The road from Kimas to the village was peaceful, surrounded by green hills and trees full of life. Eleanor’s village was north of the city, so they only had to stay alert in case a monster appeared, although none were too dangerous. The journey passed calmly, with the birds’ singing and the creaking of the cart wheels filling the silence as they moved along the dirt road.

Yadiel had settled on his back over some sacks, with his arms behind his neck as if he could fall asleep at any moment.
Daiki remained calm and silent as always, probably attentive to the slightest sound of some creature approaching, while Caín drove the cart in silence.
Alana, who was sitting beside Eleanor, tried to calm her, speaking to her gently like an older sister who does not want to seem like one.

Alana: How long has it been since you last returned to your village?

Alana asked with a soft smile, while playing with a blade of grass between her fingers. Eleanor, who was looking toward the horizon of the road with a nostalgic expression, replied:

Eleanor: Almost a year. I came to the city thinking it would be a couple of months… but the church forced me to stay longer, since I could not properly control my magic. Although at least I was able to write to my family...

Alana: They must be eager to see you. Especially your little sister. What’s her name?

Eleanor: Nera. She’s twelve, but she acts as if she were older. She is… special. As if the village were too small for her. Although everyone there is one big family. —she said smiling—

Alana: Then she’ll get along with me —Alana joked—. I grew up surrounded by brothers and sisters. I know how it feels.

Eleanor looked at the boys curiously:

Eleanor: Hey, and do you have siblings?

Yadiel: Yes, you could say so. Though none as serious as that tree over there. —he said, pointing at Daiki with his chin—. I bet he doesn’t even smile at his brothers.

Daiki glanced at him sideways with a sharp look but said nothing until, after the girls’ insistent stare, he finally gave in.

Daiki: Two younger brothers.

Eleanor: That I did not expect.

Alana: And do you speak to them in monosyllables too, or do you grant them the luxury of full sentences?

Eleanor laughed for the first time since they had read that letter. It was a shy and brief laugh, but sincere. And she was not the only one laughing, since Caín also seemed to laugh.
After that, Yadiel sat up slightly from his corner.

Yadiel: And what kind of wine do they have in your village? If the dwarf wants it, it’s probably quite good.

Eleanor: It’s sweet. They add some herbs that grow in the area. Now, if I remember correctly, it’s harvest season, so they usually have a lot of work. There are few bottles and a lot of demand.

Yadiel: If that’s the case, we can sell it ourselves. Think about it, we could earn quite a bit, even buy our own tavern... or at least a nice barn to sleep in.

Alana: That explains why Wilbur was so kind to lend us the cart and insisted we hurry. He only thinks about his business.

Eleanor (smiling): In fact, the elders tell a legend where that drink was able to bring down dragons and tame the fiercest creature of all. Although that story is more for children, it actually sells more because it supposedly cures bone pain.

Daiki (grumbling): That dwarf does not want to cure bones, he wants gold. If he sells each bottle at triple the price with that excuse, even Father Theren will start limping on purpose. And if whoever hears that story finds out, who knows how much more he could raise the price.

Yadiel: Perfect. A drink with character and… interesting side effects. —Yadiel replied, lying back down with a smile.

Eleanor continued, smiling: I don’t think it’s very interesting. It only upsets my stomach. That time I tried it, I spent the night talking to the gods in the bathroom.

Caín (from the driver’s seat): If it’s that special, that explains why the nobles bought it. After a few glasses, even their marital problems must have seemed interesting.

Alana laughed: And how do you know so much about noble parties, little city guard? Did you sneak into the bishop’s banquets?

Caín (pretending to be offended): I guarded the entrance... and perhaps strategically tasted some of what was left over.

Daiki (mockingly): Of course! As skinny as you are, they probably let you eat because they mistook you for a fork.

The conversation continued for a while between laughs, except Caín, who tried to scold Daiki but received no response to his attempts to start a quarrel.

The cart continued moving along the dusty road, carrying with it that brief moment of joy before reaching the village and facing what awaited them.