Calem The Broken

Calem sat at his usual table, already 4 bottles deep, only a third of his usual order. But tonight, sat before him and spattered in a few tears, was a letter. Every three or four months, the same person would send him one, and every time, he would read it a thousand times, studying each word, and drinking til the bar finally kicked him out. Never once did he respond. Never once, no matter how many times he wished to. Never once had he wanted to more than now. Calem didn’t know if he should be happy, or cry at the words that touched his soul.

Calem

I know I’m terrible with these, and I’m sorry to continue bothering you all these years, but sometimes I feel like if I don’t, I might do something I might regr well I don’t know what I’d feel. Maybe that’s why you don’t respond. I’m sorry.

I wanted to let you know, though, that I think I finally know what you went through all those years ago, when you first told us what a party should be like. I think I have that now. Maybe one day you could visit, or I you. I feel like I finally belong somewhere, the first time since I stood beside you. Maybe I don’t deserve to see you. You would like them, though. Jordan is new to adventuring. I met him by chance while doing a job for someone. I left his town, but apparently, he followed me to Renoma. He’s a good kid, young man. He’s smart too, like Philip was. He learned Earthern Rampart in just a few days; I remember when Philip showed me, took almost 3 weeks. Sometimes I miss everyone. You’d get along real well with the Twins. Geoffrey and Gideon. One’s a little pervert, but they’re not back at all, really energetic, but they love pranks like the ones you used to do. When we first met, I told them of the time you “accidentally” dyed my skin pink. I remember I almost left the party due to that. Thank you for teaching me that not everyone was out to get me. You’d hate the Renoma Guild Leader, Ezekiel, The Berzerker. He’s an ass, but he saved me so I. He’s not so bad sometimes, but I’m still stuck at F-Rank. It’s been almost two years since I joined. Jordan got promoted on our first mission together. I’m weak is all. I’ve always been — like that day. Is that why you won’t respond? I miss everyone. Thank you for saving my life, not just the once, but by showing me how to live.

There was no signature, but that was fine. Only one other member of their party was still alive. He read it a few dozen times throughout the night, and for once, as the dawn peaked through the windows of the bar, he wasn’t cut off; he wasn’t kicked out. Instead, a plate of hot breakfast was placed in front of him.

“On us, sweetheart.” A woman spoke softly into his ear.

Four bottles, the least he had drunk in almost four years. Gods, how old was she by now? How old was he? Was this really how he should spend his life? It should be. Everyone was dead but him and her. Even Philip had finally taken his own life not too long ago. He deserved this. He needed to suffer, if he was stronger, if he had seen through that Demon’s ruse— The breakfast smelled delicious as he stared at the letter through tears.

He took a bite, and it was delicious. How long had it been since he had something besides foraged berries or roasted forest critter? His stomach didn’t like it, even though his tongue did. Still, he gobbled the food down with gusto and wondered briefly if he would ever eat it again.

“Oi, vagrant, ain’t you usually roughin’ it in the street by now?

“Earl, leave the poor dear alone.” The one who had brought him food tried to shush the old man.

“He’s stinkin’ up the place!” Heavy foot steps thudded behind Calem as he wept over the plate and letter. “Oi, you better get out of here. You don’t belong.”

Calem didn’t respond. Even if he knew the man was right, he didn’t belong.

“Oi, you hear me?” A heavy set man stepped to his side, and Calem looked away. He heard one of the unopen bottles scrape against his table and briefly turned to watch the man uncork it. “Maybe we should wash you here, huh?”

He made to lift the bottle over Calem’s head, and the man scrambled, not out of his seat, but to quickly grab the letter and hide it underneath him, trying desperately to protect the delicate thing.

“How about—”

“Earl, I swear to every God in this land, if you so much as spill a single drop of that liquor, I will personally break my foot off in your behind, and ban you from this establishment for the rest of your miserable life. Now get your butt over here, and eat your damn usual, or you’ll be paying extra for every damn minute.” Calem was grateful for the intervention. He didn’t want the letter to get any more wet than his tears had already made it.

As Earl grumbled and walked off, taking the bottle with it, lighter steps replaced him and soon a man had a hand on his shoulder, and was leaning down into his ear.

“Listen, buddy, out back I’ve got a barrel of warm water with your name on it. If you don’t take the offer, I’m cutting you off cold turkey, ya hear? But if you take it, we’re gonna start slowly, ya hear?”

Calem turned towards the man and looked at him in confusion.

“Phil read that letter of yours over your shoulder last night and filled me in. You better get sober soon, ya hear? Looks like there’s a lady out there just dying to get a visit from ya. Whatever ya’ll went through is none of my business, but I fancy myself a matchmaker, and you’d do well to listen to those of us with more experience in the fairer sex, ya hear?”

“I—”

“Now, now, no need to thank me. But if you head out there now, I’ll keep that letter of yours nice and safe while you get cleaned up, alright. Just think of how happy that little lass’ll be once you walk up to her dressed to impress. And not smelling like a gutter.”

“I—” Again Calem was cut off.

“Now let’s mosey, I ain’t got all day. And if you want lunch for free, you’d better do as I say. We just lost one of our cooks, and I need a replacement. So, chop, chop.”

Calem didn’t know what to say.