5?

Both Jackson and Fiona were well-adapted to living off the land, thanks to their upbringing. Sami felt bad, as if she was leeching off their support, but, ultimately, this turn of events was perhaps literally a lifesaver for her.

She might still miss some of the finer comforts of home that she hadn’t realized she was taking for granted, but at least now she never had to worry about going hungry or being attacked in her sleep.

Traveling in a group again made Sami think back to the friends she had made during that… quest. Meeting them had been the only positive thing to come out of that experience, and she found herself wondering how they were doing now. It had only been less than a month since then, but the whole thing felt like it had happened an eternity ago.

Even having only experienced it for a few days, Sami missed that unique atmosphere that came from being around them. Hera’s flirty jokes, Mari’s (usually) gentle aura, even Lea’s air of mystery and quiet voice.

On the other hand, while she could already see that Jackson and Fiona were kind-hearted individuals, neither of them were very talkative. Despite how well she and Fiona hit it off when they first met, the beastfolk girl was still shy around her.

More than anything though, she missed her family. Mark, Claudia, and—

It was time to stop thinking about this. Sami raised her eyes back up to the path ahead—she had been staring at the ground as she walked, deep in thought. As she looked up, she couldn’t help but notice that Fiona had been sneaking glances at her, but turned away as soon as they made eye-contact. So cute.

* * *

Days passed. Fiona had quickly noticed Sami’s desire to help out despite her inexperience, so she taught her as best as she could. Lighting fires, setting up temporary shelters against the wind and rain, identifying wild plants that were safe to eat, preparing the meat that they hunted, drying and preserving food…

Sami was a quick learner when it came to these things. Even Jackson acknowledged her adaptability, especially for a pampered noblewoman. If they just had one mage in the group to make their jobs easier with a few handy spells, they would be a perfectly self-sufficient team.

Regardless, travel was relatively smooth. Living and working together broke down boundaries between the three of them, and they shared their stories. Jackson was the last to open up, telling them about the nature and origin of his curse. He, too, had found himself responsible for the deaths of people he had cared about.

Sami and Fiona both felt bad for having this thought, as it somehow seemed disrespectful to the ones they had lost, but… The way Jackson had been able to move on and keep living after his parents’ death gave them hope for their own situations. Maybe one day, the guilt that tormented them would fade.

* * *

Jackson wasn’t used to the unconditional friendship and support that Sami and Fiona provided. It had been so, so long since his friendship with Rowan had been twisted by the power that came with the curse. It was difficult, but he had indeed started to break out of his shell.

On one particular day, he had come back to their camp from where he had been gathering water to find Fiona struggling with a group of monsters—Woodwreckers. Those things loved to gang up on any traveler that they could catch alone.

These red-feathered bird monsters got their name for their nasty habits; while some sharp-beaked birds pecked into trees to dig out edible bugs from under the bark, Woodwreckers were simply addicted to the sensation of pulverizing something solid. They were small, but just one could destroy several trees in a single day.

Considering what they could do to a tree trunk, Fiona was fully aware of what would happen if one hit her. They were clumsy, inaccurate, and took a while to line up a strike, but when they landed one it could pierce through platemail, or break bones.

Fiona had no armor to speak of, and could only make use of her agility to keep moving and stay away from their beaks… however, she knew that it was only a matter of time before she slipped up, and that would be the end. She had her dagger, and could make swipes at any of them that got too close, but it wasn’t enough.

Jackson made quick work of the cruel creatures, felling several members of the flock with each swing of his shadowy blade. The cursed sword had once again saved another life. How ironic.

Relieved, Fiona slumped down to the ground, “Sorry about that,” she told her savior, “I was able to give them a few scratches, but… well, you saw how it was. I can’t do much more than defend myself.”

Jackson was used to people who couldn’t deal with threats themselves… but Fiona was different from the people of his clan. She never intentionally left the work to him or Sami just because she was weaker. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it. You’re safe now, and that’s what matters,” Jackson consoled her.

“Actually…” he continued after a pause, “if you want to get stronger, I could help you practice. I’m sure Sami would be more than willing to help out as well.”

* * *

Weeks passed. Grassy plains gave way to arid deserts as they finally approached the border of Loma. Sami might not have been the best at navigation, but as daughter to the late Duke of Spira, she at least knew where their frontline military base was.

Spira’s military was small by itself, but by joining together with the mage battalions of Crysta and recruiting powerful mercenaries from the surrounding towns, they had formed what was known as the Spira Alliance. They were, at the very least, strong enough to hold back most, if not all, of Loma’s invasions at the border.

But now came one of the more difficult parts of their journey: it was time for them to go their separate ways.

Sami would stay here and fight for the Alliance, while Jackson would cross the border and search for information about his curse in Loma. Because of his heritage, he could pass for one of them without being questioned. Fiona… well, deciding who to go with was her choice.

And it was a difficult choice. Her heart told her to stay with Sami and the military, but Fiona herself, despite how much she had learned during their travels, was not much of a fighter. She could hold her own, but she would still worry about holding others back. At least with Jackson, her safety was guaranteed.

“I could ask them to give you a ride back to Spira City,” Sami told Fiona, touching her hand, “Even though I ran from home, I know my family will make sure you have a place to live if you tell them I sent you. But… it’s up to you.”

Fiona was torn. But in the end, she knew she didn’t want to have to say goodbye just yet, especially for what could be the last time. Not to Sami, and not to… what they had. She would stay.

They solemnly said their farewells to Jackson. To appear less suspicious crossing the border as an outsider in this time of political tensions, he would have to take a rather roundabout way into Loma. Thus, his journey would continue for a while yet, but he was more than strong enough to take care of himself alone.

As he left, he said his final parting words to Fiona and Sami over his shoulder: “Take care of each other. Next time we meet, I hope that it’ll be without this damned sword at my side.”

* * *

Outside the base, they were greeted by a woman with a rather important air about her. It seems that scouts had seen them coming… and Sami, of course, had been recognized. However, rather than giving her the treatment of a deserter, they welcomed her and her companion openly.

The woman brushed aside a few stray hairs that had broken free from the large, red braid over her shoulder, and spoke to Sami directly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you here, so far from Spira City, Lady Locke. I am Commander Isabel Rosen.

“Your brother has temporarily assumed the position of Duke in your absence, but he has made it clear to the people that you are not to be treated as an outcast. The position of Duchess will always be waiting for you if you choose to take it. He will relinquish it to you without question… or so he has told us to tell you.”

Her tone became less official for a moment, “He doesn’t blame you for what happened to your father, nor should anyone else. I myself… am not sure what to think about the situation, but I have my own personal reasons for feeling this way.”

Commander Rosen then led the two of them, Fiona sticking close to Sami out of nervousness, into the compound. “It’s getting late, so I’ll assign you to a place to sleep in the camp for tonight.

“But, before that, there are two guests who have been awaiting your arrival. It’s anyone’s guess how they knew you would be coming, but it seems they took a carriage and made it here before you.”

Rosen pulled aside the heavy cloth that acted as a simple door to a small makeshift building, and inside it was a simple room with only a table and a few chairs.

There was a woman with long, silvery hair standing at the back wall, and in one of the chairs was another woman, with yellow-pink hair, calmly sipping water from a ceramic cup.

“It’s good to see you again, Sami, and hello to your new friend as well. Hera couldn’t be pulled away from her work, unfortunately, but as you can see, I brought Lea along with me. Hopefully, we can be of some use to you,” said Mari, in her usual, and rather welcome to Sami’s ears, soothing voice.