"Yes, yes, I am sure I got everything!" I complain as Stein fusses over my backpack. "Even the-" I don't bother letting him finish the sentence. "I triple checked everything! Calm down already." It's honestly quite annoying, but I can't help myself but giggle quietly. Stein! Fussing over something! That's like Oil and Water.

"Fine. Fine. I just... didn't expect you to be ready to leave so soon when I gave you that money a week ago!" He huffs, but soon a smile blooms on his lips too. "Sorry, I'm probably overdoing it." I pat him on the shoulder before making sure everything's properly secured. I do feel a little ridiculous, considering I have two daggers and a longsword on me, but hey. I'm not about to leave those behind - and all the other stuff is necessary too! He even suggested I pack one less set of clothing! I'm only bringing two plus the one on me in the first place! Insufferable.

"It's fine." I console him when a third voice interrupts. "Hey, Malinka! You ready to go already?" David's head peeks through the half-closed door. "I'm going, I'm going!" I shout back only to receive amused laughter from the outside. How rude! It's not easy to pack everything so tightly! In fact it takes forever to do! I charge out the door, only to be stopped at the last second by Stein grabbing my arm. Before I can properly react, I'm pulled back and hugged tight. I bristle at the touch but a moment later find it in me to relax.

"Thank you." He says quietly before letting me go. "Now go, and make me proud."

I nod at him, but hesitate for just a second before getting out the inn's door. I quickly run back and give him a peck on the cheek. "Thanks dad." Phew, wouldn't want to regret never calling him that at least once.

"Malinka! Come on!" David shouts from outside and I cave in to the pressure and run outside as fast as my legs let me. "I'm going! Shut it! Annoying bastard!"

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Not even fifteen minutes later we were outside Ravensbrook - we being myself, David, Jason and the rest of his mercenary troupe. They promised to walk with me as far as they could - to the edge of their patrol territory, roughly halfway between Ravensbrook and the next nearest town. There's total of 11 of us, including me. Turns out I wasn't the only one David was training.

"Wait wait wait, you mean to tell me that she can beat Dave in a duel?!" One of the younger mercs asked. "Yeah. The first time she did she was eighteen." Dave confirms before adding. "Most of the time we go back and forth, but if I had to say she wins more fights than I do." I simply nodded and promptly received an impressed whistle from the fella.

"Still haven't gotten a win over him. What weapon did you defeat him with?" He turns to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes, but before I can respond Dave jumps in. "That's exactly your problem you dumbass! She found her style and specialized in it, while you pick up something, try it for a month and then do something else!"

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"Hey! Halberds are cool, okay!?" He shouts right back and everyone murmurs in agreement. "So why'd bring a bloody spear?" David presses on relentlessly. It's honestly quite amusing to listen to their banter but I decide to stop paying attention and take in the world around me instead.

The green of the grass stretches towards the blue horizon, only ever interrupted by one of the many farms that surround Ravensbrook. My nose picks up on the morning dew, while I birds faintly chirp somewhere off in the distance. Wind blows and plays with my hair and I can't help myself but laugh. Behind me is the town where I spent the past six years of my life, my history and in front of me is a whole new world with possibilities I haven't gotten to explore yet.

And all it takes to explore it is to keep moving forward. I'm sure this is what Mom would have wanted for me if she were here. To keep moving forward, and to be happy. So I move, and I laugh even when the boys pause to look at me like I've gone a little crazy. "Come on you lardasses!" I chuckle as I run ahead of them. "I'll race you!"

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We've settled down for the night by the side of the road and Jason starts a fire. Someone else hauls a log over so we have a place to sit while the warmth and light of the fire comes to life. We're all winded from all of my shenanigans, but everyone's spirits are high. Eventually everyone settles and we start trading stories around the campfire while preparing dinner. Soon after, bellies are full and I remember that I forgot to answer a question earlier. Searching through the mercs I soon realize I have no idea what the recruit who asked me how I defeated Dave was, but there's only one person with a spear.

"Hey!" I wave and get his attention. "You wanted to know how I beat David, yeah?" I see the grin on his face grow wide and he nods enthusiastically. "Long and Short blade combined!" I say as I pull out one of mom's dagger as well as my longsword and get into a proper combat pose for him to see.

"Ooo, really? That must be hard to use. Probably really good at coordinating your limbs and stuff yeah?" He nods, clearly impressed. "So, just one question. Why's your sword glowing?"

I blink and look at the weapon in my hand. It's faint - subtle even - and I'm sure I wouldn't have seen it if I wasn't showing off in middle of the night. I give him the only response I can think of while theories of whether or not this is just a property the weapon has from its last wielder - just like mom's daggers - or my own power spiral inside my mind. "Huh. I guess swords just like to glow sometimes."