The air in the inn was warm. The training from earlier had left a soft, pleasant tiredness hanging in everyone's limbs. Liora wiped her hands on a cloth and adjusted her belt.
"I'm heading to the guild," she said, strapping her sword across her back. "We need a solid first quest, something that pays decently, but isn't too dangerous."
Tessa nodded, stretching her arms. "Want me to come with you?"
"No," Liora replied, glancing toward Aria. "I was hoping you'd stay here. Spend some time with Aria."
Tessa blinked. "Oh. Sure. Yeah."
Liora crouched beside Aria, who was busy arranging a row of pebbles on the windowsill.
"I'll be back before evening," Liora said. "Be good, alright?"
"Okay!" Aria chirped. "Can we play knights while you're gone?"
Liora smirked. "You'll have to ask your brave squire."
Aria turned to Tessa with an eager grin. "You're my squire now!"
"I thought I was the knight," Tessa muttered under her breath, but smiled all the same.
After Liora left, the room was quiet. Tessa sat down on the bed and stretched out her legs. Aria, sitting cross-legged on the floor, picked up a worn scrap of cloth and held up Sir Bramble the doll.
"Sir Bramble says you did a very good job today."
Tessa chuckled. "That's high praise. Thank you, Sir Bramble."
"He also says you should wear a cape."
"Do squires wear capes?"
Aria shook her head. "No. But you're special. You're like… a big sister knight."
Tessa froze for a moment at that. "Big sister, huh?"
"Yeah," Aria said, crawling onto the bed beside her. "You're not my mommy like Liora, but… you're really nice. And strong. And you never laugh when I spill things."
"Well, not every time," Tessa teased.
Aria giggled and nudged her. Then, a little more quietly, she asked, "Did you have a big sister before?"
Tessa looked up at the ceiling. "No. I didn't really have anyone."
"Oh…" Aria's voice softened.
"But now," Tessa said, glancing down with a gentle smile, "I've got a little sister who calls me a knight. So I think that makes up for it."
Aria beamed and snuggled against her side.
Later, That Afternoon
The two passed the time with silly games. Aria made a "knight trial" out of pillows and chairs, forcing Tessa to balance a spoon with a pebble on it while crawling across the floor. Tessa failed spectacularly, making the two girls laugh.
Then they sat by the window again, sharing a small plate of apple slices.
"Do you think Liora will pick a fun quest?" Aria asked.
"I hope so," Tessa replied. "Something we can handle. She's smart like that."
Aria nodded. "She always knows what to do."
There was a pause, then Aria whispered, "I get scared sometimes. When she leaves. But today wasn't scary with you here."
Tessa smiled and wrapped a careful arm around her shoulders. "When we're not working, I'll stay with you when she's gone. Every time. Deal?"
Aria reached up her pinky. "Pinky promise."
They linked fingers.
As Evening Fell…
Liora returned with the door creaking open, tired but satisfied.
"I've got something," she said, pulling a quest parchment from her pouch. Herb gathering in the Mistwood. Some rare moss, mild danger, but it pays well and it's nearby."
Tessa stood and took the paper. "Sounds perfect."
Aria jumped up. "Did you miss us?"
Liora smirked. "Did you miss me?"
Aria ran to her and hugged her tightly in answer. Liora bent to scoop her up and glanced over at Tessa.
"Everything alright?"
Tessa gave a small nod. "Yeah. We're doing okay."
Liora paused… then gave her a quiet, approving smile.
And so, with the party formed and the first quest as a party prepared, their little family continued to grow.