Raz had spent the entirety of his day pondering Reina's offer: leave everything to go and learn magic in the capital. Even now, with his supper before him, Raz continued to wonder about it.
"Waz wrong, son? Ya've barely touched yer stew," Raz's mother, Aina who was a medium-build woman with fair skin, long black hair, beautiful green eyes, with some freckles on her face, remarked. Kalmu, who was sat beside Aina, stopped eating and awaited Raz's response.
"I… have been asked to accompany one of my instructors to the capital. There, she intends to teach me magic. She believes that this is the best course of action," Raz answered. "I do not know what to do…"
Aina paused for a moment, clearly composing herself, and finally smiled. "Wha'ev'r ya choose, we'll support ya, son," she reassured Raz.
Raz looked up, smiled, and then noticed that his father wore a troubled face, "Is something the matter, father?"
"Well, son," Kalmu began, "this is not the first time that an instructor of yours has wished to take you to the capital. All your previous instructors wished the exact same thing. I rejected all of them for I thought that there was no need." Kalmu took a momentary pause before continuing, "Son, what matters is that you think hard and choose for yourself. This decision is likely to affect you the most, you'll be leaving your life that you have known to start a new one. No one, not even me or your mother, has the right to make this decision for you."
The family continued in silence. Raz absent-mindedly ate and finished up his chores for he was weighing the pros and cons of leaving for the capital. He realized that if he were to leave, he would be able to meet all sorts of people, learn from the best of the best and speak with philosophers that he had only read about until now. It would be completely different from his life at the ranch. It was an intriguing offer indeed. Raz made his decision while he lay in bed: he will go to the capital and continue his studies.
The following morning, Raz let his parents know of his decision. His mother was a nervous wreck, and only settled down after Raz and her promised to write twice a week. Kalmu, however, asked for no such things. He gave his son a warm embrace and some essential items for travel. Kalmu's face showed pride which he reinforced by continuously telling Raz that Raz would amaze everyone in the capital. However, Raz saw sadness in his father's eyes.
Once Raz's possessions were loaded onto a horse, the company set out. Shinsusa acted as the vanguard while Reina was in the rear. It was clear that though there wasn't much of a threat, they still wanted to ensure that Raz was safe.
The road to the capital was known as "Gloria", getting its name from the journey of Hapster. Raz recalled his story as they traveled:
Hapster was born 969 years ago. His birth marks the start of the Walindian calendar. From a young age, Hapster was interestingly queer. Rather than playing like other children, Hapster spent his youth helping his elders with their work. Hapster was well adored by the people around him. Eventually, Hapster began making great claims: prophecies. Many of his prophecies came true not long after he made them; he accurately predicted many natural disasters and was cemented as a true oracle. Though Hapster never claimed to be a prophet, his followers hailed him as one, neither did he ever teach people how to live life but had a mantra: "Information trumps all." Near the end of his life, Hapster made a grave prophecy: "East wind will mark the end of all." He is said to have been buried on a hill overlooking a crescent lake.
Raz had pondered over Hapster's final prophecy. Hapster wasn't one to make vague prophecies, he would give precise predictions. As such, it was unnatural for Hapster's final prophecy to be so vague. Regardless, many scholars had argued over what it meant, and the consensus reached was: Ertistan would eventually wage war against every country and destroy the world. This theory was supported by the fact that Ertistan's state religion, Saisaami, instructed its followers to wage war on all those who oppose them.
Raz's train of thought was halted by Shinsusa's voice. "That's enough," she announced, "we will set-up camp here." The decision came as a shock to Raz as the sun was still out and they were still quite a ways away from the next city in their route. Still, Raz dismounted his horse and began to follow Shinsusa's lead. Shinsusa ordered Raz to set-up the tents some two-hundred yards away from the road. She also walked behind Raz, who lead the horses to the campsite, covering up their tracks. Raz thought her paranoid.
Once Raz had done his chores, he decided to relax. He noticed Reina carrying some firewood. However, her chore was short-lived as Shinsusa took over with an annoyed yet caring expression. Shinsusa said something to Reina and nodded towards Raz before walking off. Reina turned and looked at Raz and decided to come talk to him.
Reina sat down next to Raz. "How are you holding up?" she inquired.
"Me am doing good."
"That's good to hear." They shared a moment of silence before Reina broke it again, "I know that this is a huge change, leaving your home for a big, unknown city. But you need not worry, I, Shina, we'll be with you throughout your journey." She smiled warmly at Raz.
Raz felt a bit more at ease, "Thank you…"
Much later, Raz and co. were eating some wild game stew, that Shinsusa had prepared, around their campfire. It was somehow undercooked and overcooked at the same time, though no-one complained. Suddenly, shouts are heard coming from the road. Without wasting a moment, Shinsusa threw her stew away and went to equip her armor.
Simultaneously, Reina cast a spell, "O Lord who art in heaven, take away the breath of this flame," and extinguished the campfire. Once done, Reina turned to Raz, "Stay quiet and stay behind me."
"What's happening," Raz asked with a very confused and worried expression.
"Bandits," Shinsusa explained, her tone filled with unmatchable disgust.