They hadn't had to pack much. Between Castellar and Ferris both, there were only a couple of blankets and two small bags. They were to stay at the local lord's estate once they'd reached their destination and had more than enough funds to pay for a room at an inn if they really needed to. This would be a far-cry from the long and hard journey they'd taken together as children.

If only the air around the two was so comfortable... The friction was almost palpable, neither of them so much as greeting each other as they each brought their horses out from the stables and around the front of the Guild. Although it was barely daybreak, both of their masters, and Ciara were waiting to see them off. Ferris gave the older mages a stern, curious look as they stepped over to talk to Castellar while she approached her sister.

"I won't be long," she said, stroking the young adolescent's hair away from her face, "Promise on a golden flower."

While there was no set timeframe for the investigation, they were only headed a couple towns over, not terribly far from their immediate neighbors. Unless something grievous happened, they would only be gone for a little over a week at most. Still, it would be a lie to say that Ferris herself wasn't a little bothered. Other than when Valda had taken her to the human capitol, this would be the first time since their parents had died that she and Ciara would be separated by such a long distance.

A couple of vials and an equally small pouch were pressed into her hands: Two basic remedies to combat poison and a few, crudely-made pieces of monster candy. Ferris blinked at the surprise gift, her mouth drawing in a slight smile moment after. In contrast, Ciara gave her a serious look, "These are just in case! Don't put yourself in any situation where you haveto use them."

"Alright, just in chase," Ferris chuffed, giving her a soft pat on the head. Pulling her closer for a hug, she added, "I'll try to bring back a present for you and Gwen."

"I don't need it! You're leaving for a mission, not going on holiday, remember?"

"When have I not found room for some play?"

She finished tucking the items away in her bag just as Madame Valda stepped over to join them. The veteran mage repeated what Ferris had already heard countless times preparing for her departure, "Be careful. I'm old: I won't be able to train another apprentice if I lose you now."

The soft, fond expression she'd given to her sister morphed into a smirk of grim humor, "You know I won't die so easily. Worry over your own health first, you old bat."

Ferris shuffled close to where the save point was. Just subtly brushing it with her hand activated it. As the determination to prove herself swelled in her heart, a familiar grid materialized before her:

FERRIS LV2 The Boroughs — Arnaud's Guild
Save Return

While her little sister never looked away from her embrace or showed any other sign of registering the unique magic being used only an arm's length away, her teacher's gaze was not so ignorant. Apparently, those who previously possessed the ability to go back in time were not only the fully aware of any changes made to the past, but could still see the stars even if they could no longer use them.

As she pulled herself up onto her steed, Ferris felt a pinprick of pain at the base of her neck; an almost electric zap of magic. She looked back over her shoulder to see Valda mocking her with a raised finger, "If you can't defend yourself against that much, I say you still have a thing or two to learn."

Castellar rode up alongside her next just as Tobius asked the two unwilling partners, "And you have your directions?" It was a worthy concern. Ferris had only read maps in the study while the skeleton was out-of-practice with them.

The latter's confidence remained unshaken, "I know the way well-enough: Past Warbler's Creek, west of Falchon's station."

While they were technically headed into the Monster Kingdom, their destination was still practically right next door to neutral ground. Falchon came from a long line of sentries, but was a decent and regularly visited the Boroughs to meet with relatives. It was unlikely that he was a part of the same faction of monsters who had plotted to steal Ferris and her abilities for themselves five years prior. There should be no trouble crossing his territory.

"That's right. You can follow the water for the shortest route."

Saying the last of their goodbyes, the two young mages soon rode off into the dawn. It was a quiet morning, with the rest of the Boroughs only just then waking up. Ferris watched as subtle, grey streams of smoke melted into the parade of soft pinks and violets that rolled across the sky. It would've been a lie to say that every morning for the past five years was this peaceful, but it certainly felt like heaven compared to the nightmare she and Ciara had been living in before.

Ferris was unprepared for the sudden butterflies that fluttered within her chest. Was she really feeling nervous to leave for only a short while when she'd made so many attempts to escape the Boroughs in the past? When she was arguably one of the strongest mages in the Two Kingdoms? No one could threaten her now. With her power and prophetic talent, she was sure to do well no matter what challenge came her way.

She peered over at Castellar, who rode only a few steps ahead. Maybe it was his company keeping her on-edge. Yes, she was confident that she could escape him if she had to—even without her ability to go back in time, the gap in their overall strength was almost nonexistent—but she was still surprised that their masters were fine sending them out alone together.

I suppose it is better to keep up appearances...Ferris pursed her lips. If the members of Arnaud's Guild couldn't keep the peace between each other, then what hope was there for the rest of Ebott?

A flock of ducks ran past the horses as they neared Warbler's Creek. The Two Kingdoms didn't have many rivers, or at least not many that ran aboveground. However, there were several streams that flowed from them. Warbler's Creek ran directly through the Boroughs from the West before splitting off further in the East. The pair changed course, taking the Guildmaster's advice to follow the water.

"We should be fine travelling like this for now, but there will be a steep incline ahead," Castellar explained, his gaze never leaving the trail.

Ferris didn't answer him.

A part of her wondered if he was in any position to give directions. She didn't know how much he'd travelled in the past, but there was no telling what had changed or what he'd forgotten since his confinement to the Boroughs. Having him lead also left a sour taste in her mouth.

Encouraging her rouncey forward with a light kick, she cantered past the skeleton. A satisfied grin tugged at her lips when she noticed a thin splatter of mud rise from the ground at the sudden change of pace. It painted across Castellar's lower leg.

"...No need to illustrate how well you can hold a grudge."

For hours, the pair continued their trek in silence. If they kept their current speed without any stops, they would reach their destination late into the night. If they had to stop, there were plenty of places near the water to do so.

However, trouble came, as was expected. Ferris was the first to sense the danger as they walked by an old bridge. In her mind's eye, she could see red threads completely blocking the way across. Castellar stopped before she could even alert him. He nodded to the clear trail of boots in the soft earth by the water's edge, leading directly under the stone structure.

Well, they didn't needto cross, but it would only be a moment's delay. No sooner did they begin to move over the bridge, their path was abruptly cut by a trio of rough-looking men who were lurking nearby. Three more appeared from behind soon after.

"Lookie here, boys! Did we catch a couple of cast-offs or runaway lovers?" one of the bulkier marauders sauntered forward and whistled. "Let's make this nice and easy now, yeah? Get down from the horses, slowly."

Ferris and Castellar gave one another a sidelong glance. Both wore plain cloaks and neither openly carried the tools distinguishable to mages. All things considered, they probably did look rather normal.

"And, little lady," he continued with a wave of his hand, "why don't you grab those bags for us?"

The young woman sighed through her nose and mutely did as was told. She pulled off the saddle bags and walked carefully toward the first group of marauders. No sooner were the bags in their hands did they begin to tear through them. The leader's hand quickly caught her wrist.

Just as quickly, it was sliced off.

Ferris' Astral Dagger seemed to sear with an even more furious glow as it cut through flesh and bone in a crimson arc. With the others' hands full, there was no time for them to reach for their weapons: In the same instant that their leader released a bloodcurdling scream, Ferris spun on her heel—firing bullets into one underling and slicing her blade through the throat of the other. She repeated the motion again, a third body falling at her feet.

It was over in seconds. From the other end of the bridge, Castellar also handled his half of the marauders neatly. The well-trained steeds barely reacted in the face of the carnage.

There was no place for filth so close to their home.