Sakiiya walked past the town square, then down a road leading to a white-wooded house. Before she could open the door, it flew open with a young girl lunging into her arms.

「Big sis, you’re back! I missed you!」 The girl said with smiling-dimpled cheeks.

Her little sister had all of her characteristics. However, she wrapped her blonde hair into two large buns with a few strands poking out the back. She wore a pink dress with black frills, matching the two bracelets on each of her arms.

「You look so pretty today! Did mom make you a new outfit?」

Sanza nodded and pulled Sakiiya by the hand. 「We’ve got a visitor big sis! Daddy brought her home from Phoenia! She’s super nice!」

Upon entering her family home, a familiar warmth and the scent of burning wood greeted her. They had crafted the rough-hewn walls and floor from bloodoak, which gave them a muddy color with a tinge of red. Several wood-cushioned chairs surrounded a crackling hearth burning with logs. Above the hearth was a gray great-sword, at least 10 feet, along with another giant sitting below it with a wide grin.

「Sakiiya! Welcome home my girl! Look at who I found during my time in the capital!」 He said with a boisterous laugh, fitting his seven-foot stature.

Her father, in his mid-forties, had golden-blonde hair, green eyes, and wore a blue tunic that curved around his bulky arms.

Sitting on a stool next to him was a young woman with short lilac hair, wearing tight-fitting armor fitted around blue fabric. She set down her cup and bowed her head.

「Thank you for the hospitality. I, um, sort of got lost in the Knight district after some friends dropped me off there. Your father was nice enough to take me in and let me sleep in your room last night. I’m sorry for the intrusion…」

Sakiiya unfastened the rapier at her side and set it down near the door. 「No need to apologize. I wasn’t here, so it wasn’t being used, anyway. Why were you in the Knight district?」

Sanza ran over and hopped on the young woman’s lap. 「Miinareen wants to become a knight like you, big sis! Isn’t that cool?」

Sakiiya froze, then walked over to take a seat. 「I see. May I ask why you’d want to commit to something like that?」

「I… never put much thought into it. I guess the best reason is that they protect people and are a symbol of mortal resilience!」 Miina said while flexing her arm.

Sakiiya and her father both exchanged glances. He raised an eyebrow, causing Sakiiya to sigh and walk up a set of stairs to the second floor.

Miinareen watched as she exited and glanced at her father. 「I’m sorry… Did I say something wrong Mr. Aiusu?」

「No, not at all. It’s just, committing to knighthood is one of the biggest sacrifices one could ever make. It’s a job that takes a lot of resolve to keep one sane.」

「What is that supposed to mean?」 Miina asked.

Before he could answer, the front door opened and Sanza hopped from her lap and ran towards the door.

「Mama’s home! Mama’s home!」 She exclaimed with a laugh.

Her mother, dressed in white tribal clothing though fitted like a robe, had shoulder-length curly chestnut hair that hid her left eye at an angle. Two pointy fox ears, along with a fluffy brown tail, swayed at her back as she bent down to hug Sanza, nuzzling her forehead and cheeks.

She glanced over to Miinareen with a tilt of her head, then turned to Aiusu.

「Ah! You two didn’t get to meet the other night. Samuura likes to hunt with her tribe to provide food for the village when shipments are low from Phoenia. This is Miinareen, my love. She was lost in the capital so I invited her to stay the night.」

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Samuura flattened her ears and bowed, then took a seat next to Aiusu. Sanza ran over and hopped in her lap, to which Samuura wrapped her tail around them both.

「Shipments? Isn’t the capital supposed to care for you all?」 Miina asked.

Aiusu shook his head. 「The capital only protects bordering towns in the form of stationed knights, like our daughter Sakiiya, for instance. Our village chief is the one in charge of food and supplies, as he’s the one that trades with nearby towns and sells our wares in the capital. However, he’s in a bit of a mess with one of Phoenia’s lenders.」

「That’s a nice way of putting it.」 Sakiiya said, while walking back down the stairs.

She walked over to her mom and exchanged nuzzles, then glanced over to Miina, nudging her head toward the door.

「Let’s go for a walk. We won’t take long.」

Miina nodded and stood up from her chair. 「Oh, okay… Nice meeting you Ms. Samuura.」

Samuura waved with a flap of her tail as they exited through the door. The sun lowered above the trees in front of them, casting an orange ray that mixed with the midnight sky. They walked down a dirt path, watching children run to their parents’ home and farmers beginning to usher farm animals back into their barns.

The dirt road abruptly became gravel as it cut to the southern gate of the town. Sakiiya turned around, her eyes narrowing as she took a deep breath.

「Open your hand, Miina.」 Sakiiya said.

Miina did as instructed; Sakiiya then placed a white coin with the inscription of a snake devouring a wolf into her palm and closed it.

「My father was once on the Royal Guard, a commander who sought to fight for the people and bring peace between the many nations of Vogran. But once the King lost his wife to illness, he became a tyrant who wanted to rule with an iron fist. That’s the day Phoenia fell to corruption, and my father deciding to resign from his position.」

Sakiiya attempted to smile while closing her eyes. 「You seem like a nice person, so I must implore that you stay away from this town. That coin is a respectable heirloom carved only by a commander, which could serve as agency to any noble house you wish to serve. There are still some good ones left. Get trained and take part in the Rites. That’s your best bet to becoming a knight right now.」

Miina looked at the coin and pursed her lips.

She couldn’t just leave after hearing about their town’s situation, especially being in the care of such a loving home. Though she could use this coin to her advantage, she couldn’t care less about the opportunity if someone was being hurt or taken advantage of.

「No… If someone’s messing with your town, then I want to help!」

「What? How could you possibly help us?」 Sakiiya rebutted.

「Well, I…」

「Have you had any training at all?」

Miina shook her head. 「No…」

「So you wouldn’t be able to keep the village safe. What about political backing in Phoenia? Anyone with a good heart that could supply the village with food and other necessities?」

「W-well, I met an Inascovian princess… but she’d really have no reason to do that, nor do I know where she is at the moment…」

Sakiiya sighed while placing her hands on her hips. 「If you truly want to help, then please just go. You’re better off anywhere else but here.」

「… Nonsense, Sakiiya. If your friend needs a place to stay, she’s happy to come to my manor for the night.」

Bernak walked down the road, groping two women by the breasts and ass. He snapped his fingers, and they backed away as he continued walking forward.

「And what’s your name, my dear?」 Bernak asked.

Miina glanced over to Sakiiya, who narrowed her eyes and slowly shook her head.

「It’s, uh… M-Miinareen…」

「Miinareen, what a beautiful name for a beautiful young woman. You got some of the townsfolk talking, said you wanted to become a knight. That’s a big aspiration for someone with no friends. Friendship can go a long way in Vogran. Mind coming to my manor to discuss this… theory further?」 Bernak imposed with a wide grin.

Sakiiya stepped beside Miina and began 「Actually Bernak, she was just leaving for the capital. I’ll escort her while I start my night’s watch—」

「Nonsense! It’s getting dark, and if I heard correctly, you have no training. You’d only be a hindrance to poor Sakiiya.」

Bernak’s female escorts walked over to Miina and locked arms with hers, and began walking down the road with giggles.

「Looks like they’ve taken a liking to you. I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out. I treat my friends nicely.」 Bernak said with a luscious grin, eying Miina’s rear as she walked past him.

Sakiiya gritted her teeth and gripped the hilt of her rapier. She could cut them down right now, and say it was a nightmare. It is night, after all, and accidents happen. Sure, it would look bad if one of the people in her town she’s supposed to protect dies on her watch, but it would stop this madness right now.

She sighed and loosened her fingers. But what would her father think, and Miinareen. She was so excited to become a knight, and all I talked about was corruption. Then I decide to use violence to get my way… however much that bastard deserves it. No, I’ll be better than them.

「Miinareen! Once you're done talking with Bernak, head back to my house! Keep Sanza company so she can fall asleep, she usually stays up trying to wait for me!」 Sakiiya shouted.

Miina looked back, whipped a thumbs-up, then continued to walk.

Sakiiya shook her head, then slapped her cheeks with a determined gaze. 「Right. Now I can concentrate better. Let’s get going.」