Zeltara entered her bedroom with Kaztos and Saiya for the second time that day. Her father had been busy at the back of the shop and hadn’t noticed them come in. It was fortunate because her father had already been very accommodating. She didn’t want to risk his saying no to their plan of spending time in her room. She went to her workbench and placed Saiya’s new cloak on it. From her satchel, she took out the two white powder bottles and stored them away. Zeltara knew that those were going to be fun to experiment with. She sat down and began to work on the cloak.

  “So, do you want me to just fix the clasp, or do you want more? I could add some pockets. Looks like there’s only two interior ones.” Zeltara asked.

  Saiya gave it a few moments of thought as she sat on her bed and opened one of her books. “It wouldn’t be a problem?”

  “Not at all. Besides, practicality is underrated. You can never have too many pockets.” Zeltara knew that from experience. Saiya agreed, and she got to work on the clasp.

  “You can sew as well, Zeltara? You have quite an extensive range of skills,” Kaztos said. Zeltara had to keep herself from blushing. People didn’t often praise her for the work she did. Only her father seemed to care before, and his praise only seemed to extend to where the family business was concerned.

  “Well, The Workshop provides a wide variety of repairs. You need to know quite a lot to work here. I can easily sew in some pockets or stitch up tears. What I can’t do is make outfits from scratch.”

  “Still, you should be proud of your skills. You put a lot of work into them.” Zeltara felt a smile grow at the compliment.

  “Thank you.” Kaztos returned her smile as a comfortable silence settled. While Zeltara worked, she noticed Saiya reading one of her historical texts. Kaztos appeared content to lean against her wall and stare out the window. The two weren’t exactly who she would have picked for friends before today, but Zeltara could see how they fit together.

  The young elf didn’t think she would ever get along with a noble, but Kaztos wasn’t exactly typical. Sure, the lords liked to spout about honor and decorum, but from Zeltara’s understanding, few practiced what they preached. It made her wonder just how he had ended up so earnest. Saiya was harder to read. She kept things close to her chest, but her actions showed Zeltara just what kind of person she was. At least it seemed like she was starting to come out of her shell. Hopefully, she can avoid offending the blond girl more in the future.

  Zeltara’s train of thought was interrupted when Kaztos said, “It’s a shame we didn’t arrive on time for the traveling minstrel. I found the few stories we heard to be engaging. And those illusions were spectacular.”

  “I wouldn’t worry too much about that. The traveling minstrel visits Urada every couple of months. Time will pass before you know it, and he’ll be back with fresh stories and trinkets.” Zeltara’s voice became teasing. “Perhaps you’ll remember to get something for yourself next time.” Kaztos smiled as he stood up straight.

  “I can’t wait until the time comes. Not to worry, the cloak will be a memento of this occasion. I’ll see Saiya wearing it whenever I’m with her.” Kaztos paused as he thought about something. “We will get to see each other again, right? I quite enjoy both your companies and would hate if this didn’t continue. We are friends, correct?” Kaztos looked at both of the girls with a hopeful look.

  “Of course, Kaztos,” Saiya said with a small smile. Zeltara was quick to reassure him.

  “I wouldn’t leave you out to dry like that. You two are the first people who have wanted to hang out with me in years. Besides, I already know how far you both will go for me. We’re stuck with each other now.” Kaztos gave a bright smile.

  “Outstanding! I feel the same way. Three new friends navigating the path of life. Quite exciting, if I say so.” Zeltara laughed at his exuberance. His demeanor was refreshing, if strange. If the subtle shaking of Saiya’s shoulders was any indication, she felt the same. “I look forward to going with you to the traveling minstrel next time. I bet it’ll be even better the next time.”

  Zeltara looked forward to it. The traveling minstrel was more exciting to listen to with them there. The stories always let her imagine the world outside Urada. Of a place away from The Workshop. She became wistful just thinking about it. “To go around and collect stories on your travels. Traveling minstrels live quite an exciting life. I can’t wait until I have my own stories to tell.” This caught the attention of her friends.

  “What do you mean by that, Zeltara? Do you wish to be a traveling minstrel as well?” Kaztos asked. The question caught her off guard. Did she really want to tell both of them about this? Their friendship was brand new. Could she trust them? Zeltara stared at them for a moment before coming to a decision.

  “Nothing like that. I do want to go and explore the world. But my focus is on the past rather than the present.” Zeltara took a moment to collect her thoughts. She wanted to explain this properly. “Do you know just how much of the world is abandoned? Our civilization is at its most condensed it has ever been. Most of the land is now unexplored wilds no one dares to travel to. Out there are ruins and relics, some of which haven’t been seen for thousands of years. I want to be the one to rediscover this lost history.”

  “I suppose that is why you read history texts and fairy tales,” Saiya said as she gestured with the book in her hands. Zeltara nodded.

  “Yes, I grew up reading about the civilizations of past eras. Things used to be so much different back then. The land was more inhabited. People were more advanced before the era crises destroyed much of what was. These texts often talk about places that don’t exist anymore. They are among the only historical accounts of the elves. My people’s kingdoms have been abandoned for over fifteen hundred years. The elves have been drifting in the wind for so long that no one can remember their culture or ancient history. I want to find out more about my ancestry and spread that knowledge to others. I want my name to be in the history books. Zeltara, the discoverer of lost civilizations and founder of lost knowledge. I know it will be dangerous, but I want to follow my passion. While I enjoy fixing things at the workshop, a quiet life isn’t for me.”

  A beat of silence followed her fervent declaration. She hoped they would take it well. No one, not even her dad, was supportive of her whenever she mentioned this. Zeltara didn’t need to worry because, while Saiya looked on with interest, Kaztos raised his fist in excitement.

  “Spectacular! I haven’t heard of something so inspiring in ages. To rise from your humble beginnings and reach the height of fame and honor. To think we have such similar dreams.” Relief filled Zeltara. Kazto’s support meant more to her than she expected. However, the end of his statement caught her attention.

  “Similar dreams, Kaztos? I suppose you have a goal you want to reach as well?” It made sense. Kaztos seemed like the person to have high ambitions. Kaztos hesitated, likely having the same dilemma as she did before. “Don’t worry, we’ll support whatever it is you say. Right Saiya?” The cloaked girl nodded in agreement.

  This was enough for Kaztos. “Well, as you are aware, I come from the noble house of Molinar. I’m sure you know of the actions of my great-uncle during the sixth crisis. It affected nearly everyone in The Holy Dominion when he brought civil war. Countless died in his fight against the Amedori. When he finally fell in battle to the hero, people wanted retribution for the suffering. Unfortunately, with him dead, the rest of my family had to take the burden. The Molinar family used to be one of the most prestigious in the realm. Few remember, but they were only under the emperor and the seven kings’ families in standing. For centuries, the House of Molinar was known for its virtue and honor. Whether in war, stewardship, or diplomacy, a Molinar was who you called upon to take charge. It was even said that the holy lords themselves blessed the family for their continued service. And Lilathos threw all of it away. Our titles were stripped away, prestige had been lost, and we were dishonored.” His voice was shaking by the end. Kaztos took a moment to collect himself.

  Zeltara thought about saying something, but Kaztos calmed down and continued. ”Most of my family now hides away in seclusion to avoid scrutiny. At the rate things are going, our coffers will run dry in a generation. Molinar, from the golden standard of nobility to paupers living on the streets. Unacceptable! The rest may have given up, but I shall not. My dream is to restore House Molinar to its former glory. To make the Molinar name something to love rather than fear once again.” Kaztos gestures to his necklace. “It’s why I still wear my family’s amulet, so everyone knows who I am. They’ll know that it is a Molinar who lives and fights so gallantly. Just as my ancestors did in the past.” Kaztos looked at his companions to see their reactions. It was Zeltara who spoke up first.

  “That’s a great dream, Kaztos. Nice to see that my new friend is as reckless as I am. Trust me, I get how the actions of others affect how you live.” Saiya nodded in agreement to the last part, which both Kaztos and Zeltara noticed. Zeltara knew they had to find out more about her when she was more comfortable. That girl was a closed book to both of them. She was tempted to research just what an omen was. It still sounded familiar, yet she couldn’t place it. No, best to respect her privacy. Zeltara put it to the back of her mind as she continued the conversation. “So, how do you plan on restoring your family? Are you going to join the military or get appointed to a political position? You mentioned attending Urada Academy.”

  Kaztos hesitated before answering. “Ah, I’m not sure yet. I am a student at Urada Academy. It theoretically should give me easier access to official positions where I can work my way up. However, since I am a Molinar, it is unlikely that I will be assigned anything. Honestly, I’m not sure how I would go about accomplishing my goal.”

  “Well, you still have time to figure it out. It’s not much better than my plan, to be honest. My current plan was just to go and explore the wilds near areas I think ruins would be based on my research.” Kaztos nodded thoughtfully in response, but Saiya shot her an unimpressed glare.

  “And just how are you going to protect yourself? The wilds are dangerous for anyone, and elves aren’t good at combat,” Saiya said. The first thing Zeltara felt was surprise. That was the longest she had ever heard Saiya talk. Based on Kaztos’ expression, she could tell he felt the same. The second thing she felt was offense at the comment. The first time Saiya spoke up, that was what she said?

  “Just because I’m an elf doesn’t mean I can’t protect myself. Who are you to say I can’t handle it?” Saiya flinched back as her glare crumbled under the pressure.

  “Sorry,” Saiya mumbled out. Her body language closed off as she stared down at the floor. All the anger Zeltara felt immediately extinguished at the sight. After a moment of thought, she could see what the cloaked girl was trying to say. Zeltara scolded herself for the overreaction and hurried to apologize.

  “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry about that. You’re right that it would be dangerous for me to go out into the wilds. There are countless creatures out there that could hurt me, or worse. I can’t exactly use mana. But don’t worry, I’ve got plans to protect myself.” Saiya relaxed at the apology as both exchanged hesitant smiles. Zeltara needed to work on interacting with her better. It seemed like she kept being too forceful when dealing with the shy girl.

  Kaztos asked, “Just how do you plan on protecting yourself? You don’t seem like a person to wield a sword. Spells are unavailable as well. I can only assume you have something up your sleeve.”

  “You’re right,” Zeltara said. “I’ve got something to give me an edge. For the past couple of years, I have been trying to build devices that would help overcome my physical limitations. I use leftover parts from the workshop and any oddities the traveling minstrel brings. Those bottles of white powder are an example of that. I can already think of several ways they can be useful. Though I won’t say how yet. I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.” Saiya appeared relieved that Zeltara had some plan for protection.

  Meanwhile, her answer fascinated Kaztos. “So, have you made anything to protect yourself yet? Or are you still in the planning stages?” Zeltara felt happy that he was taking such a keen interest in her passion. Her dad only appreciated that she was honing her skill and not what she was building.

  “I haven’t made much to protect myself yet. A lot of it is just basic things I need that most wouldn’t think about. Here, let me show you an example.” Zeltara put down Saiya’s cloak and turned to a chest under her workbench. She opened it and pulled out a small lantern. The other two looked confused upon seeing it.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Kaztos asked, “Just how is a mana lamp supposed to help? You can’t exactly use it.” Saiya leaned forward to inspect the lantern. It seemed like she suspected something was off. Zeltara grinned in anticipation. It wasn’t often she got to show off her inventions.

  “You’re right, Kaztos, I can’t use mana lamps like everyone else. However, this isn’t a mana lamp, but something I made to emulate one. The only alternatives to mana lamps I had for a long time were candles or torches. Candles aren’t exactly practical to take with me. Torches aren’t easily reusable or suitable everywhere. It makes things hard if I need to move around or see in the dark. If I could just imitate a mana lamp with a substitute, then I would no longer have that problem. That’s when I came up with the oil lantern. It’s able to light up without any use of mana.”

  “So, how does it work?” Kaztos appeared excited over something so simple. She had no problem in obliging him with a demonstration.

  Zeltara held up the lantern in front of her. “The bottom of the lantern is filled with oil we sometimes use in the workshop. It’s the fuel for the lantern. In the middle is a fabric wick, which is what burns to produce light. Let me show you.” Zeltara grabbed a piece of metal and flint from her workbench. After giving the handle a twist, she opened the lantern and held both to the wick. “Now, if I just create a spark here...” Zeltara struck the flint a few times and lit the wick. A soft flame glowed, filling the room with warm light. “The lantern lights up. It has enough oil to last a few hours.” Zeltara put out the lantern and put it back into the chest. She then continued sewing Saiya’s cloak. A smirk appeared on her face at the looks both were giving her. “Most of my inventions are things like that. People take everyday conveniences for granted when they only need a little mana. I need to cook food, collect water, and create light if I’m to survive out there.” The thought had a sobering effect on the other two in the room.

  Kaztos spoke his thoughts aloud. “I never really thought about it that way. I never realized how much of our daily lives needs the use of mana. You couldn’t even activate a stove without using it.”

  Saiya agreed, saying, “I find channeling mana to be one of my favorite activities. I can’t imagine what it would be like without it. It must be hard for you.” Zeltara appreciated the sentiments both gave her. Only Selossa and her dad ever gave her any consideration about it.

  “It was disappointing to learn about when I was younger, but I made my peace with it. Besides, it’s not like I know what I’m missing.” It was true. Zeltara once believed that being half human might help her develop an ability to channel mana. Unfortunately, it never came to fruition. Her elf blood was too strong. Instead, she moved on rather than wallowing in her misfortune. Zeltara changed the subject and asked, “You said that you enjoy mana channeling, Saiya. Are you planning to become a mage or something?” Saiya jumped in surprise as the attention turned to her.

  “Not exactly. I just find enjoyment in practicing. Nothing more to it.” Kaztos and Zeltara were now looking at her with curiosity. Neither ever really thought about it that way. However, Zeltara had another inquiry to make.

  “Then what do you want to do in the future? Kaztos and I already shared our dreams. What is your goal?” Saiya didn’t answer right away. It seemed she was thinking about what to say. Zeltara didn’t mind giving her time to think about it. Not everyone was as driven as Kaztos and herself seemed to be. That, and she didn’t want to push Saiya too far again. It was enough that she was speaking up now. Zeltara decided to finish up the cloak in the meantime. It was almost done anyway. Kaztos, meanwhile, waited patiently for her answer.

  After a minute, Saiya simply said, “I don’t know.” To the point and not surprising to Zeltara now that she thought about it.

  Kaztos didn’t let it faze him either. “It’s not a problem if you don’t know yet. We’re still young, after all. But why don’t you think about what you enjoy, or something you want more than anything? Those could help guide you to a dream or passion you can pursue.” Zeltara nodded in agreement. Saiya seemed to take these words to heart and got lost in thought again. Another comfortable lull passed through the room. Zeltara was finishing up the cloak while Kaztos looked out her window again.

  The silence gave her the time to think about the events of the day. When she woke up this morning, Zeltara never imagined she would make two friends like this. She still felt the sting of the bruises on her face to remind her of earlier. The pain was all worth it in the end, though. It surprised her how close they were after less than a day of knowing each other. Zeltara supposed the circumstances of their meeting sped up matters. From what she could gather, they were as lonely as she was, if not more. Zeltara could only guess how past friendships went for them, if there were any.

  It was unfortunate that the three would likely part ways in a few years. It may have only been a short time since the three met, but they were quickly becoming close. Zeltara wasn’t sure how their friendship would last going long distance. It was a problem to be sure, but she knew there was a solution. If there was one thing she learned to do throughout her years, it was finding solutions to obstacles presented to her. Her thoughts continued to run as she kept working.

  Just as Zeltara was putting the finishing touches on the cloak, Saiya finally spoke up. “I like to learn about things. I have an interest in medicine and mana theory. Perhaps I could pursue something to do with that.” Saiya shrugged. “I have no strong feelings about it, though.” It was almost disappointing that Saiya couldn’t find anything, but Zeltara didn’t mind. From her experience, few had strong ambitions to drive them forward. Most seemed happy just to live their lives. Perhaps Saiya was like that.

  “Seems rather vague, but it’s better than nothing.” Zeltara said. Saiya gave only a slight shrug in response.

  Kaztos said, “It is a worthy dream to strive for knowledge. A rather ambitious goal too, like us. Looks like our goals all lead outside of Urada.” Not exactly how Zeltara would put it. Saiya seemed like she would be happy to stick around. But perhaps her desire for knowledge would grow now that she had thought about it.

  “It does look like we are all dreamers in a way,” Zeltara said as she sewed the last stitch into the cloak. Picking it up, she walked over to Saiya and presented it. “Here you go. I fixed the clasp so you can wear it properly without fear of it falling off. I also sewed several pockets onto the inside of the cloak. Just in case you want to carry anything discreetly.” Zeltara winked at the last sentence.

  Saiya took the cloak from Zeltara. “Thank you.” She then turned to Kaztos. “Thank you as well, Kaztos.” Kaztos only gave a happy smile and nod. Saiya then took off her old cloak and put on her new gift.

  As soon as the cloak was properly on, Zeltara was taken aback. Before her very eyes, Saiya started to blend into the background. She had to concentrate on Saiya for her to reappear as normal. Zeltara voiced her surprise. “Just what happened? Kaztos, what did you buy her?” Saiya looked worried at her outburst. She nervously fiddled with her new cloak, unaware of what was happening.

  Zeltara glanced over to see that Kaztos wasn’t at all surprised, but happy. “Perfection! I’m glad to see it works as intended. It was well worth the price I paid.” Saiya looked confused, so Kaztos clarified. “The cloak has a minor stealth enchantment. It makes it harder for people to notice you.” Saiya looked shocked at the statement. Saiya then fully came back into focus, the spell dissipating.

  “Oh, I was unconsciously channeling mana into the cloak. Sorry,” Saiya said. Zeltara waved the apology off. That tended to happen with lower-end enchanted clothing. Instead, she turned her focus to the beaming Kaztos.

  “Just how much money did that cost, Kaztos?” Enchanted clothing was expensive, even when it had such a minor effect. Zeltara watched as Saiya turned the enchantment on and off repeatedly. She turned away to avoid a headache.

  “Oh, it wasn’t all that much, truth be told. It only cost ten gold.” Kaztos was nonchalant in his response. The bewildered look Saiya was giving him would have been funny if Zeltara didn’t feel the same. It was the most expressive the blond girl had looked since they had met.

  “Ten gold?” Zeltara stuttered out. “He says that like it’s nothing. That’s more than The Workshop makes in a month.” Just how rich is Kaztos to throw that much money away for someone he just met? Then again, he is a Molinar, so he has more than enough wealth to spare. She wanted to tease him for the typical rich kid move, but Kaztos seemed so happy she couldn’t find the heart to do so.

  Saiya, meanwhile, appeared overwhelmed at the gesture. “I can’t accept this, Kaztos. It’s too much.” Kaztos finally noticed their reactions and became confused.

  “What do you mean, it’s too much? It wasn’t worth that much, is it?” Finally calming down, Zeltara found the situation funny. Her chuckles caught both of her friends’ attention as they turned to her. Kazto’s befuddled face, along with Saiya’s pleading expression, only made her laugh harder. It took Zeltara a moment to calm down and explain.

  “Kaztos, that cloak is probably worth more money than Saiya has ever had in her life. Hell, it takes a while for The Workshop to bring in that much money. It’s just shocking that someone would recklessly spend that much for a gift to a new friend.”

  Kaztos became more subdued. “Ah, my apologies to both of you. I meant no offense. I just thought it would be a nice cloak for her to have after seeing the state of her old one.” Saiya, seeing how despondent he was, gave words of reassurance.

  “It’s a wonderful gift, Kaztos. I just don’t think I can wear it back at the orphanage. It would attract too much attention.” The choice of words caused Zeltara to laugh again. The two looked at her, perplexed.

  Between laughs, Zeltara said, “Sorry, just the irony of it.” Saiya thought about it for a moment before grinning. Kaztos still looked lost until Zeltara pointed at Saiya’s cloak. Once it clicked, Kaztos chuckled as well. It took a few moments for the two of them to calm down. Zeltara stepped toward Saiya and held her hand out.

  “You can keep it here when needed and wear it when we hang out. That way, you can still use it.” Saiya took the cloak off and handed it over. She then put on her old one. Kaztos seemed disappointed.

  “I’m sorry you can’t make much use of it. I should have thought it through more.”

  Zeltara said, “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure she will appreciate it more when she moves out of the orphanage in a few years. It’s a good thing it’s rather big on her. Now she’ll grow into it.”

  Kaztos perked up at that. “Ah, so it will be something to remember me by when we go our separate ways. I’m glad it will be useful for that at least.” Ah, Zeltara had almost forgotten about that. She and Kaztos planned to leave in a few years to follow their own paths in life. With the world so big and communication being unreliable, they wouldn’t hear from each other often. Kaztos was likely to go for some official position, while who knows what Saiya will do. Meanwhile, Zeltara will be off in the middle of nowhere, risking her life for fame. It’d be a shame to know them for a few years just to separate. They were the first friends she had in a long time.

  Zeltara got lost in thought as the other two continued conversing. She sat down at her workbench and looked around the room, trying to find inspiration. Her eyes then landed on a fairy tale book about the hero of the fifth era. A group of four going off on an adventure to save The Holy Dominion. Going on an adventure, huh? Wait, that was it! The solution to their problems stared her right in the face. She stood up and said, “I got it!”

  As the other two turned to her, Zeltara explained her idea. “I thought of a way for all of us to accomplish our dreams and stick together. We should become adventurers.” Saiya had a look of consideration while Kaztos brightened at the suggestion.

  “Fascinating idea! But how exactly would that help us?”

  “Well, adventuring would help us all reach our dreams. Kaztos, you said that you needed glory to restore your family, right?” Kaztos nodded. “Well, being a successful adventurer would bring all the fame needed. You also wouldn’t have to risk failure of even getting into the government or military. As for me, adventurers often have to go out into the wilds anyway to accomplish their missions. If we happen to find any ruins, we can either take a detour or come back to visit them later. For Saiya, adventurers are often well-traveled. They can go all around the Dominion to complete quests. You said that you’re interested in medicine and mana. Well, I’m sure we’ll go to many places where you could learn. Far more than what is available in Urada. Best of all, we’ll get to stick together. Perfect plan, right?” Kaztos looked to be in complete agreement. Saiya, on the other hand, appeared skeptical.

  “You know that this would be dangerous? Adventurers die all the time.” Before Zeltara could respond, Kaztos intervened.

  “What’s life without some peril? Not one worth living, I’d say.” Kaztos probably said that to reassure her, but based on the exasperated look on Saiya’s face, his words had the opposite effect. Zeltara rushed in to salvage the conversation.

  “Not how I would have put it, Kaztos. Still, it’s better than our other prospects. We’re not exactly in a position to go far in life as is. Kaztos mentioned earlier that he’ll have difficulty getting a needed position. As for you, jobs will be hard to get coming out of the orphanage with the stigma you seem to have. At least I have my dad’s business, but as I said, it isn’t for me. Besides, I’m sure we can make it safer for us to start out. Be careful with what we take on.” Saiya seemed more receptive, so Zeltara counted that as a win.

  “How are we going to do that?” Saiya asked. Zeltara wasn’t sure and tried to think of something. Kaztos took the initiative and introduced an idea.

  “Why don’t we practice before doing the real thing? We have a few years before we’re old enough to leave Urada anyway. So why don’t we use the outside of town for training? It’ll give us more to do when we meet up together.” Kaztos said. Saiya still seemed on the fence, so Zeltara added in her support.

  “That sounds like a great idea, Kaztos. How do you suggest we go about it?”

  Kaztos gave it a moment of thought before he answered. “There are several landmarks around Urada we could travel to. How about we go to the caves to the east? They’re only a ninety-minute walk, and we can practice our combat skills while we’re there. It could make for a fun time and alleviate your concerns, Saiya.”

  “Are you sure it’ll be safe to leave town?” Saiya asked. Zeltara gave one last push to get her on board.

  “It should be completely fine. There won’t be anything dangerous out there. Just in case, we can bring gear along and treat it like a real adventure. I’ll bring some of my inventions to test.”

  Kaztos said, “Excellent! I’ll bring equipment from my armory and get something for you, Saiya. Ask for anything and I shall provide it.” Saiya shot both of them an annoyed look.

  “I didn’t even agree yet, but fine,” Saiya said. Kaztos cheered with Zeltara, unable to restrain themselves. “Just bring me some throwing knives. I can practice with them.” Kaztos agreed. Zeltara thought about what to bring.

  “I think I have something for you as well, Saiya. I’ll let you know when we go. By the way, what day should we plan to leave on?”

  “Well, I have to go to the academy six days a week. This was my day off. How about a week from today?” Kaztos asked.

  “That’ll work for me. I’ll just ask my dad for the day off. Saiya, I assume you can make yourself free that day then.” She nodded. “Sounds good. We’ll meet in a week at the eastern outskirts of town at sunrise.” The other two agreed. Zeltara looked out to see that the sun had dipped far in the sky. She hadn’t realized it had gotten that late.

  Zeltara led Saiya and Kaztos outside and exchanged goodbyes. As the front door closed, she found herself relieved. She hadn’t messed things up and had made two new friends. Perhaps life was starting to look up. The day ended with Zeltara having a sense of hope. Her dream seemed more achievable than ever before.

  The week passed went by quickly for Zeltara. She used the time not helping her dad with work to prepare for their trip. She asked him for the day off and only said she was spending time with her new friends when questioned. He would never agree if she gave the full reason. Her father granted permission to her relief. She lost multiple nights at her workbench, getting things ready. She had to push herself to sleep the previous night to avoid feeling tired during the trip.

  The morning came, and Zeltara did her final preparations. Along with her regular clothes and satchel, she also now had a long red coat she customized to hold some of her inventions. It was rather warm despite her best efforts, but better to be safe than sorry. She also grabbed the supplies for Saiya. Seeing the sun's rays on the horizon, she left the workshop and made her way to the meeting spot.

  Upon arriving, she noticed Saiya and Kaztos were already there. There was no one else out this early in the morning. Saiya dressed normally except without her regular cloak, and Kaztos was wearing leather chest armor with matching gauntlets and boots. He also had a two-handed hammer. Zeltara walked up to greet them.

  “Good to see that we all could make it. Take this, Saiya. These will help.” Zeltara handed Saiya a spare satchel and her cloak. “The satchel has some provisions. Not like you’ll need it, but just in case.” Saiya nodded in thanks while Kaztos pulled out several knives from his satchel.

  “Here you go. Throwing knives, just as you requested. Now, is everyone ready for our adventure?” Saiya accepted the knives and put them away. Zeltara motioned for their attention. She looked around to make sure no one was watching them before continuing.

  “I've got one more thing for you, Saiya. You seemed interested in mana channeling, so here’s something I’ve been keeping.” As she pulled a small wand out of her coat, shock filled both of her friends’ faces.

  “Is that a battle medium? How did you get your hands on that? You need to get special permission to own one,” Kaztos asked. Saiya continued to stare at it. Zeltara figured it was her first time seeing one.

  “It was a few years back. We had a traveler come into The Workshop wanting it fixed. My father isn’t the best at this kind of repair and wasn’t able to do it fast enough. The traveler asked to have it disposed of since he planned to get a new one. I managed to grab it before it could be destroyed. It took a few months, but I studied up on how to fix it. I couldn’t exactly check, but I’m sure it works. I don’t have any use for it, so I figured you could practice with it. Just make sure no one sees it.” At her insistence, Saiya hesitantly took it and hid it in her cloak. “Now the only spell on it is a small fireball. It’s not much, but it’s still cool, right?” Saiya nodded, still a little shocked by the unexpected gift. Meanwhile, Kaztos regained composure and got their attention.

  “Let’s head out before we get too much attention, shall we? Onward!” Kaztos began marching forward, giving the other two little option but to follow him. The three entered the forest and headed toward their destination. Excitement filled Zeltara for the day ahead of them.