Chapter I - The Consequence of Birth

[Brill]

Summer. Sundown on the 2nd Brightening of the 1st Cycle of Cryxatum. Era XI.

The last sun was beginning to settle itself underneath the purple hue of the horizon. Brill squinted as he looked at the last few rays of daylight diminish behind Riparia’s architecture.
“I better hurry,” he mumbled to himself.
He wrapped his arms tightly around the brown sack of groceries and hastily urged his bare feet to carry him with speed.
As Brill made his way through the bustling streets of the industrious city, his mind reflected on the day. It was his birthday today, yet it was as uneventful as any other day. It didn’t matter though, Brill cared little for celebrations or festivities. What’s more, he did not want to dwell on the thought of what today meant. He was eighteen, and that meant his childhood had officially ended. Childhood. Brill scoffed at the notion. Had he ever been a child?
As he approached his apartment, he began to slow his pace. He had left early in the morning in order to avoid his mother; in fact, he avoided all his acquaintances today. The last thing he wanted was to be wished a “happy” birthday. He nervously eyed the area, hoping no one he knew was about. Satisfied that no one was around, he rushed into the building.
He easily opened the door that lead into his abode - it was rarely locked. He tried to be as quiet as he could when he entered, but it was no use. The old door let out a high pitched creak.
“Brill? Is that you,” called a feminine voice.
“Yes, mother.”
His mother entered the meagerly furnished main room from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on her apron and opened her arms.
“Come here, hon. I haven’t seen you all day!” Hesitantly, Brill approached his mother to embrace her - still holding the grocery bag. “Happy birthday, Brill. Did you forget again,” she asked with a smile.
“Yeah, I guess so… .”
“Well, what have you been up to all day?”
“Nothing,” he said with a shrug. “I got the week’s groceries.”
“And that took you all day? You’re so evasive, son,” she said with a disapproving look. “Well, Zan was looking for you. Did you run into him today?” She gingerly took the bag from him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“No.”
“Well, I’m sure he wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
“I guess,” he mumbled.
“You should go pay him a visit.”
“Actually, I’m kind of tired, mother. I’m going to go to bed.”
“What?! What about dinner,” she exclaimed.
“It’s ok, I’m not hungry.” Brill made his way to his room, and as he did, he could hear his mother sigh.
“Alright, dear. Good night.”
“I’m sorry…” he whispered under his breath.
Brill had a small room containing nothing a but a small cot. He lazily sat upon it, not bothering to take off his clothing. He sighed heavily and stared and his dirt ridden feet. “I hate this,” he mumbled. “What am I doing?” Slowly, he let his back rest on the cot, laying his head on his hard pillow. “I’m tired,” he thought. “I’m so tired of everything.” He closed his eyes. Not wanting to burden his mind with any more thoughts, he slowly let himself fall into unconsciousness.

[Brill]

Summer. Mid Afternoon on the 3rd Brightening of the 1st Cycle of Cryxatum. Era XI.

The shards of afternoon light pierced through Brill's closed eyes. Slowly, he began to open them, and as his did, he heard a faint voice call after him.
"Brill! Hey, Brill-O are you there?!"
Brill's eyes widened as he shot up from his bed.
"Brill-O?! Argh! Damn it Zan... !" He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and lazily approached the window. The summer sun was beaming violently through the glass - he had to squint in order to see through it.
"Hey Brill! Where've you been," cried Zan.
Brill could make out Zan'Raak's outlandish red hair as he flailed his arms in the air. He opened the window.
"Stop yelling," he yelled. "I told you not to call me 'Brill-O' anymore, idiot. Get up here and stop making a scene!"
Zan shrugged and ran into the building.
"I can't believe it's afternoon," said Brill as he rubbed his head with his finger tips. "Gods, grant me the patience to deal with that fool today!"
Brill and Zan'Raak had been friends since they were small children, yet after all these years, he still found Zan to be intolerable. The two were like night and day, but Zan had proved to be a worthwhile spare - regardless of his stupidity. In reality, it was perhaps the fact that he was Brill's only friend that kept the friendship persistent.
“Hey hey! Open up,” called out Zan. He was pounding on the door as though he were trying to break it down.
“It’s open, you fool!” Brill was splashing the water from the basin onto his face, as Zan struggled with the door; he was trying to pull it open. Brill sighed as he patted the dry towel on his pale skin. “Push! Don’t pull it!” At that moment, Zan stumbled in.
“I was just messing with you,” he laughed. “I knew.”
“For pity’s sake, Zan. You’ve been here hundreds of times.”
“I know, I know. Whatever. Where’ve you been?”
“Here. Why?”
“We were supposed to go out drinking yesterday!”
“I don’t drink, Zan.”
“I know, but I figured since it was your birthday, maybe… .”
“It’s too late now anyway. What do you want?”
“Come eat with me!”
Brill sighed. He was hungry. He had barely eaten yesterday.
“I only have five crowns. I don’t think I can.”
“Aww come on. You don’t work today, right? Don’t worry about the money. A man’s gotta eat!”
“Alright,” he muttered. He didn’t know why he was arguing the matter. It wasn’t as though he didn’t want to eat. Perhaps it was just out of habit that he resisted Zan. “Let’s go then.”
The two left the apartment with Brill not bothering to lock the door. He really had nothing of value.
“Where are we going,” asked Brill.
“The Silver Dagger, of course.”
Brill moaned. “I hate that place. It’s so dubious. You only go there to pick fights anyway! We’re going to the Goblin.”
“Fine, fine. Let’s just hurry up, I’m starved!” With that, Zan took off running.
“Hey! Wait!” Brill had no choice but to try and follow him. His slow pace could not match Zan’s, so he shouted curse words after him. The town’s people stared as the two ran through the streets. They probably appeared to be delinquents as they bumped their way through the crowds, but Brill didn’t care. Once he caught up to Zan, he was going to kill him… .