The boys looked intensely at Solomon while also avoiding each other's gaze. Serenity stood off to the side, looking from one to the other and utterly glad that she was not in the old man's shoes.
As for Solomon, he glared back just as seriously as they, him, managing to catch them both. "I can only spare one of you," he said for about the fifth time in as many minutes. He was quite aware that he was repeating himself, but it was all he could do to delay one of the toughest decisions he was faced with in the past month, at least. Choosing between the seemingly inseparable boys brought with it its own issues, but he would also have to live with sending one of his dear students into danger, and with the rejection, the lack of trust, the other would feel each time Solomon called upon him.
He peeked into their hearts: each was determined to help their King and friend, each confident in his ability to protect the naive Otherworlder, and each with something to prove. "Why do you want to go so badly, anyway?" he said at last. "It'll be dangerous. Even more so than the forages I've been sending you on lately."
Tristan spoke first. "Sir, what can we do but go if it means saving his Majesty's life? I hang this on my honor, not only as his loyal subject and Acolyte, but as his friend." Tristan looked satisfied with his answer, certain that he had won. He didn't look at Joey but silently dared him to do better.
"Sir," Joey finally said, more grave than Tristan had been, "you know how much his Majesty means to me. But I'm gonna be a little selfish right now. This quest...it's the only way. The only way for me to redeem myself. It's my fault he's in this predicament; it's only fair that it'll be my fault he gets out of it."
Solomon's gaze turned fully to Joey, and Tristan knew that he had lost. He allowed a small, wistful smile to cross his face before turning to Joey and grasping his shoulder. "Best of luck, man," he said softly.
The fire hadn't completely left Joey's eyes, so when they turned to regard Tristan, the brunette immediately felt foolish for wishing him something so unnecessary.
"Thanks, man," Joey said with a sunny smile. Then, more seriously, "Take care of the place."
Serenity hadn't quite caught all of the transaction, but when Joey stepped forward to join Serenity's side, she knew he would be her companion. And deep down, it made complete sense.
"It ain't much," Sloane said bright and early the next day, "but it'll get the job done." He squatted down to pat the wooden wheel affectionately.
"It's perfect," Joey reassured the mechanic, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Serenity, who didn't know much about wagons at all, simply nodded her agreement. For all intents and purposes, it did look large enough to house both her and her companion comfortably for a few days.
"When do you set out, sir?" Sloane asked as he stood up and wiped his brow.
"Today," Joey said simply.
Sloane's eyes widened. "Good luck," he said, clasping Joey's hand, "and Godspeed."
Joey smiled, and he and Sloane pushed the caravan outside the shed so they could harness the draft beasts to the front. Serenity expected them to be horses; she was utterly shocked to find the duo covered in smooth, velvety skin, resembling giant salamanders.
"Urodelas," Joey said before she could ask. "Good in temperate whether, dry or wet." He pat the two creatures affectionately; they sort of purred in response. "Get ready to leave," he continued. "After the wagon is loaded, we'll head out."
Serenity nodded and went back to the palace yard. She watched in awe still as the bright orbs plucked themselves from their trees and floated toward the castle. Tristan caught one out of the air and bit into it as Serenity approached him.
"Hi there," he said, mouth full of fruit. He swallowed and continued: "Leaving soon, eh?"
Serenity nodded. "I just wanted to say goodbye and –" she hesitated – "and thank you."
Tristan stared at her for a moment. "For what?" He punctuated it with nervous laughter.
"For bringing me here. And standing up for me. And letting me go with Joey. You're a great friend." She smiled.
Tristan didn't know how to respond, so he merely smiled back. He was rescued from the necessity of speech by Solomon's arrival. "Ah, Serenity," he called as he hobbled over to join the teens. "Come to bid farewell?"
The girl nodded again. "I'm nervous," she admitted, "but I know we'll do it."
"Good." The old man's eyes twinkled. "Remember: just show the questing papers to each Sorcerer's court, and you'll be granted an audience. Without those papers, you may be arrested."
Serenity nodded resolutely. "I'll do my best, you have my word."
Solomon was pleased. This Otherworlder had promise, and surely her best would count for more than either could then realize.
"Serenity!" came Joey's voice from one field over.
"That's my cue," she said. She bowed reverently to Solomon and hugged Tristan (which utterly perplexed the boy, poor soul) before turning and dashing back to the wagon. She did not look back.
The ride was much bumpier than Serenity had expected. She tried to find the romantic charm she had originally associated with the trip, but after the first fifteen minutes, the countryside got a bit monotonous. She looked sideways to her silent companion for the umpteenth time in as many minutes only to find him concentrating wholly on directing the Urodelas. She sighed and glanced behind them at their provisions and found them – as she had every other time she looked – unperturbed.
Serenity returned her gaze to the road ahead of her and crossed her arms over her chest and sighed deeply.
Joey chuckled knowingly. "The outskirts of the Kingdom are pretty boring," he agreed. Even the handful of times he had been so far from the kingdom had gotten him accustomed to the plainness of the flat grasslands, distant hills, drooping trees, the whole scene. "But worry not: we'll be reaching the savage lands soon."
Serenity's ears perked up. "Really? And what exactly is in these savage lands?"
Joey shrugged. "Savages?" He laughed as Serenity rolled her eyes. "I've never actually been beyond the Kingdom. I know only the stories the travelers tell us of the Betwixt. Some say you can't take twenty steps without tripping over some barbarian camp. Others say there are dozens of little towns, independent of any kingdom, that exist just to serve travelers. One even told me about migrant troupes that go to every settlement to perform."
Serenity's eyes glossed over as she imagined each of the tales Joey recounted to her, which made her even more eager to leave the Kingdom once and for all. So it was with no trepidation that she and Joey approached the stone wall keeping the savage lands at bay. The companions exchanged a look and nod before crossing the gates and into unfamiliar territory to both.
