7 hours, of sleep for the fighter.

7 days, of work for the slave.

7 weeks, for nought but a treat.

7 months, for nought but a peep.

“You all packed and ready to go?” Rai asked Sin.

Sin double and triple checked her knapsack. She nodded to herself with a small, cute, grunt.

“I’m ready! For the knapsack I packed my day clothes, a towel, and my sleeping clothes. I put some other stuff in my spatial storage, since I don’t want it breaking or anything like that.”

“Great, then let’s get going!”

As Rai and Sin left the Secret, they noticed a distinct lack of Naam at the front desk. She seemed to be really busy these days. Sin was a little sad that Naam couldn’t see her off, but she held out hope that she’d get to see her when she came back from Draconis. She was just as sad that Lilly wasn’t around to say goodbye to her either.

For someone who’d just gained sisters, it felt like she hardly got to spend much time with them.

Zenith’s twin suns soared high in the sky, as it was just past noon now.

Rai and Sin made their way over to the portal house to travel to Acies.

Some of the students in the city recognised them, and talked to them for a bit. Most of the questions were about their relationship, trying to get gossip. But some actually asked about their techniques, which Rai was excited to talk about. Still, Rai and Sin didn’t stop and talk for very long with each person, now that they were on a timer.

As they got to the portal house, Rai noticed how few people travelled from Acies to Aurum’s capital. In fact, there was a grand total of 0 people going through the portal, either way.

While it was just a slight bit strange, Rai figured that there must’ve been a reason for it that he just didn’t quite understand yet.

They paid the portal keeper’s toll, which was only a few silver pieces, and stopped at the portal.

Rai looked at Sin.

Who returned his look.

“You excited?” He asked.

Sin nodded. With a wide smile on her face, she was ready to go through. To see Bort again. To finally meet Rai’s mum. To see Rai’s childhood home.

Sin held out her hand.

Rai met her hand with his own.

“Then let’s go.”

----------------------------------------

Rai and Sin exited the portal out the other side.

They were met by a blaring light that felt like it couldn’t have been from the same twin suns as they’d seen in Aurum’s capital. Sin covered her eyes from the suns’ light.

From the corner of her eye, Sin noticed Rai’s expression change.

He looked far more relaxed here.

Townsend was less than a minute away from the portal, so that was the direction that they walked towards.

Rai walked with Sin, taking in the city once more.

For Rai, it felt like he was back home again. Acies was what he’d considered a second home for the majority of his life.

But... there was something different about the people he saw.

The people... they’re...

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I can’t tell what it is... Their clothes look more shaggy, and the vibe of the city itself feels a lot more downcast than normal... Was it like this when I left? Or am I only noticing it now because I’ve grown enough to actually see it...

“C’mon Rai. Let’s go in. Bort won’t know we’re here until we meet him!”

“Hmm? Oh, right. Mhmm. Okay let’s go in.”

They entered the inn.

It was quiet.

Almost empty.

Which made sense, given that it was just about noon.

Rai looked around to try and find Bort, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then, Rai noticed that the door to Bort’s office was closed.

“I think he’s in his office. Let’s go knock.”

Sin followed Rai to Bort’s office door.

*Knock knock*

“Cough cough... Come in.” Came Bort’s voice through the door.

Rai opened the door.

“Surprise!” Rai shouted.

Bort looked up from the papers on his desk. Quickly, his mood shifted from sourness to excitement.

“Well, if it ain’t the ol’ farmboy. I see that ya brought your pretty little friend with ya as well! How’re ya doin’, little Raven?”

“Hi Bort.” Sin said. “It’s... been a while. I’ve been really good, thank you for asking! How have you been?”

“Just peachy, ahahaha! Get it? Cuz’ there’s peaches in that there picture frame? Hahahahah!” Bort pointed at the picture on the wall.

*Pfft*

“Yep, haha! You haven’t changed one bit. I’ve really missed you Bort!”

“Has anyone told ya that you’ve grown, lass? A fine young woman stands before me, no less. Keep drinking ya milk, and eatin’ ya fruits, and you’ll be just as fine as my Dorothy in no time!”

“I will make sure to do just that, Bort!”

“And Rai... the farmboy returns, pahahaha! I’ve missed ya lad. How’s it been at the Academy?”

Rai smiled at Bort. He missed him dearly.

“I’ve missed you too Bort. The Academy’s been good, but I was mostly happy just to be with Sin again.”

“Oh I feel ya on that one. One day apart from Dorothy and I just crumble. She’s my rock, and I’d put her before anything.”

“Yeah...” Rai glanced at Sin. “I know the feeling. Hey, Bort... did you get the message I sent last week alright?”

“I did, aye. I’ve got a horse ready for ya lad. She’s big enough for the two of yous. I’m gatherin’ that you’re both headed to yer ma’s farm.”

“Yep. We’ll head there for the next day or so, and then off to the capital for our assignment.”

“Ah... Draconis, eh? Your aunt just came down from there.”

“Yeah, we met her in Aurum! It was really nice to see her again, after so many months.”

“Aye... I also-cough cough cough...”

Bort stopped talking. His coughs seemed... almost violent to Rai.

“You okay?” Rai asked him.

Bort shook his head.

He breathed in slow, before pointing at a flagon full of water.

Rai grabbed the flagon and handed it to Bort.

Bort took a few small sips, before taking another deep breath.

“Whew... that’s a bit better.”

“What was that all about? You not feeling well?”

“... Just a cold, boy. Just a cold. Now, c’mon. I’ll set you two up to get going. It’ll take you till evening to get there. I reckon my Turner will get you there in about 6 hours, opposed to the typical 10 it takes on carriage.”

“You... you’re sure you’re okay?”

“Yes lad. I ‘ppreciate you carin’ for me, but you got your own business to take care of. Now, lemme show you two to Turner!”

Rai knew that Bort was lying, but he didn’t know how to weasel the truth out of him. Instead, Rai thought that he’d talk to Dorothy about it when he got the chance.

Bort got up from his desk, and walked around Rai and Sin. They followed him outside the building, and around the corner to the stable attached to Townsend. This was where Rai and Jin would normally leave their horses whenever they came and dropped off their harvest and stayed the night.

“Right, Turner’s all fed and saddled up. You know how to ride, I assume, Rai?”

“... Yep. I’ll man the reigns.”

“Great! Then Sin, if you hop on and wrap your arms around Rai’s waist, you’ll be ready to go! Just before that though, ya might wanna hook your knapsacks on Turner’s pack storage. It’ll be easier for ya both that way.”

Sin did as Bort said. She put her knapsack on the horse’s storage hooks, and hopped up on Turner’s saddle with Rai.

“Right, get a bit closer and hold on to him.”

Sin scooted up.

“Bit closer.”

She scooted a bit more.

“You’ll need to be touching if you’re not gonna fly off.”

Sin blushed a touch, but she scooted up as much as she could. Her belly was against Rai’s back, and she wrapped her arms around him.

“Right, that looks snug. Brilliant! I’ll see you two on your return then!” Bort said, winking at Rai. “Good luck with the assignment, and shoot your mother a hello for me, will you Rai?”

“Will do Bort. It was great seeing you again! Let’s catch up properly soon!”

“Oh, and be careful! There’s a lot of monsters about nowadays!”

“I’ll keep in mind, thanks!”

*Twack*

“Let’s go girl!” Rai said to Turner.

Turner set off. Rai and Sin waved goodbye to Bort. Sin held on tight to Rai as he guided Turner out through the city.

As they passed the houses and kids playing outside, Rai noticed the state of the buildings were definitely worse than he’d left them.

It looks like the weather hasn’t been great here, but they can’t afford to fix up their houses either... which means that Acies is poor right now.

Why is that? Everyone was doing fine just a few months ago, so what’s changed so drastically in that short amount of time?

Rai couldn’t quite figure it out by himself. He hoped to learn more once they got to Draconis.

Upon reaching the gate to exit from the city, the sound of chain links automatically came from it.

Rai and Sin went through, and heard a phlegmy voice come from below them.

“Good seein’ ya lad. Take care o’ yerself.”

“Thank you Narthir, you too.”

Sin gripped Rai even tighter as Turner sped up along the dirt road.

“I... I’ve never ridden a horse before.” Sin said, quietly.

“What was that? The wind’s picking up, I can’t hear you!” Rai shouted.

“I’ve never ridden a horse before!” Sin said a bit louder.

“Ooo. Then... let me show you how it’s done!”

*Thwack!*

“Go girl! Let’s go fast!”

“Wooaoaoaoahaha!!! RAI SLOW DOWN!”

Sin was practically melding with Rai at this point. She was holding him so close and so tight for fear of falling off, that Rai felt literally all of her torso against his back.

Not the worst feeling, he thought.