He needed to keep a running list of what he should do when he reached Prebovna. First he had to find Faila and her troupe. Then he had to find a scribe. Faila might know one but he didn't know Faila and what if the scribe went and told her the contents of his letters? It was fine advice Senice gave him but he wasn't certain if he was comfortable sending his sister a fake love letter. How boring could he make his life anyway? He could… He frowned, he could talk about her business, and use the wrong terms deliberately. Or perhaps music instruments, and the little music notes that floated up and down the page? She would know what it meant right, Brytha was the smartest one in the family.

He'd opened the door to the wagon, and there were steps that could be extended to help one up the wagon. The steps also served as a seat, which is what he did now, balanced precariously as the wagon jostled and rumbled. They must have crossed into a better part of Icfeld now, because the roads were smoother and better maintained. It was still dark outside, but the sun was over the horizon. Some of the Rytsars were stirring behind him, no doubt he would be asked to move soon so the men could march along the wagon. But until then… Nikolas let himself drift away in thought.

What else… he needed to talk to Jozin. They've danced around the topic of him going to Skapina, but surely in Prebovna there must be a merchant or two that might go Jozin's way? Perhaps they might even take a package… with a present and a letter. Surio had been good on his word and sent cookies. They had been delivered by the oddest looking bird Nikolas had ever seen, it had both feathers and fur, and the face of a particularly grumpy looking cat.

When it saw Nikolas, Nikolas swore it had rolled its eyes before thumping its paw on his dresser, indicating towards the package. Then before Nikolas could do anything more it turned its back to him, squeezing its way out of the window. The snap closed behind the creature with a click, leaving Nikolas opened mouth in awe. He had rushed towards the window, but all he could catch a glimpse of was the flutter of wings as the cat-bird took to air.

The next time Nikolas saw Jozin and Surio he'd smiled and thanked the other boy.

'Lanua did an errand for you?' Jozin had demanded, whirling upon Surio with wide eyes. 'How?'

Sometimes he had been able to see bits and pieces of the room they were in. This one had been some sort of study, he had made out a towering bookshelf, though the books were all on the floor and what filled the shelves were a collection of bits and pieces. He had seen a skull of some deer, a giant claw, some glassware and framed pictures. It had made for a chaotic picture, and he half-expected the reason why the books were on the floor was because Jozin and Surio had been throwing them at each other. Or would throw them, from experience, he had been able to tell just by the way they stood facing each other, like they were about to spar.

'I can ask nicely, you know!' Surio had nodded, arms crossed. 'And I did!'

'Who is Lanua?' Nikolas had demanded, stepping in. They had been standing in front of a massive shelf after all and the last thing he wanted was for the shelf to come toppling down.

'She lives in Skapina and she doesn't even listen to me!' Jozin had exclaimed, 'How did you even get her to go all the way Bifeld?'

'I told you!' Surio had thrown up his hands, 'I asked nicely! Why don't you believe me?'

'Thank you for the cookies, they were really good!' Nikolas had interjected desperately hoping to stop their imminent quarrel.

That had the effect he wanted, they both stopped glaring at each other to look at him. Jozin plastered a smile onto his face, Nikolas knew it was fake because it took him longer than that to genuinely smile while Surio simply looked relieved.

'I'm glad you liked them,' he had said, nodding behind Jozin's back.

Perhaps he should put on his list to ask Jozin how Surio was? No, he could simply ask in person, Surio was his friend as well as Jozin and it would be odd to simply ask about a friend when Surio might well be with Jozin the next time they talked. He wished he had someone to talk to like Jozin did Surio. It was lonely growing up with Brytha who was busy and Guigo and Diasa who had each other and his sisters who also had each other. He could make friends, he knew but Bifeld was a small town and set in their ways. Everyone had welcomed Aldeim back home but just because an old member was welcomed back doesn't mean that their family members could meld seamlessly into the community. Especially a new member who never even seemed to fit in with his own family.

"What's with the long face?"

It was Tino, he could tell from the sound of his voice, "What's wrong with my face?"

"Did Sanice tell you off?" said Tino, "Don't worry she tells everyone off on the first day. She likes to give us her advice and such. You don't have to take anything she gives you, merchants do like giving green boys a scare and all."

Nikolas gave a non-committal nod, but made sure to add a smile so it was certain he didn't mean any malice. Now in the light of the rising sun he could see Tino more clearly. The other boy was definitely older than Nikolas, though not by much, and Nikolas wasn't sure if he could ask. There were certain people that took offense to being asked, he knew, because Viola had been scolded by Aldeim for speculating on her tutor's age. So it was probably best not to ask. Tino had taken off the heavy scarf and furs he was wearing in the night, but he kept on the thick woolen tunics and socks.

"Did you have breakfast?" Tino continued. He sat down next to Nikolas and let his feet dangled over the edge of the wagon.

"Oi, Tino, stop talking with the new boy, we got work to do!"

Tino eyed the Rysar poking at his back with an impatient finger, "I'll move whenever I want to move." But he did stand up and give a friendly push to the Rytsar, "Off you go marching now little Rystar boy!"

The Rytsar gave several rude gestures in Tino's general direction. Tino merely chuckled and stuck out his tongue. Then he gave a bemused Nikolas a confused look.

"Don't you have any brothers?"

It was a friendly question, he knew, but something about it made his stomach churned. How many brothers did he have? One? Two? How does one go about answering this question.

"Yes, but…" He began, looking at anywhere but at Tino's face. He knew people would come to the realization soon enough, and give him pitying looks. He knew because it was the same look that they gave Aldeim, and the nights after many of these glances and gestures Aldeim could be found drinking.

"Ah," Tino looked solemn, "Sorry I asked. Plenty of folks around here have that, you know, you're in good company."

"I did have a brother," Nikolas blurted out, and it felt nice to do so, "Richan." He let the name roll around his tongue some more before saying again, just to know he could say the name had been real, "Richan."

"Good name," Tino nodded, patting Nikolas's back. "You want to share some breakfast? You should save yours for when we get to Prebovna, just in case."

"Just in case?" Nikolas frowned, "What do you mean?"

"It's winter, Nikolas, there's always people going hungry in the winter," said Tino. "Especially in Prebovna." He trailed off, staring at the frozen trees passing by the wagon.

They both jumped, clutching at the wagon for support at the voice that boomed behind them, "What are we saying about Prebovna?"

"Everything is lovely there, I was telling Nikolas that!" Tino said, smiling woodenly.

"That's right!" Sanice was busy putting on her furs, reaching for her belt and pouch. She pulled her hat firmly upon her head and wrapped her scarf around her face, "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Prebovna is a shining city upon the sea. Or the mountains. It all depends on your perspective!" She winked at Nikolas with her last words, before making her way to the front of the wagon and telling the Rytsars there to rest, she could drive now.

"I don't know what to make of her," Nikolas whispered to Tino.

"Ah, that's not on her though, that's everyone in Prebovna," said Tino. At Nikolas's puzzled frown he continued, "You know witch hunters right? There's clever ones that go even further and put down little spells here and there that trigger when a witch's talking."

"That doesn't make sense, anyone can talk about empty stores and larders in Prebovna," said Nikolas.

"Yes, but you see, only a witch would think to do anything about it." Nikolas stared at Tino, who gave an embarrassed chuckle, "Right, right, don't tell anyone I said that. Please."

"Is that..." he wanted to play this game too, he wanted Tino to tell him what he ought to do in Prebovna, how he ought to go making his name and not being an absolute failure. "Is that a thing a witch would say?"

Then he had to grin at the flabbergasted look Tino gave him, "No!" A contemplative pause, then Tino said, begrudgingly, "You know what, you might be right. We might come to Prebovna and they'll make it so that just saying only a witch would think it would summon the witch hunters to your door."

"Are they that efficient?" Nikolas mused.

"Only when they want to be," said Tino, rolling his eyes. But he gave Nikolas a very serious look, "Don't bring too much attention to yourself, Nikolas."

"I'll make sure not to," Nikolas said, and climbed back into the wagon. He reached a hand to help Tino in as well.

When the other boy was steady on his feet, he padded over to where he had put his pack and pulled out his rations. It was a hard cake, shaped into a log with raisins and nuts. Nikolas never liked biting into one, but it kept well and it was a specialty in Bifeld. It must be Viola that packed it for him, she was the one that liked it in the family and he felt a twang of homesickness. She would be sitting at the dining table now, trying to sneak in more slices before her lessons would start. Perhaps Tino would like some as well? He wasn't sure if Tino liked raisins but everyone in Brytha's ledger liked them, they were a popular item she imported.

"Would you like some?" Nikolas suggested, holding out the log and taking a knife onto his hand. "I don't know if you like raisins but it's just—"

"Oh, I would love some!" Tino's eyes were very wide, "I have not had fresh grapes in so long, you don't even know how much I miss them!"

"Do they taste different from wine?" Nikolas suggested. He carefully cut two slices out of the log and offered the bigger of the two to Tino. The older boy shook his head and insisted Nikolas take the bigger half. "No, I can always return home and they'll have food waiting for me," Nikolas said, "You were the one that was missing grapes."

That was all the prompting Tino needed to take the slice for himself. He bit into it, made several noise of appreciation before swallowing and said, wiping his mouth and liking his fingers, "You know, you're a very nice boy Nikolas."

It usually came with something else, Nikolas waited for the knife to fall.

"But you shouldn't be so willing to share food, alright? I am telling you this," here Tino leaned in and smiled. He smelled like raisins and sugar, "as a friend."

"Don't be too generous with food in Prebovna, got it," said Nikolas. He frowned, "Can I say that?"

"Of course, that is a very acceptable thing to say!" Tino nodded, clapping Nikolas on the back.

Prebovna, Nikolas thought, was a very odd and strange place. He suddenly felt a strong urge to return home, where at least he could try to understand his sister's ledgers.