Powers Against The World

The week ride to Suruthum was pitful, as the waves were choppy most of the time, with Ula getting sick multiple times. It was darker and colder here than at the port city, but Jamal didn't mind as they all moved closer to him for warmth. He had to be careful not to burn them, as while heating himself was easy, if he accidentally put out too much energy, the fire would leap from his body, causing them to get burned. But that was before, and now it wasn't hard although there still was the risk.

Currently, he was still asleep in the small quarters the boat had, but there wasn't much space. Every once in a while, he would check on Ula, since she had been having problems lately, but for now, it was quiet and peaceful.

Then, the horn from the boat was used, causing Jamal to jolt awake. Getting up, he moved to the window to see a view of a small town inside a valley and surrounded by fjords. They reached it.

"Wow, how is this place so poor?" Jamal asked himself out loud, before getting himself ready.

He could hear the captain of the ship call out to them, saying they'll be arriving in ten minutes. It was going to be great. He got out of the cabin with belongings and looked around in the small hallway. No one was out yet unless they were upstairs. But first, he would at least see if Ula was doing okay. He reached her door, and knocked to a groan.

"You okay? We're here. Then we can find a place to properly rest." he muttered.

She made another noise, and Jamal tried opening the door, but it was locked.

"Ula, I'm going to need you to open the door," he said, knocking again.

He could hear shuffling inside, before finally hearing the door get unlocked and it opened to a room in despair. Ula was on the side, holding her stomach, as she quickly moved back to the window and threw up outside.

"My goodness. Er, just wait upstairs, I got this." he grabbed her and quickly brought her upstairs.

Everyone else was eagerly waiting to dock and get a move on to the nation ahead until they saw Ula's condition.

"That's tough." Hops commented as Jamal helped seat Ula next to him.

"Watch her, okay. I'll be up." he said, before moving back downstairs.

The room was a mess. Medication and supplies from the months behind them were strewn everywhere, and it smelt terrible in here. Jamal didn't hesitate, as he quickly began shoving everything of value or importance. He was hurrying as the coast could be more detailed from here, and the dock was only a few minutes away.

Finally getting everything needed, he closed the door behind and hurried above, letting the captain deal with it himself. Reaching above, they could see them all by the edge, ready to disembark, as he approached them. He held the bag tight, ready to finally get off this boat.

"I got everything." he sighed, as they began to slow down to dock properly.

"Sorry, Jamal." Ula managed to mutter.

"It's fine, not a big deal."

They just waited as they reached the wooden docks, as a person was waiting for them.

"Hello there, travelers. What's your reason for coming here." he greeted them, as the boat finally stopped in front of him.

"Staying here!" Fonda replied before anyone else said anything.

"Oh, is that so. Well, we better get you to work then." he chuckled, as he placed a wooden plank for them to cross.

"Work? Don't we have to adjust to here or start another process or something?"Jamal commented.

"I need your documents first, then we'll explain." the man simply said, and Jamal showing them what was needed.

"Alright, so besides the lady here," the man said, pointing at Ula, "In order to stay for how long or such, you're going to have to work your load. Simple as that."

"I thought this was a place to lay low until the war was over?" Jamal asked the group.

"So your refugees, huh? That explains the influx."

"Wait, so no one's told you this?"

"Of course not, that also explains those people over there." the man pointed towards a forest to their west, where there was a small fire, and one could see a few people milling around.

Jamal was shocked, was their army here ready to invade them too?

"Don't worry about that, we have lots of things to do, let's not waste time. We have a carriage for your arrival."

They followed the man to a rickety and broken-down carriage, with a sickly mule to pull it. Sitting inside, Jamal could hear it creaking, as the mule began to trot towards a mountain.

"So cold." Ula chattered, to which Jamal moved her closer to heat her up.

"Speaking of which, we have plenty of space for your kind up here." the man explained, pointing to the top of a snowy mountain. "It's about a two-hour trip or so, but once we reach it, then we can get down to the real details. Now, Jamal, if I said your name right."

"Yeah, that's me," Jamal spoke up.

"I'm curious about you lot. Y'all don't look related one bit, and that girl next to you is a bit, how do I say it, round? That's your sister correct?"

"Um, no, that's my girlfriend."

"Ah, and unless I'm wrong your document is eighteen. So that means that-" the man began to figure out.

"Yes, she has a child, now why don't you tell me about yourself?"

"We can change the subject, surely. My name is Reqin and sharp memory is the key to my job, directing people here and there and helping around is all. For you guys, I can suggest several different jobs to start out in, or you'll be homeless."

"Homeless?" Hops injected him into the conversation.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. You'll all live in the refugee camp we created until you find a place in a month, or we'll have to kick you out."

"We have money." Fonda mentioned.

"How much?" Reqin asked.

"I think around 1.2 million Saputs last we checked," Jamal remembered.

"Some rich kids then, think that's around 500 million credits."

"What!" they all said in surprise.

"Yeah, Suthurum credits aren't valued that much, since our economy been in a tumble, but you'll be at a good start. I think a cabin for all of you guys would be around one million."

They just looked at each other in surprise. They were set for life here. Jamal grinned, as they could afford what they wanted here.

"Anyway, knowing young people like you, you'll probably bleed all your money out, so with the jobs-" Reqin began to say.

"You guys have a military or something like that I could join?" Jamal piped in.

"Jamal!" Ula cried out with worry.

"Oh yes, that the best way to make money here, of course, we'll have to see your power and your worth, but you can join the Defense Core Of Surthurum, helping keep watch around the nation and in case of invasion, alongside our Guardians."

"Guardians?" Jamal questioned.

"Yeah, five ancient creatures that protect the land around here. There's one watching right there." Requin pointed out.

They looked to there right, where a large rocky creature watched them carefully, before looking back down at the town miles away, ready to fight at any moment. Jamal was interested and he couldn't wait.

The rest of the drive was silent, as Jamal made sure Ula was comfortable. But he couldn't wait to show everyone here what he was worth. They reached the top of the mountain to see a medium-sized town below, as they approached it, it was clear what Requin was talking about.

The town only had about ten roads out of stone, as they moved past worn-out houses and huts, people selling pieces of meat for very low prices, and overall was just sad.

"Welp, here your guys stop. You can pay up right now, and I'll get the key." Requin said.

Jamal just handed him a sliver of cash he on in his pockets in case it was needed, and watched as he put his hand on the door before it went through it, and he opened it from the inside. He grabbed the key as he brought his hand out the door and handed it to him.

"Good luck here, and can't wait to see you in service. It's in that building." Requin wished him well as he pointed at a grey two-story building, before leaving.

They just stood there in silence, as light snow began to form. Jamal turned back into the house, where it was nothing but bare.

"Well guys, it's here or Youden, and I'm sure we can make good use of here. We got plenty to do, so let's not stall any further." he promised, as he grabbed Ula's hand.

Everyone else just nodded, as they prepared for the days, months, or even years here to come.