As the first light of dawn began to pierce the darkness, Lily found herself fixedly watching the door, counting the minutes. Today they would leave Dawnbrook, and yet her list of preparations seemed concerningly large. Logic suggested postponing their journey by a day to address these tasks, but something within her resisted. It was an inexplicable urge – a fear that delaying now might ground them here indefinitely. With a firm sigh, she chose to forego the non-essentials in the list and focus solely on what was truly necessary.

The distant sound of a door unlocking broke her reverie, prompting her into action. Before stepping out, she cast a final glance at Draven, her voice soft but resolute, "Just a little longer, I promise!" Leaving him behind, she navigated the corridors of the tower with ease, her path from the previous night's exploration still fresh in her memory.

As she made her way through the reception to the front gate, a watcher's greeting broke the morning's silence. "Morning, Mendicar Lily!" he called out, and she replied with equal warmth. The respect and courtesy she received were flattering, though she suspected it wasn't solely a reward for her recent assistance. Perhaps the envoy harbored hopes of persuading her to join their ranks. Nonetheless, the risk of remaining was too great; practicing her magic under their watchful eyes and the confines of Dawnbrook growing too restrictive for her growing skills.

The streets of the tower district were slowly coming to life as she passed, her gaze sweeping over the landscape, memorizing locations of potential importance. Her brisk pace soon brought her to an inn, or more precisely, to its stables, where she found an errand boy busily attaching horses to a cart that was already partly loaded.

"Excuse me, may I pass a message to Mr. Valdis?" she inquired, approaching the boy who barely acknowledged her with a cursory glance and a grunt before returning to his work.

Undeterred by his dismissive behavior, Lily deftly drew a coin from her pouch and offered it to him, her voice turning into a hopeful "Please?" The boy's attitude shifted instantly at the sight of the coin, his earlier disdain replaced by eagerness. "Of course, Miss," he replied, his demeanor transformed.

The boy vanished into the depths of the inn, and within moments, reemerged with a man whose appearance reminded her of a regular customer of the tavern – a slightly bulging belly and unkempt hair, but adorned in an expensive suit. His gaze swept over Lily, thorough but devoid of judgment, his smile undecipherable. His demeanor suggested a merchant of considerable respect, one who valued character over appearance.

"Valdis at your service, Miss. How may I assist you today?" he greeted, executing a slight bow that seemed to challenge the constraints of his attire.

Lily found herself pleasantly surprised by his courteous manner. It was a rare virtue not to assess individuals solely by their appearance, and even rarer for one to exhibit such humility. Valdis had been recommended by Mr. Loges, the merchant who bought her house, and although she had braced for the potential arrogance wealth often bred, Valdis presented none.

"Mr. Valdis, I was referred to you by Mr. Loges," Lily began, striving to smooth over the initial awkwardness. "He mentioned you might be able to help with transportation to Silverlight."

At the mention of Mr. Loges, Valdis's expression softened into a more authentic smile. "Ah, you're a friend of Mr. Loges! Then let's dispense with formalities – we're practically old friends! Indeed, I'm leaving for Silverlight after breakfast." His casual tone, however, did little to ease Lily's wariness; politeness and eagerness by merchants could easily translate into inflated charges.

"That's wonderful. May my brother and I accompany you? We're prepared to pay for the seats, of course," she inquired.

Valdis paused, consulting a ledger with an unchanging smile. "It appears we're a bit overbooked for this journey. Perhaps you could delay your travel until my return in two weeks?"

The suggestion was a disappointment to Lily, who found the idea of delaying their departure unacceptable. She would prefer seeking alternative arrangements rather than endure such a wait. Sensing her dismay, Valdis appeared contemplative, as if searching for a feasible compromise.

"Let me speak with the other passengers. Perhaps we can accommodate you after all. May I inquire as to the urgency of your departure?" His polite inquiry, coupled with genuine interest, prompted Lily to consider revealing a portion of their reasons, despite her initial reluctance.

"My brother needs healing treatment only available in a larger city," Lily stated succinctly, offering a part of the truth.

"I see…" Valdis responded, his brow furrowing in thought, hinting at an unspoken concern.

"Please, speak your mind, Mr. Valdis," Lily encouraged, recognizing his hesitation.

With a respectful tone, Valdis tried, "I don't wish to pry, Miss, but given Mr. Loges's referral, I feel compelled to mention that the treatments in Silverlight – especially those unavailable here – are likely to be quite costly."

Lily appreciated his honesty, finding his forthrightness more helpful than offensive. "I'm aware of the potential costs," she admitted. "At present, I may not have the means, but I'm sure I’ll secure the necessary funds once there. That’s why I’m trying to get there soon."

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Curious, Valdis inquired further, "May I ask about your profession? You sound as if you already have a plan for earning in Silverlight."

There wasn’t a reason to hide it, but revealing her new status felt both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. "I'm a mendicar, recently licensed."

Valdis was surprised by the revelation, his usual composure momentarily slipping. "A mendicar? My apologies for my astonishment; it's just rare to meet someone so young and already licensed."

Lily's smile remained unfazed by his surprise. Her focus remained on the benefits she could get from the position, not the perceptions others might hold.

Suddenly, the merchant's demeanor shifted dramatically, his initial astonishment giving way to excitement. "This changes everything!" he exclaimed, barely containing his enthusiasm. "Apologies for my outburst. The presence of a mendicar could significantly improve the safety and appeal of my caravan."

Lily's curiosity changed into caution as she considered the implications of Valdis's enthusiasm for her mendicar status. Perhaps he had the wrong idea about the extent of her abilities, prompting her to set expectations: "Mr. Valdis, I'm still a novice mendicar, freshly licensed."

Valdis's excitement remained unchanged, tempered with a hint of amusement. "Miss Lily, your concerns are noted. Rest assured, we wouldn't ask you to do anything beyond what you’re comfortable with. Just the presence of a mendicar lends a significant advantage to our caravan," he assured.

Lily's surprise deepened. "But how does that benefit you?" she inquired.

Seizing the opportunity to show his hand, the merchant posed a question in return, "How familiar are you with the operations of a caravan?" His patience suggested he was no stranger to such inquiries.

Admitting her limited knowledge, "Not much," Lily awaited his explanation, which came as a lively narrative. "Do you think merchants inflate their prices purely out of greed? That would quickly become unsustainable, as competitors offering lower rates would soon emerge. No, the reason we charge significantly is due to the dangers of the routes between settlements, which escalates the cost of transportation. It's all too common for merchants to attempt to cut costs by reducing the proper number of hunters or guards, only to find themselves the victims of raids or... worse. So, we invest heavily in protection and supplies to ensure safe passage through the wilderness."

"Oh," she exclaimed in realization. The profession suddenly became a bit more respectful in her eyes.

"My caravan is modest," Mr. Valdis continued, unfazed by the ticking clock, "comprising three, sometimes just two, carts of goods, alongside two carriages for those able to pay for passage and our hired protection. My permanent staff includes two guards and a servant. Depending on the route, we hire four to six local hunters seeking passage, which constitutes our major expenditure, second only to our supply costs."

"And how exactly would I be of help?" Lily inquired, unsure of what role could she play within the caravan.

Valdis didn't hesitate to lay out the practical benefits. "A significant portion of what we spend on hunters is for health potions, which they keep whether used or not. Having you with us could save on those costs. Also, your presence might encourage them to lower their fees, knowing they have a mendicar for immediate care."

Lily found herself suspecting his transparency. It was unusual for a merchant to reveal so much about the value of a service before negotiating terms. Was he underestimating her leverage, or was this an attempt to secure her agreement by demonstrating the mutual benefits upfront?

Before she could delve deeper into her suspicions, Valdis offered: "Miss Lily, I wouldn't expect you to offer your services without fair compensation. In exchange for your assistance, I'll provide free transport for you and your brother, along with covering the cost of any basic supplies needed for emergency treatments on the trip."

The proposition took Lily by surprise. The idea that her mendicar skills could effectively cover their travel expenses – and then some – was beyond what she had anticipated. Recalling Mr. Loges's warning about exorbitant costs, she had braced herself for a significant amount for their passage, and yet, she was presented with an opportunity that valued her amateur skills far more than she had dared hope.

"What do you think, Mendicar Lily?" Valdis asked, his expression one of keen anticipation, reminiscent of a trader on the verge of sealing a profitable deal. The option to negotiate further lingered in the air, but for Lily, the urgency to depart outweighed the potential gains of prolonged bargaining.

"I'll accept your offer," she affirmed, sealing their agreement with a handshake. After ironing out the specifics and taking note of the essential healing supplies she would need – a task Valdis's servant was dispatched to handle – Lily excused herself. Time was of the essence, with only two hours remaining before their scheduled departure.

With gloomy purpose, Lily hastened towards the town's modest parts, her steps automatically carrying her towards the familiar location of the tavern. She couldn't bear the thought of departing without a proper farewell to Aunt Carol. Despite the emotional weight, she knew it was a necessary closure.

Exiting the tavern after a heartfelt goodbye, her eyes were clouded with tears, regretting she couldn't extend her farewells to all the neighbors who had supported them. Leaving a message with Carol to pass on was the most she could do.

Visiting their home for one last time was bittersweet. Packing was done quickly, with only a few belongings worth taking. However, stepping out of the door for the final time was difficult, each minute stretching long and full of memories. Dawnbrook, for all it represented to them, could no longer provide what they needed to move forward. But acknowledging this didn't ease the pain of departure.

Lily allowed herself to feel the full tide of her emotions, rejecting the impulse to suppress her sorrow for a more convenient time. She wanted to leave her grief behind, though she knew it was an unrealistic hope.

Uncertain and reluctant steps led her to Master Orion's former residence, where she returned the books she had borrowed. Surprisingly, she no longer was afraid of entering the house. The recent horrors had reshaped her perspective.

With only an hour remaining, Lily faced a task she had been dreading: retrieving her official mendicar license from Master Kali. The old mendicar's discerning gaze seemed capable of unveiling secrets Lily couldn’t share, including the truth about her hidden class.

"Excuse me, Master Kali?" Lily called out hesitantly, knocking on the door.

"Come in," came the reply.

Opening the door, Lily stepped inside, each step heavier than the last, bracing herself for a meeting that felt as challenging as facing the witch.