My mother held out on naming the girls as long as she could which turned out to be a month, and while the girls weren't safe from the danger of diseases my mother said she would still cry even if they didn't name them, and by not naming them she would feel worse. My father caved and agreed to her selfish choice of naming them. The first being Abigail, and the second, Brianne. In between my breaks from the training sessions I would go and see the girls and they would make the standard baby noise of goo-goo and ga-ga but I couldn't help smiling at how adorable they were. But the peace wasn't meant to last in the coming weeks the contract that my tutors had signed with my parents would come to an end. Although it wouldn't end my relationship with my tutors as they were heading to the same place I was, the Imperial Academy. My parents weren't to keen on sending me to the capital which was full of strangers but that was where the best education was found. My tutors would be employed at capital as well, and in the case of Sir Henry and Scholar Xenon, they would become teachers at my parent's recommendation, while Lady Erin was to relieve the current doctor after training under him for the year to come. It struck me as strange with how much pull my parents had in the capital but I decided it was just better not to pry, as if it was important, they would've told me beforehand.

…

We had breakfast just like every other day but today was the day I would be leaving for the capital. After today's breakfast, I'd be eating rations, whatever wild game we caught on the way to the capital along with whatever the cooks would buy from towns we passed. I could see servants running back and forth in haste of loading the carriage with my clothes, what assumed was our food rations, money, and whatever munitions they thought we needed for safety. Reaching the entrance of our manor I saw the servants alongside my tutors and the other side being our escorts to the capital a squad of 30 men. The squad consisted of 2 knights, 18 spearmen, and 10 archers, they all wore gambeson and chainmail, not wearing more than needed for travel safety. My gaze was interrupted when my mother came to my side.

"Oh Honeydrop, you'll miss Mama, right?" My mother squatted down and gave me a hard embrace. I swear I could see the tears welling in her eyes but she just gave me a radiant smile.

"Mmmm miss mama already." That was followed by another hug with my father joining in on the fun.

"Do your best, my little soldier." My father gave a hardy laugh along with a pat on the back as he stood up.

I just smiled and told my father that I would.

Oh, wow was all I could think when I saw it. This was the first time it really struck me I was in a different world, I know I read about magical beasts and what not but seeing truly was believing, as what stood before me were black-scaled horses which I hadn't seen before. I mean there were regular horses here too so I just never thought about it, but it would make sense that a magical world would have a magical version of a regular thing. I walked up to the scaled horse and felt its scales.

Whoosh

I could feel a warm breeze overhead, it was the horse looking at me. I dipped my hand into one of my shirt pockets and handed one of my favorite honeyed sweets to the lizard horse to lick from my hand. It happily accepted my gesture and I got to keep rubbing its head as it savored my honeyed sweets. Unbeknownst to me, the people around me just stared into disbelief.

"When did Adam get to Bjorn's side, I could've sworn he was just in your arms."

"He saw the horse and he just slipped between my arms."

Ahem

"Adam, come to papa, I've something to give you before you're on your journey."

I gave the horse one last pat, after all, he'd be my traveling partner so I could always see him again.

"Kay, Papa." I walked back into their embrace.

My father squatted again as he unstrapped the knife at his side, to hand it to me. I inspected the knife as I unsheathed it. It looked like an Italian stiletto one side being sharpened more than its false edge, that would be the side facing its user. I smiled looking at my father's face.

"Papa I practice hard with sword? Why a knife?"

My mother practically burst out laughing which was uncharacteristic of her when she was in public. I could also see the rising blush in my father's face.

Ahem

"You'll have to wait until you're old enough, just keep practicing with the wooden one until then." Papa seemed a little more than irate from my joke.

"Kay Adam listen to papa, strong men protect me. Still want one. You, pinky promise me."

"Pinky promise, and what might that be?"

"Promise never broken."

"But what happens if its’ broken?"

"Lose finger, Papa."

"What! Who told you such a foul promise?"

"Secret papa, don’t want lose finger?"

"Mmmm very well, but don't make those promise lightly it would look bad for noble to go back on his word but if this pinky promise is as serious as you say then it should never be broken."

My father got down on a knee and said.

"I, Christopher Von Drinker, do solemnly swear that when Adam Drinker becomes of age, he shall have a sword to bear. There, happy Honeydrop?"

I gave my father a kiss on the cheek

"Yes, papa is the best after Abigail, Brianne, and Mama."

"What why? I understand your sisters but why am I after Mama?"

"Papa always busy, and mama be sad if last."

"But what if I'm sad?"

"Papa be strong for Abigail, Brianne, and Mama."

He slumped his shoulders from defeat.

"Papa will be strong. Can I get a kissy on the other cheek?"

"Hey, you two I want some kisses too."

My mother said as she brought the girls with her.

I gave everyone a kiss on each cheek and another for my father. My father had a pout on his face but the daylight was burning and he didn't want to delay my journey any longer.

"Vesemir." My father shouted.

An older gentleman in chainmail and gambeson got off his horse to walk upon my father's orders.

"Sir, you called."

"The capital's a fortnight away make sure you keep a steady pace that keeps everyone fit for any dangers that comes your way. You should have ample time to ensure there's no issue with registration and quarters, I want Adam to board so he can mingle with his potential classmates."

"Sir what about the manor, it isn't too far from the Academy. Surely."

"No Vesemir, the character of a person shows truly when there is no one to keep them in check. He will learn, or he will be taught a lesson in discipline when he comes back. Do make sure to send me a report on what he does and how he deals with problems that come his way."

…

I left my home of 4 years about an hour ago, I waved towards my parents the whole time until the manor went out of view due to the foliage. I felt a bit sick in my stomach, it was mainly the carriage rocking back and forth on the road but I would be lying if I wasn't wary of the unknown and away from the comfort of home. But I know my parents wanted what's best for me so I'll follow the path set before me. To the capital here I come.