East From Here

Before night falls, Sera and I part ways.
...That was the plan, but as it so happens, we're staying in the same building. Who knew a parting walk could last so long? It was a bit awkward, but eventually I made it to my room.
Now I lie in bed, staring up at the wooden ceiling. I've been sleeping in this room for a few nights now, but I'm still not quite used to it. It's very empty.

When I was first guided to this place, the village elder told me that it was built to accommodate travellers, but none had arrived in recent weeks, so the place was basically empty. I guessed it was due to the snowstorm, but now I think I know better; no one wants to get caught up in a war, so they're staying away from here.
That makes Sera's family unique. They weren't planning on staying here for long, but they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now they're stuck here.
Still, if her dad isn't a citizen of these lands, it'd be weird for the king of Lann to force him into fighting for the kingdom's sake. Besides, he's a businessman, not a fighter. He'd surely be more useful brokering trade deals from allied countries.

I think those thoughts as if they were obvious, but I'm not sure I would've thought of them without some help. It's true that Sera is more talkative than she first seemed, but my earlier conversation with her about travelling to Lann felt strange.
In trying to pinpoint why her behaviour felt so odd to me, I came to this conclusion: her father must still be in the capital. He wasn't sent out to fight; he was kept back to support the kingdom's finances.

I don't know what the state of education is like in this world, but I could easily believe that a man who's spent his whole life working with commerce has a better understanding of math than the average citizen.
When my girlfriend started studying to become a teacher, she said the first step was to gain an above-average understanding on a range of topics. I vacantly said something like "huh, so you could get a job anywhere if the teacher job doesn't work out", and she replied, "'above average' falls far short of 'professional', you should know."
A king would want the best.

When I combine everything I know, it makes sense to go to Lann.
It's an opportunity to test what the cube can do.
It's a chance to reunite Sera with her father.
We could even bring some food back for the villagers.
...
It just makes sense.

◇ ◇ ◇

"I see..."

The next morning, I met up with Sera and agreed to go to Lann. We then rejoined the princess (along with her two guards) in the village elder's house in order to plan out the trip.
One problem though...

"If Lann is the destination, the number of people we can send to support you will be very limited."
"How limited?"
"For one thing, most of the locals are out of the question."
"Is it too dangerous or something?"
"Blue hair is often associated with the mainland, and with Yve. Even if we were permitted entry to the capital, it'd be with limited freedoms."

Huh. 'Limited freedoms' is a vague way of wording it. In that case, Sera and I will be fine, but... I feel a bit bad that Arya won't be able to come with us.
"Is there anyone else who might be willing to come along?" I ask. I doubt we'll have many who are able to join us, but I'd at least like one or two extra people.
As if my wants had been heard already, the Princess beckons to one of her guards. "Ms. Tsa, would you?"
"As you wish." The guard responds with a formal salute. I think it's a salute... It's not one that I recognise.
The guard, Ms. Tsa, walks towards Sera and I. She's, uh, very tall. Looking up, I offer a handshake.

"It's reassuring to have you with us."
"Likewise."

We shake hands. She's got a firm grip, a stoic demeanour - I don't know how someone like this is reassured by me being here, but I'll take her kind words without complaint.
"Now we've got a party of three. Anyone else?" I continue.
"It's unlikely, but I may be able to recruit a fourth." The princess replies.
In practical terms, three would probably be good enough. I don't know a thing about travelling in this world, but Sera likely has experience with whatever form of transport they use around here. So too must a personal guard of a princess... I hope.
When it's framed like that, I really am the most useless member of this trio, aren't I? I'll have to consider what I can do to make the trip easier for us all.

◇ ◇ ◇

It took a day of prep and farewell to prepare ourselves, but before long, we found ourselves waiting at the village's northern road. Ms. Tsa, Sera, and I have gained a fourth party member: Sera's mother. Conveniently, she was trained as a guard and has spent a lot of time protecting travelling merchants. That's how she met Sera's father.
That means we have two guards now, so they can split the workload. I'm glad Ms. Tsa doesn't have to overwork herself.

"Arya, see you around."
"You better bring back some gifts, okay?"

The two friends have a parting chat. I try not to listen in on it - the girls deserve their privacy.
Ms. Tsa, meanwhile, finds her seat at the front of the, uh, vehicle. It's like a carriage, basically, but I don't know what the creature pulling it is. It looks more like a giant dog than a horse, but the face is all different.
"You drive, Ms. Tsa?" I make small talk with the stranger I'll be travelling with.
"Mm..." She quietly nods.
"I think Sera wanted to drive." I look back over to Sera and Arya. "Did you discuss it?"
"...oh." The tall lady stands up, steps out of the vehicle in one smooth motion, then turns to Sera with sharp eyes. Her dark hair flutters in the wind. I could almost hear a crowd of girls swooning at how cool she looked.

Shortly after, Ms. Tsa returns and, in silence, enters the passenger cabin. She looks defeated. Sera won this round, huh?
In stark opposition to this lady, Sera's mother is happily doing some warm-up exercises. She's in the middle of doing star jumps. A bunch of kids have joined in. I'm reminded of when I first started school...
"Mom, you ready?" Her daughter skips on over.
"I'm ready!" The mother cheers. "It's been a while since I last killed anything! I'm excited!"
...wow, scary. I'm glad she's on our side.

Sera takes her seat as the driver. Her mother finds a place at the back of the carriage to stand. Ms. Tsa sits quietly inside.
In the distance, I see the princess waving goodbye. Every farewell has already been said.
Before I take my seat inside, I recall a sign I once read. This road is sacred, and beneath it, the dead are laid to rest. I clasp my hands together and close my eyes.

"Please look after the village while we're gone."

I don't know why those words came to mind—making a demand of the departed is hardly respectful—but I'd rather the living be safe than the dead be happy. My heart will feel what it must.
And with that, our journey east from here begins.