Chapter 32: I Want to Go Home

The road back to the capital was long. They had rented a large carriage and were trotting along the roads at a good pace. Well, it was more akin to a cart than a carriage. It was a large wooden box with a simple tarp roof, more used for transporting things than people. At full sprint, the Wings were able to cross the country to the Gigant Forest in just a few days, after accounting for breaks. Now, though, there was no hurry. Lyza snored away in the back, finally tired from a full night up, and no one else was in any particular rush to get back soon. No one would argue against a simple week-long carriage ride. Roselwyn sat in the front, her helmet sitting by her side as she steered their horses forward. Wyn climbed over laps and Lyza’s sleeping form, joining her sister in the front.

“Can’t believe I’m actually going back home,” she whispered. Roselwyn’s hand ruffled through her hair, still tied in a ponytail.

“Nervous?”

“A little bit. What do you think Father’s going to say?”

“Not much, I imagine. He doesn’t say a lot.” A moment of silence, before Roselwyn continued. “He’ll be relieved to see you, though. That much is certain.”

“He won’t be mad?”

“Of course not.”

The carriage trotted along, the two sisters gazing out across the road in silence. The rest of the carriage, not so much. Before their departure, Shion had gifted Magus a deck of playing cards, and now the rest of the Wings were engaged in a riveting game. Wyn let out a smile. She could still remember the shocked faces they made when Wyn made her announcement.

“I win!” She heard Magus shout from the back, followed by a wail of despair from Lu Lulach.

“We really should’ve left you behind!” She cried.

Roselwyn tried to stifle a small laugh, but a little giggle still escaped.

“It’s been a while since we’ve just relaxed like this. It’s nice.” She said, to no one in particular.

“Really? Why’s that?” Wyn asked.

“Lot’s of work lately. You’ll find out once you get back, but our neighbors have been getting antsy since your disappearance. Father is sure that they’re planning something or other, but it shouldn’t be anything too serious.”

“Right…” Wyn let out a sigh, leaning against the carriage wall. It’s been so long since she’s last thought about anything complicated like that.

Roselwyn let out a small smile. “You have a lot of studying to do once you get back, sister.”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t remind me.” Wyn groaned. She turned back, watching as cards were thrown into the air in frustration once again.

“What’re we going to do about Magus? I doubt Father will allow him to just follow me around all day.”

“What is he, your dog?” Roselwyn pondered. “Well, we could say he’s some boyfriend you picked up in the middle of nowhere.”

“What are you saying?” Wyn sputtered. Magus perked up.

“I heard my name mentioned. What are you talking about?”

“Nothing!” Wyn shouted, flustered.

“What is a boy friend?” He continued?

“You could hear?”

“Well, it’s a small cart, and you aren’t exactly whispering,” Theodore pointed out. Wyn groaned, sinking into her seat.

She glanced across the fields, spotting a herd of grazing cows.

“I still don’t think I’m ready. I’m not strong enough.”

“You’re more than strong enough. But it’s not always just about strength. No one can be perfect, after all.” Her fingers brushed against her missing eye.

“Not even you?”

“Of course not.”

Wyn let out a sigh. “This is too heavy for such a nice day. I’m going out for a fly.”

“Wyn— hey!” Before she could say anything, Wyn jumped from the carriage, a burst of air carrying her into the sky. She flew along the carriage, weaving through the air. Higher and higher, she flew. She dove through a cloud, her vision filled with an endless, expanding white, exploding through the other side. She traced the dirt path, watched as it passed through the endlessly expanding countryside. Until, at the very end, were the white walls of Emijilucan peaking over the horizon. Home.