Finding a Place to Belong

Selbina was amazing, still is. The first thing I saw was many racks of fish, the first thing I smelled was fish. I fell in love in that second. Aredhel�s parents took their time clearing the docks; I was out and in the fisherman�s guild before they were finished with their luggage. I just stood staring at the fish until someone asked me what I was doing. I told him I was staring at the Greedy fishies.

Jamaida, Master Fisher Galka.

�Well, well, well, a little fisher-lass. Come across on the boat, yes?�

�Many boats.�

I turned to see a huge galka staring down at me. I nearly jumped into the racks of fish. I started to run away but Aredhel came up.

�It�s a Galka, Muurr, haven�t you seen one before?� She was laughing at me.

�Yes.� Was all I was able to get out.

The galka started laughing to and I firmly believe the ground shook.

�Now nothing here to fear. Come fish with me while the morning is fresh.�

He let Aredhel and I fish a bit. I relaxed as Aredhel wasn�t afraid and this galka didn�t seem like Stalking Turtle. I wasn�t very good at fishing because I had no patience in waiting for the fish and when I did catch one, I ate it right away (actually, I haven�t changed). The galka, who's name was Jamaida, laughed at that too. He asked where I was going and I told him I didn�t really know. I was going to San D�Oria because that�s where Aredhel was going. Jamaida told me they needed apprentices and I was welcome to stay. I saw Aredhel and her parents off at the gate and went back to the guild.

Selbina, how I miss your fish.

I loved Selbina. Everyone knew everyone else, just like a clan, and the mayor never left, he took care of everything in town. I helped clean and sell the fish at the guild and delivered packages for them around town. I even reached the point that they let me deliver to Mhaura. I lived in Selbina a long time, long enough that I decided my rolling R�s would have to stop. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I was able to teach myself to not draw out the r sound. I knew the life and job of a fisherman was not for me, and so, I knew I could not live out my days in Selbina. I missed hunting and stalking prey far too much. As I was nearing the middle of my twenty years, Jimaida approached me one day and said that San D�Oria was calling for people to come and serve as Adventurers for their country, something they had never done before. I had remembered Aredhel and her parents all this time and had never stopped hoping they would pass through Selbina again.

�I brought your things Muurr. I knew you would want to go right away. I won�t say make me proud because I know you will be great.�

I hugged him good-bye, said my farewells to the town, and hooked up with some other people heading to the Nation of San D�Oria.

And so, this life began.