As I rose from my bed, I saw a golden glow streaming through my third-floor bedroom window. Looking outside, I was greeted with a pleasant sight. I watched the sun as it rose over the Vale Domain. It was rising over the distant mountains, the Spine, to the east, painting the estate in a warm golden hue.

As I usually did, I went downstairs to eat breakfast. Upon entering the dining room, I was surprised to see my father, Duke Thorin Vale, waiting for me. His towering presence filled the room, and despite being retired, he still carried himself with a soldier’s discipline. 

“Good morning, Kai,” he said as I sat down at the table.

“Good morning, Father,” I replied, bringing some warm porridge up to my mouth. No doubt it was freshly prepared by our family chef, Kenji, who had been serving our family since before I was born.

“I have something to tell you,” my father began, “There’s been a report of bandit activity throughout the past week from a village near the southern coast of the Vale Domain called Greenhaven. I’m going to go check on it, and I would like you to come with me.”

I was taken aback by the request, not only was my father retired but I had also been kept far away from any real danger for my entire life. If some bandit activity required a Duke, then I couldn’t help but wonder if it related to the rising military tensions. Despite the strange circumstances of my father’s request I was also eager for the opportunity to prove myself. Nonetheless, my curiosity got the best of me.

I raised an eyebrow. "But, Father, isn't this a job for the Guardians?"

He let out a deep laugh. "Ah, Kai, the Guardians are great and all, but sometimes, the best defense requires a personal touch. Reminding the bandits, and any potential attackers, that House Vale cares about their people is as strong a defense as any. After all, it’s good to remind the people of our presence, since you and I have been away for so long" my father added with a smirk.

I smirked back and nodded eagerly. Going on a trip like this with my father would prove to be an invaluable experience, after all, he used to be a 5-Star Guardian and Captain.

“Good, get ready and meet me out the front of the manor within the hour. The journey will take us around a day and a half, so pack rations and shelter accordingly. Also, expect combat.”

“Yes, Father” I replied, attempting, and failing, to keep a grin off my face at the sudden change in my plans for the day. 

I rushed up to my room and began to pack. I strapped Mistral to my waist and grabbed the storage cloak that Arden bought me on my 11th birthday. I packed a tent and 4 days' worth of rations and water within my cloak. Finally, I slipped a golden ring, bejeweled with diamonds, onto the middle finger of my left hand. As I looked at the ring, a shielding artifact that was gifted to me by Blake, I thought of his position and reminded myself of the final words he imparted to us. If I wanted to become a Guardian, I had to not only become more powerful but also get used to prioritizing the safety of the entire continent of Arboreus over House Vale.

Feeling satisfied with what I’d packed, I went outside to meet my father. His outfit consisted of a blend of black and silver leather armor and a cloak to conceal his weapon. Like me, my father wielded a sword, gifted to him by his parents. It was all black, including the blade, aside from a beautiful blue sapphire embedded into the guard, as well as House Vale’s crest engraved into the pommel. It was named Zephyrus. 

“Is that all you’re bringing? You are aware we will have to make the journey both ways, right?” He let out a throaty chuckle and smirked at his own joke. 

“Don’t worry, this is plenty, we don’t all need as much food as you to keep going.” My father’s smirk soured quickly. “Plus, I have food, water, and a tent within this cloak, it possesses immense storage. Do you not remember? You were there when Arden gifted it to me.”

“Ah, it seems my age is getting to me. Very well then, get onto your horse, and let's get moving before I change my mind about bringing you.” My father replied.

“Yes, sir!” I answered, with a hint of laughter seeping through and a grin on my face.

We set off on our journey, riding south, towards the small village of Greenhaven. After a few hours on horseback, we could see the Verdantia Forest, known for its high population of treants and dryads. Despite Greenhaven being in the forest, it was not very deep and as a result, dryads were rarely seen in the small town. Only a sliver of the Verdantia Forest actually went through the Vale Domain, near the south coast.

The sun was shining high in the sky and birds were chirping in the trees. I was admiring the sound of wildlife and the peaceful swaying of trees due to the warm summer breeze when my father spoke up. "The sun is setting," he said. "We should find a place to set up camp for the night."

We continued riding, and soon, my father found a small clearing by a stream. He stopped and gestured to the area. "This will do, let's set up here. Go and search for firewood."

I quickly got to work, gathering firewood and setting up my tent. My father started a fire once I brought back the firewood, and we sat around it, eating some dried meat that I had packed. We talked about our journey and reminisced about old memories. As the night went on, we both drifted off, lulled to sleep by the sound of the river and the crackling of the fire.

I jerked up, a feeling of anxiety consumed my body, it seemed to be the middle of the night. I stepped out of my tent, our fire had gone out since we fell asleep, only faint embers remained. As I rubbed my eyes, I thought I could make out a humanoid figure standing by a tree. I stood up, and slowly approached it, my hand on the hilt of Mistral, just in case. 

As I got closer, I confirmed that the shape was real, and I could sense a large amount of mana gathered around it. The figure stepped forward, revealing itself to be a beautiful dryad with long, glowing, green hair and blue eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness. 

"Who are you?" I asked, wary of the stranger's mystical presence.

"I am a simple dryad of this forest," she said, her voice soft. "I have come to warn you. Tomorrow, at Greenhaven, you will encounter the bandits who attacked the village, none must be allowed to live. And you, Kai Vale, you must be careful. Do not reveal your name to them, this should soften the consequences, should any escape. If you do not heed this advice, I fear the fall of this continent may be imminent."

I was taken aback by the dryad's words.

How does she know my name? Who is she? I needed to find out.

"How do you know my name?" I asked, my knuckles whitening as I tightened my grip on Mistral's hilt.

"I know many things," she said, her blue eyes shining. 

With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me with a feeling of unease and distrust. I quickly rekindled the fire and settled back down in my tent, but I was unable to get back to sleep, feeling that I was being watched.

We continued moving early the next morning. The forest seemed to glow under the rising sun. Despite the idyllic surroundings, I could sense an unsettling tension in my father’s posture. The casual demeanor he wore around family was gone, he was on a mission, and his soldier’s discipline was showing.

We rode for hours, getting deeper into the Verdantia Forest, the trees were getting larger and the underbrush thicker. Despite the difficulties in navigating through the forest, my father’s years of experience as a soldier came in handy and we were on track to make it before sunset. 

"Father," I queried, "would it not be easier to build a road through the forest to facilitate easier transportation between villages?"

"In theory, a road would make things quicker and safer," my father acknowledged, "however, the treants and dryads won't permit it. Although they are part of the Vale Domain, they won't stand by idly while we cut down trees in the Verdantia Forest." My father's tone remained low, and the tension in his posture was still evident.

Finally, we emerged from the forest and onto the outskirts of the village on a nearby hill overlooking the settlement. The sun was beginning to disappear behind the tree line, encouraging us to hurry down the hill and towards the village, Greenhaven.