The square remained quiet as the knights prepared to leave for the night, their polished armor catching the moon's silver glow. The duel had dissipated the immediate tension, but an unspoken heaviness lingered in the air. Kaelith's sharp eyes lingered on Rynar for a moment longer before she stepped back to join her knights, her voice measured but firm.
"Dawn," she said, her words cutting through the stillness. "Be ready."
Rynar remained where he stood, his breath steady but his mind racing. Beside him, Kael placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "We'll talk at home," his father murmured, guiding him toward their cottage.
---
The fire crackled softly in the hearth as Rynar stepped into the familiar warmth of his family's cottage. Erynn looked up from the table, her hands pausing over a partially mended tunic. Her green eyes immediately flicked to Kael, searching for answers.
"What happened?" she asked, her tone edged with worry.
Kael sighed, placing his knife on the table before meeting her gaze. "The knights made an offer. They want him to leave with them—to go to some evaluation center."
Erynn's hands fell into her lap, her fingers twisting together. "An evaluation center? For what?"
"For children like Lyra," Kael explained, his tone heavy. "And, apparently, for boys like Rynar."
Erynn's eyes widened as they shifted to her son. "You said yes?"
Rynar hesitated, glancing at his father before answering. "I said I'd go."
Erynn stood abruptly, crossing the room to stand in front of him. Her hands grasped his face, her expression a mixture of pride and fear. "Rynar, this isn't a small thing. You've never been outside Whisperwood. You don't know what's out there."
"I know," he said softly. "But I need to figure out what this is—what I am."
Erynn's eyes glistened, and she pulled him into a tight embrace. "You're my son. That's all you need to be."
---
Rynar lay in bed that night, staring at the wooden ceiling as the sounds of the forest drifted in through the open window. His thoughts churned, filled with fragments of the day: Ferrin's calm smile, Kaelith's piercing gaze, the knights' confident movements. The idea of leaving Whisperwood felt both thrilling and terrifying.
The faint creak of the door pulled him from his thoughts. Kael stepped inside, his broad frame silhouetted by the glow of the fire. He sat on the edge of Rynar's bed, his expression thoughtful.
"You're scared," Kael said simply.
Rynar nodded. "Yeah."
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. "That's good. Fear means you understand what's at stake. It'll keep you sharp."
Rynar frowned, his green eyes meeting his father's. "What if I can't do it?"
Kael smirked faintly. "You've been doing it your whole life. This is just the next step."
---
The first light of dawn painted the village square in hues of soft gold. Rynar stood outside the cottage, his pack slung over his shoulder. Erynn adjusted the straps one last time, her hands trembling slightly as she worked.
"Stop fussing," Kael said gently, pulling her back. "He'll be fine."
Erynn exhaled shakily, brushing her hands on her apron. "He's my baby, Kael."
Kael placed an arm around her shoulders, his gaze steady. "I know."
The sound of hoofbeats drew their attention as the knights rode into the square, their presence as commanding as it had been the day before. Kaelith dismounted first, her silver armor gleaming in the early morning light.
"Rynar," she called, her voice clear. "It's time."
Rynar nodded, stepping forward. The weight of his pack felt heavier than it had the night before, though he knew it wasn't the contents that burdened him. Erynn pulled him into one final hug, her voice trembling as she whispered in his ear. "Remember where you come from."
Kael placed a firm hand on Rynar's shoulder. "Listen. Learn. And don't lose yourself out there."
"I won't," Rynar said, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat.
As Rynar approached the knights, the rhythmic clatter of his boots against the cobblestones was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps behind him. He turned instinctively, his green eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Lyra weaving through the thinning crowd.
Her small pack was slung over her shoulder, and her braid swung lightly against her back. She slowed as she neared him, her breathing steady despite the brisk pace. There was no hesitation in her steps, no uncertainty in her gaze as she came to a stop a few feet away.
"I'll ride with you," she said simply, her voice calm.
Rynar blinked, taken aback by the ease in her tone. "You're coming?" he asked, though he immediately felt foolish. Of course, she was.
Lyra raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into the faintest smile. "What did you think I was going to do? Stay behind and watch you leave?"
He couldn't help but smirk, though he quickly turned his attention to the knights, who had also noticed her approach. Kaelith's sharp gaze flicked to Lyra, her piercing blue eyes assessing her with the same measured precision she had shown the night before.
The Knight-Commander didn't speak, her expression calm but unreadable. Lyra didn't falter under the scrutiny, her chin lifting slightly as she adjusted the strap of her pack.
Ferrin stepped forward, his hazel eyes bright with amusement. "Right on time," he said lightly, glancing between them. "You two ready?"
Lyra nodded once, her confidence steady. Rynar looked between her and the knights, his unease softening slightly in the presence of her resolve. The thought of traveling into the unknown felt a little less daunting now.
Kaelith finally broke the silence, her voice even. "Good. Mount up. The journey will be long."
Without another word, Lyra moved toward the waiting horses, her movements purposeful and unhurried. Rynar followed, his thoughts swirling but his chest feeling a little lighter.