Something I never found so great is that the processing of leather from skins is quite a foul business.

  Literally, as it smells worse than whatever else I'd know about.

  I can easily tell my parents have been busy while I've been gone.

  Once I arrive at our workshop, to my surprise, I find it empty, so I directly head to the second floor where we really live.

  I open the door and find both my parents at the table.

  Are they waiting for me?

  "Yomi, you should have been back long ago. Didn't you hear about the uproar in the city?" (T)

  Uhm, that look means he’s serious.

  "Uh, yes, I did. I was just at the fortress and there came a message." (Y)

  "We know. The man came first through here. The orcs getting bolder heralds bad news, and we need to be cautious." (T)

  "Uh, okay, but what exactly are we to do now?" (Y)

  "Certainly not join the fight. I know you, and the answer is still no. We aren't soldiers so should leave it to the army in the first place." (T)

  "Yes, I know, but I could..." (Y)

  "No! Not now! Don't come now with this idea of yours! I won't allow my only daughter to bring herself into danger like this!" (J)

  Alone from her tone I can gather that I won't win this argument.

  Again.

  "Then why are we even having this talk if you don't plan on doing anything at all?!" (Y)

  Father speaks up.

  "Yomi. Do you know that we have relatives in the capital?" (T)

  What is this about?

  "Vaguely. Only that there are some and maybe one or two names without real context." (Y)

  "Well, it is like this. I've made with them an arrangement that if ever anything should happen here and we have to leave, for a time they would take us in." (T)

  "Why are you telling me about this?" (Y)

  "Tomorrow, you are going to take the carriage to the capital. I have a letter and a map with which you will introduce yourself there. Everything is settled so that you can stay at their place." (T)

  "W-why are you saying such things? This is my home! It sounds like you want to throw me out!!" (Y)

  I get agitated at this.

  "Yomi! You noticed, right? The troop which attacked the mine was certainly not just a normal tribe. My contacts say they are still there. They want the iron! They are preparing for war! This could be a sign of a horde forming, if it hasn’t already! And when they start attacking, I don't want you getting caught up here!" (T)

  "But..." (Y)

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "No 'buts'! We both want you to leave! Do you even have an idea what an orc would do to you? If he just slaughters you and feasts on your guts, you can consider yourself lucky! If not... I don't want to even think about this!" (J)

  "But you only said I'd be going. Why aren't you leaving then as well?" (Y)

  "We still don't know for sure and would lose the shop if we leave. We cannot just leave it open to enter for everyone. If nothing happens, it will be just a little vacation for you, but if not, the carriages will be much harder to get as soon as everyone starts to evacuate. Right now it would still be easy." (T)

  "But... this sounds unfair!" (Y)

  "Life is not fair, my dear. Please don't make this harder for us. We really love you and just want to know you safe." (J)

  I look down, sullen.

  I know they don't want to hurt me, and everything is for my sake.

  But leaving them here sounds so wrong!

  I notice how I'm tearing up, but just can't find the words.

  "Please, Yomi, listen, just this once, for us." (J)

  "You... You promise to evacuate if it gets really dangerous? I won't leave you here to die!" (Y)

  "Yes, we promise. It's not like we don't hold our lives dear. But in case something really happens, traveling as two would also be easier. And it is unlikely that the orcs will lay a tight siege on the town. It's not their style. You don't need to worry that much." (T)

  "G-good then. But you have to stay alive!" (Y)

  "You too. Want something to eat?" (J)

  "Sorry, but I'm not hungry. I think I will just go into my room, pack, and then go to bed." (Y)

  "If you think so. But keep it at the basics. Most will be provided for you there." (J)

  Like this, I leave for my room.

  As I'm quite shaken by this talk, I need a while to gather myself.

  Akaras truly might get attacked, and in a time like this, they want me to leave town.

  Once in my room, I start to put some clothes and other necessities together that I’ll need for the week-long journey, or that which I don't think I’ll be able to get there.

  Father is a good judge of character, so I believe him if he says these relatives are trustworthy.

  The distance made family meetings impossible, but under the line, they are family, right?

  Being done, I lay myself in the bed.

  The next day, I wake up right at dawn.

  The carriage will leave before noon, so there is still some time.

  I do some basic morning stretching and afterwards clean up, before I proceed to take my clothes.

  Some pants in brown and a shirt in grey.

  I also have leatherworks in my stash, yet they can be cumbersome, and the weather today will surely be warm by the afternoon, even for this attire.

  Mum may say that I'm dressed a little too lightly for the morning chill, but even the fierce winter winds of the Barrens never really bothered me all that much, so I'd say I'm fine.

  After this, I go for breakfast.

  Mum has already made some basic porridge, and Dad soon comes in from the workshop.

  "I made sure you got your place in the coach. It will leave in three hours. Please be ready by then." (T)

  "I am! I am!" (Y)

  God, as if I'd need the constant reminders.

  Taking the rest of the time to mentally prepare myself, after two hours, I head off, and Mum hands me a second bag with food.

  The carriage begins loading directly at the gate to get an easier start.

  I am rather sure Dad had to pay a hefty sum to get me onto this carriage.

  On the other side, it was probably a leftover place they wanted to fill, and apart from water, I'll provide for myself.

  So I step inside the compartment in the back.

  It's a basic vehicle.

  While it looks durable, only the base and the sides are made of wood, while the top is covered with a canvas.

  But this should hold up well enough against the weather.

  I hope so, at least.

  I sit on the side benches there.

  Next to me, the other passengers have already taken their places.

  A middle-aged pair, one old woman, four men, somewhere between mid-twenty and forty years at most.

  So the time of our departure eventually arrives.

  My parents wave me goodbye, and the coachman readies to set the horses into motion.

  "And..." (coachman)

  "Wait!!!" (woman)

  Suddenly, a woman comes running.

  To be straight, she instantly gives me a weird impression.

  She wears a completely black cloak, black boots, and mostly black and grey clothes, while carrying a pouch under her arm.

  Her attire seems to be quite high quality, even if it's partially rather worn.

  Also, those foreign looks, thick, pitch-black locks blowing in the wind, brown skin, and exotic features, are quite eye-catching.

  Yet as refined as she appears, it sharply contrasts with how she's running towards us in a panic.

  "Please! Wait for me!" (woman)

  Why does such a person come storming like this?

  She is soon enough at the coachman.

  "Miss, you are not registered! I cannot just take you! I don't know how you imagine this to work." (coachman)

  "Please, there must be a way! How about this?" (woman)

  Did this woman just hand over a gold coin?

  How rich is she?

  That's the kind of payment you do if you want to buy a house!

  "Ummh, well, I think I can make an exception." (coachman)

  "My best thanks in that case, good man!" (woman)

  What a, not the slightest bit subtle, waved kiss.

  So this person circles around the carriage and just has to place herself right next to me.

  Just my luck!

  "Good day! My name is Nuvia! I hope we will have a pleasant journey together!" (N)

  She says with a far too affectionate smile towards me.

  Urgh!

  "And yaaahhh!" (coacher)

  So the carriage starts to move, and it becomes too late for me to jump out again.

  This trip will surely be great.

  Not!