Journal: Tattoo
398 V.C. 32nd of Pegastym

Mycen and I arrived back from Southern Village today. We made the ride pretty quickly, probably due to how Mycen finally let me take my own horse to ride.

I suppose I should explain my bad handwriting. At least, it's worse than my usual writing. We met with the mage Stella so she could put a tattoo on my left hand. So yeah, my hand really hurts. She said to make sure to keep it free from irritation unless I wanted it to be messed up for the rest of my life.

Some of the things Mycen has her do to me make sense. But sometimes I don't know how a change like this one puts me closer to who Alm was. It's not even a unique shape. Faye says it's the mark of Mila. Gray said it was one of the mathematical signs. Kliff called it a plus sign. I think Faye's right.

But why would Mycen tattoo the mark of Mila on my hand?

I guess by this point, I just need to trust him. Five years into this charade and I'm too far gone for anything else. He saved my life, so a little tattoo is the least of my worries.

-X-

Chapter 1
An Eager Departure

Alm's blade was brushed aside without an acknowledgement of the ferocity he'd put behind the strike. Mycen's blade slithered through his defense and scored a hit on Alm's shoulder.

"Keep your guard up!" the old man barked. Alm grit his teeth and pulled his sword into both hands, going defensive. Mycen took the initiative to lunge forward, and through sheer force, knocked Alm to the ground.

"We'll end here for today." Mycen sheathed his sword and watched Alm pick himself up from the ground. "Tomorrow you need to learn how to keep your guard up. Did you think that just putting power behind your strike would break through my defense? If so, you're dumber than I imagined. I didn't raise you to be a fool. I raised you to be Alm."

Alm nodded and watched Mycen walk away. The green haired man sighed and picked up his fallen sword. Sheathing it, Alm returned the blade to its place in the shed and removed his practice armor so that his lightweight tunic complimented the summer air. When he came back from the shed, Alm walked to the large tree on their land. He looked up its thick trunk and sighed.

One of the low branches beckoned to him. With a slight grin adorning his face, Alm jumped to it. His height made it much easier than it had been in past years. Like an insect scuttling up a surface, Alm scaled the tree up to a thick branch near the top. Leaning against a branch, Alm closed his eyes and breathed away the last of his exhaustion from training.

The high sun beat down on him through the leaves. Alm reveled in it. On his and Mycen's journeys to the Southern Village, he'd heard stories about a desert to the east. Miles of open sand and heat. On numerous occasions he'd begged Mycen to let him travel out there.

"It's too dangerous," Alm grumbled, imitating Mycen. "You're destined for too great of things to get killed by your stupidity."

His growl would have fooled many into mistaking him for an animal. "Maybe Alm was meant for that," he spoke in his regular voice.

"You say something to me?" called a man's voice from below.

A smile unfurled on Alm's face as he looked down. Gray gave him a wave. Annoyance completely forgotten, Alm climbed down the tree with a brisk pace.

"Talking to yourself again?" Gray rolled his eyes as Alm tried to land gracefully on the ground. His eye roll turned to laughter as his friend stumbled and fell.

"Shut it," Alm playfully scolded. "Where are we going?"

Gray shrugged. "Figured you just would want to get away from Sir Mycen for a bit. You said he was in a bad mood lately."

Together they began to walk. "He's always in a bad mood. But something must have particularly bugged him recently."

Gray turned to look at him. "Any idea what?"

Alm shook his head. "Not in the slightest."

The pair walked through the village while chatting. Various villagers milled about, living their daily lives as they saw fit. Several waved at the two young men to which they returned in kind. When they arrived at the gates, Faye and Tobin waited for them.

"How's it going, Alm?" Tobin asked, offering a lazy wave. Faye smiled brightly and gave Alm a hug. He returned both gestures with a smile.

"I'm doing fine. Just got done with training for the day." Alm leaned against the stone wall surrounding the village.

"Did Sir Mycen work you hard?" Faye asked. She moved to stand closer to him. Gray sprawled out on the ground, taking up more space than should have been humanly possible.

Alm laughed at that. "Oh Faye, he always does."

"Pardon me, but did you mention Sir Mycen?" a calm voice interrupted.

Tobin shrieked, startled by the newcomer. The kind looking man was dressed head to toe in red. Red shirt, red armor, the whole set. His guilty expression calmed the four friends down. "I'm sorry for scaring you. However, it is urgent that I speak to Sir Mycen. Might one of you lead me to him?"

"I can," Alm said. "He's my grandfather."

"Your grandfather?" The man was surprised. "I did not know the esteemed knight had a family." The red knight paused. "Where are my manners? My name is Lukas, and I come representing the Deliverance."

"The Deliverance?" Tobin frowned. "Aren't they those people trying to defeat Desaix who usurped the throne?"

"I see word has gotten this far. Indeed we are. With King Lima IV's death, our need for a leader has become imperative. Thus why I am here to speak with Sir Mycen."

Alm blinked. If Mycen said yes…then he would leave Ram Village. Or at least bring me with him. Putting on the most cheerful expression he could, Alm addressed Lukas again. "Yeah, I can lead you right to him. Won't take us more than a few minutes to get there."

"Thank you…?" Lukas held out his hand to shake.

Alm clasped it tightly. "Alm. It's my pleasure."

-X-

It was half an hour before Lukas emerged from the house. Alm stood from his spot against the tree and walked toward the downcast soldier. "The verdict?" he asked.

Lukas sighed wearily. "He said no. Clive and I thought for sure he would come and help."

"That's a damn shame," Alm said. "I'll walk you back to the gates."

"Thank you, Alm."

The two walked in relative silence. When they reached the gates, only Gray and Faye were still there. Tobin no doubt had been called by his family. But before they reached the exit of Ram Village, Alm stopped Lukas.

"I'd hate for your trip here to be useless." A pause, where he considered his words for only a moment. "Let me join the Deliverance. Maybe walking back with the grandson of a hero will make a better consolation?" Alm grinned.

Lukas gasped. "Alm, are you sure? We would love to have you, but I do not want to pressure you at all."

"Lukas, I'd love an excuse to get me out of this village for a time. I want to join. I want to free my country from oppression." I want to get away from Mycen. "I want to fight."

His hand reached out. Alm shook it. "Welcome to the Deliverance, Alm. We'll be glad to have you."

Author Notes: I'm back! For all the new faces, welcome! For all my followers, welcome back! I can't wait to share this story with you.

I teased this story to a few people as 'a novelization, except it isn't'. I will adhere to the main story for the most part, while making small divergences for reader interest. You already can see changes. I do hope this has gotten you interested. And if it hasn't, give me the chance of a second chapter. You ought not judge a story by the first chapter, after all.

If you have a moment, leave a review!

Writing Tunes: (Artist) Nightwish – (Album) Imaginaerum

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