The news spread quickly through Stony Creek.
Kaelan and Aether were leaving for Whitestone City.
At first, only a few people knew.
By the afternoon, almost the entire village had heard.
Yet, no one seemed particularly surprised.
The events of recent days had made one thing clear to everyone: if they wanted more answers, someone had to leave. Someone had to venture further out.
Early the next morning, the village was busy as usual.
Some were mending fences, others were stacking firewood, and a few were checking on the livestock. It was as if nothing unusual was happening.
Only in front of Kaelan and Aether’s door, several packages had accumulated.
The village chief was the first to arrive. He placed a cloth sack on the table, filled with dried meat and coarse grain cakes.
"For the road," he said.
Aether quickly took it. "Thank you."
The chief waved his hand. "Don't ration it too strictly. It's a worse waste if it spoils than if you eat it." With that, he turned and left; there were still many tasks waiting for him.
Not long after, the old cooper arrived, carrying a roll of oiled cloth.
"Useful if it rains on the way."
Kaelan accepted it. The old man nodded and turned to leave. At the doorway, he suddenly looked back.
"When you get back, help me carry logs."
Aether smiled. "Will do."
The old man nodded in satisfaction and strolled away slowly, as if they had merely agreed on an ordinary chore.
At noon, the boy who always held the puppy ran over. The puppy was still in his arms, but this time, he was clutching something else in his hand.
"For you."
Aether looked down. It was a small wooden piece carved into the shape of a bird. Though slightly crooked and with uneven wings, it had clearly taken a lot of time to make.
"Did you carve this?"
The boy nodded. "Don't lose it."
Aether placed it carefully into his pack. "I won't."
Reassured, the boy hugged his puppy and ran off without even saying a proper goodbye.
In the afternoon, Kaelan went to check their gear. Wren was already waiting there.
A bow, a quiver, a short blade, rope, and flint were laid out on the table one by one.
Wren picked up Kaelan's bow and inspected it for a moment, suddenly frowning. "The string is loose."
Kaelan took it back and looked. "Is it?"
"It is." Wren offered no further explanation and re-strung it on the spot, then handed the bow back. "Fixed."
Kaelan tested it. It was indeed tighter.
Wren nodded. "Don't wait until it snaps to replace it."
Kaelan smiled slightly. "Got it."
The two fell silent, looking off toward the distant forest together. The wind rustled through the treetops.
After a while, Wren spoke. "Whitestone City isn't like here."
"I know."
"So trust people less."
Kaelan nodded. "Alright."
Wren thought about it, then added, "But don't distrust everyone, either."
Kaelan couldn't help but laugh. "How do I judge that?"
Wren shrugged. "Learn it yourself."
With that, both of them broke into a laugh.
On the other side of the cabin, Aether was packing his travel gear. Harold walked over and sat by the doorway, watching him place items in one by one: dry rations, a waterskin, spare clothes, and that little wooden bird.
Harold said nothing, merely watching in silence.
After a moment, Aether asked, "Were you scared the first time you left home?"
Harold pondered for a moment. "Yes."
Aether was somewhat surprised. "You get scared too?"
Harold glanced at him. "Everyone does."
Aether smiled. That sounded very much like something Harold would say.
After a pause, Harold suddenly said, "The people you meet on the road matter more than the road itself."
Aether raised his head. "What do you mean?"
"Many people have walked these roads," Harold said. "But the people are different. Some will help you, some will deceive you, and some will change you. So don't just keep your eyes on the path."
Aether took the advice to heart. Though he couldn't fully grasp it yet, his intuition told him these words were vital.
By dusk, it was time for the last dinner. Everyone gathered around as usual, eating, chatting, and discussing tomorrow's chores. No one deliberately brought up the departure, as if Kaelan and Aether were merely going away for a few days and would soon return.
Late into the night, the village gradually settled into quiet. Kaelan, however, found it hard to sleep. He stepped out of the house and found Harold sitting outside, holding something in his hand.
Under the moonlight, it was an old badge with worn edges and a mottled surface, looking as if it had accompanied its owner for many years.
Harold held out the badge. "Keep this safe."
Kaelan took it and gently flipped it over. The pattern on it was already somewhat faded. "Where did this come from?"
"Something from a long time ago," Harold replied, offering no further explanation.
Kaelan did not press him.
Father and son sat in silence for a while, listening to the night wind through the treetops.
Much later, Harold spoke. "When you reach Whitestone City, go to the East District. Look for a man named Edwin."
Kaelan nodded, committing the name to memory. "Will he help?"
Harold was silent for a moment. "I don't know."
Kaelan looked down at the badge.
Harold continued, "This thing might be useless. He might not even be there anymore, or he might not even want to see you."
The night grew still. Harold's words were always like this—never offering unrealistic hopes.
After a moment, Harold said softly, "But if there is still anyone willing to hear you out... it might be him."
Kaelan nodded, putting the badge into his coat.
The next day, before dawn, quite a few people were already standing at the village entrance. There was no grand farewell, no formal ceremony. Many simply happened to wake up early and came over to take a look.
Kaelan hoisted his pack; Aether did the same. Standing at the village entrance, the two did a final check on their gear: waterskins, rations, flint, and maps were all present.
Harold stepped forward, inspected everything, and confirmed nothing was missing.
He then spoke: "Find a place to rest before dark. Don't travel at night just to make time."
Kaelan nodded. "Understood."
Harold turned to Aether. "Refill the waterskin whenever it's empty."
Aether smiled and nodded. "Understood."
Harold said nothing more, for everything that needed to be said had been said.
Morning light slowly climbed over the distant peaks, and the road stretched beyond the mountains, vanishing into the unseen distance.
Kaelan took a step forward, and Aether followed.
The two walked down the road without turning back, for a long journey lay ahead.
The crowd at the village entrance gradually dispersed, returning to their respective chores. The fences still needed mending, the night watches had to continue, and the issue with the forest remained unresolved.
Life went on.
Only from this day forward, two people had left this place—bearing the hopes of several villages—stepping into a world they had never seen before.
***