As Valeria slept, deeply nestled in the comfort of a soft bed for the first time in what felt like forever, her dreams took her back to the familiar sights of her village. The small homes, the winding paths, and the forest she had explored countless times appeared vividly in her mind. At first, it was peaceful—just like it used to be. But then, slowly, the dream began to shift. The sky darkened, and the gentle sounds of the village faded away, replaced by the echoes of screams, howls, and the terrifying growls of beasts.

Valeria’s heart raced as the darkness creeping in, closing around her. She was scared—terrified of the darkness that seemed to swallow everything whole. But just as her fear was about to consume her, a gentle warmth wrapped around her. It was soothing, comforting, and it pushed the shadows away. The warmth was familiar, and Valeria instinctively knew it was protecting her.

She blinked awake, her eyes adjusting to the soft morning light filtering into the room. It took her a moment to remember where she was. But as her gaze shifted, she noticed the gentle embrace she was wrapped in. Lily was lying next to her, still holding her protectively even in sleep.

Valeria shifted carefully, not wanting to disturb Lily. But the moment she moved, Lily’s eyes fluttered open. “Good morning,” Lily whispered.

Valeria didn’t realize she had been crying, but Lily did. Without a word, Lily reached out and wiped away the tears lingering at the corners of Valeria’s eyes. Her touch was gentle, and she whispered words of reassurance, her voice low and soothing. "It’s alright, Valeria. Everything’s okay." In response, Valeria gave Lily a tight hug, clinging to her as if she were an anchor holding her in place.

Eventually, the lingering heaviness from Valeria’s dream starts to fade as they walk down to the tavern. The morning air was crisp, and the place was already bustling with activity. As they entered, Lily spotted Roan standing near his client, discussing something in low tones. She made her way over to talk to him while Valeria caught sight of Henry waving at her from across the room.

Excited to see Henry, Valeria walked over, a smile tugging at her lips. “Good morning, Henry!” she greeted him cheerfully.

“Good morning, Valeria!” Henry replied with his usual grin, though there was a hint of something more behind his eyes, a lingering sadness that Valeria noticed but couldn’t quite place.

Meanwhile, Lily returned after speaking with Roan, explaining that she needed to buy supplies for the journey ahead and pick up their armors from the blacksmith. She looked down at Valeria and asked, “Would you like to come with me, or would you rather stay here?”

Before Valeria could answer, Henry overheard their conversation and jumped in. “Hey, how about Valeria sticks with me for a while? I’ll keep her company and show her a few places we didn’t get to see yesterday,” he offered, his grin widening. “I promise to take good care of her.”

Lily hesitated for a moment, perhaps not wanting to inconvenience Henry. But Valeria quickly spoke up, eager to spend some more time with him. “I’d love to go with Henry!” she said, smiling brightly. She didn’t want to trouble Lily further, knowing she had a lot to take care of. And this would give her a chance to spend more time with Henry before they parted ways.

Lily gave a small nod, her expression softening. “Alright,” she said, “but I’ll come find you once I’ve finished everything.”

Valeria gave Lily a quick hug before turning to Henry, excited about their little adventure. As they stepped out into the lively streets of Silverbrook, the warmth of the morning sun fell on them, and Valeria looked up at Henry, her curiosity bubbling to the surface.

“Henry, why were you sad yesterday?” she asked, her voice small but direct.

Henry blinked in surprise at the question, caught off guard by her honesty. He scratched the back of his head, giving her a sheepish smile. “Ah, you noticed that, huh?” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “Well… I guess I’m just a little sad we won’t be traveling together anymore. You and Lily have been good company.”

Valeria’s brow furrowed in thought. “I’m sad too,” she admitted softly. “But… maybe we can meet again someday?”

Henry’s grin returned, and he ruffled her hair playfully. “Of course we will, kiddo! This world is big, but not so big that we can’t cross paths again.” His words, while lighthearted, carried a sincerity that made Valeria feel a bit better.

As they wandered through the town, Henry showed her parts of Silverbrook they hadn’t explored the previous day. He pointed out the bustling trade quarter, where merchants from all over set up shop with exotic wares, and led her to the quieter outskirts, where gardens and cottages lined the streets. Valeria’s eyes sparkled as she took in the sights, and Henry made sure to explain little details about the town’s history, adding his own funny stories along the way.

They passed by a street performer juggling brightly colored balls, and Valeria giggled as Henry pretended to be amazed, clapping dramatically. “You see that, Valeria? That’s talent right there,” he said with a wink. Valeria giggled again, feeling the heaviness of parting with Roan’s group begin to lift. Spending time with Henry made her feel better, and she was glad they had this chance to enjoy the town together one last time.

Noticing Valeria’s energy had dwindled and her usual excitement seemed subdued, Henry immediately picked up on the signs. “You hungry again, Valeria?” he asked with a grin. Valeria nodded slowly. Henry chuckled and patted her on the back. “No worries! I’ve got just the thing. How about I treat you to something different today?”

Valeria’s eyes lit up at the idea, even if her energy was low. She trusted Henry’s food choices after the delicious pie from yesterday. “What kind of treat?” she asked, curious.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“You’ll see,” Henry said, leading her through the busy streets of Silverbrook once more. They stopped by a small stall tucked away in a quieter corner of the market. The smell of warm, fried dough filled the air, and Valeria’s mouth watered at the sight of the golden treats being prepared. Henry ordered a couple, and within moments, Valeria was biting into a crispy pastry, its soft, sweet filling making her hum with happiness.

“That’s delicious!” Valeria exclaimed between bites, her face lighting up.

“Told you,” Henry said, watching her with a grin. “One of my favorites, too.”

Just as Valeria finished her treat, she noticed Lily walking toward them from across the street. She offered a small smile when she reached them. “I’m done with the errands,” she said, her eyes drifting to Valeria, noticing that she had already eaten. “Looks like you’re all set. Thank you again, Henry.”

Henry gave a small wave. “No problem. I had a great time hanging out with Valeria.”

As they stood there, Henry glanced at Lily and, with a curious expression, asked, “By the way, Lily… you don’t seem to be carrying a lot... But still, need any help with the bags?”

Lily shook her head gently. “Thank you, Henry, but I’ve got it covered,” she said, and Valeria understood. She knew from earlier that Lily must have already stored most of the items in her pouch—a magical pouch that held more than it appeared. Valeria was still amazed by it, even though Lily rarely explained how it worked.

Henry didn’t push the subject, though he still looked a little puzzled. With their goodbyes said, Lily and Valeria returned to the inn. Valeria noticed how relaxed Lily seemed now, likely relieved that all the preparations were done for their upcoming journey.

Once they were back in their room, Lily took out the rest of the items she had purchased and placed them carefully into her pouch, one by one. Valeria watched with wide eyes, fascinated by how everything fit so neatly into the small bag. But something was still nagging at her. Why hadn’t Lily just put everything in from the start? It seemed like such a useful tool, and Valeria’s curiosity got the better of her.

“Lily, why didn’t you just put all the stuff in the pouch earlier?” Valeria asked, watching as Lily prepared the last of their things.

Lily paused for just a moment before answering, her movements steady. “It’s better to be cautious,” she said simply, not elaborating further. She seemed focused on other tasks, as if the question didn’t need any more explanation.

Valeria tilted her head, a little unsatisfied but already accustomed to Lily’s vague answers. Lily often avoided going into detail about certain things, and Valeria had learned not to push too hard.

Lily then took out Valeria’s new armor, carefully adjusting it as she helped Valeria put it on. The armor was light and comfortable, just as promised. And as Lily buckled the last strap, she stood back to admire her work. “It suits you,” she said, her voice soft but full of satisfaction.

Valeria looked down at herself, turning this way and that to see how the armor fit. It felt snug but not restrictive, and she liked the way it made her feel—like a proper adventurer. She smiled up at Lily, feeling a little bit of pride bubbling up in her chest. “It’s perfect,” Valeria said, beaming.

Lily nodded, her calm smile returning as she rested a hand on Valeria’s shoulder. “Good. You’ll be safer with this.”

As they finished preparing and were ready to head out, Lily returned the key to the inn’s owner and then turned to Valeria with a question. “Would you prefer to travel by horse or cart?” she asked. Valeria knew that Lily wanted to make sure she was comfortable. “If you choose to ride a horse, I’ll help you, and it would be faster too,” Lily added, offering a small smile.

Valeria stood there, pondering the options. A cart sounded more comfortable, especially after such a long journey, but the idea of riding a horse with Lily was exciting. Her imagination sparked with the thought of galloping through the countryside, the wind in her hair, and the sense of adventure that came with it. She was just about to weigh the pros and cons when a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Oii! Are you going to Aurenport to report as well? Why don’t you join us?”

Valeria turned toward the source of the voice and saw Dante waving at them. Next to him stood his usual companions, but there was also a tired-looking woman she hadn’t seen before. Dante seemed as cheerful as ever, while the woman beside him clearly distracted by a book she was reading.

Lily’s expression shifted immediately. “I appreciate the offer, but no thank you,” she replied bluntly, her voice leaving no room for negotiation.

The calm-looking mage who always accompanied Dante chuckled softly at Lily’s reaction. “I told you she’d say that,” he said, giving Dante a knowing glance.

Dante sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock frustration. “I know, I know, Aldus,” he grumbled. Valeria couldn’t help but giggle at the exchange. So that’s the mage’s name—Aldus. She mentally noted it, feeling a bit proud for picking up on these details.

The rest of Dante’s group shared a laugh at Dante’s expense. Though the tired woman remained completely uninterested, still rubbing her temple as she buried herself deeper in her book.

But Dante wasn’t one to give up easily. He gestured toward a luxurious carriage parked just outside, its sleek design and polished exterior gleaming in the morning light. “But our carriage is right outside, so you wouldn’t have to worry about finding other transportation. Plus, it’s more than comfortable for your little companion here,” he added with a wink toward Valeria, who immediately felt her eyes widen in awe at the sight of the fancy carriage.

Valeria’s excitement bubbled up. The carriage looked incredibly nice—much nicer than any cart or horse they could’ve rented. She glanced back at Lily, her heart racing with anticipation.

Lily’s discomfort was written all over her face as she noticed Valeria’s growing excitement. She shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of such a flashy mode of travel. “Do… you want to travel in that?” she asked cautiously, her tone gentle but conflicted.

Valeria, not wanting to make Lily uncomfortable or burden her, quickly shook her head, even though her heart sank a little. “N…No,” she replied softly, her excitement dimming as she tried to hide her disappointment.

Lily winced, clearly sensing Valeria’s reluctance to ask for what she really wanted. After a moment of hesitation, Lily let out a quiet sigh, and in a rare moment of concession, she turned back to Dante. “Fine. We’ll join you,” she said, her voice tinged with resignation.

Dante’s face lit up in triumph, his grin widening. “Great! That’s settled then—Lily and her little companion will be traveling with us!” he announced enthusiastically.

The rest of the group, who had been only half paying attention, suddenly froze in shock. Even Aldus, usually calm and composed, raised an eyebrow in surprise. The tired-looking woman dropped her book entirely, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What…” she muttered, looking around as if she had just stepped into an alternate reality.

Lily, still looking slightly crestfallen at her own decision, patted Valeria gently on the head. She could see the excitement returning to Valeria’s eyes, and that made it worth the discomfort. Valeria, for her part, was practically bouncing with joy, her earlier sadness evaporating as she thought about the comfortable ride ahead.

Dante, clearly pleased with himself, gave Valeria a thumbs-up, as if to say, Look what we managed to do! Valeria beamed at him in return, her excitement making her practically glow.

As they headed toward the carriage, Valeria couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. She was going to travel in the grandest carriage she had ever seen. And even though Lily seemed uneasy about it, Valeria couldn’t wait for the adventure ahead.