The rain passed after a day, another would pass before we would head out. While we were still in town, I decided to make the most of it I would enjoy another of the brambleberry and talon melon crepes. I also had a chance to practice with Sir Henry again, it was rougher than usual, it could've been my mind as it had been a week since I properly trained with him or he could've been bored either way it felt harder than usual. Scholar Xenon gave me an open book test, which I aced, and then he gave me another test without help and while I did well enough it wasn't what I did before. He ended giving me more study material to shore up what he saw as my weakness. Lady Erin was satisfied with where I was at during my time under her so she had me get some firsthand experience by helping her with some poultices, more of what was applied to my feet. I ended up crushing freshly steamed Nermal, a plant that looks similar to purple corn. Its main use was as a numbing agent and its extract was mainly used as a paralyzing poison. We would be using this for the numbing, to make it easier for the soldiers when we started marching again. The day went by slowly but it was close to sunset when we finished. Lady Erin bought me some food and we were headed back to the inn to sleep. When I got to the inn, I had Vesimir send someone to buy fruits so I would have something sweet to eat besides my candies.

The next day everything was packed and ready by the time Captain Vesimir woke me up. Some parts were still muddy but the breeze felt nice through the window in the carriage. I tried to enjoy the view when I noticed one of our scouts pulling back towards us, I could see him talking to the Captain but he just shook it off and sent the scout away, after which he pulled towards me.

"Young master, our scouts spotted what they believe to be bandits in the area."

"Make sure we ready to fight if they come."

We come onto an intersection where we are met by another noble. To which they sent a messenger to us to let them and their company pass first. I tell Vesimir to let them go ahead since we did see possible bandits and it would be safer to be at the back since we would be able to pull away. The messenger is sent back with the warning of the possible bandit sighting. The noble and the entourage pass through, to which we give them wide berth, the noble sends us a bottle of fine wine as thanks not that I could drink it. I told the servants to keep it safe, so that they could send it back home once I was settled in the Capital. The bandits never did show up but between the noble and our armed guards, I think we were safe from most things. Turns out that the noble was headed towards the capital not that the road lead to much else with it at the end of the road and you know what they say, safety in numbers. We would stay in each other's company for the remainder of our trip although we still camped far enough away from each other for safety precautions. Another day's journey done and back to the tranquility of sleep.

The next day was the same, but after today we would be back on track if the rain never came. But currently we were behind 2 days our assumed schedule but it seemed that we had left early enough that we didn't have to rush to our destination. It seemed our pace was also slowed by those in front of us since we should've arrived in town but that night. We camped at the base of the forested hill. That evening I finally saw the noble or rather his wife and children. The girl looked older than me just from how big she was but the boy must've been close to my age if not younger. When the noble found out I was traveling on my own her maternal instincts must've kicked in as she invited me and my teachers along with the captain to their camp for dinner. It was cooked with the collaboration of both sides' chefs. They brought out some wine for the older group and we had the fruit salad much to the enjoyment of the siblings, the main course ended up being jerky soup, pickled vegetables, and a poached egg. While we were eating the boy worked up his courage and walked to me.

"Hi, m-my name’s Damian Stein, what's your name?"

"Hi Damian, my name is Adam Drinker." I go for a handshake which is met with a confused stare.

"Ah, you put your hand here and we shake."

"Oh, ok then."

After successfully doing our handshake he asks me if I like my trip so far.

"It's ok but a bit boring." Although I can tell he wasn't really interested in my answer as he is staring at Bjorn.

"Want to touch him?"

"Can I?" He gives me an intense stare of excitement.

"You can, but you should ask your mother first."

As if on cue, his sister and mother come up to me.

"And what secret talk are we having here boys?"

"Yeah Damian, why aren't you introducing me to your new friend?"

"He said his name was …" he gives me a flustered look as he forgot my name likely because he was focused on his introduction and the handshake bit.

"I'm Adam, I saw Damian like Bjorn my father's Shadowscale Horse, he wants to touch."

"That's quite the dangerous idea there Adam, I hear that Shadowscale horses are an aggressive breed of horses."

"Maybe the race but Bjorn never hurt me." To make my point I walk towards Bjorn who kneels down to receive one of my candies as I brush his mane with my hand.

"Oh my, he looks quite well trained isn't he." Noticing the interest of the group Captain Vesimir walk up and washes away their enthusiasm.

"That horse is usually more hard-headed unless it's towards Adam."

"Truly that's a bit disappointing, I was looking forward to brushing its mane. It's a beautiful stallion."

"Mom, can I go? Adam said it was ok to me earlier."

"Mom, if Damian gets to touch the horse I want to too."

"Captian Vesimir can you escort my children."

"Of course. Let's go children."

As I'm brushing Bjorn, he abruptly stands back up. It would seem that he wouldn't allow just anybody to touch him. He was obviously not happy about the idea of strangers touching him but I give the two siblings some of my honeyed sweets which do change the horse's mind. After petting Bjorn, the two runs back to their mother and excitedly tell her about their experience even though she was in sight of them the whole time. That night was a happy occasion for the siblings as it would seem that this was their first time traveling away from home like me but their father wanted one of the parents to be there and obviously, he couldn't go as he needed to manage the land. After talking to Damian and his sister some more it seems that the reason, they are going to the capital is for the same reason as me, to enroll in the imperial academy. The next day we made it to the town in about an hour and the reason we couldn't see it was due to the trees around the town and its higher vantage point obscuring it from the bottom of the road. The day was another break for the soldiers while Stein family wanted me to accompany their shopping along with lunch and dinner as well. Captain Vesimir along with some soldiers from both families made sure to escort our company, to which they stayed at distance to give users the idea that we were traveling in town by ourselves. The day was passed by nicely, now we only had roughly 3 more days until we reached the capital.