The morning after the going away party, I woke up with a heavy heart. I didn't want to leave Luminia, and the memories I had created here with Arden, Eira, and Blake. But, I didn’t really have a choice in the matter, my father and I had already packed our things and were just about ready to depart from the marble city.

"Kai, it's time," my father called out to me.

"I know," I replied, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

I put on the cloak gifted to me by Arden, the dark material going well with my scarlet red eyes. I strapped Mistral to the left side of my waist, ready to draw at any time. I admired the golden ring on my left hand, glittered with diamonds. These gifts reminded me of the memories and bonds I had formed in this city, surrounded by the grand, ever-growing, white marble walls.

As we began to make our way out of our Luminian home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness wash over me. I didn't want to leave this place that I had come to love so much.

"Kai, I know this is hard, but we have to go back home for a bit," my father said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Your mother misses you and it's time for you to be with your family for a while."

"I know, Father," I said, "But I don't want to leave Luminia. Despite everything I’ve learned, I don’t feel ready."

"You can always come back here for your formal education," my father reminded me, "And remember that the Guardians are based in Luminia. The opportunities in Luminia are endless, and you can come back here anytime you want.. after you spend some time at home."

I sighed, knowing that my father was right. I needed to go back home and be with my family, and I would have the opportunity to return to Luminia in the future.

"Thank you, Father," I said, genuinely grateful.

We boarded the carriage outside the Vale mansion, the same carriage that brought us to Luminia 5 years ago. It still bore the Vale crest and I felt a rush of pride as I remembered the history and prestige that came with the Vale name. My father took the seat in the front, next to the driver, whereas I sat in the back, next to our belongings and the tents we planned on using during the trip. 

The streets of Luminia were as hectic as always while we made our way to the main gate. As we traversed the streets, we passed by stalls selling a variety of goods. I saw a satyr bartering with a dwarf over an iron chest plate with a ruby embedded in the middle. A nearby group of elves huddled together, discussing something in hushed tones that I couldn’t quite make out over the sounds of clanging metal, animals braying, and vendors shouting.

We eventually arrived at the main gate, where two guards stood on either side. A satyr on the right and a dwarf on the left. They both saluted us as we approached. "Good morning, Duke Vale, will you be leaving today?" the guard on the left inquired, eyeing the crest on our carriage.

My father, Duke Thorin Vale, nodded in response. "Yes, we're on our way back to the Vale Domain."

"Very well, my lord," the dwarven guard replied. "Is it just the two of you and your driver?"

"Yes, this is my son, Kai." my father said as the dwarf signaled for the large, white marble gate to be opened. 

“Ahh, you hear that?” The satyr said while looking over at the dwarf, “This is the famed Kai Vale, youngest son of the Vales, student to that Guardian who passed through here the other day.”

Blake was here?, I mused, curious as to where his deployment was taking him.

My father smiled, “We’re all very proud of the man that Kai is shaping up to be.”

“I’m sure you are, I would be ecstatic if my kid had half the talent of yours.” The dwarven guard replied. “Well anyway, that's beside the point, safe travels to you and your son, my lord.”

The massive gate slowly creaked open and we continued on our journey. I couldn't wait to get back home and see my mother again. But at the same time, my chest was heavy at the thought of leaving Luminia and all the memories I had created there.

I found it interesting that the gate was closed before we arrived. While we did have to get approved by the guards at the main gate when we first arrived here 5 years ago, the gate was kept open unless there was an emergency. Security had been increasing all over Arboreus, even within the Vale Domain, for the last decade. Or so I overheard adventurers say one day while I was walking past an inn on my way home from the training grounds.

The journey back to the Vale Domain would take nearly two full days, even on the main roads that went straight to the Vale Domain. 

As the sun began to set on the first day of our journey, I was thinking about the place Luminia held in my heart. Those were some of the happiest years of my life and I was already looking forward to the day when I could return.

Early on the second day of our journey, we crossed from the Sylvanmore Domain to the Vale Domain. Once we were only a few hours away from the Vale Estate, we could see Cedarfall, the small town that used to be run by Eira Luthien’s father and is now run by her oldest brother. I was curious about him, but both my father and I were eager to return home so we wouldn’t be in Cedarfall for long.

As we approached Cedarfall, the first thing that struck me was the sweet, woodsy scent of the surrounding forests, the first real sign that I was finally home in the Vale Domain. The town was located near the edge of a dense cedar forest, and I could see the tall trees reaching high into the sky on the other side of the town. 

While Cedarfall did not have a large wall or gate like Luminia, there were still guards stationed incrementally around the edge of the town. They wore the Vale crest on their chest, the same crest that adorned our carriage. My father, Duke Thorin Vale, was recognized straight away as we approached the guard stationed on the main road that acted as the primary entrance to Cedarfall.

"Greetings, Duke Vale," the guard spoke as he greeted us with a deep bow of respect. “You have been out of the Vale Domain for some time now, 5 years if I recall correctly, may I ask what brings you to Cedarfall today?”

"We are returning to the Vale Estate," my father answered. "As you said, our travels have been long and we are eager to return home and see our family."

"Understood, my lord," the guard said with a nod. "May your journey be safe and swift."

The guard stepped aside, granting us passage. The road changed from the rough dirt trail we had been traversing to a beautifully cobbled street as we entered Cedarfall.

The streets were lined with wooden stalls, each one selling a variety of goods from food to weapons and armor. I could smell fresh meat being cooked and pastries being baked. 

I noticed a group of satyrs and dwarves huddled together, they were likely a group of adventurers, in town to stock up on supplies. The satyrs had goat-like legs in sharp contrast with their human-like upper bodies. The adventurers were beckoning at a group of elves in light armor, another team of adventurers I assumed, likely trying to propose that the two groups merge for a dungeon or dangerous task of some sort. That seemed to be the primary reason for interaction between different groups of adventurers. 

A second later, my eyes were drawn to a beautiful dryad standing at one of the bakery stalls further down the road. Her hair was a beautiful autumn orange, and her skin was pale. Her eyes were a vibrant green, like a lush forest in the spring. She was gracefully picking out a pastry from the stall. The dryad was gentle as she interacted with the woman running the stall, her voice soft and soothing. 

I watched as the dryad took a bite of her pastry, a smile spreading across her face as she savored the taste. The baker beamed with pride as the dryad enjoyed her creation. The two of them chatted for a few more moments before the dryad bid her farewell, heading in the direction of the Verdantia Forest, where most dryads lived. 

Witnessing that short encounter was a peaceful reminder of the diversity that still exists in our world.

Dryads were very rarely seen in major cities such as Luminia, and while not as common as elves or humans, they were seen with relative frequency in smaller towns such as Cedarfall, despite not permanently residing in these towns. The variety of species in Cedarfall was truly remarkable, and it was clear that this town was a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. Though I had still yet to come across a treant or giant at any point in my life, despite my father's insistence that he had befriended many. 

As we continued on our way, I couldn't help but think about how different Cedarfall was from the bustling city of Luminia. Here, there was a sense of peace and tranquility that was simply not present in the larger city. 

As we drew closer to the Vale Estate, my heart swelled with excitement. I may have enjoyed my time in Luminia, but I missed my childhood home and family dearly. The rolling hills near the Vale Estate were a sight for sore eyes, and the familiar aroma of the wildflowers in the air made me feel at peace. Our carriage trundled up the drive, passing the gardens and orchards surrounding the manor. We finally pulled to a stop in front of the great, golden brown, doors of the Vale Manor, and I could hardly contain my excitement.