asked as he followed me on to the boat.

"If anyone needs a swim it is you," I retorted with a goofy smile on my face.

"Oi, I don't stink that much," Rohan defended angrily causing me and the Captain to chortle.

"Now, now, cut it out you two," the Captain admonished as we entered into another round of friendly insults and bickering.

We both settled down and Rohan started rowing us to the docks soon afterward. The scenery caused me to stare at it with my mouth wide open. Rohan immediately took advantage of it and delivered some choice words insinuating that I was a country bumpkin. I ignored him in favor of watching rowboats cross by us.

The cacophony of noises that assaulted my ear when we neared the city was exhausting. Even during a stormy night in the sea, the sea was only loud. Roaring over everyone and drowning out all other noise. But, this was different. When we stepped into the docks, I could easily hear what people around me were speaking. Only bits and pieces though, not any full conversation. One voice sounded over the other causing multitude of voices to assault my ears into deafness. I had a difficult time keeping track of what was being said in my vicinity.

I came back to myself when the Captain forcefully shook me. Rohan's eyes were twinkling merrily as if he had obtained a second helping from the cook. I scowled at him and turned towards the Captain.

"We will accompany you until the merchant quarter. I have to visit the merchant who usually takes my wares. But before that, I will send you off in a coach," the Captain said to me.

"No need for…"

"Lad, that is the least I could do. You have been invaluable to my crew. Seabull's horns lad, you even saved my life," the Captain cut me off abruptly.

Rohan was nodding along with an earnest look on his face which felt uncharacteristic to me. I sighed in dejection knowing I am not going to persuade them to do otherwise. In fact, when I thought about it, it would be good if they can help me find a coach. I had no experience when it came to cities. I have been to small towns near my village, but the cities were something I was unfamiliar with. Just the noises alone were enough to drive me mad.

Seeing that I wasn't going to argue about it, the Captain smiled. He patted me on the back and we set off towards the Yawning Gates. The Captain started explaining to me how a city is totally different from a town, especially Samara – the capital of a nation. I walked beside him listening attentively. Rohan walked a step to the side behind us on my other side. The Captain talked for a solid ten minutes before stopping to take a breath. Rohan too chimed in occasionally with a few words of his own to expand on what the Captain was saying.

"… move out of the way maggots, make way for the Lord," a voice boomed behind us as a carriage came dashing down the road to the gates.

We hastily stepped aside as the carriage passed by us whipping sand all over our faces. The Captain coughed beside me from the dust and Rohan had a scowl on his face. I too had a scowl but it was far more vicious than what Rohan's face was sporting. If we hadn't stepped out of the way in the time we would have been trampled by the horse and the carriage easily.

"No lad," the Captain said seeing the scowl on my face. "There is one thing you must never do in this city. Never anger a noble."

My hand twitched towards my sword. The word noble left a sour taste in my mouth.

"Listen to the Captain brat," Rohan grunted out as he wiped the dust of his face. "I know you can hold your own in a fight, but these bastards never fight the way we do."

Rohan spat on the ground earing an admonishing look from the Captain. He quickly grunted out a sorry and started walking ahead grumbling to himself. The Captain watched him walk away with a sad look on his face and turned towards me.

"Do you understand me lad?" the Captain asked in a voice that demanded an answer.

I sighed once more and nodded my head.

"Don't worry, Captain. I have my share of dealings with snotty noble brats. I know how to handle them," I said after we started walking.

"That's where you are wrong. Those snotty nobles you have dealt with in the past are dogs that don't have a bite. But, the ones in this city are different. They are far worse than your countryside nobles. They are ten times as entitled as those nobles from the countryside. Even their servants are snotty bastards to deal with. The ones in the countryside are what you call Lesser Nobles. The ones here are called the Greater Nobles for a reason. A Lesser Noble is like a mound whereas these people are like a hill. The difference is too big to even compare them. You should either be a very influential Lesser Noble or a Greater Noble to live in this city. Common sense is something that doesn't apply to the nobles present here. They are venomous snakes whose bite will put you down forever. So keep your head low and avoid contact with them as much as possible."

"They can't be that bad…" I tried to rebut his statement.

"They are," he cut me off short.

"They are far worse than that lad," the Captain said in a low, soft voice as if reminiscing some bad memory. "Trust me when I say this. There are a variety of dangers in a city like Samara. Thieves, pickpockets, greedy merchants, corrupt guards, and whatnot. But, they all pale in comparison to those entitled bastards. In this city, their word is the law."

"Isn't there anyone decent among them?" I asked curiously.

"A few," he reluctantly admitted, "but they always mind their own business. Even their idea of fairness is not what fairness actually is. There was one family though,"

"Ah, the Suryavarmas" I nodded in understanding.

"Alas, only the old man is alive now. The Young Master and his wife perished around fifteen years ago. The old man hasn't stepped foot in this city after resigning from his Knight General post. In these fifteen years, the situation for commoners like us has become far worse in this city. With no one to support the commoners, the situation is becoming worse as each day passes. In ten years, we will all be nothing but slaves in name here. Luckily, I don't live here."

Even though I knew about the legendary Truesword and the commoners' respect for him, he hadn't understood how deep it ran. If what the Captain said was true, then it is no wonder that he was beloved by all.

"Anyways, now that you know what a pit of vipers this city is, take care. And stay out of trouble. I know it is hard for you to do that considering where you are going. But don't invite them," the Captain said morosely.

I nodded along morbidly.

"Well, here we are. Look at those beauties," the Captain whistled in appreciation as we came to a stop, "Even though I have been here many times, it still amazes me every time."

I stopped and looked up to find the Yawning Gates staring in my face. A smile crept upon my face involuntarily and I stared at the legendary gates of Samara in wide-eyed wonder. The gates were shining in the morning sun. Their shine was so bright that no one would believe that it was constructed a hundred years ago. There was no indication of the passage of time.

The shadows it cast extended to a good distance from the gates itself in the morning sun. I could see the soldiers guarding it were walking around with a puffed-up chest. If I was one of them I would be proud too. But these were not any ordinary soldiers. They were the famous Gate Guards of Samara. Everyone knew that only the best graduates from the Knight Academy would be allowed to join the Gate Guards. Half the guards were replaced every five years and when one retired from it, he would have a prestigious commission on his hands.

Once upon a time, I had dreamt of being a Gate Guard. But that future was with me no longer. I sighed to myself as we were checked by the guards and waved inside. I turned my head and looked at the majestic gates as we passed it causing a few snickers to erupt from the Captain. If Rohan had been here with us, he would have had a blast.

Suddenly reminded of Rohan I asked, "Captain, where is Rohan?"

The Captain's mood immediately soured.

"Don't worry about him, I know where he is. It is best to leave him alone for now. I will pick him up when I am done with my work here."

Even though I worried about Rohan, something told me that it was best not to push the matter any further. I nodded back reluctantly. The Captain let out a dejected sigh before walking towards a fork in the street. A few carriages and carts were lined up on either side of the fork. He walked towards one briskly and I followed him obediently.

"I was planning to take you to the Merchant Quarters earlier to give you a glimpse of the city. But with Rohan gone, I need to finish up my work here as soon as possible and pick him up before he drinks away all his wages. So, I will send you off in a carriage from here itself."

The Captain said in a subdued voice causing me to feel a little uncomfortable. My mind itched to know what was bothering Rohan. Rohan was not a heavy drinker. I know at least that much about him from the time I spent with him on the ship. He was jovial, easy-going, and mischievous in nature. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eyes proclaiming that he was up to no good. But if I were to believe the Captain, then it would mean that the meeting with the noble carriage had caused the smiling Rohan to turn sour. Even though I didn't know the details, I had enough intelligence to understand that nobles were a sore topic when it came to Rohan.

I didn't object as the Captain bargained a cart on my behalf before bidding goodbye to me. I turned around to see the cart driver looking curiously at me.

"Say, lad, did I hear you correctly. Are you sure it is not the Knight Academy you wanted to go," he asked as he dug his ears.

"Yes sir," I said in a polite tone.

"You have the bearing of a swordsman, but what do I know? Then hop on, it will be Amaranthine Academy indeed," he said picking up the reins.

'Amaranthine Academy indeed,' I thought to myself as I hopped into the cart.