“Genuine Dwarven-made relics!”

  “Bows from Vanaheim!”

  “Healing tonics from Alfheim!”

  The calls from vendors, mixed with the overwhelming scents of food, people, and what Xain could only describe as city smell, made for a harrowing journey down the main street, in which Xain could do little more than shuffle past and do his best not to meet anyone's eye.

  Never before in his life had he been surrounded by so many people or buildings, and while he was vaguely interested in glimpsing the huge, sandy-colored stone structures which lined the street, he had the sneaking suspicion that if he stopped now, the port would swallow him whole.

  Fen, on the other hand, obviously found the whole experience to be wonderfully exciting.

  Clearly the opportunity of a potential sale overpowered the vendors’ fear of the wolf, some being so bold as to walk directly up to Fen and attempt to measure him for a variety of armor they promised was the best in all the 10 Realms.

  If they were to be believed, Xain had already passed up more opportunities of a lifetime in the last 15 minutes than he had been given in the entirety of his life.

  Do people really fall for this shit?

  Clearly the Seeds were a good source of profit, even if they only came through here once a season, but it was hard to believe that anyone could truly think the overpriced trinkets could be of any aid.

  But thankfully, he had quickly become accustomed to the onslaught of smells, so even in the bustling street he was able to think with relative clarity. This had led him to reform the Ice Armor under his suit, and use that focus to successfully ignore the various bumps and jostles that were inevitable in such a place.

  As they continued on, the damp smell of salt continued to grow, so even without the terse directions, Xain knew they were on the right path. He wondered for a moment what the port looked like normally, and made a mental note that if he ever returned to Yid, to come back here when it was less crowded.

  He knew this was the last and smallest of three ports the ferry stopped at, picking up Seeds from various regions before making its way into the outer Realms, and had a difficult time imagining what the scene would be at the port closest to the capital.

  Commonly called Port of Seeds, this port had originally been built for the sole purpose of loading on those runic users venturing to the Nine Realms, but as time went by, it had clearly grown beyond its original purpose, taking on a life of its own. It was likely that this port supplied all the towns in the south with fish and imported goods, but even so, compared to the port near the capital, it was little more than an afterthought.

  Xain wondered how much the ferry still carried for trade after visiting the first two ports, but quickly decided it was most likely that anything not sold in the initial stops would be dumped here for a significantly reduced price, as it would be more costly to carry the goods back than to take a cut to offload them here.

  “Huh?” Xain grunted, as Fen nudged his head into his shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.

  Xain followed the wolf’s gaze, and saw the tips of what he assumed to be ship masts peering out over the top of the building at the end of the street.

  Finally.

  Xain sighed a breath of relief as he looked closer at the building a hundred or so yards in front of him, quickly scanning the huge script carved directly into the stone which read ‘Port of Seeds’, with 10 flags flying just below.

  Nodding that this was indeed his destination, Xain started forward again, working hard to ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach. Clearly the guards before were not the ones who would actually check his array, but at this point, no matter the outcome, he just wanted to get the whole thing over with.

  …

  “Pass”

  The Dwarven woman behind the counter reached out her hand, and quickly snatched the paper from Xain as he glanced around the stone interior of the harbor building. He had thought there might be some decoration or at least a window, but the long hallway-shaped room was only lined with two long, smooth stone desks on either side that seemed to be carved directly from building itself, behind which sat a handful of workers of varying races, who all looked as bored as Xain was nervous, as they slowly stamped and shuffled their massive stacks of papers.

  “Confirm your name,” the woman said, not lifting her eyes from his pass.

  “Xain,” he said.

  “Full name,” the stout woman said, her short curly brown hair bouncing slightly as she finally turned to Xain.

  “Xain Yidson,” he said, meeting the brown eyes which looked out behind silver rimmed glasses.

  “Core rune and array,” she said, before taking the glass of water beside her and slowly sipping it as she waited.

  “Uruz,” he said, quickly adding, “For both.”

  This got the first reaction other than complete disinterest, as she raised one thick eyebrow, and looked between the pass and him once again, before saying, “One rune. Don't see that very much any more.”

  “And him,” she continued, gesturing at Fen, “He is yours?”

  “Yes,” Xain confirmed, ignoring the snort his wolf gave at the idea he could ever actually be owned.

  “Right,” she said, her moment of interest passing as quickly as it had come, stamping his pass once, before handing it back to him.

  Xain assumed the woman must have checked his pass against some ledger of departing Seeds, ensuring no one got past who was not supposed to be let on the ferry, but how his name would have found its way to her sheaf of papers was beyond him. Instead of dwelling on it, though, he chalked the whole thing up to a system of bureaucracy as unknowable as the Norns themselves.

  “Down the hall, out the doors, take a right. Then the first door on your right,” she said, turning back to the stack of papers she had been working on before Xain’s interruption.

  “Thank you,” Xain said, turning to where she had indicated.

  “And,” the woman said, not looking up as she continued, “Good luck to you. Rare to see one destined for the Path these days.”

  “Thank you,” Xain said again, and found he truly meant it, before heading toward the door.

  …

  “I have to ask,” the woman said, looking over Xain with the brightest green eyes he had ever seen. She had long brown hair, and the gentle thin features which marked her as having Elf blood somewhere in her lineage. If it was from Vanaheim or Alfheim was impossible to tell, but her gentle features and heart-shaped face made him think the former.

  “Would you prefer to have a male Valkyrie perform the check, or would you be comfortable with me?”

  “Umm,” Xain stuttered, her melodic voice making it hard for him to focus.

  “You. I mean, you are fine. You can do it,” he stuttered.

  The blood which rushed to his face as she gave him a slight smile came so quick he could only act like nothing happened, before moving to the single table in the room and began to undress.

  “Well aren't you a pretty boy,” the woman said from behind him, and only Fen's grunt of satisfaction which told him exactly who the compliment was directed at saved him from total embarrassment.

  “You can hang your shirt and jacket on the hook there, and then just lie down on your stomach,” she said, as she continued to scratch Fen on the chest.

  “Where did you find him?” she asked, while Xain followed her instructions.

  “I didn't," Xain said, as he lay down on the stone slab, only then realizing he was still wearing the armor, which he quickly released with a thought.

  “He found me,” he finished, as he tried and failed to find a position that let him see his wolf.

  “Isnt that the way,” she said, sounding wistful.

  “A pack lived near my house when I was younger. I would stay up every full moon, and listen to them howl, wishing I could be out there with them. It’s amazing he chose you over the pack.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Xain didn't know what to say to that, since to his knowledge, Fen had never had a pack to call his own.

  Find your pack.

  The Norns' words came back to him like a blow, and for the first time Xain wondered if there was actually one out there waiting for him.

  “Now,” she continued, her voice coming from near the end of the table, “Let's see what we're working with.”

  Please, just work. Don't ask anything. Just…

  “Hmm,” the woman mused, as her hand slowly began to trace up Xain’s back.

  He stayed silent, trying to focus on anything but how soft her fingers were, or the fact that one wrong move here could spell disaster for him, and barely heard as she asked, “How did you get so unlucky?”

  “Huh?” Xain asked, slightly lifting his head, and immediately setting back down as she put her hand on the back of his neck.

  “One rune, and part of Yid’s house. The Norns have not been kind.”

  “Umm, yeah,” Xain agreed.

  You don't know the half of it.

  “You should take root. If you can. The path is no place for someone so…”

  “I'll be fine,” Xain said, unable to stop the sudden flair of irritation.

  “Hmm,” she said, ignoring his little outburst, as her fingers traced a circle between his shoulder blades, around where his rune sat.

  “I hope that's true. You're going to feel a slight tingling, just try to stay still.”

  Xain was about to ask what she meant, when all at once the rune began to burn, as her fingers traced its lines. It was a sensation unlike anything he had felt before, and all at once Xain was acutely aware of how exposed he actually was.

  Is this how they verify it?

  It was like she was inside him, reading him through the rune in a way that was both far too intimate, and far too clinical at the same time. Xain gritted his teeth and endured, willing himself to be calm, until the pain suddenly vanished.

  “Done,” she said, stepping toward his head, and helping him sit up.

  “That wasn't so bad, was it?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as she handed him his shirt and jacket.

  “Not at all,” Xain lied, inwardly counting to four each time he breathed in and out.

  “Give this to the attendant at the ship,” she said, waiting for him to finish dressing before handing him the same pass, which had gained an additional stamp.

  “Thank you,” Xain said, taking the pass and moving to the door.

  “If I can give you one piece of advice,” the woman added before he could leave.

  Xain looked back, meeting her eyes for just a moment before looking away, and said, “Please.”

  “Don’t let the others know about your array. My brother made that mistake. He didn't make it two days in the outer Realms before someone decided to take his rune. I would hate to see the same thing happen to you,” she finished, before turning back to a small device she must have produced from one of the pockets on her white coat, and began tapping a series of buttons.

  “Thanks,” Xain muttered, and left the room.

  …

  “That was weird,” Xain said, as he and Fen walked down the pier to where the massive ferry sat.

  It was easy to find, as it towered over the other ships in the harbor. With three huge masts, a length of over 500 feet, and 4 visible decks, the ferry looked completely out of place against the backdrop of the various fishing and leisure vessels docked to either side.

  It was clear the pier they were on had been specially made to allow the huge ship to dock, as it was three to four times as long as the ones which flanked it. Xain couldn't tell what the ship was made of as it was painted entirely gold, but assumed it was some combination of wood, metal, and runic sigils. Atop the ship’s golden hull, huge letters were painted along its side naming it the Heimdall Express.

  The pier was alight with activity as crates were loaded and unloaded by a series of cranes and belts, all manned by burly-looking men and women of every race, who didn't so much as look up as Xain and Fen walked by.

  In response, Fen only gave a low growl, as his eyes continuously roamed over the workers.

  “I know you liked her,” Xain said, giving Fen a little shove. “But she didn't look into your fucking soul.”

  From what he saw, they were the only ones with the intention of boarding the ship, as no one but them was moving toward the single bored looking attendant standing at the bottom of the gangplank. The man seemed more an administrator than guard, dressed in brown pants, a long white shirt, and a brown vest which held a golden pocket watch he pulled out, glanced at, and put away every couple seconds.

  He looked no taller than Xain was, with short brown hair, and not even the barest hint of a beard on his olive-toned face.

  When Xain and Fen were about 20 feet from the man, Xain raised his hand in greeting, and called, “I think you're waiting for me?”

  The man glanced up toward Xain, his mouth setting in a line, and waited silently as he and Fen approached.

  “They said to give this to you,” Xain said, proffering his pass, which the man took, quickly scanned, and put in a small notebook he pulled from another vest pocket.

  “You’re nearly late,” the man said, looking between him and Fen.

  “Yeah,” Xain muttered, unsure what to say. He had thought the ferry didn't depart for another couple hours, but couldn't say for certain as this was the first time in his life that he had ever been beholden to a schedule.

  “Well, as you are the last of our passengers to board, I will show you to your room. You can leave your luggage here, and someone will bring it to you later.”

  “I don't have anything but this,” Xain said, tapping the pack he wore over one shoulder.

  For some reason Xain couldn't begin to guess at, the man seemed to take this as a personal insult, and needed to take a moment to compose himself, before turning to Fen.

  “Animals go to the third deck.”

  “Yeah…” Xain said, “He is going to stay with me.”

  “That is-” the man started to protest, but it quickly died as Fen stepped forward and curled one lip back.

  “F…fine,” he said tersely, adding, “but you will be responsible for ensuring he uses the proper facilities to… relieve himself.”

  “Not a problem,” Xain replied, smiling inwardly.

  “Now if you will-” the man started, but cut off as a voice boomed out from above.

  “Martin, is that the boy?”

  Xain turned his attention to the boat, and found a man who looked like he could be nearly Bow's twin standing at the rail, his smile visible even from where they stood.

  “Yes, Captain,” Martin curtly confirmed.

  “I was just about to show him his room.”

  “Oh, that can wait!” the captain boomed once more, waving a thick hand toward Xain and Fen to join him.

  “But, Captain,” Martin protested.

  “Do you know who this boy is? He is going to walk the fucking Path, Martin. How long has it been since we had someone with the balls to go it alone? Now we got two of them at once. That's gotta mean something!”

  Martin visibly sighed, before calling up, “Of course, Captain.”

  “Right this way,” he grumbled, turning back to Xain.

  …

  “Xain, this is Vector. Vector, meet Xain,” Captain Tryst said, as he introduced Xain to the only other one on the ship who was bound for the Path of Discovery.

  Vector stood a few inches shorter than Xain, but despite the difference in height, with the aura of strength he emitted, along with his clear sense of self, Xain had to fight the urge to back away from the man. He had dark brown skin, a shaved head, a thick dark black beard, and dark, almost black eyes which seemed to bore into Xain as he took him in.

  He wore a long, white button-up shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows revealing two runes running down his thick forearm. Xain was slightly taken aback, as to have the two of them showing meant he held an array with at least eight runes, but possibly more. His simple brown pants and boots were, at first glance, nothing special, but it was clear they were well made, and the belt around his waist further confirmed this by the numerous sigils it bore.

  “Nice to meet you,” Vector said, extending his hand for Xain to shake.

  His voice was deep, but so gentle it felt at odds with the natural power the man seemed to exude.

  “You too,” Xain said, clasping his hand firmly and shaking it twice.

  “You know,” the captain mused, “I normally just scan through these manifests, and it's nothing but Rooted this, Rooted that. So you can understand my surprise when I came across the two of your names. I haven't ferried a Seed who was going to walk the Path in I don't know how long. It's good to see there are still those of us out there.”

  Us?

  Right, he works for Heimdall. The company was well known for only employing free agents who had never taken root with any specific House, instead opting to remain unbound to any one Realm.

  It was likely the captain had an array of 16 or higher, marking him as one of the few holders to ever reach such a rank. While it was possible to captain such a ship with only 14 runes, for him to have the job of ferrying the Seeds, a higher rank was to be expected.

  “Captain?” called one of the other sailors from behind them.

  “Thor’s balls, I cant get a single fucking moment of peace. I’m sorry, but duty calls. Xain, I arranged so your cabin was next to Vector’s. Those who walk the Path need to stick together, eh? Vector, would you be so kind as to show Xain to his room? I think Martin has already stowed up in his office for the trip.”

  “Of course, Captain,” Vector said, slightly inclining his head toward the burly man.

  “Wonderful. As you both are headed to Niflheim, we will have a couple days together. I’d love it if you would join me for dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Captain!” the sailor called again, more urgently now.

  “Hold yer tits!” the captain called back, clearly exasperated. “I really have to go. We cast off soon. But if I can leave you both with a piece of advice: Keep a distance from the other Seeds. Rooted and those who walk the Path have never gotten along well. And, Vector, you have some balls, and it looks like the power to back it up. But you are a smart guy. You must know Asgard will not take this well.”

  “Captain!!”

  “Holy Hel’s fuck! I’m coming,” Tryst bellowed over his shoulder, turning to them once more as he quickly said, “It really is good to meet you both. We will talk soon.”

  Xain and Vector both inclined their heads as the captain turned, bellowing a series of curses as he walked toward his crew.

  “I did not expect to encounter another as foolish as I,” Vector said, turning back to Xain with a slight smile, but without giving Xain a chance to respond, Vector glanced at Fen and continued, “Oh, what a handsome wolf.”