The main gate to the academy stood open at exactly 7:00 A.M.
The stone arch made a long shadow that went across the road. This road wasn't one of safety, routine, or structure. It was a road to the unknown.
Cael was standing near the gate. Her long, black hair was pulled back neatly. She had one hand on her pack strap. Dary was next to her, leaning against a stone pillar with her arms crossed tightly. Her eyes looked sharp and restless. A few steps away, Clara was fixing her glove straps. She stood straight, and her face was calm but showed nothing of what she felt.
Six bags sat on the ground between them.
Three were big, packed full, and looked like they held supplies for a few days of travel.
The other three were smaller and lighter.
Everything was set.
Except the boys.
Cael looked down the road from the academy dorms. There was no one there.
They're not here yet, she said quietly.
Dary made a noise like she didn't believe it. No kidding.
Five minutes went by.
The morning air was cool, with a bit of dew and stone. Birds flew around the academy towers, not caring about the stress below.
Ten minutes.
Dary moved, tapping her foot on the ground.
This is just dumb.
Cael tried to sound calm. Maybe they slept in. It happens.
On the first day of an task? Dary snapped back. After all that stuff about teamwork?
Clara slowly let out a breath. She didn't say anything, but her eyes watched another group of students walk through the gate. There were seven of them, with all their gear, laughing nervously as they walked down the road.
They were the third group to leave.
Twenty minutes.
The gate got quieter when more teams left. The talking stopped, and all that was heard was boots on rocks and packs moving on people's backs.
Dary lost her cool.
That's it, she said, pushing herself off the pillar. I'm done waiting.
Cael turned to her. Dary—
No, Dary said, her voice sharp. We picked a time. They didn't come. I'm not going to take care of them.
She looked at Clara. You've led teams before. You know this isn't okay.
Clara closed her eyes for a second.
When she opened them, she looked tired, but she was holding herself back.
I know, she said quietly. But I don't feel good about leaving teammates behind before we even leave.
Dary laughed. They don't even look like they have leadership skill.
Another team went past. They were late, running to the gate and saying sorry to each other.
Thirty minutes.
Cael bit her lip and stepped forward.
I'll go look for them.
Dary started to argue, but Cael kept talking. If they're still in bed, I'll wake them up.
Clara nodded once. Fine.
Dary turned away, annoyed. It's a waste of time.
Cael walked back toward the academy road a few steps—
Sorry!
Someone shouted down the path.
All three of them stopped.
Sorry—sorry—we made you wait!
Acarme showed up first, running easily. His pack was over one shoulder like it weighed nothing. Garry and Carkhat were behind him, breathing hard and their hair was messy. They looked like they were rushing.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then Dary got angry.
Where were you?!
We've been waiting here forever!
Do you know how many teams already left?!
Cael turned quickly, her eyes narrowed.
Thirty minutes, she added. We waited thirty minutes.
Clara crossed her arms. Care to tell me what happen?
Carkhat opened his mouth, and then closed it.
Garry swallowed. We—uh—
Don't, Dary snapped. Don't even start.
Acarme stepped forward calmly. We're sorry. It's our fault.
Oh, sorry, Dary said, making fun of him. That fixes everything.
We slept in, Carkhat admitted. The alarm didn't go off.
Dary laughed, but it was a mean laugh. Great.
Clara let the silence sit longer than it needed to.
Then she pointed to the bags on the ground.
No more arguing, she said. Grab your packs. We're leaving.
She pointed carefully.
The three big ones.
Dary and Cael each picked up one of the smaller bags without saying anything and started walking.
Carkhat stared. Hey—hey, wait.
Garry blinked. Why are your packs small and ours are big?
Dary didn't turn around.
This isn't a party, she said coolly. And aren't you boys supposed to be stronger?
Acarme sighed, bent down, and lifted one of the bigger packs onto his shoulder.
Stop complaining, he said quietly. Take one.
Garry and Carkhat looked at each other, and then did the same thing.
The gate was behind them.
In front—only the road.
And with that, their first real trip started.
The road beyond the academy was wide and pale, worn smooth because people had traveled it for a long time. Stone walls turned into open fields, and the tall towers behind them disappeared into the morning haze.
Fields were on both sides, and dew was on the tall grass like stars that had fallen. Distant hills went up and down under a soft blue sky, and clouds floated easily as if they didn't care about people's plans. The air smelled like dirt and wind, clean and new—freedom wrapped in quiet uncertainty.
For a while, no one talked.
The sound of footsteps filled the space between them.
After about an hour, Carkhat finally spoke.
So, he said, fixing the heavy pack on his back, couldn't we have waited another five minutes for breakfast?
Dary gave him a look. You couldn't wake up on time.
That's not— Carkhat stopped, then sighed. Okay.
Garry moved his pack. His shoulders were already sore. Can't we just get a ride or something?
Clara answered without stopping. How much money do you have?
Garry opened his mouth. We can use our poi—
He stopped himself.
This wasn't campus.
...Never mind, he said quietly, walking faster.
Hours went by like that—walking, complaining quietly, and then being quiet again. The sun went higher, making their backs warm and sweat under straps and cloth.
Then, Clara raised a hand and pointed ahead.
There, she said. We'll camp.
It was a small space—nothing special. Just uneven ground, stones, and a few trees that were far enough apart to see.
Dary didn't look happy. It's still early. We could walk a few more miles.
Garry thought the same, but didn't say anything. His legs hurt, and the pack felt heavier with every step.
Clara slowed down, her voice softer now.
We could, she said. But we don't know what's nearby. No firewood ready, no looking around done. It's better to stop while it's light.
Dary waited, then nodded. Fine.
The packs dropped to the ground one by one.
Tasks were handed out quickly.
Cael, Carkhat—food.
Garry, Dary—firewood.
Acarme, with me, Clara said. We'll look around.
Everyone moved without complaining.
Garry and Dary worked well. Garry had done this many times back in his village—picking dry branches, breaking them well, stacking them right. Dary watched quietly, then did what he did.
They went back to camp as it was starting to get dark.
A fire started.
Garry fell onto the grass, looking up at the dark sky. He let out a long breath, like he was tired from the day.
Nearby, Cael hit Carkhat's hand with a small stone.
Hey! Carkhat said. I was just seeing if it was good to eat.
You've checked half the pot already, Cael said.
Carkhat fell onto the ground. I can't even eat when I'm starving. That's mean.
Acarme and Clara came back soon after.
No monsters, Clara said. For now.
Dinner was simple—but good.
As the fire burned low, they lay near it, feeling the heat on their faces, the night sky all around them. Stars were everywhere, bright and lots of them.
Garry watched them quietly.
Then, he fell asleep.