Sol's Day

  Theo didn't like sentimental farewells. He woke very early, cleaned the attic room, collected his personal belongings into a chest and stored it neatly in the corner. He wanted to leave this room for Sera—the little girl had grown, needed personal space, couldn't share a room forever with two younger brothers. Everything was tidy, clean, ready for the new owner.

  Theo took a multicolored red fabric cord—the cord Sera had noticed at the market. He had added a small detail: a round stud earring he'd made from Sable's wood piece, cleverly attached to the fabric bracelet. This detail didn't detract but created a very personal accent, and the fragrance emanating from it made it even more precious. He placed it gently on the bed. He knew the family would understand through these actions: the room was ready for its new owner.

  Checking the pouch of 100 silver coins in his chest pocket again, he looked once more at his three sleeping siblings, then stepped lightly to his parents' bed. Theo gently placed the money pouch on the chair beside it.

  After that, he decisively took his luggage, didn't look back, and quietly left, stepping out to meet Sol's Day dawn.

  Theo always arrived earlier than the agreed time—usually 10 minutes—a trait deeply carved into all his actions.

  He stood at the crossroads, back carrying a large bag where Al the little Pidgey perched. Sometimes his eyes looked toward the old house, now just a distant roof in the morning mist. Sometimes he looked toward Liam's house, patiently waiting. Everything was ready—only his companion's appearance remained.

  After a few minutes of waiting, Liam appeared from the path leading to the forge.

  However, he walked in a not-so-good state. The radiance and enthusiasm from yesterday afternoon had completely vanished, replaced by exhaustion weighing heavily on his face. Shadows of a sleepless night hung heavy beneath Liam’s eyes—still open, but somewhat drooping with faint dark circles under the lids.

  Nevertheless, the large travel bag was still neatly hoisted on his shoulder, proving that no matter how difficult, he kept his promise and was ready to depart.

  Seeing Theo, Liam smiled lightly, tired eyes somewhat softening. He raised his right fist straight before his friend, patiently waiting.

  Theo looked at Liam's fist before him—he also grinned—a fleeting but sincere smile. He turned toward the inn direction (the direction they would go), left fist also raised, lightly touching Liam's fist.

  Two young men coming of age, with vows and goals already determined, stepped forward together, officially leaving Oakhaven's peaceful boundary, advancing into the journey ahead.

  They had arrived quite early. It seemed Night Hawks group hadn't yet assembled at the meeting place.

  Not wasting waiting time, Theo decided to check the two Striders at the stable. For him, a long journey couldn't lack careful preparation, and transportation especially needed meticulous inspection. He wanted to ensure these Striders were in the best condition.

  Liam took the task of staying at the nearby clearing, patiently waiting for Night Hawks group to appear and report back to Theo immediately when there was news.

  When Theo stepped into the stable area, his appearance immediately made the two Striders—Swift and Shadow—visibly delighted.

  The two large beasts flapped wings joyfully, sometimes jumping as if wanting to vault over the pen fence. Clearly, three days of not meeting their master and not being able to run had made them somewhat hyperactive, now seeking every way to release accumulated energy.

  Unlike Swift and Shadow, the eight remaining Striders there were extremely quiet, calm and seasoned, like their very masters.

  Theo led Swift and Shadow out of the pen area, settled payment at the stable, then personally fitted saddles and checked them over once. Everything was fine—the two creatures were very healthy. This was the moment to begin a long journey. He silently hoped these adolescent Striders could adapt well to the new environment.

  Theo led Swift and Shadow back to the clearing.

  Liam was still standing there, but now he was stammering in conversation with Rowan. The mischievous smile hadn't yet faded from her lips, but very clearly Liam was gradually adapting to Night Hawks group. Theo smirked—before long, Liam would communicate with them easily, perhaps even excessively enthusiastically—that was precisely Liam's nature.

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  Glancing around, Theo attentively observed the remaining members.

  Ronan was using a whetstone, small metallic grinding sounds ringing out as he meticulously adjusted his spear tip.

  Finn carefully rechecked his luggage, provisions and tools.

  Submerged amid the crowd was Sable—she stood strangely straight, seemingly sleeping standing—yes, emphasizing again: standing sleeping in the middle of the clearing.

  A bit farther away, the two large warriors Boris and Torvin were yawning while chatting, hoping dialogue would help them stay alert before the captain arrived.

  Theo swept his eyes around but didn't see Ryel's appearance. Strange—it was already assembly time, why hadn't he arrived? He didn't seem the type to be late at all.

  As for Vesper, Theo guessed he might be busy preparing for the next mission or settling inn and stable expenses.

  Not too much time passed before Vesper appeared. He strode quickly from the inn direction, exactly as Theo had guessed. Vesper glanced at Liam and Theo, then clapped once decisively, attracting the whole team's attention:

  "Everyone prepare to depart," Vesper ordered. "Check your mounts once more. Finn, help me check Sep once. I have a few words for the recruits."

  Before Vesper's command, all members recovered absolute professionalism. Not one question, not one superfluous sound—they decisively went to the stable to retrieve their own Striders.

  Finn, who was checking supplies, immediately stood straight up. He had slightly more tasks: checking and saddling the captain's Strider Sep.

  Ryel appeared from who knows when, quietly standing beside Sable, who was still dazed.

  Only Theo, Liam and Vesper remained in the clearing. Vesper glanced at Liam once then turned to Theo, attentively observing. Not long after, he spoke, still in his weathered, steely voice:

  "Listen up. From this moment on, you’re nothing but gamblers: betting your souls on the mission, and your lives on the men standing next to you. Every step is a wager. Even your breath while you rest is a goddamn bet.

  Stay sharp. Watch everything. Learn fast. Use every scrap of will you have just to stay alive.

  Profit and Survival. That’s the only truth for mercenaries like us."

  The pressure emanating from Vesper made Theo and Liam clearly feel the weight of each sentence.

  "Profit and Survival, huh?" Theo asked himself, but his eyes didn't waver at all, didn't lose focus. His reason quickly accepted the brutal truth just announced.

  Liam swallowed, forehead somewhat beaded with sweat. Though the upcoming pressure was great, his eyes still shone with determination: Liam was ready.

  Vesper didn't care about the two young men's thoughts or actions. He took out a hide sheet roughly sketched depicting areas around Oakhaven. Vesper's gaze attentively looked at the simple map, but his mouth still explained to the two recruits:

  "We will escort a small merchant convoy to the Mycelia Kingdom. This is quite a long journey—will probably take about twenty days. This slow movement will be an important opportunity for you to train and supplement weak skills. Make good use of it."

  Looking at the map a bit longer, also to let the two young men digest the just-given information, Vesper rolled up the map. He looked at Theo and Liam with probing eyes:

  "Finn and I have preliminarily discussed you two. You will continue learning necessary skills from Ryel and Ronan. You will be necessary additions to Night Hawks."

  Finished speaking, Vesper turned his back, striding straight toward the members already prepared.

  Finn handed over Sep—the Strider meticulously checked and saddled—while handing over, asking with worried voice:

  "Ves, you're not explaining the characteristics of Ryel and Ronan's teaching methods? Otherwise our recruits will easily be shocked."

  Vesper glanced at Finn, the scar etched on his face further increasing his authority.

  "That's your job, not mine, Vice-Captain."

  Vesper climbed onto Sep's saddle. He looked toward Liam and Theo climbing onto their own Striders, voice decisive, without any concession:

  "Adapt and live, fail and die. That's natural law."

  After that, Vesper led the remaining members, Striders stepping along the road heading out from Oakhaven, officially beginning the twenty-day escort mission. He left behind Finn smiling bitterly, a helpless reaction before the captain's cruel but truthful philosophy.

  Theo and Liam quickly urged their Striders into formation, closely following Ronan and Torvin. Before them was a twenty-day long journey where they had to bet everything to survive.