Nami Forgewood inhaled amid the rustling branches. She felt her perceptions of the world slow around her. She drew the bowstring in tandem with her breathing, both syncing together. Her target sat exposed, inviting her waiting projectile. She released it and heard the thud of an arrow finding its mark. She came down from the tree she had been sitting atop of and walked over to the target Kin had carved into an elm for her. She sighed at the results.

“Just shy of dead center again," the sniper lamented in a low voice. "Was hoping by now I'd be able to pull more bullseyes." She shook her head, tempted to keep trying until she got her bullseye. She was well aware if she heeded that urge, her aim would only get worse. How many days had she wiled away countless hours of frustration at her inability to hit the center? Kin, always the voice of reason to her ire, had pointed out she was often exhausted by that point as well. She traded the bow for the ten throwing blades she kept on her as well, in case she needed them. She moved back to the edge of their effective range, whirled, and tossed.

Three blades drove into the tree. The other seven followed at a pace of one every six seconds. Once she had tossed the last blade, Nami leaned back and smiled at the letter N she had made with them.

Gami will be proud. She smirked in pleasure at the thought and then turned to a small basket waiting for her on a stump. Checking the sun, she deemed it to be the perfect time for breakfast. She took out jerky and slices of bread and pushed them together. Nami bit into the sandwich with a sigh of bliss. She wished for the blessings of the Four Elemental Guardians on whoever invented this wondrous food. She managed to get one more mouthful before she heard a faint sound on the path from her home. Nami’s heart skipped a beat and then quicken as she caught a glimpse of Kin coming towards their special place.

A few minutes later, Kin emerged into the clearing proper and waved. Nami couldn't stop her eye from caressing his form, clad in a leather tunic, and pants to match her own. Even a glimpse of him set her heart racing, like always. A little shorter than local youths their age, Kin was also of a lighter build. This also meant she was a couple of inches shorter than him.. His hair was brown, something also rare among the village boys. But it was his eyes that captivated Nami the most.

Sure, all the inhabitants of Phoenix had glowing eyes, it was a trait everyone had. Each tribe had their own color and region. But Kin's eyes were different, blue so light they were almost white. She knew her own eyes glowed like a blue sapphire, the color of the sky. The difference between the two shades was so vast it was mind-boggling to her. His nose was longer than hers. Then she stopped on her favorite feature of Kin, the scar on his temple that he got during their childhood. The scar had healed into the shape of a small cross.

"Make a sketch," that teasing voice came out to interrupt her examination. "It will last longer," Kin told her with a lopsided grin that always baited her.

"Don't need a sketch," Nami declared. "I have the real thing after all."

Kin finished crossing the distance to stand before her and leaned down, his face right next to hers. "Always." His lips met hers for a moment.

Even a short kiss from Kin sent her body into waves of dizziness.

She responded before he pulled back, her kiss light. He broke their kiss, leaving her dazed. His scent surrounded her, ash from the forge and lavender from soup mixed as one. In her enraptured state, she was not prepared to stop her paramour from taking a bite of her sandwich. It took a full minute for her to register what he had done and then she puffed up her cheeks.

"You… you took a bite of my sandwich," she protested.

"It was right there and your defenses were down," Kin sighed. "You know what Gami would have done if she had caught you like that. A bite of your food is small. Plus, you're cute when you make that face." He cupped her still-puffed cheek and Nami felt herself deflate in defeat. He always knew how to play her, and she was not surprised. They had always been together. She leaned her cheek into his hand.

"It's the day before… isn't it?" she asked in disbelief, and Kin nodded, turning grave.

"It's been a long time coming, but it is tomorrow." He leaned back and looked up at the blue sky wistfully. "The start of our real adventures. Seems like yesterday we were discussing this for the first time. Remember, while watching the shooting stars?"

Nami beamed at the memory. "I know… It's been five years since that day. The day we decided to be adventurers once we grew up."

"A little early to celebrate though." Kin smirked at his partner. "Still, we’ve got the Ordeal before us and then we will be free to seek out that dream."

Nami blushed as she recalled. "Right. Still, I would consider this a taste of what is to come." She declared with a confident aura that seemed to soften the slight edge in Kin's features. She reached over and caressed his cheek.

His hand came up to hold hers in place as he looked off into the distance again. "You're right. This is the start of our adventures. New places to see and people to help. Looks like we have finally outgrown this place."

Tears pricked her eyes at the thought. "Yep, there’s a whole continent to explore! That’s the cool part about becoming adventurers! But, let's make a pact. When we get married, it will be here, in this clearing. Our special place."

Her heart did a flip as a sappy look crossed his face. "That means sharing our love nest with our family and friends. You sure you want to invite others to our sanctuary?"

Nami rose and moved so she sat on his lap, facing him. "Only one time. As soon as the ceremonies are over, we'll kick them out of here."

"Deal." Her fiancé laughed. They cuddled, enjoying each other's company. They felt the last hours of their time together in the grove tick away. When they later left it, they didn’t leave sad. In her bones, she could feel the call to wander. They would walk the land and meet many new people and see even more amazing places. The next time they returned here, it would be for the happiest day of their lives.

***

They emerged from their clearing, hand in hand when they saw Kin’s twin sisters waiting for them. The girls wore matching dresses, one red and one yellow. They had fiery red hair and blazing orange eyes. Their hair was braided into a single long braid each. Each had theirs hanging down a different shoulder. Kin's younger twin sisters waved at the couple as they approached. They were on the short side, even for kids their age, rosy cheeks and sharp noses amplifying their cuteness. The girls had turned ten a few weeks ago and who knew what mischief they were up to. The air carried their scent to Nami, they smelled of honey today.

"Hey, Kin. Hey Nami," Kida, wearing the yellow dress, called out. Nami had trouble telling the twins apart on a good day. Kin could always tell which one was which, so he was good at covering for her. She grinned as she thought of how doting of a big brother he was.

"Hey, Kida," he responded to the sister who hailed him, then looked at the other. "Kisa, what are you two up to?"

The girls grinned in unison, in their usually impish but cute way as Kisa replied, "Heading to the village. Mama said we were to collect you two when you came back and head over together."

Kida smirked at her twin's words.

Nami looked Kin in the eyes and saw him doing the same. Their shared glance, surprised that the village was gathering today. This was not a festival or holiday after all. The twins giggled and circled behind the young couple. Kisa pushed Kin's back and Kida pushed Nami's.

"Come on, come on," they sang together. "You don't wanna be late."

Nami wanted to put up a token resistance, but Kida and Kisa were like sisters to her. She was quite besotted with the rotten pair. Not as much as Kin though, she reflected with a smirk as Kisa pushed her brother down the trail.

"Fine, fine," Kin said. "We'll go already." He took Nami's hand and pulled her alongside him as they walked. "Better keep up, squirts! They say the Dale Wolves like to target young children without adult supervision."

The girls huffed at the teasing, and with good reason. Dale Wolves were beasts with deep red pelt that stood taller than a person. They could also breathe fire from their mouths. Nami, of course, had heard the same stories as a child to try to keep her close to the house. It had about as much effect on her as it did on the twins. No one in living memory had seen one of the legendary Dale Wolves the story mentioned. Even if they had, they wouldn't live up to the reputation the stories granted them.

Kin winked at them. "Yeah, well we never believe the stories either. Mum made me promise to tell you though, to try to keep you close."

Kisa scoffed. "The only one who might have fallen for that was Tarin. You and Nami have likely explored an hour from here in each direction."

Nami patted the girl on the head. "Two hours."

This caused the girls to break into a fit of laughter. "Rebels." Kida sang out. "Big brother and sister are rebels." She danced as she walked, moving at a twirl so Nami was unable to grab her when she tried. Nami and Kin joined the twins in a deep hearty laugh as the village came into view.

***

The group of four arrived at Harvestville, a small village less than 2 miles down the main road from the smithy. It didn't have much: a general store, town hall, and twenty houses all arranged in a U shape around the village. Nami's sharp eyes spotted something that drew them in. A new house is under construction near the back of the western end. Likely a couple of their age was getting married and settling down. Nami gripped Kin's hand tighter as they approached the village center. They could do something similar at the Hearthwood Smithy if they liked, of course. Their parents had not mentioned it yet and they knew they would decline if offered. They had no intentions to settle down yet. Still, Nami felt pleased for the bride, as it meant she had one less rival in the village. Many girls wanted Kin as their husband. Not that he had ever given anyone else the time of day.

“All those girls down there, wanting him for their own.”

Nami separated from her spiraling train of thoughts by Kin's lips touching her cheek. "Hey, they never had a chance. I've been yours since we were little," the swordsman whispered to her.

Nami blushed and laid her head on Kin's shoulder, not realizing he would hear her. "I know. I wish they would accept defeat already."

He chuckled, in his particular warm way that made her heart race. "They will soon. Girls our age won't want to stay single for long to chase after a claimed man. I suspect by the time we're back, they will have coupled up."

Nami frowned, though a playful one. "When did you get so insightful about the female mind?"

"Since you asked me to marry you when we grew up," Kin whispered back, leaning into her hair as the words left his mouth. Nami quivered, her heart beating faster.

"Kin and Nami, sitting in a tree," the twins teased. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"Shut it," Nami cried from her place beside Kin, though the sound was weak. She didn't have the heart to combat the twins while intoxicated by his presence.

"I swear, leave you two alone for a moment and you end up like that." A voice said from the massive apple tree that grew in the center of the village.

The apples were a fiery crimson and orange color; everyone loved the ancient fellow just for that. Within the branches sat a short olive-skinned woman wearing leather. Despite her adulthood, she looked younger than fifteen-year-old Nami. Her hair was a deep sable and her eyes a brilliant shining like a green emerald. Nami felt Kin's switch flip, from his floaty lovey mode to battle mode. The woman jumped from the tree and tossed a wooden dagger at him. Kin's sword flew out from its scabbard and cut the weapon down from the air, right before it could hit him in the face.

"Hey," Kin complained, "that was a cheap shot, Gami."

The master knife thrower landed in a crouch and rose, agile like a cat. "Oh please, if you couldn't block a blow like that, you wouldn't deserve to be Nami's white knight."

He groaned. "I'm not a knight."

Gami waved him off. "You learned the blade to protect Nami, though you gained the strength and will to fight for others as well. That might be the literal definition of a white knight."

Nami giggled as her husband-to-be went round for round with their mentor. All joking aside, if that attack had meant to hurt Kin, he would have gone down. That was the difference in power between them. Only five years of training wouldn't bridge that gap.

The woman gave an impish grin and spread her arms. Nami obliged her with a big hug. Kin sighed but joined them in the embrace.

"I'm so proud of you two, I could not have asked for better students. Except to have you join the Doves."

Nami rolled her eyes at this song and dance. She and Kin had heard this many times.

“What are the Doves?” Kida asked, which made Nami roll her eyes.

Gami patted the girl on the head. “The Doves are our protectors, little Spark. They guard us and defend our way of life.”

From her right, she saw Kin give Kisa a pat too. “That’s right. They are our peacekeepers. We’ve been over this Gami, you know Nami dislikes orders and structure.”

Blushing, she nodded in agreement to this statement. “I just don’t like being bossed around.”

Gami laughter at this answer. "Fair enough, you two. But enough of that. You two are setting off tomorrow, right?"

Nami nodded, excitement making her heart race. "Yes. We will leave before dawn."

Gami winked and replied. "A perfect time to be leaving home for sure, but forgive me if I don't see you off. It's my day off tomorrow and I will be enjoying every moment of sleep I can get."

Kin chuckled and said, "Of course you chose to sleep instead of seeing us off." His tone was playful before turning serious. "You being here tonight is more than enough."

Excitement made her pulse race. "I worried you'd be too busy to see us off."

Gami shook her head and held up her hands in a mock what will I do with you look on her face. "Wouldn’t miss this for the world." She jerked her thumb at the orchard and began to lead the foursome that way. "You only go on the Ordeal once."

Nami was going to say more but Kisa and Kida jumped in and started up a conversation with Gami as they walked.

“Hey Gami, we learned some new music on the flute!” Kida exclaimed with pride.

“Oh, did you now? What piece did you learn?”

“Ode to the Lady,” Kisa responded, as proud as her sister.

“A lovely piece for sure. You’ll have to play it for me, soon.”

Kin bumped her shoulder with his and then his hand snake around her waist.

Soon, they emerged into the orchard where ten large trestle tables had been set up in rows. These overlooked a longer table turned lengthways compared to the others. The Orchard shared the same shape as the village. This gathering place felt sheltered from the rest of the forest of the Dale by the strong apple trees. Each of the ten tables was for a different family from the village. Nami spotted her and Kin's families at one of the tables already, theirs being the only families to share a table.

The majority of the people were like her father, Alastor, and Kin's father, Heath. They were muscular and tall, though Heath was taller still. And most of them had the same blazing orange eyes as her father did.

Nami looked over at her mother, Airu, and her bright sapphire eyes. She had silky black hair longer than Nami's own and an exotic look with her coppery skin tone and doe eyes. Nami's skin was closer to her mother's than her light-skinned father's, but not as defined. Their eyes met, and Airu gave her daughter an encouraging nod.

As an elderly woman with white hair and glowing red eyes approached, Kin and Nami nodded their heads in a respectful greeting. "Elder," they both replied with grave voices.

The woman nodded, returning the greeting. "Hello, children. This is a day we have all waited for. Please, won't you join me at the head table?"

Nami, and Kin in time with her, confirmed this with a "Yes." Although that hadn't been a request but more of an expectation. They had seen enough of these dinners over the years to know the guests of honor always sat at the high table. Once they all sat down, Nami snuck a look at the village leader, Henrietta Silverbushel. While wrinkled with age, she was a very striking figure who had led the village for the past twenty years.Nami liked to imagine her grandmothers were like the elder. She was the kindest and wisest leader the village had ever had. Though her eyes still blazed red, she had gone blind a few years ago. Her father had told her that it was the Elder that gave him and Heath permission to build the smithy. She didn't care that they were outsiders.

Nami ceased her examination by the sudden lack of sound from the rest of the village. Nami looked out over the gathering and saw everyone she knew was present. There were around a hundred people in the village including her and Kin's families. Every one of them was watching them. She buried her face in her partner's shoulder, hot tears spilling from her joy at all these people coming to see them off. She felt his hand caress her hair to soothe her.

Elder Silverbushel rose and spoke to the gathering, "Coming of age. A time we all have gone through or will go through. A time we parents both wish for and dread." There was a round of applause from the parents around the orchard at this. Nami looked up with fondness.

"We want it to come because it means our little ones survived and are becoming members of our community. We dread it as it means they are no longer our little children. They are now adults who must face the dangers of the road without us."

"Ordeal, Ordeal, Ordeal!" the crowd chanted.

Elder Silverbushel allowed it for a moment before raising a hand and bringing it to a halt.

"Yes, I speak of the Ordeal. Kin and Nami, I am sure you have heard this task many times but as is tradition, I must charge you with your Ordeal. Are you ready to receive your commission, your first as a grown man and woman?"

Nami felt Kin grip her hand as they both stood up and she felt emboldened with him next to her. "I am." She declared with a determined expression on her face. She heard her partner give the same response.

Elder Silverbushel raised her arms. "Then we have an accord. Children of the forge, you will head southeast, following the road to Crater City. The place where we Red Phoenixes first settled when we came to the Dale. There, you are to go to the Temple of Leo, the Guardian Lion of Fire, and pray. He will challenge you to gain his favor. Complete his challenge and earn his favor, and then return here. Once you have completed this task, you will join the community and choose your path in life."

Nami’s throat tightened. Why though, she was unsure. Had she not longed for this, all to get to the goal she and Kin had agreed to under that starry sky five years ago? This too was a testament to the power that Elder Silverbushel's words had. Nami looked over at Kin and to her surprise, he too wore a grave expression and was not elated as usual. The Elder embraced Kin first and whispered something to the swordsman. Then came over to whisper in her ear.

"You are as precious to me as my grandchildren, Nami Forgewood. Make sure you and your man come home safe." Nami nodded and she cried into the Elder's hug. The older lady gave her a tender look and soothed her until Nami's tears ended. Everyone in the crowd grinned as they watched, completely in love with their elder as usual.

Once Nami calmed down, she returned to holding Kin's hand. Elder Silverbushel continued her speech. "We, the Phoenixes, do this to honor the guardians of our people. And while this mission is to honor Leo, we must offer respect to the guardians of their mothers as well. Everyone, a toast to Lord Leo the fire lion, Lord Godfrey the air eagle, and Lady Xernses the earth elk." The village leader raised her cold cider high, joined by the village at the tables. Nami spotted Gami raising her glass and muttering 'Aquatis the water dolphin' as she did so. Nami and Kin raised their glasses as well. As one, the gathered crowd drank to their elemental protectors.

Dinner was a lively affair with a wide variety of dishes to choose from. Various smells wafted through the village making her mouth water longingly. Nami avoided the fish, she tended to only eat it when she had to, choosing instead sausage and apples. The savory meat and the sweet apples shocked her taste buds to life as she consumed her meal. The whole town was in a festive mood and it was infectious. Then her mood soured as the sausage turned to ashes in her mouth. Gami seemed to notice as she asked.

“What’s wrong, Nami?”

Nami looked up at her and blinked back some tears. “I wish my brothers, Tarin and Raian, were here with us.”

Gami gave her a soft smile and reached over, her rough hands cupping her cheek. “It’s alright. They’re grown ups with their own lives is all. If I recall, Tarin is your middle brother and is a smith’s apprentice?”

Nami nodded. “That’s right. And Raian is the eldest. No one knows where he is right now.”

“I see. Well, how about we take your mind off your sad thoughts for a while?”

“How will you do that?”

Gami rose and approached Kin.

“Let’s have a match.” She threw down a wooden sword before him. He picked it up and turned to look at her. She nodded her approval. Gami was using two small wooden daggers, same as the one she had tossed at Kin earlier.

As the two squared off with wooden swords. Nami cheered for Kin, naturally He was the first eliminated. Nami couldn't repress a giggle as she watched him go to block a strike from Gami. He then hurtled back into the trunk of an apple tree. A single red apple fell from the tree and landed on his head, balancing there for a moment before toppling into his lap.

As Nami tended to her fallen fiance who then rose.

“Best two out of three, Gami?”

“Sure thing, young man. Will end the same way.”

The two stepped back, gaining some distance from the other. The two circled each other, looking for an opening.

Nami laid her head on her father's shoulder as her partner and mentor charged at each other. Gami, with her smaller body, had the speed advantage. She made three lightning-swift stabs at the swordsman. He grinned and dodged out of the way of the first two strikes before parrying the third. The Dove grunted as Kin went onto the offensive. He forced her back with three powerful slashes of his own. The nimble warrior managed to avoid all three. Nami spotted her mentor's hair billowed as the wooden blade brushed it on its way past.

“Had that been a real blade, you’d have shaved off some of my hair there.” The cheery Dove laughed as she disengaged from her foe.

She could see her father was following along, blow for blow, drinking in each exchange. Then her attention returned to the combat as Gami flipped back and tossed one of the daggers at Kin. Like earlier, he slashed the projectile down, falling harmlessly to the ground. Gami was not done though. She drew a third wooden dagger from within her trademark jacket. She charged in again, a blistering full-force stab aimed at his stomach.

There was no way he could dodge the attack. To Nami's amazement, her partner turned and the blade grazed his belly instead of scoring a direct blow. Gami's eyes went wide in shock at the play. Kin smirked as he slashed at her exposed head with the wooden blade.

"Checkmate, Gami."

"Is it?" The Green Phoenix woman winked as her other hand came up to block the sword with the dagger. The blade never would have stopped the blow on its own. But the speed with which she slid the blade along her foe's sword caused it to slide off course and hit the ground. Gami then stepped in and pressed the dagger to Kin's throat.

"Now, it's checkmate."

Kin exhaled in frustration. "And here I was hoping I would beat you for a change. You're as terrifying as ever, Gami."

"Thank you kindly." Gami retrieved the wooden weapons. "You are welcome to try again anytime you like."

There was a cough and Nami glanced over and saw her mother. "Come on, everyone. Time to go back home."

Nami rose and helped a still-aching Kin to his feet.

"Thanks," he said as he stood. The light was starting to dim as the other villagers began to break down the party and waved goodbye to the couple.

Nami giggled and said, "You did well."

"Thanks," he chuckled. He had set the apple on the table next to where he had rested after losing. "She was holding back though. I did well enough to make a good show, but I still have a lot to learn."

Nami nodded. "Of course. And I will be there to support you the whole way."

"I love you." He smiled.

"And I, you."

"Enough of the kissy face," Gami called out, hands on her hips. "Come on you two. It is time to head back to the Smithy. We have presents and then you two need to go to bed. You have an early morning."

She hummed in delight as he wrapped his arm around her as they walked back to the smithy.