The morning was fresh and cool, the first light of dawn stretching its golden fingers over the landscape. Carriage stood there at the castle gates, gleaming in dark, polished wooden body reinforced by decorative steel panels. It was Father himself who handed me short sword before leaving. His serious expression made a shiver run along my spine.

"Keep it close, Lynt. Even a small blade can save a life if used wisely," he said.

I nodded, a responsibility settling over my shoulders. Suspecting that the weapon wasn't much for practical use, the gesture was well appreciated.

Qwuine entered the courtyard, adjusting leather gloves and grinning at me with a mischievous flash of her cheek. Her clothes, a practical-yet-fashionable ranger's tunic, suited her high-energy personality. She had brought her own blade, a little longer than mine, but she also came with a pack slung across her shoulder.

"Ready, little sister?" she teased.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said, trying to muster some of her enthusiasm.

---

The ride to Lawzia, Nymedia's bustling capital, was more comfortable than I had anticipated. The roads were paved well, testimony to the infrastructure Father often extolled when he spoke about the country's progress. Hills rolled and dark forests framed the scenery, its colors vivid under the rising sun.

Inside the carriage, Qwuine relaxed, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. "Polynus is going to amaze you, Lynt. Diversity, vibrancy-it's unlike anything here in Nymedia. You'll see nobles and commoners, traders and scholars, and adventurers from all over the Empire. It's a place where ideas collide

I couldn't help myself. "And Juve Academy?" I asked. "What is it like?"

She shrugged with a laugh. "I don’t know yet, but if it’s half as challenging as they claim, I’ll be thrilled. Just think, Lynt: in a few years, it might be your turn."

I wasn’t sure about that. My ambitions were still undefined, but the thought of seeing the capital filled me with anticipation.

But suddenly, the smooth ride had ended. The carriage jolted very slightly, and the horses neighed in protest. Our guards, who had been riding to either side, sped forward.

"What is happening?" Qwuine asked, peering out of the window.

I caught my breath as I looked at it. There was this enormous elk in the middle of the road, light brown with blue spots shimmering in its coat. The sprawling antlers seemed almost supernatural, faintly luminescent.

"A Wisne Elk," Qwuine whispered, awe in her voice. "They're a staple of our lands. Every part of them is useful—hide, antlers, bones, and meat. But you rarely see one this size."

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Before I could utter a word, a loud crack rang through the air. The elk crumpled to the ground, its majestic form lifeless. My heart sank at the sight.

A group of hunters emerged from the nearby forest, their faces a mixture of relief and fatigue. They approached the fallen elk cautiously, knives and tools in hand, ready to begin their work.

Qwuine pushed open the carriage door, stepping down with practiced ease. I followed, feeling the short sword at my side awkward and unneeded.

"Excuse me," Qwuine said, approaching the hunters. "May we witness how you prepare the meat?"

The hunters paused and glanced at the soldiers standing beside us on either side. The biggest of them, a woman with wide shoulders and an air of authority about her, stepped forward. Her hair was pulled back into a braided practical knot, and the leather armor had many hunt scars scrawled across it.

"You’re welcome to watch," she said, her voice firm but wary. "Just don’t get in the way."

They hunted in an efficient, practiced manner, and the hide was peeled back on the elk to reveal the meat underneath. The antlers were pulled off, leaving them intact for later use. I could tell that two of the hunters were human, but the rest were beastkin and plantkin, yet they moved in a cohesive, almost organic fashion, with the differences between them being of little consequence.

"It's amazing how much this one animal can give," I whispered to Qwuine.

She nodded. "The Wisne Elk population is managed well. They breed fast, and there are many of them, so hunting them sustainably feeds many communities."

The lead hunter overheard and chuckled. "True enough," she said. "This one took us two days to track. We thought we'd go home empty-handed. Blessed day, indeed."

Qwuine fished into her pack and retrieved a bundle of herbs wrapped in cloth. "Do you want some Hymet herbs? Those are real useful for either cooking the meat or treating the leather."

The stern expression softened to a smile of the lead hunter. "I would indeed like that, since Hymet is good at all things- be it in tanning animal hides or simply as a stew flavouring".

"In return, could we take a few cuts of meat?" Qwuine asked. "Just ten small pieces. I want to show my sister how to make jerky."

"That's fair trade," the hunter agreed. "I'm Jessa, from Hunting Brigade Three. Nice to meet you both.".

As they continue working, Jessa and Qwuine speak about the elk and their uses. I listen intently, intrigued at the process. The meat was split into sections, some were going to be dried and preserved, others packed into crates ready for immediate use. The hide was cleaned and rolled, the antlers tied together with rope.

"You look curious," Jessa said, raising her gaze to meet mine. "Ever think about joining a hunt?"

"Not really," I admitted. "But seeing this. it's impressive. There's so much skill involved."

Jessa grinned. "Skill and patience. Maybe one day you'll try it. It's not just about the kill-it's about respect for the land and what it gives us."

Once the hunters finished, Qwuine handed me over the herbs and Jessa handed us parts of meat cut. We wanted some, they gave us what we asked and nicely wrapped the parts in clothes but the aroma was faint with promises. Our goodbyes came as I rode back on the carriage in this new appreciative view to the connections with our world.

Qwuine leaned back in his seat, letting out a contented sigh. "That was worth the stop. What did you think?"

"I learned a lot," I said. "It's one thing to read about these things, but seeing it firsthand. it's different. More real."

She smiled, her eyes thoughtful. "That's Nymebia for you. Every corner of it will show you something new, something unexpected. Keep your eyes open, Lynt. There's so much to learn."

The carriage rolled on towards Lawzia and I gazed out the window, watching the towering gates of the capital city come into view. My heart swelled in anticipation.