Goals and why he has them. (Flashback)

[Rysen Londell]

Flashback Winter 509

Rysen made his way through the Old Quater taking in the everyday sights. Nothing seemd out of place, he saw the same buildings and the same faces he did everyday when he made this route. As he made his way through the streets his mind wandered far off as it usually did, I should have studied medicine, he thought to himself. For years he had studied the Law and politics, obsessing over during his time at the University. He fell in love with the theory of it all and could not wait to go out and make the city a better place. A lazy smirk crept over his face as he reflected back to when he was inspired to change everything around him. However he never considered one key ingredient to the dealings of political matters, people. Yes, greedy self centered people, Politicians. His experiences had taught him that people in power only sought to gain and maintain their best interests. And for this reason he decided not pursue his career any further. So now he works odd jobs around town for little to no pay most of the time. Also he works as an errand boy, he feels no shame for this but is fully aware that some people look down on him for this.

Such a well educated young man! Surely he could find better work, but alas he is just lazy. He chuckled as he mimicked this reaction in his head. Though no one had ever said anything like this to him, he was well aware that many felt this way about him.

As he walked further down the street he paused in front of the Archives Building. It had been closed since he could remember. The menacing guards stood turning away anyone who tried to enter the building. He had often dreamed of sneaking in his earlier years.
There has to be so many books in there. Just imagine how many, certainly there is valuable knowledge in there. Why hide it?
He had given up on that dream for now. Obviously something of value was in there but he tried not dwell on such things.

Continuing on through the streets he continued his dreamy thought processes; analyzing this and that as he went. Then he stopped as he looked out across the harbor. He had never much liked being on boats which was unusual for a man in this town but he though it a necessary evil that he had to learn. In fact the whole reason for him attending the University was to try and avoid the sailors life. He let out a heavy sigh as he was brought back to his childhood...

Flashback further. Summer of 500 AV

The water misted his face as the small ship cut through the waves, vomit trickled down his chin and some had fallen onto the front of his clothes. Two days on the boat and he had been sick since they left the harbor. His father slapped him on the back "Man up son! HAHA, you'll get the legs fer it soon enough don't you worry." Possibly the tenth time Rysen had heard this from his father on this trip. He wanted to impress Father but was beginning to doubt his decision now. The trip was meant to last a week and so far between puking off the side he had spent his time observing the men at work and recording it in his journal. Approval is all he was after, this is not the life he wanted to live but he felt that this disappointed his father.The ship vaulted over a large wave and he felt his stomach turn over inside of him; once again he leaned over the side and sprayed vomit into the ocean. His mind wandered back to home where he should be studying and getting ready for the University.

Later that night he and his father were alone on the deck. The seas had calmed considerably and he was starting to feel better. His father handed him a mug filled with Kelp Beer and gave him a wink as he drank from his own. Rysen tried not to grimace as he drank it.

They sat in silence for awhile before his father spoke. "So yer serious about schoolin'?" This was his way of asking Rysen if he still intended on going to the University. Rysen didn't speak but just nodded his head. "Well you'll be the first." Again he nodded, he could feel the disappointment in his father's voice. Now more than ever he wanted to go home, he hated it out at sea. "I'm proud of you Rysen." His father looked down and smiled at him. He was stunned, "Y-you are? Really?"His face had lit up, he and his father seldom talked and never had he heard his father talk so admiringly of him. "Of course I am! My son is gonna go to school! You're gonna make something outta yerself kid. I just know it. Been that way yer whole life since you was a baby. Always trying to learn as much as ya could." Rysen didn't know what to say, he was ecstatic. He hugged his father for the first time that he could remember and his father hugged him back. They spent the rest of the week together up on that deck. His father teaching him all boat sailing. Rysen was determined to learn as much as he could about it. They were much closer from that day on.

End flashback.

A light breeze carried the salty smell of the sea into his nose and was reminded of the time his father was home and they would go out fishing together. Those were his fondest memories besides that week at sea. A large freighter was pulling into port, he watched it slowly dock and the sailors began unloading. A sadness came over him as he remembered the last time he saw his father.It was supposed to be a two week trip for his father, Rysen was busy in the middle of his academic career, but the ship his father sailed out on never returned to Zeltiva. No one could say what happened to that ship. He bent down and picked up a small pebble on the ground, after examining it he threw it as far as he could into the harbor. A few more minutes passed before he smiled and shook his head. He had wasted enough time it was time to move on with his day.

As time went on Rysen began to long for something more in life. His days working as an errand boy were becoming very dull for him. Something was just missing in life and he didn't quite know what to do about it. In time the thought of travel had come to him, he had never been outside of Zeltiva save for on a boat. Over the next few weeks he toyed with the idea and decided that it would be best for a change, maybe he would find something in another place. He began making the arrangements to leave, he sold his house and anything that he couldn't carry with him.
What else is there for me here? Change of venue, that will help won't it? It has to...doesn't it?
On his last day he said his goodbyes and he realized just how few true friends he had made here. He had been too focused to enjoy it all, too busy to see what had been in front of him. Sometimes things just work out that way, he told himself. But he knew one day he would return, this was his home after all and he loved the city for that. He almost felt like crying but he didn't, he stood there lost in time and after awhile he turned and didn't look back.