With the assistance of the horse and cart, getting to the port city north of Edinboro took only 3 days. In that time, Flora had busied herself practicing with the few simple tricks that Evan showed her. Her morning sickness persisted, but it had become more manageable for the tiger. In their nights before they went to sleep, Sierra took some time to teach Martin what basics she could with the sword. Fortunately, he seemed to be a quick learner. He got surprised a few times when he managed to disarm her, only to find himself on the ground after she knocked him down with her bare hands. "We Basitin fight with more than just our swords," she said, helping him back to his feet. "I learned how to fight with my hands first, my sword second."
"How can someone so small be so strong?" Martin mused to himself as he was back on his feet.
"What we lack in potential for magic, we make up with our prowess as warriors," she replied with a chuckle. "Just remember, in battle, you do what it takes to survive. It's all about who walks home at the end. If that means you have to knock someone down, but break your arm in the process, that's what you do."
"You really are fierce," Martin said, having a lot of respect for her already.
"I am at that. Now, get some sleep. We should be reaching the port tomorrow." She walked away to her own tent, leaving Martin to return to Flora's side in their shared tent.
"You got your butt kicked," the tiger said with a giggle.
"Well, maybe it was all the tiger fur on my shirt weighing me down," he said, poking her cheek. She stuck her tongue out at him, opening the tent door for him.
"Love you, too, Martin."
Evan had agreed to stand watch for the night, and before long, the cart driver came over to his side. "So, how's life been treating you since you last left the Templar, old friend? I've heard some stories."
"It's been crazy. Had a few years living among the Basitin, before I had 3 years with Madeline. Now, I just lead those I can to my home."
"Still keep that seal in place, do you? Afraid they'll find you if you undo it?"
"You know full well if they found I still had such magic power, they'd just try to control me again. That seal is the only thing keeping them from being able to control me."
"Yeah, but is it really worth limiting yourself to less than half your magic, Evan? The world is entering a troubling time. You're likely to encounter enemies you'll need that power to beat before you even get back home this trip." He tossed some wood on the fire. "Did Madeline ever even know about it?"
Evan just stared into the fire. "I couldn't bring myself to tell her. That power horrified anyone who saw it. Even you feared you would die seeing it. I didn't want to do that to her."
"Learn to control it. You know you'll need it someday." With that, the driver headed back to the cart, sleeping in the back.
They managed to reach the harbor by the middle of the next day. Fortunately for them, Timothy had sent a messenger ahead to order the ship's crew to ready the ship for departure, and that they had. Sierra was quiet through the last few hours there, lost in thought. Once they arrived to the ship, she sighed a bit. "Well, this is where we go our separate ways," she said, looking to Martin and Flora. "I got a copy of the map from Timothy before we left. I think I can rejoin you in Archaia. I'll work fast to gather what I need and get on a ship back. If I miss you, well, guess that'll be that then."
"Don't say that," Flora said, taking her hand. "We'll meet again. I'm sure of it."
"Hurry back," Evan added. "You did say you wanted to see the little guy, after all. Don't want to miss out on that."
"I'll hurry. Don't you worry." With a wave, she set off to find a ship of her own to take her back to her homeland.
Martin, Evan, and Flora boarded up their own ship, seeing the crest of the Austin family prominently displayed at the front. "I get the feeling that crest might bring us some trouble," Martin said, voicing his concern. "Seeing a ship with the crest of such a powerful family is sure to attract pirates."
"You think we didn't think of that?" the ship's captain called out. "We got this thing ready to bring down anyone what dares to strike us. Sank countless pirates, and we'll sink em again." The captain let out a bellowing laugh before heading below deck.
"He might not inspire that much confidence," Evan mused. "I think we can handle this. I've made this journey a few times after all. Just get comfortable. You're not a ship hand, and neither is Flora. Just focus on not getting seasick, and keep practicing your sword skills. I'm sure you can find some...suitable opponents on board."
With that, Flora laughed a bit, running to the bow of the ship as they launched, moving out into open water. It was her first time seeing the ocean, and her eyes lit up at the vast expanse of water before them. "All right. We're on our way!" She leaped for joy, giggling unaware of how close she was to the rail until she found Martin grabbing her hand and pulling her back as she almost fell over the edge.
"Let's take some care to remain on the ship, instead of under it. I don't want to have to shout tiger overboard."
The tiger sheepishly scratched her head. "Heh...Sorry about that. I guess I just got a bit too excited." She took his hand, the two heading below deck to find where they would be sleeping. As huge a ship as it was, it was not at all difficult for them to have their own bed.
"You're Flora, right?" a gruff voice said from behind her. "If you're lookin' for your room, follow this hallway to the end and turn left. You'll see a big fancy door. It's Lord Austin's room when he's on board, but he told me to give ya the key." With that, the man thrust the key into her hand before heading topside again.
"Guess that means we get the best room on the ship," Martin said with a chuckle, following the man's instructions. As Flora put the key in the lock and the door swung open, the room looked almost like the room they stayed in back at the manor. There was a note on the bed.
"I hope you like your accommodations for the trip, Flora. Aaron told me how being in that old room back in the manor made you feel at peace, so I had my crew make this room match as closely as possible. The only keys to this room are the one given to you and Martin, and the master key the captain holds, and he knows full well this room is off-limits to him unless there is an emergency. I hope your journey goes well, and I wish you the best for your future. I hope to make it to the sanctuary to see you someday, but in case I can't, please never forget that even when you were on the run and I hoped for your return, I always considered you part of my family, even with the different blood in us. I thought of you like a little sister."
Flora took a deep breath, folding the note and tucking it into the little desk beside the bed. "I always thought of you like my big brother, too, Timothy." She looked out the porthole, smiling a bit. "We will meet again. I know it."