Nic made his way towards Caleb and Anya at a slow pace. Men and women patted his back and shook his hand, offering their congratulations. Nic smiled politely but kept his eyes ahead of him. When he finally did manage to maneuver his way through the congratulations and crowd, they were both smiling. But before he could say anything to either of them, a familiar short figure was pushing her way through the crowd.

“Nic! Oh Nic there you are! What were you thinking? I ought to ring your neck for surprising your father and I like that." His mother pulled him into a fierce hug.

“Mom, let go. Mom, I can’t breath. Mom!” She released him from her grip, holding his head in her hands.

“And you my dear!” She turned to Anya,” Thank you for rescuing my son from that wicked boy!” Mirabel pulled Anya into another hug and she smiled at Nic over his mother’s shoulder.

“Nice fight my boy! Proud of ye. Just wished you could have told me before I heard your name introduced. Nearly gave me a heart attack.” His parents left after fussing over him and talking about the fight. Anya, Caleb and Nic were left smiling after them.

“Anya, can you excuse Nic and I.” Caleb’s tone was friendly but serious.

“Sure, I’ll be… around here I guess.” She smiled at them, turned on her heels and walked briskly away.

“Walk with me Nic.” H was about to complain about Caleb ruining his opportunity to ride the momentum he had with Anya from the fight when Caleb turned and started walking. So Nic followed the warrior instead.

“You didn’t look to happy about the fight.” Nic made the comment as light-hearted as he could but the weight of his disappointment in his friend’s reaction was clear. Caleb was silent for a while.

“I have decided it is time I leave Tjorin Vale.”

“What? Since when?”

“Since the second part of the fight.”

Nic was taken aback. Was this the reason for his reaction?  “Why?”

“No reason really, but…” Caleb didn't finish his sentence. Nic urged him to continue but to no avail.

"But what?"

"Never mind, I can't ask something like this of you. It would be better if we just leave the matter."

"Caleb, you can ask me anything, but you actually have to ask it first in order for me to answer it."

"Well, I was thinking - hoping - you would agree to accompany me."

Nic regarded the man standing in front of him. “Leave?”

“Like I said, it is too much to ask.”

“It is not that,” Nic shook his head. The thought had never crossed his mind before. Leaving his hometown was unheard of. Nic studied Caleb; there was definitely something about the man that intrigued him. He was not like any of the other travelers Nic had met before and especially not like any man from the town, but what could one expect with a warrior. 

Maybe it was because Nic had never met a one before, but still it was more than that. Often when Nic had been with Caleb, unexplainable things happened. Even his leg: any normal man would still be in bed recovering, yet Caleb had been walking around after a week.

"Where will you go?"

No answer.

"Home?"

Caleb looked at Nic with a strained smile, "You could call it that."

Nic frowned. What does he mean? 

Caleb cleared his throat before talking again. "I understand I am asking you to change your whole life, I do. And on top of that I am not explaining anything to you. I just… " again he never finished his sentence. It was as if something prevented him from saying what he wanted. 

Nic began to feel frustrated. He wanted to know answers to the many questions swimming in his head.  “I don't know Caleb, you're not giving me any reason to want to go with you, besides for our friendship. I know nothing of your past or where you intend to go."

"Yes, that is true. But I need you to think about it."

“Do you want me to come?”

“Of course I do. I would not have asked if I did not want your company.”

“What would we do? I would just be a liability to a warrior. Would you not return to Arazia?”

“Arazia?”

“Well, you are an Elite Warrior are you not? When you spoke of being a warrior you did mean that, right?”

“There are many kinds of warriors in this world but I am not apart of the warriors you mentioned.” Caleb said stiffly. “And I would continue to train you, I guess.”

“Train me?”

“To be a warrior as well.”

“Wait!” Nic threw up his hands. “Just because I won one silly fight does not mean I am a great warrior.”

“You are not one now, but you could be. I know it is a lot to digest but think about it.”

Nic nodded slowly. He needed to know more; a part of him yearned for adventure and with a man like Caleb, it was probably definite. But another part belonged here, where he was with his parents on the farm in the village. With Anya? "Caleb I am no fool."

"Really?"

"I am serious, I know you are not telling me everything. And I can't make my decision unless I know what I am getting myself into. I would be leaving a lot behind for you, to an uncertain future, so the least you can do is explain to me what it is you aren't telling me."

"I can't. I could tell you everything if you choose to come with me, but I am not expecting you to make that decision right away."

“Then what are you expecting of me? All I have to base my decision on is what you have told me already which isn’t much. You avoid questions to do with your past and even then when you do give an answer it is vague and nondescript.”

“Nic I have only withheld information to protect not only me but your family too.”

“So you lied to us?”

“It is not as simple as that.”

"Have any of the stories you told my family been true?"

Caleb winced, "Parts of it were true."

"So you lied?"

"I took no joy in lying to you or your family. People who are dishonest are looked down upon amongst my people -!" He turned away rapidly, realizing he had said too much.

Nic looked at Caleb with wide-eyes. He was taken aback by his sudden outburst and the content it contained. "Who exactly are you?" 

Caleb took a deep breath, regaining his control before he replied. “My name is Calebrean de Caw and I have regretfully not been completely honest with you and your family. I did not want to lie to you, since you had shown me such kindness, but it was necessary.”

Nic was stunned. He expected the reply he got but he had not been entirely ready for it. “What are you? Are you human?” Nic was hesitant about his second question but it was tugging at his brain.

“Of course I am human. Do I look like an elf or dwarf to you?"

"Definitely not the latter. But you didn't answer my question."

"Now is not the time."

"Now is the perfect time, Calebrean de Caw, or whatever you called yourself."

"Nic please, I - "

"Where have you boys been?"

Nic whirled around. His father was swaying in his step, an empty cider in his hand. "Dad, what…have you been drinking?" Nic's father looked at his hand that clasped the empty glass

"Well, look at that! Looks like I have, but there's no more. Caleb, be a good lad and get me some more cider, will ye. There is whole table full by the inn. Strong stuff I might add. I was fine just a moment ago..."

"No, I think you have had quite enough," Nic slung his father's arm over his good shoulder; taking the empty glass from his hands and dropping it on the ground. Nic began to sway from the extra weight. He was still weak from the fight and his body was worn from shielding himself from Robert's onslaught. Nic was just about to topple over when the weight was lifted. Caleb had slung his father’s other arm over his own shoulder. Nic didn't say anything and began to walk towards the house. Nic's father was asleep by the time they arrived. Mirabel had not returned; she was probably still talking with the housewives at the festival. Not such a bad thing. Once they had put the old man to bed Nic and Caleb crept out of the room and into the kitchen.

"Nic," Caleb's voice was almost a whisper, "I'm sorry. I have been unfair, however, I can't tell you what you want to hear. I need you to trust me. If you do choose to come with me you would lead a dangerous life but that life would also be filled with contentment and fulfillment. You are meant for greater things that is for sure and I can help you."

"How do you know all this?"

Caleb smiled, "Trust me."

“How can I trust you, when I have just realized I hardly know you?”

“Tomorrow brings us new things and a clear mind. Sleep on my proposal and give me your answer in the morning. Good night.” Nic knew it was too early for bed, especially on a night such as this one. Caleb to his surprise disappeared into his room and closed the door.

Leaving the house and walking swiftly back to the town centre he tried settling his thoughts but Nic's head would not. It was racing, replaying the events of that day, the Wrestle, Anya and most of all Caleb's offer. His mind was racing.  

Do I want to stay here and become a metal smith like my father? Raise a family? Become a typical towns person. Grow old without knowing what lies beyond these hills? He had spoken of greatness, but what greatness could I possibly achieve. What is he?