AN-And now, Sarid shall start on his mighty castle!

Hannah: But I said-

Danel: Magma does not own Terraria. Any references to movies, games, products, TV shows, etc. are also not owned by Magma. Only Sarid belongs to Magma.

Hannah: *sigh*

The Traveling Merchant

Sarid swung upside down, grabbing another grey brick. She swung back upward, setting it into place, then swinging upside down again, repeating the process.

"SARID!" Hannah's voice called, Sarid stopping as she swung upside down. She could feel the blood rushing into her head, while she surveyed a new perspective on everything.

It had been two days since Danel and Leonardo – or Leo, as he preferred – had moved into the fast-growing settlement. In that time, Sarid had cleared the castle ruins of all vegetation, and re-built half of two walls. Due to the smoothness, she had set up platforms for herself work on.

Right now though, she stared down at Hannah with her empty eyes, which she had grown accustom to.

"Yes, Hannah?" She asked, holding a grey brick in her hand.

"You're wounds are doing better, right?" She called, Sarid nodding.

"I checked them last night, the flesh has scabs and they itch horribly." She told her, she nodding.

"Good – that means they're healing." She replied. "But still, be careful!"

"I am." He answered. "I was well train in acrobatics."

She swung upward, placing the brick, swung upside down, getting another, then swung back up, placing it as well.

"They don't teach it like this at the military schools!" Hannah called to him.

"They didn't." Sarid replied, swinging up, then looking over her shoulder. "One of the officers at the school – Commander Flint did."

"Why?" Hannah asked, Sarid placing the brick.

"…I'm not sure." Sarid said, sitting still for a moment.

The man had always seemed to keep more of an eye on her when at the school, when Sarid sat alone, away from the other boys, the Commander would go and start and conversation with her, listening carefully. He always watched over training sessions and sparring, a smile on his face when Sarid won. He had even gone as far as to offer her a place to stay one breaks and in the winter.

Sarid still remembered the day he asked if she wanted to learn other ways to defend and fight.

It was a Friday, when Sarid would start her walk back to where she stayed.

She walked with her head up and staring forward, holding her bag against her back and walking quickly, a buzz of activity around her as she went.

A hand landed on her shoulder.

"Sarid?"

She looked up, seeing Commander Flint kneeled down next to her, a kind smile on his face.

"Yes, sir?" She asked.

"I've been watching your sparring sessions, you're a very good fighter." He replied.

"Thank you, sir." Sarid answered.

He smiled a bit more, a twinkle in his eye.

"I've travelled all over, Sarid," He started, she blinking. "I've learned all kinds of ways to fight. From swords, to fists, and even guns."

He smiled.

"Would you like to learn them?"

"…" Sarid blinked, her lips parting.

She returned from the memory, blinking again.

"…He was very kind to me." Sarid said. After a moment of silence, she swung upside down again, grabbing another brick.

After doing it for some time, she suddenly remembered that Sinbad was due back that very day. She swung upside down again, then moved her legs forward so she flipped over, off the platform she had been sitting on and landing on the platform below, which held the grey bricks.

Jumping again, she landed on another platform ten feet down, then to the floor of grey bricks. She grabbed her pack, pulling it on as she ran through the gap in one of the walls, the spot where the Fallen Doors used to be.

When she arrived at the dock, the Paranjay was already there and waiting, Sinbad speaking with a man.

His hair was lavender and came to his shoulders, an indigo top hat resting on his head with a violet-red strip around it, a lavender feather sticking from it. His indigo coat had a long tail and was sleeveless, his shirt lavender, shoes black and pants violet-red. His skin was lightly tanned, and his eyes were a dark shade of indigo.

As Sarid approached Sinbad and the purple man, the latter saw her first, running right at her, and stopping directly in front of her.

"Hello, my good man!" He said, his voice light and rich, sounding familiar. He lifted his hat off his head, extending his arm outwards, at shoulder length. "The name's Mercer – Mercer Gallius."

He then reached into his hat, pulling out a turquoise torch, chalice, and…another hat, that looked much like his, except with dark colors, no feather, and sparkling white dots.

"I sell wares from places that might not even exist!" He told Sarid, who blinked.

"…No thank you." She said, stepping past him, and approaching Sinbad.

"I trust the seas fared you well?" She asked, the he nodding.

"Aye 'hey did, laddie." He said. "Any'ow, 'his fella heard a'out aur sa'ling heere an' wan'ed t'come 'long t'sell hes whares."

"I have all kinds of things!" Mercer called.

"…An' really, laddie, y'got t'scrub yarself good, t'scent hasant got'n better." Sinbad continued, Sarid then sniffing under her arm.

She almost choked.

The faint smell of skunkweed was still on her from over a month ago, she smelled of sweat, blood, and, now that she actually looked at her skin, she realized just how much dirt had been on it before she had gone swimming two days ago.

"…Yes." She coughed. "I finished the building for you and your men to reside in when stopping here. I had to work on it during the night so Hannah wouldn't catch me."

"Hah ha!" Sinbad laughed. "T'ank ya, laddie. Weez got t'stay fer t'rest o't'day an'how, seence t'is fella is'a travalen' merchant. Jus' s'ays fer t'day in mos' cases."

"I also sell weapons!" Mercer called.

"Enjoy your rest, you're welcome to come into the settlement, as long as you don't cause trouble." Sarid told Sinbad, who nodded happily.

"We only get inta truhble wehen o'her folks go 'round startin' it." He replied, Sarid nodding.

"Good." She said, then turning and walking down the dock. "Please follow me, Mercer."

"As you wish!" He cheered, following Sarid, carrying a large bag.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived back in the settlement, Mercer running straight to the center, taking out some object, which he unfolded into a stand, putting his bag onto it.

"Come one, come all!" He called. "Mercer has the ware you're looking for, somewhere here in my haul! You won't have to search anymore!"

Danel and Asher were approaching the stand, Leo stood on his porch, wiping paint off his hands onto a cloth, Hannah looked out from her doorway, Mercer smiling.

"What do you sell?" Danel asked, Mercer bending down to look at him.

"Wares from all over!" He answered, then twirling once, a cape appearing, draped over his arm. "Look at this, for instance! Such a lovely red, and finely made!"

"Indeed it is!" Danel agreed, feeling the fabric. Sarid approached, feeling the fine cloth in her hand.

"…How much?" She asked, surprising Asher.

"Five Gold." Mercer told her, Sarid looking up at him.

"Make it two Gold and fifty Silver, and I'll build you a better stand." She told him, Mercer blinking.

"…" He mulled it over, then smiled. "You drive a good bargain! Two Gold and Seventy-Five Silver, and I'll throw in some unique building supplies to make it with!"

"Deal." Sarid replied, dropping the coins into Mercer's hand, who gave her the cape.

"Now, for the ma-" Mercer stopped, his face hardening, looking above Sarid's head. All followed his gaze to see Mortimer standing on his porch, who looked at Mercer with a face of stone.

"…" Silence hung in the air.

"…Mercer." Mortimer said.

"…Papa." Mercer replied, all except Sarid getting a surprised look.

"…Still traveling around like a vagabond?" Mortimer asked, Mercer scowling.

"You used to be a traveling merchant!" He said, Mortimer who scowling back.

"Before I met you mother!" He said. "For whatever reason you decided to travel, it broke her heart!"

"You always spoke of how much you enjoyed travelling!"

"But you never listened when I spoke of how much I loved being a regular merchant with a home and family!"

"Staying one place is boring!"

"I thought that too, once!" Mortimer yelled. "You never saw it…"

"…" Mercer merely glared at him, everyone silent.

Saw what? Sarid wondered.

Mortimer went back into his store, the door slamming loudly.

"…" Silence filled the air, only disrupted by the birds and rustling trees.

"…Now, about the materials…" Mercer said to Sarid, his face returning to the smile it had before.

Later…

Sarid stepped back, realizing the mistake she had made.

Rather than building a stand, she had made an entire house.

She had gone to the southeastern edge of the settlement, to test the material and practice ideas, only to have made an entire house made from the Dynasty Wood, the first floor having blue shingles and the second floor having red shingles, and all the walls white and brown.

The style looked like homes from the Dynasty Isles, which she had seen in pictures from books and an art gallery or two.

"…What happened to the stand?" Mercer asked, Sarid looking to see him standing there, surprised and in disbelief.

"…I…I don't know…this just happened…"

"…I…I…I love it!" He exclaimed. "In truth, I've always wanted a store in case of the weather – and as you know, buildings aren't portable – so this is wonderful!"

"…" Sarid blinked, Mercer forcing her into a handshake.

"Thank you so much!" He said, Sarid blinking again.

"…You're welcome." She answered, Mercer then running into the house. Sarid followed, seeing him setting out his wares on shelves and counters. When he finished, he hopped over the back counter, ready for business.

Sarid walked among the displays, looking at the odd assortment of items Mercer had, when one caught her attention.

It was a sword, long and thin, the hilt black and gold, while the sheath was dark blue and decorated with gold.

"Ah, you like it?" Mercer asked. "It's a Katana, brought all the way from the Dynasty Isles! Old blade, really. It's called…oh, what was it…ah, Tomoya. Belonged to a man who saved a city, but lost it during the fight until it was found about a year ago. Since you've made me this nice place, I'll sell it to you for half what I bought it for – two Gold and fifty Silver."

"…" Sarid looked over at him. "…May I try it?"

"Of course." He said, Sarid looking back at the sword. She took it in her hands as gently as she could, then drew the blade from the sheath.

Holding it up, the light gleamed off the silver-colored blade that was sharper than a razor.

She swung it, the blade slicing through the air perfectly. Swing it again, she turned on her heels, then swung it again.

"Deal." Sarid said, sheathing the sword, paying Mercer, then leaving. She tied the sword to her belt, the cape she bought earlier draped over her arm.

Upon arriving at the work-in-progress-castle, she went to the remains of her stone shelter, and to the dye vat she had purchased. She put blueberries into it, activating the vat, which went to work, extracting the blue pigment. While it was occupied, she went to Danel's store, purchasing a vial of silver dye, then returning to her stone shelter.

She took the blue dye and treated the fabric of the cape she had purchased, turning it into a beautiful blue color, and treating the chain with the silver dye. She hung it up to let the dye set in, then went back to work on the outer walls of the castle.

The sky was darkening as she finished placing the grey bricks for the second wall, standing on one of the many platforms all around the place.

She jumped from the one she stood on, grabbing another, higher one, and swinging from it, then landing onto another, lower platform, which she jumped from and landed on yet another. Jumping again, she grabbed another, swinging forward, grabbed another, and swung herself again, landing on another.

Sarid tilted her head far enough to crack her neck, then took a deep breath, and exhaled.

Swinging under the platform, she dropped to another, which she ran along, then jumped to another, and up the wall, grabbing the ledge of another, pulling herself up onto it.

Turning, she gazed over the settlement. Light came from the windows where there was a resident living, and smoke streamed from the chimneys where fires burned. Sarid sat down on the ledge, one leg hanging down, another drawn up so that she rested her chin on it.

The stars began to appear in the sky as it turned darker and darker, the moon starting its rise.

Calm.

She felt calm.

She remembered the days of long ago, giving her a sense of nostalgia, for the bright and happy time it was…

"Remember Sarid."

A chill fell over her, and she felt the Shadow Man's eyes piercing through her.

"Remember Sarid…Remember daddy left you…Remember that day…Remember that you can't go back to those days, that kingdom…Remember that day…"

"…" She said nothing, but the chill left, as well as the piercing eyes.

"…I can't go back to them." Sarid said, then lifting up her head, a breeze springing up. "But I can rebuild the kingdom."

"Say it!"

"No!"

"Say it!"

"Never!"

"OW!"

"YOU say it!"

"Ah, fine! Uncle!" Doc said, Flint having his arm pinned on his back and head pinned to the table. Releasing him, Flint laughed.

"What happened, Alden? You beat everyone at that!" He laughed, Doc rolling his shoulder.

"Ah, well, then you went off on your voyage of self-discovery, and came back knowing all these things we'd never heard of." Doc told him, then laughing. "I always thought it'd be Merlin who went off and did the whole 'I'm leaving, don't know when I'll be back, but I'll see you in a few years!' not hear head or tails, until he'd show up right on the door step with a cheery smile and proclaim 'I'm back! Did you miss me?' thing."

"We all did…" Flint said, his smile fading. "…We all did…"

The air became solemn, Doc's smile gone, and grimly nodding.

A knock sounded, Doc taking his cane and going to the door, opening it to see a messenger on his porch.

"I've brought a letter for you, sir." He said, opening his bag and pulling out a thick letter.

"Thank you, my boy." He told him, then taking out some coin and dropping it into his hand. "Travel safe and swift."

"Thank you, sir." He replied, turning to leave and Doc shutting the door.

"Who was that?" Flint asked, standing in the kitchen archway, Doc going to his chair in from of the fire place.

"Messenger." He told him, sitting down into his chair. "Brought a letter."

"Who's it from?" Flint asked, sitting in the extra chair, Doc opening the envelope, pushing his glasses into place.

"From the handwriting, my little learner." Doc told him, smiling.

"Not so little now, though." Flint said, resting his head back. "By the crown, it seems like time just flew away."

"Seems like." Doc replied, then reading the letter aloud:

Dearest Father,

I am glad to say that I have arrived safely on the island of Terraria without trouble. The sailors aboard the ship, the Paranjay were kind and respectful. The only trouble I had was when one of them got a horrible splinter in his foot; five men had to keep him down while I removed it.

The island is very beautiful and peaceful, like it's removed from the rest of the world. My home is well built and sound, spacious and well-equipped for my medical practices. It's also right next to Asher's house. He's looking over my shoulder while I write this.

Hello Uncle. I'm sorry I haven't written.

I leave the room for one moment to make sure Sarid hasn't killed himself and he writes on my letter…

Anyway, there's a few others here – Durim, a man I have to see twice a day – almost – due to his profession with bombs. It's either burns or sewing a limb back on…

Mortimer is the local merchant – he's in charge of trade for the island. Something about him is familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Either way, he's good at what he does.

Sarid's a strange one, though. Empty eyes and empty voice – no emotion, like he's not even human. He's an excellent builder, though. Completely rebuilt the place from ruins.

Anyhow, there's something I wanted to ask.

There was a creature called the Eye of Cthulhu that Sarid battled, and he suffered two major wounds – one on his arm and the other on his leg. I treated them, the one on his arm needed stitches, and the other a good bandage, but they haven't healed right.

They were supposed to be gone at least by the day after next, but four days later, he still has them – not as bad, but still has them.

Sarid built me a library. It's small, but very nice. The living space is good, too. He has claustrophobia really bad, though…Oh! There's another resident, Faye. She's nice. Told me she's 500 years old…Is that possible, Uncle? To live that long? Sarid built her a house in a giant tree. It's amazing! Sarid's a really good bui

There was a smudge where the letter was cut off, and a smear right under it.

Sorry, Asher wrote some more when I went to check Sarid.

But he's right – three more people have moved here. Faye, like Asher mentioned – she's very prudent, I just wish she'd wear something more…civilized.

Then there's Danel a dye trader. He's already friends with the Painter, Leonardo, or Leo for short. They argue over what color is what, and even had the most in-depth discussion I've ever heard on the proper shade variant for the color blue to paint a sky with for one of Leo's paintings.

…I now know how people feel when you and I spoke in medical terms, looking at us dumbly.

Anyways, I hope you're doing well. Sorry about not being able to visit longer, but I really wanted to get here. It had been awhile since I had seen Asher. He's really gotten tall – just at six feet now. I'd say I'd come visit, but with Sarid fighting how he is (it seems like he's been itching for something to do since I forbade him from doing anything to re-open his wounds) and Durim's unable to go a day without blowing up (no idea how he still has hearing…or hair…or a heartbeat), I'm not sure when I'd have the time to.

Maybe you could come here? It's nice and quiet, like I said, and the Paranjay sails here once a week – they'd be glad to bring you.

Well, I'd best get this finished up. Sarid's not in the Patient Wing (he probably snuck out to do something I told him not to, sigh) so I'd better go find him.

I hope this reaches you in comfort, happiness, and safety.

Love,

Hannah, your little learner

P.S. I figured out that "special condition" you mentioned Sarid having…special indeed.

"…" Doc and Flint sat silent, Doc looking over at Flint, both of them amazed.

"…Mortimer's there?" Flint asked. "Heh, crazy guy…I didn't think he was ever going to travel anywhere again…"

"Same here." Doc replied. "He was so happy with his wife and son…though, I am concerned on the wounds she mentioned Sarid having…"

"It sounds unsettling…" Flint agreed, face going grim. "Sounds like the ones from the Shroud Wars…"

"Aye." Doc told him. "The solution should be the same, then. Drink water and eat as much fruit as you can."

"I never understood how that worked so well." He said. "How does fruit help?"

"I don't know." Doc shrugged. "For some reason water, fruits, vegetables, fish, all that just helps them. Probably because you need a good earth to get it all…"

"Hm." Flint hummed. "…The "special condition" mentioned…is that about…?"

"Yep." Doc told him.

"Ah." Flint nodded, both men looking into the fire. "…I'll write Sarid a letter tonight. And Mortimer…I just stopped hearing from him three years ago."

"We last saw him at his wife's funeral." Doc reminded him.

"Aye…poor man, he was so heartbroken…" He replied.

AN- Connections, connections!

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