Over the rest of the week, she spent most of her time with the pup in between running errands. She was there so much that Sheba grew to trust her with her whole litter. It was heavenly dozing in the stables cuddled up with six rambunctious puppies. One afternoon Arwin said she was running low on stock,

“Would you like to come out for a hunt I'm looking at heading out tomorrow. I was going to see if you could look after the dogs but then thought we could put the puppies on your cart and still cover enough ground.”

“I would love to come. Reha said my blade would be ready tomorrow too”

“Well that seals it we can grab a few supplies in the morning and head out.” Arwin sounded pleased to have company on the trip.

Raya put the puppies on the cart in the morning. She was used to traveling so had all her gear ready early. Sheba looked on in interest. The puppies thought it was a great game and were leaping off with glee as fast as she could put them on. It was starting to get frustrating when Arwin arrived and laughed.

“Sorry I forgot to give you this” and produced a wooden crate.

“That makes more sense,” said Raya smiling.

With the cart loaded and Sheba keeping a close eye on things, they made their way down to the forge. Reha pulled out an object wrapped in cloth which he carefully unraveled. Inside was a beautiful blade. Arwin whistled.

“That’s a beauty. Does it have a name?”

“That's up to Raya” said Reha handing her the weapon.

It was straight like a short sword but finer, its simple handle had a bee comb pattern on the pommel.

“Tarkin steel is the finest there is I folded it for strength as I drew it out. Though thin it is as tough as any sword. I have also made you this” he produced a small knife barely longer than her hand. “I made it with the last of the Tarkin steel beaten into its blade. It is balanced for throwing, shaped for skinning and will hold a nice edge like your sword.”

“These are beautiful, I Shal call them Queen Bee and Bitsie. Thank you Reha.”

“Those are good names, just makes sure you stay alive out there. I'm glad you two are heading out together. Thank you Arwin for taking her under your wing.”

“She is my ticket into this village. She seems to know everyone but doesn't even live here,” laughed Arwin.

“Go safely and bring me some more stories of the wild world” said Saffire always a bit jealous of her friend's freedom.

“And you can tell me some more tales about handsome sailors,” said Raya.

“What handsome sailors might those be?” boomed Reha over the girls' giggles.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

They took the road north that followed the river, by nightfall on the second night they had almost made the edge of the Vior. Here rougher farms were dotted along the river and oxen pulled logs to float down the Nume to Tungol-Saju.

“Its amazing how fast the forest has been pushed back. Things slowed up a bit with the Visam but now it seems Lady Ardencinder is looking to build up the outpost at Ronin. I used to hunt this land with my father many moons back.”

The forest closest to the river had all been felled, even though it would be quicker to reach the forest away from the river Arwin wanted to stay close so they could raft any animal's home. They stopped a good distance off the road and nestled into a pile of logs.

“Always nice to have something at you back” said Arwin, Raya couldn’t agree more.

Arwin shot two rabbits with her bow in the low light. Raya stayed back to watch the puppies and set the fire. Sheba came back from her run on dusk with a wild piglet.

“Well, that’s a good start,” said Arwin.

They fed the dogs and roasted the rest over the fire. The puppies were excited to be out in the world but tired from the many walks they had during the day. Rayas puppy cuddled up to her wrapped in her new cloak. I must find you a name she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Raya woke early, somehow the name Stripe was stuck in her mind. The morning was misty, the moons Fiuwar and Fimm sat low in the sky with Seks and Tvier overhead looking magnificent. She stretched out, much to Stripes' annoyance, this is the best cloak I have owned, she thought. Raya went to poke the fire with Stripe tucked under one arm. Sheba came and sat with her and nuzzled Stripe who attacked her nose in return.

“They are growing fast, better keep an eye on them Sheba. It looks like the moons are lining up.” Shaba looked at her like she was trying to understand.

“The conjunction is in a few days” said Arwin who had woken with their movement. “That's why we came at this time, it should be a doozie,”

Sheba went over to Arwin for a morning scratch.

“I think I should be able to carry a whole deer to the river when it's in full swing.” said Arwin

"Do you want some oats” asked Raya.

“Sure that would be fine, I'm not used to this full service camping.”

Raya was watching the road as she tended to the porridge. There was a farm cart trundling off towards market and a small group of travelers heading north.

“There are more and more people on the road these days. Those ones can't have been camped too far from us. Lady Ardencinder has really put the squeeze on the people. She is expanding the outpost at Ronin to the north, I guess some of those traveller's might be hoping to find work there.” said Arwin. “Let's let them get a good way ahead of us before we hit the road, I'm keen to avoid any hungry traveller's they are a recipe for trouble.”

The pups were annoyed at being loaded onto the cart as they were trying to chase a field mouse out of the scrub when it was time to go. Back on the main road they continued their journey north.

They had just arrived at the edge of the Vior when a troop of soldiers came into view. Raya and Arwin stood aside as the procession came past. They were escorting two carts and a group of sorry-looking prisoners. One of the soldiers, presumably their leader, stopped to question them.

“State your business on the queen’s road.”

“We are heading out to hunt deer in the Vior.”

“What's in the cart” asked the abrupt soldier.

“Keep that animal under control” he barked at Arwin as Sheba growled menacingly when he went to inspected Raya's tiny cart.

“Alright you can go but mind you don’t hunt within a day’s walk of Roanin it is reserved for the queen’s guard, offenses are punishable by imprisonments.”

“Sure thing, we will head into the forest, before we reach Roanin” Arwin responded, refraining from saying anything she was actually thinking.

“What a vile man, no one owns the Vior” she said when they were out of earshot. “Let's try to avoid patrols in future too.”