“Come!”

Ricard grips his wooden sword tight and charges Adrian. Raising the weapon above his head, he attacks with a swing, using the weight of his body. As the wood, the swords are made of, collide, Ricard loses his balance. Adrian uses this opportunity to shift the weight, pressing down onto the hilt of his weapon, away and strike him with a counter attack.

“Ouch!”

“Predictable and weak.” Stated Adrian.

“You don’t have to say it like that.”

“Again! Get ready.”

“Come!”

It was a while since Adrian and Ricard started training together. At first, the only one getting something out of these tiring sessions was Ricard. But fortunately for his instructor, the student was a fast learner.

While the boys were preoccupied, Riya was kicking her feet back and forth, sitting on bench and watching them. She gets an idea and bounces off behind the building. A moment later, she brings two mugs of water. She hands one of them to fatigued Ricard, now lying on the ground.

“Thanks.”

The other mug she hands to Adrian.

“Don’t need it.”

Brushed off, her expression gains a little bit of gloom after which she goes back to sit on the bench.

“Hey, be a little considerate.” Frowned Ricard.

“What? I didn’t do anything.”

“You really should talk to people more.”

Adrian smacks him on the head with his weapon.

“OUCH! What was that for?”

“Shut up, you’re annoying.”

“What is it this time?” Sighed Tybalt as he opened the door to look at what was happening.

“The usual... Uncle Tybalt, do you need help with anything?” Asked Riya.

“At the moment? I don’t believe I do. But thank you for asking.”

Tybalt noticed her as gloom struck her face once more.

“Now that you mention it. I could use another hand.”

Riya smiled and nodded.

Both of them spent few hours strolling through the town of Mistvale asking people whether they need help and spread the word of their services. Tybalt noticed an increase in the willingness of people to listen.

“Riya seems to have a certain charm.” He thought to himself.

Upon coming back home, they found Ricard still lying on the ground, sleeping, while Adrian was training by himself nearby. Riya rushed to her brother to wake him up out of concern. She tried her hardest but Ricard’s snoring only got louder.

Deeming it pointless, she went inside with Tybalt, leaving him be.

“Your help is really appreciated, never have I ever came back with empty hands. I’ll be more than honored to have you accompany me next time.”

“I’m glad to be of help.” Responded Riya with a genuine smile.

“Listen... I know that you don’t want to feel like a burden and you are certainly not. You don’t have to force yourself to be of use to us. We are here for you.” Assured her Tybalt.

Riya looked down and grabbed her skirt tightly.

“I don’t know how to fight, how to protect others and myself... doing small things like this helps me not question whether I deserve the help you gave me. So I’ll help with whatever you need for the time being.”

Unbeknownst to her, the time would soon come to an end as doors to the school started to get knocked on.

“Hey you can’t just barge in here like that.” Said Ricard’s voice from outside.

“Miss Riya I have a letter for you.”

She opened the door and there stood a well dressed traveller holding nothing but a piece of quality parchment.

“This, is for you. An invitation written by the son of the Leybough family himself.” Announces the well dressed man as he hands her the letter.

Behind his back, Adrian and Ricard were conspiring together.

“This snob is annoying me, should I kick him out?”

“Yeah, I’ll join.”

“Ehm... Don’t shoot the messenger as they say. Anyway the carriage will be ready once you decide to depart.” Said the man as he went on his way back.

“Hey, don’t assume things on your own.” Hissed Ricard.

“Miss is free to decline, of course, but that is her decision, not mine, not yours. In either way, please do tell me so I can know whether to return with or without you. Until then, I shall remain near the road just under this cliff of yours.”

“Asshole...”

Adrian and Ricard came inside the building to rejoin with Riya who was still holding onto the letter.

“You could’ve just returned it to him straight away, now we have to go tell him ourselves that we don’t-“

“I’m going.” Proclaimed Riya.

“I know, but now he is- YOU WHAT? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ll go and settle this once and for all. Running from problems is not the right way.”

“Well, alright but we’re coming with you.” Insisted Ricard.

“I guess we could use an actual adventure once in a while. If you will have us, Miss Riya” Joined Tybalt.

“Good luck.” Said Adrian as he left to mind his own business.

“I’ll go talk to him.”

Riya went after him into the woods. Adrian was chopping new batch of wood for burning when she slowly approached him.

“A- Adrian... I’m sure Ricard already told you about our situation.”

“Yeah.”

“I will not let anyone get the best of me.”

“I heard you say it yesterday. Sorry for eavesdropping but I couldn’t sleep. Though it made me think. Letting things be unresolved or running from them is kind of letting them get best of you. You let them control your life, you let them win.”

“Your words... That is why I didn’t say no. And I would like for you, and all of us, to accompany me in case I need another push.”

“And Ricard could use someone to calm him down, you saw how he was fuming few minutes ago.”

“Well, think it through, I just wanted you to know that we’ll be more than happy to have you with us.”

Several minutes went by after Riya came out of the woods. Her, Ricard and Tybalt were already filling the carriage with already packed luggage.

“This is probably our last time here. Adrian could’ve at least come to say goodbye.” Muttered Ricard.

“What was that?” Asked Riya.

“Nothing...”

Ricard, embarrassed by the choice of his words, was suddenly scared, along with all people near the carriage, when a strong thump was heard, making the entire wooden construction shake. On its roof appeared Adrian sitting and carrying but a bag made of cloth. After they realized that he had joined them, smiles widened on their faces... except one’s.

“May I ask for you to sit inside like a normal human being?” Demanded the Messenger with a fed up look.

“Nah.” Adrian responded with laying on the roof.

“Very well. Don’t come to me when something happens. Off we go then.”