Elyndra woke to the warmth of the sun, it felt nice on her face, but inside, her tummy felt all twisty and tight. Today was the day she’d been thinking about for what seemed like forever, the day she would leave Renway. But instead of excitement, there was a heavy feeling in her chest, like she was leaving behind something very important.

She sat up slowly, her small feet dangling off the edge of the bed, swinging just above the floor like always. The dorm room looked the same as ever, with empty beds in the morning with her favorite things neatly surrounding her: the little wooden box full of nicknacks from around the town, her stack of worn books, and the clothes Nina must have folded so carefully last night. But today, everything felt different. Elyndra knew she was leaving, and that made her heart ache, where was Nina? She always appeared like clockwork before.

Taking a deep breath, Elyndra slipped out of bed and got dressed in her softest tunic and trousers. They were her favorite, worn from so many washes, but they always made her feel safe. She ran her fingers through her snowy white hair, trying to smooth it out, but her hands were shaking a little. She made her way to the kitchen, Nina would be there for sure.

The kitchen smelled like fresh bread, and Elyndra’s nose twitched at the familiar, comforting scent of Alex's bakery. But even the smell of her favorite breakfast couldn’t chase away the nervousness that seemed to wrap around her like a thick blanket. Nun Nina was already at the table, setting out bowls of porridge with honey and fresh sliced bread beside them. Priest Jamesson sat quietly, his cup of tea steaming in front of him, he only came to eat here on special occasions for the kids. They both smiled at her as she walked in, but Elyndra could see the sadness in their eyes.

“Good morning, Elyndra,” Nina said, her voice soft and kind. “Come and have breakfast, dear. I made your favorite.”

Elyndra managed a small smile as she slid into her seat at the table. She picked up her spoon and took a bite of the porridge. It was sweet and warm, just the way she liked it, but it was hard to enjoy it with that funny feeling in her tummy. She kept glancing up at Nina and Priest Jamesson, trying to memorize every detail about them, the way Nina’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, the way Priest Jamesson’s beard twitched just a little when he was about to take a sip of his tea.

When they finished eating, Priest Jamesson cleared his throat and leaned forward. His voice was deep and warm like always. “Elyndra, today is a big day for you. You’re setting off on a journey that will help you grow and learn. But remember, no matter how far you go, our love and the teachings of Renway will be with you.”

Elyndra nodded, but she couldn’t say anything. Her throat felt tight, and she blinked back tears that were starting to sting her eyes. Instead, she reached out and took both their hands in hers, squeezing them tightly. Elyndra wished she could hold on forever.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“We’re so proud of you, sweetie, for being so brave and taking this step” Nina added, her voice trembling a little. “You’re going to do wonderful things, and we’ll be here, waiting to hear all about them.”

That was it. Elyndra couldn’t hold back anymore. The tears she had been trying so hard to keep inside spilled over, and she leaned into Nina’s side, wrapping her small arms around her. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, her voice shaky and full of emotion.

Nina hugged her back tightly, her own tears wetting Elyndra’s hair. “We’ll miss you too, my dear,” she whispered back. “But we’ll be right here, cheering you on.”

Elyndra turned and hugged Priest Jamesson next, his arms wrapping around her like a shield. She felt safe with them, and for a moment, she wished she didn’t have to go. But she knew this was her chance to grow and learn, just like they had always told her.

Finally, it was time to leave. Nina helped Elyndra gather her things, and together they walked to the wagon station. Elyndra tried to be brave, but every step made her heart feel heavier. She didn’t want to leave her home, but she knew she had to.

When they reached the wagon station, Elyndra saw her friends waiting for her; Alex, Caldrin, and Mara. They all smiled when they saw her, but Elyndra could see the sadness in their eyes, too. They knew this was goodbye, at least for now.

“We couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye, Melora wanted to be here but she had a patient to see” Caldrin said, his voice sounding proud.

"Hope you enjoyed the bread today, pulled an all-nighter getting it just right!" Alex said, chuckling as he winked at Nina and me.

Mara stepped forward, holding out a package wrapped in soft cloth. “We have something for you,” she said. “A little something to remember us by.”

Elyndra’s hands trembled as she took the package and carefully unwrapped it. Inside was the most beautiful set of robes she had ever seen. They were green and brown, the colors of the forest and the earth, and there was even a matching witch hat. Elyndra’s eyes widened in wonder as she touched the soft fabric.

“These are for you to wear while you’re learning your magic,” Mara explained, her voice going all sneaky-like. “So you can do it in style.”

Elyndra looked up at them, her eyes filling with tears again. “Thank you,” she whispered, holding the robes close to her heart. “Thank you so much.”

They all hugged her, one by one, and Elyndra felt her heart breaking a little more with each goodbye. She didn’t want to leave them, but she knew she had to. They believed in her, and she wanted to make them proud.

Finally, it was time to go. Elyndra climbed into the wagon, her legs feeling shaky as she turned to look at her friends one last time. They were all waving at her, their faces blurred by her tears. She pressed her hand against the window, watching as the wagon began to move, taking her away from the only home she had ever known.

As the town of Renway grew smaller in the distance, the driver looked back at her and smiled kindly. “You’ve got a lovely family, miss,” he said, his voice soft.

Elyndra wiped her tears and managed a small smile. “Yes, I do,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Even though she was an orphan, she knew she had a real family in Renway.