Mill unrolled a large parchment onto the table in front of her, revealing a map of the country of Arekia. Izick stared down at the map as he bit into his slice of buttered toast.

  "I guess we're right here now?" Izick said, tapping their current location on the map with his greasy finger. Mill frowned as she wiped away the grease and nodded.

  "Yes. We've been traveling in the general direction towards Alain for the last five days, but we're near the point where we have to be more deliberate with our travel plans."

  Mill politely waved off the waitress who asked if they needed anything else for their breakfast. She tapped their current location and then dragged her finger to Alain's location.

  "We're currently in the town of Grillin, and we haven't had any major setbacks up to this point besides dodging investigators. The real problems start past this point in the Yenga woodlands ahead. A large band of Wolf Kenomi bandits is stationed there, and they are known for violently robbing and killing anyone who passes through unprepared."

  "Oh, that's pretty scary," Izick said, throwing the last of his toast into his mouth.

  "Agreed. However, it gets worse for us, even if we get past the Yenga woodlands. We would have to get through the hostile Misty Alps, survive the Calyx dungeon, and then cross the Roma droughtline."

  She tapped a section of the map that showed a mountain range and a large, dense forest.

  "We can hire mercenaries in Tallbern to help us through Calyx Dungeon and the Roma Droughtline, but I'm worried about the Misty Alps because there are rumors of a war brewing there."

  "Hmm, I wasn't expecting the path back to Alain to be so difficult," Izick said, analyzing the map.

  "We definitely need a Warrior. I'm still not confident in my proficiency with the Honor Rod to reliably use it in a fight. There's only so much that we, a Healer and Scout, can do before we get ourselves killed."

  "That's the hard truth, and honestly, we probably need an entire party to get to Alain from where we are," Mill said as she rolled up the map.

  "But what we really need to focus on right now is getting through the Yenga Woodlands in one piece, and we can't do that by ourselves."

  "So what's the plan?" Izick said while stroking his chin.

  "We should join a caravan. I didn't want us to stop at the town of Grillin for no reason. This city is a well-known stopover for travelers heading into the Yenga Woodlands. We'll likely find these caravans at the edge of town."

  Izick stood from his chair and stretched his now cast-free arms.

  "Well, let's go snag us a caravan."

  Rows of tents and Mana-powered carriages lined up at the edge of town. Each boxy, white carriage was loaded in the back with cargo or had up to six people in the front, waiting for the guards and driver to take the helm at the top of the carriage.

  Dozens of wealthy-looking merchants and hardened Warriors with various weapons conversed with each other as they prepared for the dangerous trek through the Yenga Woodlands in the distance.

  Izick looked around at the multitude of people surrounding him. Mill went up to multiple merchants and Warriors to ask for a spot in their caravan, but each one shook their head.

  Mill and Izick sat down in front of a nearby tent after a few hours of failed attempts to secure a spot in a caravan. Mill sighed before resting her head in her palm.

  "OK, this isn't going as well as I planned. Most of the caravans here want us to pay a ridiculously high fee to join or simply don't want us."

  "Yeah, it's not looking good. Have you ever done this before, or are you trying something new?" Izick said, half jokingly as he pulled out a strip of jerky from his inner vest pocket.

  Mill narrowed her eyes and then scoffed at Izick as he chomped down on his food.

  "Of course I have. How else do you think I survived up to this point as a lone Healer mercenary? I would be dead by now if I didn't utilize caravans."

  "Really? I guess that makes sense. I've never been around a merchant caravan like this."

  Mill stared at two arguing Warriors in front of her while in deep thought. She took a swig from the metal flask hanging around her waist.

  "This might just be me, but are you perhaps unfamiliar with this route to Alain? You seem to be surprised or uncertain about everything I've been telling you, from maps to caravans. I figured you would've travelled across most of Arekia working for the Staff Hero."

  "Hm? Oh yeah, the Staff Hero's party barely travelled on foot or by caravan. That Alister hated it with a passion. As a matter of fact, that last journey to the Death Emperor's castle was the longest I ever saw the party travel on foot. I'm pretty unfamiliar with this stuff, actually," Izick said with some annoyance after mentioning Alister.

  Mill sat up straight as she stared at Izick incredulously.

  "And you were going to travel by yourself? Don't you think that's kinda reckless?"

  "It is, actually, the more that I think about it," Izick said, lying back in the grass. Mill waved her hand dismissively while shaking her head.

  "Well, it doesn't really matter now, but how did the Staff Hero's party travel without caravans?"

  "We just used teleportation relays," Izick said, twirling a piece of jerky in his hand around in the air.

  "Are you kidding me? Aren't teleportation relays expensive in both coins and Mana?"

  "Yeah, but you get a discount if you use your party's Mana instead of the stored Mana in a teleportation ring. Alister always kept a large party for this reason, so he could teleport around Arekia at a massive discount. I always hated teleporting, so I had Klint use some of my own knockout gas on me to help me sleep through it."

  "Wait, knockout gas?" Mill said, frowning in confusion.

  A tall man with short brown hair, tanned skin, and heavy leather armor came up to the two arguing Warriors, who were now both locked into a deadly swordfight.

  The tall man smacked one of the Warriors into the ground with a heavy hand, knocking him unconscious.

  He grabbed the other Warrior by the shoulder before he could escape and began to ask him question before the frightened man pointed to Izick and Mill.

  The tall man's eyes locked onto Mill before resuming his stride. Mill and Izick stood up and grabbed their staffs as the tall man stopped mere feet in front of them.

  "I heard there was a Healer and her apprentice asking around for a spot in a caravan. I'm not wrong to assume they're talking about you, right? I'm looking for another Healer since I like having at least three Healers when stomping through Yenga," the man said in a gruff and deep voice.

  "You're not wrong. We are looking for a way to pass through the woodlands, and we would be happy to assist you. I'm Milletta Conji, a Healer who can also create shields, and this is my apprentice, Izick," Mill said, pointing to Izick with her hand.

  "Oh? You can make shields too? Impressive. I'm Barson. I lead a sizable mercenary party known as the Hossa Mercenary Band, and we're well versed with Yenga's bandits and layout. I already sent my Scouts ahead to find us the best path to avoid most of the bandits," Barson said while extending his hand to Mill.

  "It's really just a precaution to have you, but I would like for you to join us. It's better to be safe than dead in some raggedy woodland. Come to row eight, and we'll get the terms and gear straightened out."

  Mill shook Barson's hand before he promptly turned around and swaggered off. Mill stared at Barson with mixed feelings as she crossed her arms.

  "Wait a moment, didn't he just ignore you?" Mill said, turning to Izick, who stuffed the last of the jerky into his mouth.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  "Probably? He likely just wanted to avoid getting his hands dirty with jerky grease, or didn't see an apprentice like me as important enough to acknowledge. But the real question here is when did I become your apprentice?" Izick said, with a look of judgment as he stared at Mill.

  "Am I wrong? We've barely even started, but I've been teaching you how to form orbs of Mana to improve your Shaping. Besides, there's no other good explanation for a Healer and a Scout to be traveling together by themselves. Are you angry about it?"

  "Not really, but I don't want people relying on me for something that only a Healer or Mage like yourself can do. I'm only a Scout after all, no matter what the Blessing says…"

  Izick and Mill searched for row eight and found the marker in front of a large tent.

  A woman with light green hair sat at a table next to the tent's entrance while scribbling something down on a sheet of paper. She smiled at Izick and Mill before setting her pen aside.

  She went over their pay and what was expected of them as mercenaries before directing them into the tent, where around a dozen Warriors and Mages were strapping on armor and maintaining weaponry.

  A woman wearing a black hat with a single brim that extended over her face noticed the new arrivals and quickly returned a sword to the weapon rack in front of her.

  "Oh, are you the new Healers? I'm one of the swordsmen here, Giselle," the woman said with a smile while extending a hand to Mill.

  "I'm the Healer with some experience as a Shield Mage, but he's just a normal Mage. He has no specialization yet," Mill said, pointing to Izick before shaking Giselle's hand.

  "Ah, I heard it's good for a Mage to hold off on class specializations until your Mana base is set. Is that true?"

  "Yes, but sometimes you have to specialize early," Mill said bitterly while staring at her staff.

  "Is that so? Well, I'm just a Warrior, along with most of us here, but maybe one of our two Healers would understand you better. Hey! Sibyl, Didra! Come meet our new Healer!" Giselle said, waving to the two women on the other side of the tent who were in deep discussion amongst themselves.

  They left their conversation and joined Giselle's side so she could introduce Mill and Izick. The tallest Healer with brown hair tucked into a hairband instantly grabbed Mill's hands and shook them excitedly, rapidly shaking Mill's hands up and down.

  "Wow, you have a lot of Mana! Call me Didra. I'm so glad we have another Healer with us! It would have been hard with just the two of us, but now we're sure to keep everyone healthy through the Yenga Woodlands!"

  Didra released Mill's hands to shake Izick's as he introduced himself to her. She narrowed her eyes as she studied Izick. She took a glance at the Honor Rod before meeting his eyes again.

  "You seem very familiar. Have we met before?"

  "I don't think so. I tend to remember who I meet since I don't know too many people," Izick said, slipping his hands out of hers.

  "No worries! I must be mistaking you for someone else, hehe."

  "Ah, Sibyl, why are you so quiet? Why haven't you greeted our newcomers yet?" Giselle said, looking to the other Healer who was unusually quiet.

  The other Healer in questions, in a similar white Healer robe, didn't bother to shake Mill's hand. She sized up Mill with her eyes before smirking.

  "No reason. I'm just surprised to see a Jhasi woman in official Arekian Healers Guild attire. That's not an everyday occurrence. I'm somewhat shocked it fits you," the Healer said as she pointed to Mill's well-worn black leather boots.

  "I see the wards on your Healer uniform are still resisting dirt, but those atrocities on your feet are far below the standards of a professional Healer."

  Mill lightly chuckled as Didra covered her mouth in shock. Giselle got into Sibyl's face.

  "Sibyl! I thought you got over yourself already? Apologize to our new Healer," Giselle said to Sibyl, who only rolled her eyes.

  "I'm only speaking the truth. There's no need to be so sensitive. Healer, have you really not noticed your own untidiness?"

  "I have noticed, but I've been too focused on keeping people alive than worrying about the latest fashion. Also, the Healers Guild is more concerned with your competence as a Healer than your country of origin or choice of boots," Mill said as she smiled at the opposing Healer.

  Izick snorted as he stepped towards Sibyl with his arms crossed.

  "Besides, it's better to have 'repulsive' boots than to have a repulsive personality like yours. I bet people would rather die in peace than get healed by someone annoying like you."

  "A-annoying?"

  Giselle let out a low whistle as Didra snorted to hold back her laughter. The blood began to drain from Sibyl's face, leading Giselle to apologize to Mill for her Healer's behavior before dragging her away.

  Didra sighed deeply as she watched Sibyl practically get thrown out of the tent.

  "Sibyl is a great Healer, unlike me, but her attitude can be pretty nasty. I don't know why she's so mean."

  She turned back to Izick, her eyes sparkling.

  "Izick, this might be a strange question, but are you a descendant of a Druid or a powerful Mage?"

  Both Izick and Mill reeled back from Didra's random question.

  "No, not that I know of. Why do you want to know?" Izick said with a raised brow.

  "Because it's very slight, but I sense some Pure Mana inside of you. I could have misunderstood your Mana, though. I am pretty ditsy at times," Didra said as she tapped her chin. She raised her finger like she was struck with an idea. She stepped forward and excitedly resumed facing Izick with her soul-piercing eyes.

  "I know! Externally instead of internally! Maybe there's Pure Mana inside that staff of yours! Is it some sort of ancient artifact?"

  A strange, creepy feeling came over Izick, as if he were caught in a lie or left exposed. Her eyes continued to bore into him. Mill stepped between Izick and Didra.

  "Sorry, but we have to get going and prepare for the journey through Yenga. It was nice meeting you, Didra."

  "Oh, did I spook you? My bad, I get really curious sometimes," Didra said as she giggled and laid her hand across her cheek. "I won't hold you two up any longer. Take care now!"

  Izick and Mill exited the tent, then exhaled deeply.

  "That was a lot. Things kept getting worse and worse with that crazy-eyed woman. Do you think that Healer was onto me?" Izick said, looking at Mill with worry on his face.

  "Who knows? But she might just be an idiot or extremely incompetent. It's pretty common for newbies to mistake basic Mana readings for Pure Mana when first learning how to read Mana."

  "So, the best case scenario is that she's as dumb as a brick?"

  "Pretty much. That other Healer seemed to be more experienced, and she didn't sense anything in you. Pure Mana is extremely hard to hide and detect, so there's no reason an average Healer like Didra could sense that level of Mana."

  "Speaking of the other Healer, I'm sorry that Healer Sibyl was talking to you like that. She really pissed me off," Izick said as he tapped the Honor Rod on his shoulder in irritation.

  Mill turned to Izick and gave him a wry smile.

  "Thanks for the support. Not a lot of people take my side when things get weird like that."

  "No need to thank me. You told me to stop suffering alone, right? So I'll help you any way I can, as you would for me," Izick said while moving out of the way of a large man pulling a cart of crates on a wagon.

  "But I'm a little confused. You seemed unbothered when that Healer started mouthing off. I would get pretty angry if someone talked to me like that."

  Mill blankly gazed at her white Healer staff as more men in wagons passed by.

  "Izick, I would be coinless and starving on the side of a road right now if I lost my temper every time someone had an issue with me or where I come from. Why should I waste my time and jeopardize my coins over some random Healer? Her words stemmed from her own insecurities more than anything that relates to me."

  Izick contemplated Mill's words as he watched the sun set in the distance.

  "Actually, I kind of understand where you're coming from. I had to hold my tongue a lot around Alister and the rest of the Staff Hero's party, which always left me bitter, but you're taking things in stride. I think I can learn from that."

  "I'm not a perfect example. I have my limits, believe me, but I've learned to choose my battles over the years. Also, I can't ruin your best chance at getting back home to your sister by starting something. We need this caravan more than they need us."

  Izick felt humbled that Mill was taking his own situation into account during that exchange, and could only nod as words escaped him.

  They were about to start heading back to the inn to start packing when Barson swaggered up to them with nearly a dozen Warriors behind him. A short old man wearing a gray suit and a tumbler hat stuck close to Barson, looking out of place amongst the battle-hardened mercenaries.

  Barson looked confused after seeing Izick and Mill not inside the tent.

  "You two still haven't found the tent yet? It's right over there, you know."

  "Ah, we already–"

  Barson whistled as he carefully but firmly led Izick and Mill back into the tent with his hefty hands. Everyone inside quickly dropped whatever they were doing and turned their attention to Barson.

  "Alright, this is our client, Mr. Giff Toggins of the Toggins Trading Company. He has asked me to introduce you to him, and he also has a few words to share."

  Giff tilted his tumbler hat and slightly bowed as he stepped forward.

  "I have heard many great things about the Hossa Mercenary Band, and I expect smooth sailing from you lot. However, I have a proposal for all of you," Giff said as he scanned the tent and peered at each face like he was trying to test their trustworthiness.

  "I value my goods like my own children, and I want every single crate to make it to Treffel, so I'm offering a 20% bonus to the Hossa Mercenary Band if all of my goods make it through Yenga and the Misty Alps in one piece."

  Exasperated gasps and cheers rang out in the tent, but Barson made a gesture for everyone to calm down. Giff cleared his throat and then continued.

  "This bonus is cancelled if you can't keep my goods safe."

  A gruff bowman near Izick nodded before turning to another Warrior beside him.

  "A bonus like this is rare but profitable for us. Yenga should be easy, but I'm a little worried about the Alps."

  "Agreed, Hobbs already scouted the way for us, so there shouldn't be any issues crossing Yenga at the very least."

  Giff nodded to Barson, causing him to step forward and clap his hands, silencing everyone once more.

  "You heard the man. Excellent work equals excellent pay. Let's not screw this up, people. We leave at dawn tomorrow, be ready."

  The mercenary group began to disperse and leave the tent. Izick thought over what was said as he watched the Warriors trickle out of the tent's exit.

  No one seemed to be worried about Yenga, and everyone here seemed more than prepared.

  Maybe things weren't as bad as Mill thought? However, Izick knew from experience that things were never that easy for him.

  He sighed as he gripped the chain attached to the locket underneath his shirt.

  Home never felt further away.