CHAPTER V
The moon rose high in the sky as a young Hyur Highlander arrived in the canopied forest kingdom of Gridania. He had traveled a considerable distance in his journey to learn more of the storied Lancer's guild, and the Wood Wailers of the Twin Adder, that protected the kingdom in matters of internal strife.
He had learned of them just a year ago, from the village elder of Tanima Umi, an island in the far North Seas. He had been raised there, found washed up on shore at the age of five, by the local Roegadyn Sea Wolf tribe. They had accepted him as their own, and although not much was known about his past, he had been happy.
All his life, he had always been a shorter individual. Especially when viewed in contrast to his Roegadyn "brother". He took up the spear at the age of eight to make up for this. He poured his heart and soul into excelling with his weapon, in a desire to outdo the "normal" children. Not necessarily out of a need to spite them, but in a warrior society like the Sea Wolves, he wanted to earn his place.
In his eighteenth year, he set out across the Indigo Deep with the Sea Wolf ship Und Braena, heading to Limsa Lominsa with his sworn brother, the elder's son, Bhaldryss Eyriankasyn. From Limsa Lominsa, he took a ferry across to Vesper Bay, and then rode by Chocobo drawn carriage across the sun baked Thanalan region, into the Shroud, and finally, at the age of nineteen, he had reached his destination.
Floor panels squeaked softly under his leather boots as he stepped into the local inn, The Roost. He scanned the room, and found a kindly looking Elezen proprietress smiling warmly at him from behind a counter. As he crossed the room, he felt curious eyes watching him, but he made no sign of noticing.
"Good evening traveler, I'm Miounne, what brings you to our peaceful little Tea Shop?" the Elezen greeted him.
"Evening ma'am, my name is Maleko; I've come a great way to see about joining the Lancer's Guild here in Gridania." Maleko replied, taking great care to control his rough seaman drawl.
The proprietress studied the young Hyur before her. Curiously, instead of the common traveling clothes of a Hyur adventurer, he wore the garb of a Roegadyn male, calf high studded boots, with leather trousers, and a sleeveless vest. On his left shoulder was a large leather spaulder, and on his hands, two large leather cuffs. Around his neck was a faded blue scarf.
His had a few scars from countless raids in the Northern Seas that somehow added to a certain rugged handsomeness, and he had a simple blue tribal tattoo that was a mirror to that of his sworn brother. His hair was neatly faded in a military like fashion.
"I'll be happy to help you, but it's getting late, maybe you'd like to put in for the night, and we can discuss things tomorrow morning?"
Maleko agreed and purchased a small room. He bathed and then lay down for sleep, lulled by the gentle turning of the water mill outside.
The following morning, Maleko emerged into the dining room to find Miounne speaking with a young Hyur woman with beautiful silver hair. She wore leather hunting garb, and across her back was slung a maple wood bow.
"Ah, good morning Maleko! Come here, I'd like to introduce you to someone." the proprietress called.
The young woman turned to face Maleko as he approached. She smiled warmly at him, and Maleko realized that she was stunningly beautiful.
"Maleko, this is Rosalyn Nightingale, she's a local huntress and a good friend of mine. I've known her since she was a wee thing."
"A pleasure to meet you Maleko, Mother Miounne was telling me that you'd just arrived last night." Rosalyn looked him up and down and then smiled. "Curious outfit, where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"
Maleko glanced down at himself, and then back up at Rosalyn. He explained to her and Miounne where he was from, how he had been raised alongside the Sea Wolves as one of their own, and what brought him to Gridania. He soon realized he'd been going on about himself, and trailed off awkwardly, his face flushing once more.
"So….yeah, and what about you?"
Miounne laughed softly. "Why, Rosalyn, just the other night, he was the picture of stoicism. I wonder what could have gotten into him."