New Life

Karyan stepped off the boat, squinting in the sunlight that bounced off the water and the old ships moored along the docks. 

The ships, with their masts reaching up like weathered fingers, bore the marks of many voyages. Their sails, a patchwork of repairs, whispered stories of wild seas and distant shores.

The country around him buzzed with life. 

People called to one another across the bustling market near the docks, their voices blended into a melody that made the air vibrate with energy. 

Fishmongers hawked their catches, and the scent of fresh bread mingled with the salty tang of the sea.

Karyan's attention was caught by the same man with a rugged face who approached him. The man handed him two coins, their surfaces warm from being held tightly in his palm.

"Take these, for luck," the man said, his voice gruff but kind.

Karyan, whose face often twisted into expressions as fluid and varied as the sea, looked at the coins, his eyes widening in surprise, curious. "Why?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

"Because everyone needs a bit of luck on a journey like yours," the man replied, before turning away and disappearing into the crowd.

Karyan flipped the coins in his hand, feeling their weight. "Journey like mine?" he muttered to himself, puzzled. 

He shoved the coins into his pocket and made his way through the throng of people, his keen eyes were taking in the new sights and sounds.

A woman with a basket of fruit on her head paused to stare at him, her eyes narrowed. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked, her tone sounded more curious than accusing.

"No, I'm not," Karyan admitted, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I've come from across the sea."

"From across the sea?" echoed a small boy standing nearby, his eyes round with wonder. "Did you fight pirates? Did you see a kraken?"

Karyan chuckled, the tension in his shoulders started to ease a little. "No pirates, no krakens, just a long journey and a lot of water."

The boy looked slightly disappointed but still intrigued. "What's your name, traveler?" he asked.

"It's…" he paused, "it's Gabriel," he replied, offering a small smile to the boy.

A vendor selling colorful fabrics called out to him, "Gabriel, come, look at my wares! You won't find finer cloth in all the city!"

Karyan walked over. "I'm not looking to buy," he said, "just passing through, trying to understand this place."

The vendor nodded wisely. "Ah, a seeker of knowledge, then! Well, ask away. What do you wish to know?" He looked up and down, scanning the little boy's body.

Karyan thought for a moment before asking, "Why does everyone seem so surprised to see me? Is it so strange for someone to come from another land?"

The vendor laughed, a hearty, booming sound. "It's not strange, but it's rare. We don't get many outsiders here. Our city is a hidden gem, not marked on every map. Those who find us usually have a reason or a story. So, what's yours, Gabriel, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm searching," Karyan said, his voice trailing off as he looked around, feeling the weight of many pairs of eyes upon him. "Searching for a place where my past won't follow me."

The vendor nodded, understanding. "Then may your search end here, Gabriel. The city can be a sanctuary for those who need it."

"Are you hiding your real body with magic?!" The child interrupted again. 

"Wha-, magic?" Karyan asked. 

"Yes, like the sorcerers that come here! In a child, old man, young woman bodies!" 

'A child's?' He thought to himself. 

Karyan didn't know exactly how to make a deal with a demon and what exactly it required, but he knew that Sorceres were able to change their body shapes. 

But to turn into a child, it would be unsafe as many predators were waiting for unwanted trouble. 

"Yes. It's my disguise too…" A short laugh escaped his lips. 

As Karyan stood there, absorbing everything, a new figure made his way through the crowd towards him. 

The people parted, their conversations dropped to hushed whispers as they watched the man approach. 

He was tall, with broad shoulders and a confident stride that suggested authority.

 His face was stern, etched with lines, and his eyes, sharp and assessing, focused on Karyan as he came closer.

The man stopped in front of Karyan, surveying him with a critical eye. "You're a long way from home, aren't you?" he asked in a deep voice that resonated through the busy marketplace.

Karyan hesitated. Truth was a luxury he could not afford if he wanted to keep his past at bay. "Yes," he replied cautiously. "I come from the north."

The man nodded as if he had expected the answer. "The north, hmm? We don't get many visitors from there."

Karyan simply nodded, not wanting to elaborate on his deception.

The man seemed to consider Karyan for a moment before speaking again. "Do you have a place to stay? The city can be welcoming, but it's also large and easy to lose one's way."

Karyan shook his head. "No, I haven't found a place yet."

"Well then," the man said, extending his hand in a gesture of help, "my name is Theron. I run an inn not far from here. You can stay there until you get your bearings. It's safe, and the rooms are comfortable."

Karyan looked at Theron's outstretched hand, noting the callouses and the firmness in the grip. 

He seemed trustworthy, a notion that was silently affirmed by the respectful glances the locals gave him. "Thank you, Theron," Karyan replied, taking his hand. "My stay will be short."

Theron nodded and turned, motioning for Karyan to follow. "Come, it's not a long walk, and you'll have plenty of time to explore the city later."

As they walked, Karyan followed closely behind Theron, looking around at the tall buildings that rose up like guardians of the cobblestone streets, the windows reflecting the late afternoon sun.

Theron led him through a series of narrow alleys and bustling squares, each turn revealing another layer of the city's busy life. 

Finally, they arrived at a modest but well-kept building with a sign that read "Theron's Inn."

"Here we are," Theron announced, pushing open the door to let Karyan enter first. "Welcome to your new home, even if it's just for a little while."

Karyan stepped into the inn, feeling a sense of coldness wash over him. 

"So, where exactly did you come from?"