Jasper felt a solemness overtake him as he looked at himself in the mirror in his room. His long anticipated quest was actually happening. 

His golden hued tunic was embroidered with elegant craftsmanship. If the sun could have been turned into a piece of fabric, Jasper imagined it would look like his tunic. He was a son of Lumen, after all. It only made sense that he represented the City of Light on his quest in any way he could. 

Next, Jasper slipped brown leather bracers onto each wrist. The right bracer dawned a golden, stitched sun that sat in the middle of the deep brown leather. It was yet another gentle reminder of his home; the city he would one day govern just like his father. 

Once the bracers were settled onto his wrists, Jasper picked up his gloves. As he slid the glove onto his right hand first, he noticed a fleck of dirt on his palm. 

“Strange,” Jasper said quietly to himself. “I’m usually better about scrubbing the dirt from my hands.” 

He scratched at the spot for a moment, and when the small spot didn’t budge, Jasper shrugged and continued to put both brown gloves on. Jasper was told the gloves were made from a special material that would keep his hands warm during the cold nights. He flexed his fingers a few times, trying to adjust to the thick textile. The gloves would only serve a purpose while traveling. There was no way Jasper would be able to shoot his bow or wield his sword effectively while wearing them.

Lastly, Jasper gathered his shoulder length hair and pulled it back. He fastened one of Keirian’s leather ties around the ponytail, though a few wayward strands framed either side of his face.

“Jasper!” Ryker bounded up to his big brother and skidded to a stop right in front of him. “Whoa, you look weird.” 

Jasper chuckled and ruffled Ryker’s hair. 

“Good weird or bad weird?” 

“I don’t know. Grown up weird.” 

“Well, he is about to embark on a very grown-up journey,” Kade said, approaching both of his sons with his husband following behind. He wrapped one boy in each arm and hugged them close to his sides. Ryker squirmed out of Kade’s grasp almost instantly, letting out an affronted huff. 

“Daddy! You’re being weird!” 

“What’s with everyone being weird today?” Kade asked, keeping Jasper squeezed firmly in an embrace. 

“Yeah, Ryker. Maybe you’re the weird one,” Jasper sassed. 

“Alright, my weird family,” Keirian chuckled, “We have to get Jasper ready to leave soon.” 

Keirian guided his sons and husband from Jasper’s room to one of the studies down the hall.

“I’m pretty much ready,” Jasper shrugged. “Except for my bag. And my belt. And my weapons. And my map.” 

“So you’re not ready. Idiot.” Ryker rolled his eyes. 

Keirian narrowed his eyes at his youngest son. 

“Don’t speak like that, Ryker.” 

“You called Daddy an idiot the other day!” 

“I’m allowed. He’s my husband. And was being an idiot.”

“Hey!” Kade cried. 

“Shh,” Keirian cooed, reaching his hand to cover Kade’s mouth. “No talking. Just be pretty.” 

Jasper found himself letting out a genuine laugh; the first moment of levity he felt since earlier that afternoon. It was a nice change of pace from the constant tension surrounding his imminent departure, but at the same time, it made the fact that he was about to leave his beloved family behind even harder.

“We have all your gear ready. Let us help you prepare,” Keirian said.  

Jasper nodded and eyed the gear his parents had laid out on a table. Kade picked up the quiver and busied himself with carefully loading in arrows one by one. Jasper grabbed his belt and fastened it around his waist before hooking his bag to one of the loops. Keirian handed Jasper items to fill his bag and the pouches on his belt, but hesitated when there was one item left: the Dragonguard parcel from Viktor.

“Dad,” Jasper said, watching as Keirian eyed the parcel. Jasper half expected his father’s intense gaze to bore a hole through the canvas. “You already went through everything inside yesterday.” 

“I know, but I still don’t trust him,” Keirian mumbled, mostly to himself. 

“But I need that map, at the very least.” Jasper spoke in a gentle voice as he laid his hand on Keirian’s shoulder. Keirian sighed deeply and nodded, holding the parcel out to Jasper. 

“You would have detected anything else suspicious,” Kade reassured his husband as he set to strapping the quiver around Jasper. Jasper adjusted the strap around his chest so it was just tight enough before tucking his bow on his back.

Keirian responded with a small noise that sounded agreeable and turned his attention to Jasper’s shield. Keirian picked up the shield and waved his hand over the polished wood, his hand glowing a soft pink. It was another item sent by Viktor, and though Keirian was certain it was devoid of any dark magic, he couldn’t help but check for a second time.

“Are you sure this isn’t too much for you to carry?” Kade asked as Keirian handed the shield to their son. Jasper slotted the shield against his back behind the bow and quiver. 

“It’s not too heavy. Besides, I’ve been strength training for a whole year. I would be a pretty poor excuse for a knight if I couldn’t carry my own weapons.”

“You’re not strong enough to carry a dragon, though!” Ryker piped up from where he sat cross legged on the floor, watching his fathers and brother. 

“I’m sure Jasper will do just fine,” Keirian said, taking a step back to look over his son from head to toe. Jasper was almost fully prepared. There was only one thing missing from the young man’s equipment.

“Kade,” Keirian nodded towards his husband. Apparently that was all Kade needed to hear, and he swiftly exited the room. When he returned merely moments later, he carried a sheathed sword with a glimmering silver hilt. Kade held the weapon out for Jasper who stared up at his father in slack-jawed awe.

“Dad. Wasn’t this yours? How is it holding up after all of this time?” 

“Well, it was never really used much. And your father and I had Cora polish and sharpen it up.” Kade chuckled and rubbed the side of his neck. “You know that I never was much for adventuring after I arrived here in Lumen with you as an infant. To be honest, I wasn’t much of an adventurer before that either. But circumstances being what they were…”