The next week, Luca and Finn met at the camp gate, their bags packed and ready for the long trip home. The sun had just risen, casting a warm glow over the training grounds now quiet after months of activity. The air felt crisp, the chill of early morning settling in as the trees showed hints of gold and orange.
Finn looked at Luca and asked, "Should we buy something for our families before leaving?"
Luca shook his head. "The market here mostly sells military supplies. It's better to buy gifts in the city. There will be more choices there."
Finn nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's find the carriages."
They walked toward the camp's stables, but most of the carriages had already left. Many of the recruits were eager to return home, so the available carriages had been taken early, with drivers hired well in advance.
One of the carriage drivers still preparing his horses noticed them looking around. "If you're heading to Silverdeep, you can catch a carriage from Elmwick. That's where we're going. It's a large city along the way."
Luca and Finn exchanged glances before agreeing. "Alright, we'll go to Elmwick first," Luca said.
The journey began soon after. As they rode along the dusty roads, the landscape of the Kingdom of Waldria stretched wide around them. Rolling hills, golden fields of wheat, and dense forests passed by as the carriage wheels clattered steadily against the road. They saw small villages along the way, farmers tending to crops and children playing in the fields.
The Kingdom of Waldria was vast, made up of seventeen provinces and over two hundred cities, each known for its own strengths. Elmwick, the city they were headed to, was famous for its finely crafted leather goods and textiles. Merchants from across the kingdom often travelled there for the quality of its goods, making it a bustling trade hub. Other cities specialized in metalwork, pottery, or rare herbs used in medicine and alchemy.
"I've heard Elmwick has some of the best traveling cloaks and boots," Finn said, looking out the window as the city walls came into view.
Luca nodded. "Maybe we can get something there for our families."
The journey took a day and a half, with the carriage stopping only briefly for rest. By the time they reached Elmwick, the sun was dipping low, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. The city was alive with activity, market stalls lining the streets, traders calling out their goods, and the scent of fresh bread and roasting meat filling the air.
Luca and Finn stepped off the carriage, stretching their legs after the long ride. The city felt different from the quiet camp—loud, busy, and full of life. People bustled by in fine cloaks, and street performers entertained small crowds near the town square.
"Let's find a place to stay for the night and then look for a carriage to Silverdeep tomorrow," Luca suggested.
Finn nodded, and together, they made their way into the heart of Elmwick.
They found an inn with modest rooms and stayed there for the night. The next morning, they went to find a carriage to Silverdeep but discovered that all available carriages had been booked by a noble family travelling with a large household. The carriage supervisor informed them there would be another available carriage to Silverdeep in two days.
With no choice but to wait, they decided to make the most of their stay. Finn wanted to buy something for his family, while Luca needed to exchange his silver sheets. Silver sheets were small, convenient slips used for large sums, making them easier to carry than bulky silver coins and less likely to draw attention from thieves. Luca had exchanged three hundred silver coins for three silver sheets earlier in the military camp for this reason.
Luca told Finn, "I'll head to the city exchange hall and trade one of my sheets for coins. Let's meet back at the inn for lunch."
Finn agreed and went off to explore the market. Meanwhile, Luca walked to the exchange hall and traded one silver sheet for a hundred silver coins, placing them carefully into his coin pouch. The exchange hall was grand, with tall pillars and guards watching over the counters. Traders bustled around, discussing rates and inspecting ledgers.
After securing his coins, Luca visited a nearby tailor's shop, buying fine clothes for his mother and some thick winter garments in preparation for the colder months. The tailor, carefully wrapped the garments in cloth and handed them over with a warm smile. He paid ten silver coins for the purchases and left the shop, satisfied with the gifts.
As he walked back toward the inn, he suddenly felt a hand brush against his coin pouch. His senses, sharpened by months of perception training, alerted him before he even saw the thief. Spinning around, he caught the wrist of a scrawny boy, no older than ten or eleven, dressed in ragged clothes with dirt smudged on his face.
The boy struggled, trying to yank his hand free. "Let me go!"
Luca held firm and asked with his voice calm. "You trying to take something, kid?"
The boy scowled, his face pale and thin. "You're the kid!"
People nearby began to notice, their curious eyes turning toward the pair. Luca sighed and released his grip, nodding toward a nearby food stall. "Come on. Let's eat first."
The boy blinked, confused, but hunger won over suspicion. He followed Luca to the stall, where Luca ordered two bowls of stew. He placed one bowl in front of the boy, who stared at it for a moment before digging in ravenously. Luca ate in silence, letting the boy finish his meal.
When the bowl was empty, Luca spoke gently. "You should ask for help, not steal. If you keep doing this, one day the city guards will catch you, and things will be much worse."
The boy wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "What do you know?"
Luca didn't argue. He wasn't in the boy's shoes and couldn't fully understand his struggles. Seeing the boy still looked hungry, he ordered a smaller portion of rice and chicken soup. "Eat this too. If you eat too much too fast, you'll get sick."
The boy grabbed the food but, instead of eating, turned and bolted down the street with the bowl in hand. The shopkeeper shouted after him, but Luca placed a silver coin on the counter. "I'll pay for it."
Shaking his head, Luca watched the boy disappear into the crowd, then returned to the inn, the incident lingering faintly in his mind.
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A/N: Dear readers,
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