Nami woke the next morning and saw the sky was starting to illuminate with color. The rain of yesterday had completely passed. She felt tight arms wrapped around her and Kin’s warm breath on the back of her neck. She wanted to lay back down and sleep some more in his embrace, but they needed to get going. She regretfully nudged him in the chest.

“Wake up, Kin,” she ordered as she yawned. “Time to get going.”

Kin mumbled in his sleep and then untangled his arms from around Nami and sat up. Nami noticed he was already dressed and felt her face twist into a pout.

“You already got up to train and then came back to bed?”

He turned to her, no shame in his brilliant white eyes. “Well, I did skip some morning training. But you looked so peaceful, I wanted to let you get some more rest. When I got back, I found you were still snoozing and couldn’t help myself, I had to snuggle down with you again.”

Nami rolled her eyes and pulled him in close so she could listen to the beat of his heart. Then she pushed him back. “Alright then, since you got to indulge yourself this morning, go and get me some breakfast while I dress.”

Kin caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “It is the least I can do, huh? I’ll be right back.”

She blushed a deep red and turned away as she heard Kin leave the room, her heart hammering Guardians, he was bad for her heart. After she calmed down, she slid into her leather traveling gear. She had finished donning her coat when Kin came in with a tray of food. He surprised her when she saw beside the breakfast tray there was a round package under his left arm.

“What do you have there, Kin?” Nami asked as she pointed at his hands.

“Breakfast,” came the mischievous answer from her paramour. Nami sighed, she had walked right into that one.

“Yes dear, but what is that under your arm?”

Kin laughed as he set the tray down on a table and took the package in both hands. “I have no idea.” He looked it over again. “It came from Sword and Board according to Marcia. We also got this sealed letter.” Kin handed the small envelope to Nami who examined the front.

“Must be the introduction from Ingrid, it has the seal of the Applebeer Family.” Nami pointed to the small apple in a mug seal on the paper. She stored it in her pack for later use, placing it somewhere it would not get damaged. She then looked at the package Kin was still holding. “Well, go on. Open it already.”

Kin tore off the wrapping paper and Nami spotted a shield inside. This was not a random shield either, from the look of it. Nami held out her hands, and he passed them to her. Careful examination showed it had the mark of the Heartwood Smithy on the back. On the front, the shield had no decoration but was lacquered. This was one of Nami’s very first experiments lacquering wood, and she was quite proud of how it came out. She was very shocked to see it now, she had thought the shield sold a long time ago.

A scrap of paper fell to the floor and Nami scooped it up. The scrap read:

I do not find writing easy kid, but I wanted to make sure you could keep up the trainin’. I heard the Forgewood daughter made the shield, so she must also be the partner you mentioned. I figured you would want something she made. Don’t worry about the cost, make sure to spread the word about my shop and we will call this one even. Your friend - Jakob.

Nami beamed and handed the note to Kin. She saw a gentle smile form on his face as he read it.

“That was nice of him,” Nami remarked as she handed back the shield.

“Very,” her swordsman replied as he plopped down beside her. “We should get him something in Crater City as a thank you gift on the way back.”

Nami laid her head on Kin’s shoulder. “I agree. Also, one for Gami, Tanner, papa, and your father.”

She felt him nod as he ran his hand through her black locks. “OK. I like the sound of that.”

She moved her head off his shoulder and kicked herself up onto her feet and clapped her hands. “Alright. Let’s eat before the food gets cold. We need to get on the trail before the sun is up.”

She headed over to the table and could hear her fiance grumble as he followed her.

***

After they had a meal of sausage, canned apples, and warm bread, Nami and Kin geared up and headed down to the first floor. Marcia was waiting for them. She handed them each a package of extra rations, which they slid in their packs.

“Be careful on the road, you two.” Marcia hugged Kin first and then Nami. She could feel the slight bulge of Marcia’s baby and could not help but rub the bump with gentle hands. Marcia patted her head. “You bring this girl home safe, Kin.”

Kin nodded, his face taking a grave look. “I swear it. Protecting Nami is my foremost responsibility.”

Nami sighed and rolled her eyes. “Come on, guys, I’m not helpless. We’ll be fine, barring something completely unpredictable happening of course. Kin even proved himself in his first battle yesterday.”

She had thought this would serve as a pick me up to her partner, but she felt his emotions swirl like a dark cloud. She looked over in concern at him but could not read the look on his face. Nami felt her stomach sink. She reached out to touch him but his foul mood vanished. His face shifted back to a lighter expression, though still sadder than she liked.

“Well, still watch out. You can never be too careful on the road.”

“Thanks, Marcia. Come on Kin, let’s get going.”

They hugged Marcia once more and soon they were off and down the road towards Heartsville.

***

When Rootford was gone from the horizon behind them, Nami turned to Kin. She could tell whatever had crossed his mind back there on the way out of town was still gnawing at him.

“Kin, are you alright, love?” Nami reached out and wrapped her arms around his.

Kin started at the contact but did not shy away. Nami knew she had grounded his emotions. “Yes,” He finally replied, “I was thinking that I didn’t prove myself in that fight.”

This confused Nami even more. “But... both you and Jakob talked about how you broke the sword and got the bandit running. That sounds like a win to me.”

Kin stopped and Nami stepped away so they could talk face to face. He ran a nervous hand through his hair. “You’re right. I did win the fight, but I hesitated when it started. When I saw his sword and drew my own, it sank in that we were about to fight for real and if I messed up, I was gonna die. I froze stiff at the thought of never seeing you or our family again. I also never fought another person for real before and that scared me too.”

Nami stepped in and hugged him. “Kin, that’s normal. Fighting other people isn’t supposed to be easy, it’s not like fighting monsters or wild animals. You did good, whether you froze or not.”

Kin’s expression turned bright as he indulged in her hug. “Thanks, Nami. You always know what I need to hear. But I promise, next time I will not hesitate. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of this Bjorg’s men very soon.”

Nami kissed him on the cheek. “I’m glad to hear you're doing better. You don’t have to bottle up things that are bothering you. We’re a team, let me share your burdens, as I want you to share mine.”

“I promise. I’m sorry, I wasn’t sure how to tell you about yesterday. It was still all too fresh in my mind.”

Nami moved out of his arms and punched him in the shoulder. “I don’t love you for your pretty words, dummy. I love you for your loyalty and your kind soul. I don’t want you to become some battle-hardened, cold-blooded killer. You wouldn’t be my Kin anymore.”

Kin pressed a fist to his chest. “No need to worry about that, my love. But I will protect you. If anyone tries to hurt you… well, they would be crazy.” His hand reached back to pat the hilt of his blade.

“Atta boy,” Nami joked and set off down the road again. “Come on, let’s go.”

***

Nami stretched as she and Kin walked down the road. Her heart raced as they went to explore past what she knew, even though the view was just more trees lining the road. It had been a few hours since they had left Rootford and her back was feeling a bit stiff under her pack. She wanted to call a break for a spell and find a shady tree to relax under. She turned to Kin to suggest this but noticed he was eyeing a patch of brush on their left. He stopped, eyes staying on that spot. Nami halted next to him, her hand reaching up for her bow. She paused when Kin held up a hand to stop her.

“Hold on a moment,” Kin muttered as he lowered his center of gravity. “I don’t think it’s a threat… but there is something in that brush. I thought I saw a flash of light coming from it. I’ll take a look, be ready to cover me just in case.”

“Got it,” Nami replied, unease settling in her chest. She stepped back and drew two of the throwing knives from her coat. She watched Kin approach the brush and look down into the weeds. She held a breath until she saw Kin rise and walk back her way. She exhaled in relief as she noticed something made of glass in his hands.

“What is that?” Nami asked and pointed a knife at it.

Kin turned it around and looked confused. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. The item was round, and wider at the bottom, becoming narrower as it approached the mouth. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. It looks so weird. You couldn’t preserve anything in this.”

Nami nodded. Glass jars from the Terra Plains were in high demand in the orchard village for preservation. But as Kin had pointed out, this glass jar was not suitable for that purpose. “Still though, this would be expensive to make. Someone must be missing it. Good find there, partner.”

Kin smiled, then removed Nami’s rain cloak from her pack and wrapped the jar in it with care. “Lucky the light hit it in the right way, I guess. Let’s take it with us. If we don’t run into its rightful owner, we can find someone that will trade for it if we’re lucky.”

Nami giggled as Kin finished tucking the wrapped jar in her pack. “Alright. Why don’t we stop for lunch soon? We’ve made some good distance this morning already.”

Kin sighed in mock exasperation. “Already? Well, I guess we could stand to take a rest. Let me know when you see a shady place you like.”

Soon the two of them paused under a large oak tree and had spread out Kin’s cloak for them to sit on. Nami laid her head on Kin’s chest as she ate, listening to the sound of his heartbeat as a cool breeze caressed her face. She must have dozed because the next thing she knew, Kin was nudging her and speaking.

“Hey, come on, Nami. We got more distance to cover before dark.”

Nami pushed herself off Kin’s chest and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “O… OK,” she mumbled. Her mind felt like someone had packed it with wool and she was having trouble focusing.

“There is a stream a little way from here. Want to go wash your face?” Kin offered as he began to clean up their spot.

Nami gave Kin a grateful smile and stumbled off in that direction. The stream was clean and cool, and Nami felt much better after a couple of handfuls splashed on her face. She returned to find Kin waiting for her. He held out her pack and she slipped it on.

“Feel better?” he asked as he kissed her forehead.

“Mmm. Much better, thank you,” Nami replied as her skin was lit by the tingling of Kin’s lips. “Ready to go?”

Kin turned to face the open road. “Of course.” He smiled and the two of them set off once more.

***

The sun was starting to set and Nami was feeling the weight of her pack more and more with each step. She snuck a peek over at Kin and found he was struggling too. Nami turned to look for a place to set up camp along the road when she spotted something rising above the treeline, smoke. Nami leaned over and nudged her companion. The brown-haired youth looked her way and Nami pointed at the smoke. Nami could tell Kin’s mood took an upturn at the sight of other people. They might be honest traders on the way to Rootford. But they could also be more of those bandits working for that Bjorg the brigands mentioned.

The sun was starting to set and Nami was feeling the weight of her pack more and more with each step. She snuck a peek over at Kin and found he was struggling too. Nami turned to look for a place to set up camp along the road when she spotted something rising above the treeline, smoke. Nami leaned over and nudged her companion. The brown-haired youth looked her way and Nami pointed at the smoke. She could tell his mood took an upturn at the sight of other people. They might be honest traders on the way to Rootford. But they could also be more of those bandits. Then their ears caught the noises coming from the distance. Growling from a large animal and the panic of humans in danger.

She didn’t even stop to think, turning her walk into a dash, she reached up to draw her bow. She heard the sound of boots beside her and turned to see her partner keeping up with her, his hand loosening the sword in its scabbard. Very soon, the two of them came upon a camp in a clearing. What appeared to be an elderly man with ash-gray hair and a young woman with curly blonde hair were frozen in fear as they looked up at a black bear. The creature was looking not at the travelers but the pot they had hanging from the fire. The beast had invited itself to dinner.

Nami put away her bow as she stepped forward, waving her hands and shouting at the bear. It took a moment but soon her partner Kin was joining in. They didn’t shout actual words, just noise to try and scare off the beast before it got spooked and swiped at one of the travelers. The black bear turned to look at the young teens with what she could’ve sworn was a pout before it headed off into the woods again. They turned to look at the people they had just saved that had relief written all over their faces.

Both had golden eyes that matched Kin’s mother. Nami also noted with interest that the girl had a duskier complexion than her own, a very striking sight. The woman rose, pulling a large hammer from the weeds where it lay. She appeared to be over her shock now. The man held up a hand as she went to step forward. Nami saw Kin’s hand roam towards his sword hilt.

“Whoa there, Fronicka. I do not think these two are threats to us. Not after they just saved us from the bear.” He winked at the partners. “Am I right, kids?”

Fronicka shook her head. “You are too trusting, Kilian, especially after everything we have seen on the road.” The other woman examined her, head to toe, and then turned her attention to Kin. “Are you sure? That guy is suspicious.”

Kilian’s face morphed into a grin. “Cause he has white eyes instead of red, green, blue, or gold? These two don’t look like bandits. We should be grateful to them, not whack them with a weapon.”

The dark-skinned woman sighed and put the hammer back down into the weeds. Kin returned the favor by lowering his hand from his sword.

Kilian nodded, pulling a scroll from a nearby bag. “There we go. Now, you two, thank you for saving us. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t happened along.”

Kin nudged Nami to take the lead on this, not taking his eyes off the woman. Nami frowned but then turned her most pleasant expression to Fronicka. “It was no trouble. We hoped we could pitch our camp nearby, safety in numbers and all. We are journeying to Heartsville on our way to Crater City. We came running once we heard the bear.”

Fronicka looked relieved and she finally relaxed. “Ah, local kids on your Ordeal then?” she asked, and both of the youths nodded their confirmation. “You look about that age. Sorry about the hammer, we have had more than a few bandit encounters since we came to the Dale last month.”

Kin spoke up next. “Yeah, that is part of the reason we approached your camp. We had a run-in yesterday with some bandits that went this way. We thought since you have an older man with you, that we could offer to stand watch so he can rest.”

At Kin’s words, Nami noticed Kilian deflate. Her confusion compounded when Fronicka began to roar with laughter that could put Heath to shame. When she calmed down, she winked at Kilian, who pouted.

“Aww, don’t be like that, old man,” she moved to him and caressed his cheek. “If you’re good and eat all your dinner, I'll let you rob my cradle tonight.”

Kilian crossed his arms, his face reading utter depression. “Why does everyone assume I’m an old man?” he wailed and turned away from the group. “I’m only 23.”

Nami could see Kin’s embarrassment, but Fronicka shook her head. “Don’t worry about it friends, my husband is a little touchy about his appearance. Truth is, he was a sickly boy and it took a toll on his body.”

Killian retorted, still not looking at his wife. “And she loves to torture me about it. One time her jokes got the Doves called on me, they thought I was some kind of predator.”

Fronicka walked over and ran a hand through her partner’s ash gray hair. “Sorry love, I adore teasing you.”

He sighed and turned back to Kin and Nami. "I should get a sign that says my age and set it up when we have company. I am sorry you had to see that. My name is Kilian and this is my wife, Fronicka. We hail from the Terra Plains.”

Nami gave a gracious smile and motioned to herself and then Kin. “My name is Nami Forgewood and this is my partner, Kin Hearthstone.”

Fronicka winked again at her and remarked. “Partners, eh?”

Nami felt her face burn. She noticed Kin was bright red as well. “Y-yes. Partners,” Nami said as she tried to cover her stutter. “We also want to be adventurers after our Ordeal.”

Kilian seemed interested in that. “Is this true? I have often wanted to write an account of local heroes and their journeys. Do you have any tales of daring-do to share yet?”

Nami looked sheepish as she responded. “No, we are still very inexperienced in that regard, I'm afraid.”

Kilian’s face fell again. Kin must have taken pity on the man as he added, “Oh, but our parents were adventurers before us. You could try asking them for their accounts.”

This brightened the author right up again. “That would be most splendid. Where can I find these parents of yours, in Rootford?”

Nami shook her head. “Actually no, we come from the Heartwood Smithy, a little past Harvestville which is a day further. Tell them Kin and Nami sent you, but I can’t guarantee they will want to talk about it. They only told us a couple of days ago.”

Now that she had taken time to digest the idea, she was not sure she wanted her parents to share their stories. She wanted to hear about their adventures first. She surfaced from her brooding by a tap from Kin’s arm. She gave him a grateful smile at the save.

“Thank you,” Fronicka stepped forward and took Nami’s hands. “My husband dreams of being a respected scholar and getting a place at the university. This could very well be the break he has been looking for.”

“University?” Kin asked, rolling the unfamiliar word across his tongue.“What is a university?”

Fronicka and Kilian exchange a look. “I’m sorry, I forgot you do not have those here in the Dale,” Fronicka replied. "It would be better for you to go there and learn about it for yourself. What I can say is it’s a place of learning where you can teach or get any skill you might want.”

Nami felt the confusion leave her at this explanation. “Oh, it’s a place of learning. It’s like what our mothers did for us back when we were younger.” She could see Kin understood as well.

“If they taught you what you needed to know, then yes,” Kilian said as he wrote a quick note. “Though trust me when I tell you, that is a very basic description. You two should check it out, should the chance arise.”

Nami nodded; she was certain they would go there someday. “We will, thanks,” she responded. “So, are we welcome to stay here tonight?”

Fronicka ran a hand through her hair and shared a look with Kilian for a moment before finally nodding. “Yeah, we would appreciate the company, there may be bandits in the area. Come on, join us for dinner.”

Kin and Nami smiled and the four of them worked together to set up the meal. Kin pulled out some bread from their rations to supplement the food the couple provided. He also pulled out two flagons of the cider the Elder had given them. Fronicka and Kilian had never had apple cider before and Kilian claimed he was going to get the recipe. The conversation turned to what their home life had been like growing up. Nami gave the writer as many details as he wanted. She thought it was cute how he would pause with one hand raised halfway to his mouth and the other taking notes. Kin stayed out of the conversation, she could tell he was more tired than he was trying to let on. After they cleaned up the dinner, Nami hugged him.

“Hey, you go ahead and get some rest. I’ll wake you in a few hours for your watch.”

Kin nestled in close, oblivious to the other couple watching in his sleepy state. “You sure? I don’t mind taking the first shift.”

Nami shook her head. “Yes, I’m sure. Go and get your head down for a while.”

Kin kissed her on the lips. “Alright. See you in a few hours.”

She watched her best friend walk off and set up their bedroll under a tree. The sky was clear and the stars were starting to show, but she could understand him not wanting to take a risk. Nami headed to a spot where she could see the entrance to the clearing that opened to the road. The camp was set with natural defenses on the other sides of trees and brush. She was confident that it would not be easy for someone to sneak up on them from there. Though she would stroll around the camp every so often, she couldn’t be too careful. She sat down and strung her bow, laying an arrow against the string, ready in case of trouble. Small fireflies began to dance around in the grass near the road, causing flashes of green light. Birds were singing as they prepared to rest for the night. Nami was at peace as she waited.

***

It was about an hour later when she heard footsteps approaching from the camp behind her. The sound stopped nearby and she saw a strange glow come from the corner of her eye. Nami glanced over and saw Froncika holding a small stone in one hand, letting out a dim orange light. This was a Firestone, a strange clear rock that could glow when the holder wished it. She also held a ceramic flask wrapped in leather which she handed to the archer. Nami took the offered object and felt it was warm. She brought it to her lips and tasted a warmth spread through her stomach. The drink tasted faintly of honey, and something else she couldn’t identify.

“That’s good,” Nami admitted, “what is it?”

Fronicka grinned. “It’s called tea. You take leaves, grind them down, and steep them in water until it takes on the flavor. I added a bit of honey as well.”

Nami beamed. “Oh, I have heard my mother talk about tea, it’s a staple back in her hometown. But I never had it for myself. Traders were always sold out when she tried to get some in Heartsville.”

“It’s quite nice on a night like this.” Fronicka moved so they were sitting shoulder to shoulder. “Surprised you didn’t ask about the stone, too.”

She looked up at the stars for a moment before she replied. “I have seen them before. Kin’s father, Heath, has one, though I don’t know how he got it.”

“I had heard they were more common in the Dale than elsewhere. Makes sense, considering the tribe that lives here. So, you want to be an adventurer?”

Nami inclined her head in acknowledgment. “That’s right. I cannot see something interesting without wanting to know what it is, or take a closer look at it. I used to drag poor Kin around the woods outside our home on many different expeditions. I guess it was only natural that we progress onto bigger adventures someday. After all, we can only solve the mystery of who got into the Cider barrels so many times. It was our fathers every time.”

Fronicka giggled and glanced back to where the boys were sleeping. “I can understand that. You need to stretch your wings and test yourself. That’s what this trip is for us as well. When were you sure that was what you wanted?”

Nami lay her bow down and pondered. “I know that it was that night five years ago. Kin and I were ten at the time, we got permission to stay up late and watch the stars falling. It was amazing, we saw so many streaks of light, flying across the horizon and out of sight.” Even after all those years, the memory of that night sparked the fire in her heart. “And I got to thinking, where would all those stars go? How many places out there could see them? I knew then, at that moment, I was never going to be content to settle down in one place.”

The eyes of the dusky girl beside her swam in the light of the Firestone. “When you say it like that, it even makes me excited. I guess you asked Kin to go with you?”

Nami giggled as she recalled. “Yes. I turned to him and told him what I wanted. He agreed and he always keeps his promises. Now, after five years of dreaming, we are finally setting off down this road. I want to meet so many new people, explore new places, and have all kinds of adventures.”

“Well, I wish you luck. I am sure you have heard this to death, but do be careful out there. You cannot trust everyone you meet. Now, I’m going to get some sleep myself.”

“Thank you for the advice, Fronicka. I hope we get to meet again on our way back from Crater City. I’ve enjoyed your company, and next time you can tell me more about the Terra Plains.”

Fronicka took the now empty flask and laughed, keeping her voice down as not to wake the boys. “Knowing Kilian, we will be at your Smithy for some weeks, so we could even be there when you come home. I recall it’s not too far from the capital.”

Nami nodded. “It takes a week from Heartsville, so it takes roughly about two and a half weeks in all to get there. But we plan to stop off at Shore Village, a fishing settlement, to warn them of the bandits on the way.”

“That’s nice of you two.” Fronicka patted Nami’s head. “Good night may Xernses guide your hunt.”

Nami frowned at the pat but accepted it. “And may Leo guard your sleep.”

The world fell back into darkness as Fronicka retreated. Nami picked up her bow and resumed her vigil; she was sure she now had two female friends.

***

Kin had taken over the shift around midnight and allowed Nami to get some sleep. She had passed out in the bedroll and knew no more until he shook her awake at dawn. Her eyes snapped open in the dim light and she sat up, rubbing the sleep away. Her vision cleared and noticed Kilian and Fronicka were breaking down the camp. Kin handed her some bread and meat for breakfast and then rushed over to help Fronicka with the horse. Nami wolfed down the food and jumped up to help Kilian load the married couple’s belongings into the cart. The ashen-haired man gave a grateful smile.

“Thank you both, but after last night you guys didn’t need to help with this too.”

Nami shrugged in response. “Instinct more than anything. We have loaded carts for transport to market for years. It’s kind of a reflex at this point.”

Soon, they had loaded the cart, and Kilian and Fronicka embraced the younger couple.

“Thank you again, my friends,” Kilian exclaimed as he broke his hug with Kin and then hugged Nami. “Safe travels.”

“And to you as well, Kilian.” Nami could not help but beam at the delight on the man’s face. “Please give our best to our parents when you see them.”

“Of course we will, Nami.” Fronicka climbed into the cart. “See you in a few weeks, Guardians and Lady willing.”

Nami and Kin stood side by side and watched the cart roll-off, headed for Rootford. Nami felt Kin wrap an arm around her shoulder. “So, ready to see Shore Village?”

Nami nodded, her eyes gleaming. Even her hatred of fish could not dim her enthusiasm to see a new place. “Yes. Let’s go Kin.”

***

It was around midday when Kin and Nami arrived at the fork in the road that led to Shore Village. They stopped to rest for a bit on the side of the path facing the turn-off. As they were standing back up to continue down that path, they found an odd sight. A young woman, not much older than them, came stumbling out of the forest. Nami felt like someone had poured cold water over her head. The woman had many small gashes and marks, blood soaking her clothing and caking her hair.

The woman came stumbling onto the main road and fell to her knees. She seemed to be hyperventilating and Nami knew she needed help, right now. She rushed over, noting Kin was right beside her. The woman glanced up as they approached, her expression surprised. Nami could not hold back the tears at the look in the woman’s eyes, the bright red a little dimmer than it should be. The woman spoke, in a broken and raspy voice.

“P...people. H…help…” Her words cut off and she tried to continue but Kin removed his pack.

“Hold on, ma’am,” he instructed, “you’re in bad shape. We’ll help you.”

Nami was the better medic of the two of them, though she was far from as good as Sigga when it came to attending to wounds. They took out some water and bandages and tended to the worst of her gashes and injuries. She realized the small wounds must be from the teeth of some animal. Once they had bandaged the woman, she watched Kin take out a flask from the supplies Applebeer gave to them. He helped her drink some of the contents.

“What is that?” Nami asked her fiance as he returned the flask to the bag.

“Some mead from Jakob,” came the reply. Kin looked in worry at the woman while she was trying to marshal her thoughts. “It might help steady her long enough to tell us what happened.”

The woman wailed. “Hurry...” She glanced at both of them again. “Hurry, please. My village is being attacked.”