Once they were out of the mountains, Crystal asked the merchant to stop. With a quick jump, Crystal landed on the ground next to the cart. She motioned for Violet to do the same. Turning to the merchant, Crystal said, “Thank you for your generosity,” and gave a small curtsy.

“Are ye sure ye don’ wan ta travel a bit farder?” The merchant asked.

“No, I wish to see the world for myself,” Crystal declared. “It is not much of a quest to prove myself if I take a comfortable cart ride the whole way.”

“Quite noble, Chief,” the merchant said, nodding. “I wish ye luck.”

With a slap of the reins, the merchant was off. He travelled down a northern, hilly route. Once he was out of reach, Violet removed her helmet and clipped it to a loop on her belt. Her long black hair flowed out as she cracked her neck twice. “Ugh, I hate wearing that stupid helmet.”

“It’s good protection,” Crystal pointed out.

Violet snorted. “Only if I’m stupid enough to get hit in the head.” Violet stretched for a moment before commenting. “‘Comfortable cart ride,’ huh?”

“Shut up,” Crystal said, a smile on her face. “I have to be…chief-like.”

Violet laughed. “Whatever you say. Personally, I woulda liked taking the cart a bit further. We’re gonna have to make it a fair distance before we camp.”

Crystal nodded and looked out over the landscape. Very few trees dotted the landscape for several miles. The land was dotted with hills, and two paths led out of the mountains behind them. The path the merchant had taken led north. The other path led west.

Crystal began walking down the western path. The breeze blew her hair back, and she could not shake a sense of excitement. This is it! I am finally off. Crystal felt as if she were floating. There was no one else on the road, adding to Crystal’s excitement. The trees seemed just a little more green, the road seemed a little brighter, and the sun shone a little brighter. She turned to Violet and said, “Isn’t this exciting?”

“What?” Violet asked.

“This!” Crystal exclaimed pointing at the landscape ahead. “The open road. We’re actually here.” Crystal stopped walking. “I’m sorry. This is just…exciting. I have prepared for this all of my life. Now we are finally here.”

“You knew the council was gonna send you with only one guard?” Violet said with a wry smile.

Crystal gave her a sideways glare. “Okay, I had not prepared for that.” Turning back to the scenery, Crystal continued, “But look at this!” Crystal waved a hand across the landscape again. “It’s beautiful.”

“You act like you haven’t seen it before,” Violet said, stepping up beside Crystal.

Without turning, Crystal said, “I haven’t in four years.”

“What?” Violet asked.

“Do you remember when we were allowed to travel to Mitreis for my seventeenth birthday?”

“Yeah,” Violet responded.

“That was the last time I left the village,” Crystal said, face focused directly ahead.

Violet let out a soft, “Oh,” but did not say anything else. Crystal closed her eyes and felt the sun on her face.