Lacuna

Chapter 2

The early spring morning was cool, but the rising sun promised warmth in the coming hours. Still, Kahli shivered in the damp, empty house. She cursed her father silently as she dressed quickly and trudged through the house. She spent most of the evening debating whether to return to Barnarock, but finally decided against it. Even though she was completely alone in Portia, she didn't exactly have much back home, either. And her aunt was all too eager to get her out of the house.

It was time she get out into the world and make a life for herself. She needed to find purpose, to find her place in the world. She had no idea where to start, but perhaps this was a blessing in disguise. It felt like a slap in the face, but she would make the best of it. It sure beat the long boat ride back, anyway.

She knew she would need to make some money if she wanted to do anything, and though she didn't have any particular set of skills, her father did leave her with notebooks upon notebooks of sketches and instructions. It seemed she would be a builder after all. At least it would bring in some money.

Her stomach growled. Money for food. And coffee. She desperately needed both.

She stepped outside into the warmth of the sun and took a moment to take in her surroundings. A vast wheat field was spread out in front of her just on the other side of the road. She could make out a few buildings beyond the field, and what looked to be several other fields lush with green grass. She could barely make out the shapes of cows and horses grazing quietly.

To her left was the road back to the harbor. She had a clear view of the ocean, the sun glittering on its surface. Green, rolling fields stretched on behind her house to the distance mountains. And the center of town, tucked in behind its tall walls, was to her right.

She stepped through the gate and casually checked the mailbox, as if expecting to find another note from her father, but it was empty. She sighed, then followed the road through the gates and into town.

It was early in the morning, but people milled about the streets, stepping out of their homes and chatting with one another. A few kids ran down a hill, laughing and shouting to one another with book bags on their backs. Across the plaza was a row of buildings, clearly marked. The first one read A&G, the second read Commerce Guild, and the third read Townhall.

Kahli made her way across the plaza, making eye contact with a few curious strangers. She offered them smiles in greeting, feeling shy and overwhelmed. She hurried across toward the commerce building, trotting up the steps and inside.

A young man stood behind a round desk, and he looked up when Kahli entered. He offered her a smile and a soft hello in greeting. As promised, Presley was waiting, and he immediately approached her.

"There you are! Glad you came by. How ar eyou settling in?"

"Alright," Kahli said sheepishly.

"Good, good," Presley said. "Let me introduce you to the commerce guild. We're the organization that orchestrates trade across the entire Free Cities region. Naturally, this is the Portia branch. We're pretty busy throughout the year. Lots of people comission our builders here. So, if you're looking to make some money, this is the place to be. Whatta ya say? Up for the challenge?"

"Guess I don't have much of a choice," Kahli said.

"Well," Presley started, hesitant.

Kahli offered him a smile. She had to remind herself not to take her anger towards her father out on anyone else. "I mean," she started. "I just... I'm not my father."

Presley offered her a kind smiled. "Well, now," he started. "There's a place for everyone here in Portia. If you decide this isn't for you, I'm sure we can find something else, hm?"