It was the last morning of the year, Avryn had finished his special training. He thanked Roshin for his time before returning to his abode. He thought of wanting to greet everyone, so he pulled out his Scribe and called his friends. Greetings of merriment and well wishes were given. He thoroughly enjoyed the company despite it only through virtual means.

  He called Rinna last and was greeted by her morning voice. He dared not say it, but thought she sounded cute.

  “Why are you up this early?” she asked.

  “Training,” he replied.

  “You’re always training,” she turned to embrace her pillow.

  He leaned back and rested on the bed,

  “Yeah, well, I don’t like having nothing to do, y’know?” he reasoned.

  He switched the conversation over to her. He wanted to know what she’s been up to. Haervinna was busy with her duties as Ordellia’s grand judge. Rinna knew enough by learning from Livea through the years. The two of them ran the day-to-day. She was just as busy as she was training in the Academy.

  “Mhm. I don’t envy your role there,” he complemented.

  She turned the question over to him. Eager she was to know what Avryn would do once it was said and done. Avryn was silent for a while. He had not put a single thought in that. No plans were made to stop and settle.

  “I don’t know yet,” he answered earnestly. “I don’t have anywhere to come home to.”

  Near overwhelming silence grew between them. Rinna felt remorse. She knew his background and put him on the spot like that. Plus, she was not one to cheer up other people. She called out to him, and offered him a place to stay in the Ingvertsen household. Avryn could only chuckle which got a reaction from Rinna.

  “Thanks, I promise I won’t stay for long. Until I can stand on my own, at least,” he thanked her.

  Avryn looked to the time, and realized he was running late. He wished Rinna a happy new year, and then made another call. One to Harver. Worry grew on Avryn’s face as Harver didn’t answer by the fifth ring. He called once more. Same result.

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  “He must be dealing with something,” he thought.

  With all that out of the way, Avryn continued his morning. He travelled to the hiker’s camp right by Storia. He greeted some of the frequent goers as he arrived. Surprise came to him as he saw Harver by his lonesome, sulking. He walked over and asked if he could sit by him. Harver nodded and scooted over.

  “So, what happened?” Avryn opened up.

  Harver hunched over.

  “The usual. Family matters. My father.”

  “He got sick?”

  “No. He praises only my brother’s efforts, and not mine.” Harver stared at the sky.

  “Why is that?” Avryn sat by him.

  “I don’t even know, man,” Harver lied on the grass.

  He elaborated on how he planned to win his father’s affection by becoming a soldier for the expeditions. It took him two tries just to be accepted in the Academy. He then planned on winning it through the tournament as a freshman but it still was not enough.

  “No matter what I do, Ulver is the only son in his eyes,” he crossed his arms.

  Avryn knew what he needed. He stood up and unsheathed his sabre. Harver took it as a sign. He stood up, himself. He unsheathed his estoc. The two prepared to spar.

  “Just a bit of light sparring, wouldn’t wanna inconvenience the other hikers,” Avryn suggested.

  Harver nodded. One step and their blades clashed, like many hundred times before. They were used to each other’s fighting styles by now, it was almost like reading a book a hundred times over. Avryn had won their exchange quickly with a neat parry.

  Harver was down on the ground heavily panting. He was processing his thoughts.

  “How about you start doing things for yourself first from now on? And then for your loved ones,” Avryn suggested. “You can be a little selfish to take care of yourself first, and then you can take care of those who actually do love you.”

  Avryn scratched his head,

  “Well, clearly I’m not an expert on that, huh?”

  A moment of realization happened. Harver looked to Avryn. He took his hand and shook it.

  “Maybe that’s all I need. Only a bit of selfishness, yeah,” he surmised. “Then I train to protect my loved ones.”

  “Right on,” Avryn patted him on the shoulder.

  The two parted ways. Harver’s steps had more pep in them now. Avryn, with nothing else to do, returned to the slams. It was evening by the time he came over. The festivities had begun for the locals. Even in the slums, they celebrated the coming of the new year. A community feast had been prepared. Several barrels served as lighting and warmth for the participants.

  Vyktria welcomed Avryn in to the group, much to Haley’s embarrassment. He joined with Rags and Stink Eye. The people welcomed Avryn as one of their own and offered them their finest food scraps. Avryn happily forked them all down. He even went all the way on having thirds, a rare feat for him. For the first time in his life, he felt truly at home. He joined in with the dancing and drunken singing. His tolerance to alcohol was strong, an attribute earned from growing up with Middsborough’s town guards.

  “There’ll be a fireworks display in Storia, we should be able to see it from here soon,” Vyktria gossiped.

  “Really?” Avryn raised his eyebrow. “I’d like to see that for myself.”

  He journeyed up several roofs. After an arduous climb, he managed to make it up one of the taller buildings. He felt his Scribe vibrate. It was a call from Rinna. He looked up at the time and it was almost midnight.

  “Yes, Rinna?” he answered.

  “Would you…” her voice trailed off.

  Avryn was confused,

  “Would I…?”

  “Together. Watch the fireworks together?” her voice cracked.

  Avryn could not deny his feelings. His heart was racing from that request, and that was no meager one. He nodded,

  “Yes, let’s do it,” he held his Scribe up on his ear.

  Fireworks shoot off into the distant horizon. A myriad of colors dotted the night sky. They shimmered in the shroud of darkness. The lightshow was a sheer spectacle, even from afar. Avryn could hear a collective “Happy New Year!” from below.

  “Wow…” he could not withhold his amazement.

  “I guess this is the part where we say goodnight so…goodnight,” Rinna said.

  “Goodnight, Rinna.”