Jonak stared at the cup of tea in his hands, looking at his reflection in it as he sat at the dinner table of his father house. He was thinking about the sea, how he had only seen it once in his entire life, and how he had fallen in love with it that very day. Its not often that people from Gorin city go to the city, or even people from the Empire itself. It was indeed a rare treat to visit the sea, which, for over a thousand years, had never existed to the Gorinese people. All there was was the Crystal Ridge mountains and the Wardash. Now a new road to expansion was open, and everyone would pounce on it, including Jonak.
For months he had been thinking of joining the navy, a new prospect for any Gorin citizen, and even more for someone who had lived in Gorin city all his life. Ever since he had seen the sea, he knew it was his destiny to go there, to live there, on the sea. It captivated him. All he could think of was the sea, the waves, how they crashed against the shores. You see, Jonak had visited Drago during a storm. He saw the great waves, smashing against the shore. He saw how powerful, how terrible and utterly terrifying. He saw a house on the beach, become nothing more than twigs as if it were simply brushed aside by the great waves. Image, battling that great beast, imagine taming that. It was the dream of any Gorinese citizen to do that. They had tamed Ramids, what else would stand in their way to glory?
Jonak sighed, he knew he had to tell his father. He knew his father would not allow him. He knew his father would kill him before he let him join the military. Almost every son in this family had volunteered to join the military. And all those that did, died in battle. His three brother volunteered to join the army when they invaded the Lengel. They had all died in the battle of Magi. Ever since then his father swore that he wouldnt let his only son join the military. Never to let his sons die for the Empire. He was by no means, a hatter of the Empire, but he had lost so much for it.
Jonak looked up when he heard the door close. He had run from this for so long. It was time to face it. His father walked in, looking worn, his elbows burnt and his face sparsely coated with ash from the furnace. His father worked in the small family blacksmith business. It was a pride of his life, and a pride of many Gorin citizens, since it was the glory of all. His fathers clothes looked a bit tattered, and as he came and sat down at the dinner table and let out a deep sigh.
How was work?
Tough, we had an extra shipment of swords to Drago to put through by today
Did you get it through?
Yes, but Dasu broke his arm and Boma fainted from exhaustion
Will they be alright?
Yes
There was a silence that fell over the table that seemed to last forever. Neither Jonak or his father said anything, they simply stared, seemingly into nothing. Finally the silence was broken by Jonaks mother, who entered the room and gave his father a kiss before going into the kitchen. Nothing was said between them, just a gentle squeeze of the hand as she moved off. The sound of pots clinking and the smell of tea brewing slowly drifted into the dinning room. Still nothing had been said. Soon his mother returned with a cup of tea for his father, placing it before him and rubbing his shoulder as he took a sip of it.
Father... I have found a place to work, a job
His father looked up from his tea, staring at his son, already knowing what he intends to say, but praying to Dula that he is wrong.
What is it my son?
Its a good job Jonak said quickly We get land if we do well, and a home for the duration of the work...
What is it His father interrupted, his face looking more tired than ever.
The military...
No
But father you havent even!
I said no Jonak
Its not dangerous father, its the navy I...
I said no!
You arent even listening!!
YOU WILL OBEY ME! His father screamed as he slammed his fist on the table. His tea falling over from the impact, the liquid spreading out on the table as silence fell on the house.
Father please Jonak said in a whisper
No, no my son, you will not do this to me, I will not loss you His fathers face returned to its tired look. You are all I have left Jonak, I have given three of my sons to the Empire, they will not take my last from me
Dont you understand
I understand more than you could ever know my son
For once in my life I can be something
No
For once in my life I can do something worthwhile, for once I can make a difference!
No
For once I can do something that will change things in the Empire, in the world! Its a new section of the military father
I dont care
Its the navy father not the army! I wont die like my brothers did, I will explore, I will conquer lands far away for the glory of the Empire! For the glory of Dula!
Do not do this to me Jonak, please, do not do this to your father
But
And what of your mother? Jonaks mother had been staring at him, looking grave, her grip tight on his fathers shoulder will you rob her of her only son?
I wont die!
How do you know, Darma and Arajun said that to, but they never returned
Father you dont understand Jonak said quietly, hanging his head.
I UNDERSTAND! His father screamed as he suddenly rose, knocking the chair over. His knuckles grinded against the table I understand Jonak, but this is not what you want, its just a phase my son
No you dont father, for once in my life I can make a difference, for one I can do something important. Something that no one else is doing. I want to be a part of this and I dont care whether I have your permission or not!
His mother backed away slowly as his father looked down at the table in shock, and then, in sadness. He had lost this, he knew he could not stop his son from leaving. He was a man now.
I have packed my things already, there is a caravan leaving for Drago in an hour, I must go now if I want to make it but I want your blessing before I go Silence again fell over the room. Finally his father sighed.
Very well, you have my blessing my son, go, bring glory to your family, and to the Empire, and to Dula
Without another word Jonak rose and went to his room. The rustling of bags could be heard from the dinning room, where his father held his mother, who weeped. He patted his wifes should, whispering comforting words into her ear as she sobbed. Soon Jonak returned from his room, with two large sacks with all his things in them. For a moment Jonak stared at his parents, the ones who had razed him so well. His eyes moved around the room, taking it all in one last time. His eyes finally fell onto the spilt tea, staring at it for so long. It would leave a stain on that wooden table that would never be removed, a reminder of this day, this moment.
Good bye mother, good bye father Jonak said as he turned and walked out of the door.
His parents moved to the door after him, watching him walk away.
Jonak I love you! his mother said, his father simply held her and stared at him.
I love you to mother he said, before turning and walking off to town. He never looked back east, he only looked west, towards the sea, his new home.