A Mentor's Wisdom [Private]

As Theos wandered through the marketplace he would fail to find anything that could lift his father’s spirits. After all, there is little one could do about a lost limb using exotic silks and spices. Such luxuries could heal neither the wound, nor the heart. Deeper still, into the gritty heart of Balbadd, there was something that showed a bit more promise. Beyond the bustling streets where most vendors peddled their goods were the slums. The road here was not nearly as well maintained and the people were generally more often to be seen wearing disheveled rags rather than the clean white robes common for the Balbadd public to wear. There was a man looking just as downtrodden as the rest seated on a worn silk cloth. He could be seen from the edge of the marketplace along with a sign erected next to him that read, “Miracle Tea For Sale” which seemed to be doing a poor job of tempting patrons out of the market and into the slums.

The old man didn’t seem to mind his lack of customers however and was smiling to himself as he carefully chose from a spread of different looking leaves laid out on the silk cloth before him. The elder selected a few with slow deliberate actions and mixed them together into a bowl. As he ground the leaves together a pungent bitter scent rose up causing the old man’s nose to wrinkle. He then transferred the ground leaves into a small pouch which he placed into a porcelain cup. The stranger pulled a wand from his robe sleeve and tapped a small pot next to him which immediately began to steam as the water inside boiled. Smiling softly, the man poured some of the piping hot water into the cup and then sat the pot down. Instead of taking a drink however, he sat there silently and closed his eyes leaving the cup of tea placed at the edge of the cloth.

One might mistake the man for having fallen asleep as he sat there motionless showing no sign of reaching for the tea. As the seconds passed,  a new fragrance was slowly being born within the cup and wafting outwards. Theos would find his keen fanalis nose picking up on the scent even from afar. It had transformed from the pungent bitter smell from before into a mellow sweetness that carried a hint of citrus to it. The scent was welcoming and energizing and seemed to be growing stronger with each passing moment.

The elderly man didn't seem to notice Theos until the younger man spoke. His wizened eyes slowly opened and he smiled, causing wrinkled crows feet to form. "There is no such thing as an uninteresting tea, youngster." The old man said as he reached forwards and picked up the cup that was still giving off that alluring aroma. "However...tea is just tea at the end of the day. What makes it so fascinating is sharing it with other people. Care to try some?" The man then presented the up for Theos to take if he so chose. "This tea was brewed from a blend of leaves and dried fruits from three places all across the world. The longzhu flowers of the Jade Dragon Mountains. Grapes and honey from the Reiman countryside. But the main ingredient comes from an unnamed plant located on a tropical island several days sail off the coast of Balbadd. Although, I've not been able to find that island again. Regrettably, I don't have much left of those leaves." The old man then gestured to a small pouch of dried brown leaves among the various tea bags he had laid out for sale.

"My name is Kounen. Do you have an interest in buying some  of this tea, young man?"

There was a strange glint in Kounen's eye when he asked the question.

"Kounen. My name is Theos." His wrinkles more profound than Theos originally thought. He stared at the cup of tea offered to him. Its aroma lingering in his nose and thoughts. "I'm not opposed to the idea. You sound to be a man of culture." Theos sat down in front of Kounen before accepting the cup of tea. Theos held the cup to his nose. He closed his eyes as he inhaled the fragrance through his nose, allowing himself to experience each ingredients flare. He would blow the steam that rose from the cup. It wafted up around him. Slowly raising the cup to his mouth he took a sip. Each ingredient complimenting the other coming together to create a robust yet pleasing taste.

Something told him this may be it. "This tea reminds me of our travels while still feeling like home...I think this may be what I've been looking for. How much would this blend cost me Kounen? Also this unknown island you speak of could be several islands in all directions of our shores. Perhaps you can remember something more about that island? "

Theos’ name and his fiery red hair gave Kounen cause to think the young man was a fanalis that had come from Reim, but kept this speculation to himself. Instead he simply smiled back at his new acquaintance and gave a soft chuckle, ”Hohoho~ I don’t know if I would call myself cultured. I am but a humble tea merchant who has managed to travel further than most men.” The elderly man stroked his beard as he laughed and then gestured for Theos to go ahead and take a drink. As the Fanalis sat opposite of Kounen and reached for the cup the old man poured himself a cup as well. With a gesture towards Theos, Kounen raised his cup in a sort of toast before taking a sip. Kounen silently enjoyed the floral blend and watched Theos with that strange glint still present in his wizened eyes.

Listening to Theos comment on the tea brought an even brighter smile to the old man’s face. Without asking, he took the initiative to carefully pour some more tea from the pot into Theos’ cup, filling it back to the brim. ”I’m glad the tea brings you fond memories. Such is but one of the many magnificent powers tea holds.” He then set the pot down and closed his eyes as he crossed his arms to think. ”Let me see…It appears that you desire this tea for reasons beyond simply quenching your thirst. Tell me, why do you want to purchase this tea? We can decide on the price later. As for that island…” There was a pause as the old man opened his eyes but seemed to be staring at some distant memory beyond the young Fanalis seated before him.

”This may sound strange, but I don’t remember much. In fact, were it not for this tea I would question whether or not my being there had all been a dream. After all, when I tried to return I could not find it. I have confidence in my ability to navigate at sea mind you, but it was almost as if the island was never there. Perhaps it grew fins and swam away? Hohohoho~ Sorry I can’t tell you anything more.”