The bell on the front door rang, and Taft went to check on the potential customer. Benj was standing just inside the door, soaking wet from head to toe. "Can you get me a towel, please?" Benj asked, "I don't want to get water over everything."

Taft brought him a towel that he wrapped around himself. After drying off and eating some food, he realized he still had to tell Sephus he was leaving.

The old wooden stairs creaked with memories of a past life. A life Benj had put behind him piece by piece as each day aged him further into the person he was becoming. He stood in front of the door to the room he had stood in front of so many times before. This time was possibly the last. He was there not as the street urchin taken in out of charity but as someone strong from a good upbringing, strong from failures as much as successes. He loved Sephus as a father and knew he was about to tell him that his son was about to leave.

He knocked. "It's open," Sephus said. Benj cracked the door open wider and wider, peeking through with only one eye open. Better to see something you can't unsee with just one eye. Sephus was dressed. Benj relaxed.

"What is it, boy?" He asked, lounging in his chair, turning a ring over in his hand. Benj took a breath to say something, but Sephus said something first.

"I was about your age when I met my first wife," he said, "She was a beautiful redhead, and you know what they say about redheads?"

"I think so," Benj walked in further and shut the door behind him.

"Well, that wasn't true for her," Sephus said. "The fifteen years we had together before she died, I had seen her lose her temper only once. It was when she was pregnant with our son. I had taken the leg off of her chair to sand it down. The chair was a little lopsided, so I had the leg in my hand, fixing it when she sat. I didn't have time to say anything. All I could do was watch her as she sat and fell backward." He started laughing. "She chased me around the house with a knife, yelling at me until she was out of breath."

"I can't imagine that was the only time you pissed her off," Benj supposed out loud.

"What do you want, boy?" Sephus asked.

"I'm leaving," Benj admitted at last.

"Perfect, bring me back some onions and mushrooms," Sephus reached into his coin bag.

"I'm leaving town," he corrected.

"Then bring me back some out-of-town onions and mushrooms."

"I'm not sure when or if I'll be back."

"You taking the other one?"

"No."

"Good, but he is your apprentice."

"He's making a wedding cake tomorrow under my supervision. If it's good, I'll graduate him or certify him or whatever it's called." Benj said with a wave of his hand. "If it's not good, we'll be up all night until it is."

"You can't graduate him until he's of age," Sephus contradicted him.

"It's not hard to follow a recipe," Benj stated.

"I'll give you that, but it's still not lawful to beat someone else's apprentice," Sephus declared.

"Then, don't beat him!"

"What if he's out of line?"

"You've never beat anyone in your entire life."

"I suppose not," Sephus said thoughtfully. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow," Benj answered, "I'll pack up my things as soon as the cake is finished."

"Aren't you invited to the wedding where they're serving the cake? It's in two days, right?" After seeing the look on Benj's face, he understood. "Oh, leaving before the wedding and not after."

"Yes."

"Where will you go?"

"Probably the city."

"Which one?"

"Which one do you recommend? I was just going to walk until I found a good place to settle down."

"I'll see about getting you a horse so you're not walking," he stated. "Do you want a big city or something small like here?"

Benj explained that he had no idea what he wanted because the village life was all he knew. He tried articulating his preference for a new home, but "good food" and "a good place to swim" were hardly distinguishable qualifiers.

"The way I see it, you have three options," Sephus offered. "Thannon, Faerwin, or Royal City."

"So, which one is better?" Benj asked, ready to make a quick selection.

"Depends on how you want to die, in my opinion," Sephus said and, after a moment, continued. "In Faerwin, you're likely to be killed by pirates or accidentally insulting a fisherman who always feels like he's not respected enough for all of his hard work. Honestly, how hard is lounging around in your boat all day with a line in the water? Anyway, there's a good chance you'll also be stabbed by a drunk or a prostitute. Thannon is pretty much the same. In Royal City, you are more likely to be killed by a thief. They have a lot of them there. A noble will kill you if they feel like your eyes lingered on their wife for too long. They can get away with it by simply flourishing a fake little story. There are assassins. They don't like working for free, so don't piss anyone off that can afford it... You can also get stabbed by a drunk or a prostitute. Mostly, just don't mess with drunks or prostitutes. Be careful of the guard. They'll kill you and call it the king's work.

"They're each about a seven-day ride from here, but they're close to each other. So, if you don't like one place, it's about a several-day ride to the other... Do you like fish?"

"What?" Benj asked.

"Do you like eating fish? Sephus asked clearly.

"Not particularly," Benj admitted.

"Then I would choose Royal City," Sephus announced his recommendation. "It's a little cleaner and smells better. Don't get me wrong, it still stinks, but there aren't as many decaying fish lying in random places."

"Okay, Royal City, then," Benj said, wishing he wasn't leaving or that staying didn't hurt so much.

"Just follow the sunset. You're going to need money," Sephus reached into his top drawer and pulled out a handful of half talents. "I've been saving these for such an occasion."

"Thanks, I have money, though," Benj said, "I'll have about three talents after I buy my shoes."

"You're going to need it for taxes, tolls, room, supplies...," Sephus started ticking off fingers.

"Supplies for what?" Benj interjected.

"For when you start your own bakery. So, don't spend it all on hooch and loose women." Sephus said, probably from experience.

"This means a lot," Benj took the coins. "Thank you,"

"Why are you wet?" Sephus asked.

"I had the most amazing time with the woman of my dreams two days before her wedding," Benj said wistfully.

"Well, it's a good thing you're leaving then. Situations like that only lead to trouble and running home in your undershorts."

"Thanks again, Sephus."

"Don't mention it, boy. Now get into some dry clothes and get dinner going."

"Taft is on it already."

"What's he making?"

"I don't know, but something tells me you're going to complain about it." Benj said with a smirk, "Or die trying."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The following day, Benj woke up early, went to the kitchen, and laid out three large mixing bowls on the counter. He then made breakfast, sat, and ate while Taft walked in to find the kettle was already hot.

"Taft!" He announced abruptly, startling Taft, "Today is your final test before I graduate you as my apprentice."

"Don't I have to be of age first before you can do that?"

"No, all you need to do is make this cake." Benj pointed at an empty cake pan. "We'll cross the other bridges when we come to them. Does that sound easy enough?"

"Sure."

"Well, it won't be," Benj paused, waiting a few heartbeats before continuing. "Okay, let's get started. We have to make a cake for fifty people. The cake in question is going to be our least expensive option. What recipe are you going to use?"

Taft slowly reached for a recipe book while looking at Benj for approval of his selection. He found stone features. Benj wasn't going to share anything or help in the slightest. Taft took a book out and flipped through the pages until he found the one he wanted and pointed.

"Okay," Benj said, "Not my first choice, but a few nuts in a wedding cake isn't unheard of. However, we are making the most inexpensive cake possible. So, are you going to use this recipe and leave out the nuts, or are you going to find a different recipe?

Taft scanned the recipe, flipped forward a few pages, and then returned to the nut cake. "I'll do this one."

How many layers will you use?"

"If I make two layers and use the large pan, it'll be perfect," Taft said with a smile.

Benj stared blankly.

Taft's smile faded. So, I'll make it three layers."

"Good," Benj approved. "Nuts can sometimes add their own oil to the texture, so just be cognizant of that. You may or may not need to add extra oil. This cake is in your hands. I'll be back." He left before he headed to the shoemaker's house.

William sat outside smoking a pipe, staring blankly at the wooden goblin holding a sign that read, "Leather, Shoes, and Repairs," when Benj walked up.

"Good morning!" Benj greeted.

William held up a finger and went into the house. A moment later, he came out holding a knife and said, "Give me your shoes."

"These?" Benj said, pointing towards his feet.

"Yes, your boots are ready, and you're going to throw those away anyway, right?"

"I suppose," Benj said and took off his shoes.

William took them and put them on the wooden goblin, making cuts in the back of the shoes to slide them on. After making a few adjustments, he walked around it and was satisfied. "Let's go inside. Come on in."

William walked to the back with the boots in his hands. "I almost forgot how hard it is to work with this leather," he said, clapping the boots together. They were white and thick, with a single metal clasp on each side over the ankle.

"They're amazing!"

"My thanks; you'll have to clean them every once in a while to keep them sharp," William added, "But at some point, you might get them dyed."

"If it lasts that long," Benj countered, feeling the sturdiness of the boots.

"Those will last," William said easily. "I almost forgot! You said you were going on a trip of some sort, so I took it upon myself to make a very special addition to these. Right here," he pointed to a row of slots on the inside of the boot. "Fits five coins per boot. Give me a couple, and I'll show you."

Benj gave him two silver talents. William took them and placed each one snugly in two of the slots inside, where a layer of leather overlapped.

"Just slide them in here," William said, pointing to where he placed the coins, "and they won't fall out. They'll stay perfectly hidden. Just don't get your boots stolen."

"These look fantastic," Benj said, handing him the other four talents. Thank you."

"No problem, Benj, but where's the rest?" William said, holding the coins in his hand.

"It's in the boot."

"I'm not talking about the two in the boot; I'm talking about my two pies."

"The two pies are ready to be picked up. All you have to do is take the two out of the boot, let me put the boots on, and then you can go pick up your pies. I'm not stupid, William. You would have me deliver the pies, but we both know that pie delivery wasn't part of the deal."

"How about I keep your two boots until you deliver the pies?"

"You wouldn't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because the second you make me walk home without shoes, I'm going to take the two pies that I made for you and eat them while I watch my apprentice make two more pies for you." Benj threatened, "The only problem is, you don't want two of my apprentices' pies; you want last year's Winter Festival pie-baking champion to make your pies. So, I suggest you take the two in the boot, give me my boots, and walk back to the bakery with me so you can pick up your pies."

"Fine," William admitted defeat, "Just try them on and see if I need to make any adjustments."

Benj tried the boots on and walked around. They were sturdy and fit perfectly. "Nice work!"

"Let me know how they are when you get back."

"I'm probably not coming back for a while," Benj confessed. "But if I do, I will stop in and say hi."

"If that's the case, here." William twisted a copper Mark into a spiral with his fingers. The amount of strength it must have taken to do that sent Benj reeling.

"For good luck."

After William left with his pies, Benj went back into the kitchen to see how his apprentice was doing. At that point, everything had been going smoothly. The batter was made, and Taft was pouring it into a large cake pan.

Benj poked a finger in to taste it. "Not bad."

Taft smiled, and the bell attached to the front door rang. Sephus called from out front, "Benjo, you had better come out here and check this out."

Sephus lead him outside where there was a man was standing next to a horse. Benj recognized the man as Curtis, but he had never seen the horse. It was a rich brown with white spots and a white main.

"He found you!" Curtis waved. "And you got some new boots, I see."

"Yes, sir," Benj replied. "Picked them up this morning."

"We got you a little going away present," Sephus gestured towards the horse. "This is Sandstorm."

"Old Sep here drives a hard bargain," Curtis said, slapping Sephus on the back. "He says you're heading to Royal City?"

"That's right," Benj replied.

"Well, she's an older girl, but she's faster than my midrange horses," he said, patting her cheek. "She did her fair share of racing back in her prime. She could probably get third place if she wanted to, but I don't like pushing her too hard anymore."

"She's a racehorse?" Benj asked, "I can barely ride a slow horse. I can't ride a racing horse."

"Sure, you can!" He said, "Just talk with her and build her trust up. She'll only go as fast as you want to. The only difference between her and any other horse is she has more feelings. I offended her once, and she ignored me for a week."

"Thank you very much," Sephus said, shaking his hand.

"It's my pleasure," Curtis said genuinely. "Oh, and one more thing. She knows a trick from her previous owner. I don't know what their relationship was, but I don't think she likes doing it." He handed Benj a folded piece of paper with the word 'Halu' written on it.

"Ha-" Benj started before his mouth was cupped with a big beefy hand.

"Hi, how are you? I'm fine!" Curtis cut him off loudly. "Don't, boy," he warned in a low voice. "She'll start bucking around, and, in my opinion, it puts her in a bad mood. Besides, it wouldn't make a very good first impression now, would it?"

There was a tense moment of silence before Benj spoke, "I guess I should thank you."

"Thank me for taking good care of her. She's one of my favorites." With that Curtis waved and headed back home.

Sephus handed Benj a quartered apple. "Feed her these, one by one. You have a lot of trust to develop with her and little time to do it."

Benj took the pieces and placed them one by one on his open palm as Sandstorm ate them. "She's beautiful," he said, "How much did you pay for her?"

"Never ask how much a horse costs," Sephus scolded.

"What if I'm buying a horse?"

"You're about to be if you keep it up." Sephus tossed him another apple. "But I'll tell you I paid significantly less than I should have. I called in a favor."

"Sephus, I can't tell you how thankful I am," Benj said, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Come inside, there's more."

On the front counter sat two saddlebags filled with supplies.

"I took the liberty of getting your supplies ready." Sephus opened the saddle bag flaps. There's no way you were going to be ready in time, seeing how this wedding is tomorrow."

"Sephus, this is-" Benj cut off.

"I know," he said, taking Benj into his embrace. "You're going off to do big things, and I'm proud of you."

Smoke rose from the top of the door into the kitchen. Benj started to go through the door when Sephus held up a hand to stop him.

"I got it from here," he said stoically. "You go and pack up." He then walked into the kitchen and took charge.

Benj could hear him shout from inside, "What's going on in here? Are you Daft Taft? Take that thing outside before you smoke us out and burn everything down. Are you trying to make a wedding cake or a funeral cake? Don't smart-mouth me, boy; get that pan cleaned up and start over!"

Benj listened for a moment longer and then made his way upstairs to his room. He set his pack on his cot and began filling it. First, he packed a small wooden box with two compartments, each with a stone inside. Then he packed all three of his remaining spare shirts and two extra pairs of pants. He wrapped a bar of soap with a beeswax cloth and gently added it. Finally, he packed his recipes. He had two folded pages of parchment with small writing on the front and back. Then he put his extra money in the secret slots in his boots. Realizing he had nothing left to pack, he went down to help in the kitchen.

On the morning of the wedding, Benj woke up to Taft nudging him.

"Yeah?" Benj croaked.

"Breakfast," Taft replied.

Benj got up, put his blanket and pillow in his bag, and climbed down the stairs. On the kitchen counter was a plate with eggs, sausage, and bread with melted cheese. He dug in.

"I made that bread last night after you went to bed," Taft bragged, eating his own piece.

"Mh, Mhm!" Benj murmured his content.

"Thanks," Taft said with a smile.

"I have a feeling you'll do just fine without me," Benj said finally. "Is there any cake left?"

Taft brought out the remainder of the sample cake. It was baked in a pie pan. Benj stuck his fork and took a bite. The white glaze gave way as he pulled up a yellow sponge with nuts.

"I only put nuts in the smaller one," Taft explained.

"Sephus," Benj called, "Get in here and try this cake before I eat it all."

Sephus walked into the kitchen, fork in hand, scooped up a piece of cake, and ate it.

"Do you think we should get smaller cake pans?" Sephus asked. "I just don't know how I feel about using pie pans for our sample cakes."

"I don't care anymore," Benj admitted, "Taft, you are no longer my apprentice; I acknowledge you, this day, as an equal."

"What would have happened if we never finished the cake?" Taft asked.

"I would still be leaving," Benj said, "but I would have slapped you first."

"I thought I had to be an apprentice until I come of age and all that," Taft trailed off.

"Traditionally, yes, but I have to go," Benj proclaimed. "Don't burn the place down. Sephus, thank you for everything."

Sephus gave him a hug. "I'm going to miss you, son."

"I'll come back and visit."

"Come on," Sephus said, "I'll help you saddle your horse."

After the horse was saddled and packed up, Benj, Sephus, and Taft said their goodbyes. Benj had ridden horses before, but getting up on Sandstorm proved challenging.

"What do I tell the girl when she inevitably asks about you?" Sephus asked, referring to Mel.

"Tell her the truth," Benj said considering what the truth really was. "Tell her it was time to move on. Just don't tell her the whole thing about me being jealous and angry that she was marrying a prick and not me."

Sephus smiled, Taft waved, and Benj rode West. The sun rose behind him, over the town where he grew up, and over the only family he'd ever had. He left everything behind in clouds of dust as he started his long journey west.