The Journey Begins

"No!" my father shouted. "I will not allow you to travel."

"But why, Father? Why?" I cried.

"Yesterday you proved you're still far too immature and untrustworthy," he said, trying to lower his voice.

"But I was training with the Head Priest. It was my final lesson—I had to make the most of it!"

"And you had only one rule," he thundered, raising his voice again. "You were supposed to be home before dusk, and you failed."

"After ten years of always being on time!" I screamed back. "One time I'm late and suddenly I'm a sinner?"

"Yes. Yes, you finally understand.” he said coldly.

"What is wrong with you? Casilda, say something, please."

"Don't you say a word.” my father snapped at her. "She has no right to an opinion here."

Casilda stood helplessly at the side. I could see she wanted to speak, but my father's glare silenced her. She feared losing her position if she tried to intervene.

"Fine. I'll take her with me, and she can be my guardian," I said, glancing at Casilda. Her eyes lit up with hope.

"No. Who will look after the house while your mother and I are at work?" he countered.

"Just hire someone new. You can trust Casilda to come with me."

"The same way I trust her to care for the house without stealing anything," he said. "Finding someone that trustworthy will take time. You don’t understand how valuable Casilda is to us."

"This isn't fair!" I shouted, banging the table. "I've had enough of you and your ridiculous rules. You've ignored me my whole life, but the moment I want to do something outside this dead town, you shut me down. I want nothing to do with you anymore!"

I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me. As I walked farther away, I realized I was better off running away completely. What was the point of staying here if all I could do was sit in a church? The Head Priest was right—I hadn’t seen anything yet. I had to experience the real world. I wanted to travel, just like that elf, Elariel.

I could still hear my father yelling. I’m sorry, Casilda. I shouldn’t have dragged you into this. If only the Head Priest knew some teleportation magic, or flying magic—or any magic at all to get me away quickly.

Maybe I could talk to him again… but he’d just tell me to speak with my parents. Still, it was worth a try. If he’d taught me something forbidden once, maybe he knew other secrets too.

I turned toward the church and marched forward. Anyone in my way—men, women, children, cats or dogs—wasn’t my problem. This road was mine.

Finally, the church gates stood before me. As I stepped through, a powerful force shoved me back. I tried again—pushed away once more.

"Don’t you dare return without learning anything new," the Head Priest’s voice demanded.

Ah. Right. I’d forgotten. He’d locked me out.

I stared blankly. No plan. Nothing.

Then my eyes lifted to the gatehouse towering above the city. The solution was simple—just walk out through the front gates.

I went to where the carriages usually lined up. Thanks to my father’s strict regulations, traffic had to wait until the gates opened. Soon, I could slip out unnoticed.

After half an hour, the bell rang—the gates opened. All I needed was the right carriage. Most were open-topped. I needed one with a roof to hide in. Please, please, please…

Finally, I spotted one. Perfect. I pushed through the crowd, heart pounding.

No guards watching. My chance. I threw myself inside, squeezed between crates, and hid in the far corner. I should be fine here. Right?

Each second closer to the gate made my chest tighten. But I was about to make it. So simple. Why had I worried? My father never cared where I was anyway.

"Halt!" a deep voice barked. "Inspection!"

No, no, no—why now? They hadn’t inspected the earlier carriages!

"It’s Lord Défteros’s order," the guard explained. "We must check all covered carriages."

Of course. My father’s doing.

The carriage shook as a guard climbed inside, checking crates one by one until his eyes landed on me.

"Hey, you. What are you doing here?"

"Hello there!" I said with a shaky smile.

"Get out. Now!"

"O-of course… ha ha…"

Tears welled up. All I wanted was to study. Why couldn’t I?

"Commander, we found the Lord’s daughter."

"Well, well. Now it makes sense what the Lord was looking for," the commander sneered. "What were you planning, Miss Défteros?"

"Doesn’t matter, Mr. Gate Commander," I muttered, staring past him.

"The Lord will be glad you’re safe. But until then… why don’t you take a look at our cells? The Lord will be happy to see his daughter reformed."

Two guards seized me and dragged me up the tower’s spiral stairs. A foul corridor awaited—metal cages, rats, hollow-eyed prisoners.

"What are we doing here?" I asked anxiously.

No reply. They unlocked a cage and shoved me inside. The lock clicked shut.

"Wait, you can’t do this—I don’t belong here!"

"That’s what they all say, haha."

I sank down. My father would never forgive this. Maybe he wouldn’t even come for me.

The stench was unbearable. Prisoners leered. Hours passed. My body stiffened, my cage reeked of vomit. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Creak. The door opened. My heart leapt—salvation?

No. Just guards changing shifts.

Food came—soggy bread in milk with peas and carrots. I retched again.

Then—hope.

"Have you seen Aux today?" one guard asked.

Auxxy! If he came, he’d help me.

Minutes dragged until finally—

"Hey, sorry, I got delayed!" Auxentios panted at the door.

"What the hell were you doing?"

"Looking for someone. Didn’t find them."

"Auxxy!" I screamed.

He turned, stunned. "What are you doing here? I was looking everywhere!"

"They locked me up—please let me out!"

"First… what crime did you commit?"

"Don’t say it like I’m a criminal!"

"But you’re in a cell."

"Fine! I might have tried to smuggle myself out. That’s all."

"Why would you think that was a good idea?"

"My father refuses to let me travel, even though the Head Priest said I should. What else could I do?"

"You need to think rationally. But let’s get you out first."

He unlocked the cage. The moment it opened, I threw myself at him. We both fell to the floor.

"Oh heavens, thank goodness."

"Wh-what are you doing? Please, get up." he stammered.

"Sorry. I just had to thank you somehow." I whispered.

"It’s fine. Come with me. I’ll send word to your father."

He guided me by the hand. Warmth spread through me. Why did I always end up relying on him?

"Anything you want me to add to the message?" he asked.

"No," I pouted.

"Alright, I’ll keep it simple."

He finished writing, then leaned back, meeting my eyes. The room felt warmer. My cheeks burned.

"Isn’t it stuffy in here?" I muttered nervously.

He leaned closer, pressing his forehead to mine.

"You’re hot.” he said calmly.

"Wha—what are you doing!?" I yelped.

"You have a fever. The room’s the same as always."

Ah… so obvious. But not for the reason he thought.

"I’ll get you some water. Just wait here.” he said gently, then left.

I sat by the window, trying to calm myself. The city stretched out below—so different from this height. My father had turned chaos into order. He really was incredible. I just wished he’d let me chase my own destiny, the way he had.

The door opened. My heart leapt—I thought it was Auxxy. But the moment I saw who stood there, my smile vanished.

"Roza.” my father said, arms crossed in the doorway.

Not who I wanted to see. Though I probably should have expected it.