It was time for Marcus to leave the hamlet he'd called home for the past two decades. He didn't have much with him other than his basic equipment, rations, and a few remaining coins he'd saved up - but he was determined to make something of his life. Especially if it meant defying the dark rumors surrounding his birth.
He thought about who he'd need to say farewells to before leaving. The militia "captain" would be a good start. And probably a couple of his other spear-brothers. He snorted. He guessed he could tell the barkeep, but Marcus doubted he'd really care.
He hadn't made too many friends in the years he'd lived here. But at least he'd gotten to know the other members of the militia a little bit.
Travis, was that his name? He guessed it wouldn't really matter much after today. He'd just call him Travis. He liked to spear squirrels and roast them. Did he really know anything else about him? Marcus stopped and really thought for a second. Not really.
Hudson, the blond one? He was more invested in his image than anything else. Always wanted to seem cool. Even if he spent way too much time on his hair. Pfft. Now that got a barking laugh out of Marcus.
And the "captain", Kyle, who had only recently been promoted. He was the second youngest of the group and only got the position because nobody else wanted it. Nobody really wanted the responsibility. Or really, nobody wanted to sit and do the paperwork. Not like there was much to do in a town where nothing happened. But still.
All three of them were human, which made it a little harder to fit in. Or at least feel like it. Even the old captain was human, but his hair had been starting to grey, and his knees starting to ache a little too much. He'd ended up moving in with his first son in Pinhanivega. Not much bigger of a town, but a little more money moving in.
Marcus guessed he could pay him a visit while he was there. Not like he had much in the way of plans just yet. Marcus shook his head. But in order to get there, he needed to stop dawdling.
As it was, he was almost at the little guardhouse that acted as the barracks. He poked his head in. "Travis, Hudson, Kyle? You still here?" As it was, he only saw Travis and Kyle - Travis eating at their common dining table alone, with Kyle visible in the other room at the captain's desk. Travis looked up. "Me and Kyle are here. Hudson's off chasing some new fling. What do you need?" Kyle looked up at Marcus, as if to confirm he was there, and then went back to his paperwork.
Marcus replied, "I'm heading into town. I uh... don't know when I'll be back." Travis cocked his head. "By yourself? What's the occasion?" Marcus sighed. "I'm looking for more work. The mayor pays okay, but it's not enough anymore." "Really? I mean, did you ask Kyle? He could probably ask the mayor about increasing pay, if you really need. Right, Kyle?" Kyle looked up with an uncertain look. "It'd be more paperwork, and not guaranteed, but worst case they say no." Marcus shook his head. "No, I'm going to be traveling past Pinmanivega. That's just my first stop."
He scratched the back of his head. "I want to find my actual parents. And I'm not going to find them from here." Travis's eyes went wide. "Wow! That's crazy! Do you even know where they are?" "No, I figure Xi-Anc might give me some clues. There aren't necessarily more dragons out there, but I figure the lizardmen there might be a little more welcoming to someone like me." Travis chuckled and shook his head. "Xi-Anc? That's a long trip! Especially by yourself. But... we can't exactly leave our posts to go with you. I mean, with you gone, we'll have to patrol a little extra as it is. But, I also won't stop you - it's not like any of us have any real authority anyways. Just uh... be safe out there, alright? And if you find anything, send a letter or something, just so we know you're still alive."
Kyle looked up again. "You probably know I can't really give you much else than you already have, but we won't dock you for taking off with the armor. It's probably time to ask for fresh gear anyways. And we'll let Hadson know you're leaving." He chuckled. "He'll be happy to not have to compete against your... exotic looks. Just be safe." And with that, he turned back around and grabbed another sheet of parchment to start the new requisition request.
Marcus nodded and turned around. He looked up at the sky - it was surely time to leave. It was a little darker than he would've liked, meaning he probably wouldn't make it to Pinmanivega before dark, but it wouldn't be the first time he'd camped in the woods between. He shrugged. Regardless, he knew if he didn't leave tonight, it'd just be worse in the morning - if he could get any sleep at this point.
Marcus stood at the gate posts to Coibrada. The hamlet wasn't big enough for walls, and less so for an actual gate, but at least the posts marked the threshold.
He took his first step on what would probably be a long journey, far beyond where he'd ever gone before.