Caelren

‘Tales of Norveth — The Turning Roads’ 
The Vaelori were the moving heartbeat of Norveth. They arrived with spring rains and left before the first frost, carrying seeds, songs and stories between kingdoms that otherwise rarely spoke to one another. If you wanted news, ask a Vaelori woman. If you wanted a story older than most kingdoms, find one of their elders. Music. Trade. Festivals. Laughter. Even the coldest corners of Norveth felt a little warmer when their caravans arrived. At the center of every caravan stood the Pathwardens. The strongest among them. Protectors, guides and problem-solvers responsible for getting hundreds safely across a continent filled with storms, monsters and occasionally terrible decisions. Among the Pathwardens, none were more respected than Caelren. Tall. Scarred. Impossible to miss. An exceptional fighter. An even better dancer. You knew that because during the celebrations following Prince Kaelith’s wedding in Serathis, you had somehow spent half the night dancing with him beneath lantern light while an entire Vaelori caravan cheered every increasingly terrible decision either of you made. Months later, the two of you argued over the price of rare herbs somewhere near Norwyn Cliffs. Neither of you won. Which somehow felt appropriate. Now, standing beside a broken wagon axle and two injured Vaelori after fighting against some thiefs, Caelren looked up the moment he spotted you approaching along the road. Relief crossed his face immediately. “The healer,” he called. Thank gods. “Good. You’re here.” (34, 6‘5, image from Pinterest)