The sun peeked gently over the rooftops of the village, casting golden rays across cobbled streets and dew-kissed flowerbeds. A breeze carried the scent of fresh bread from the bakery down the lane, blending with the soft murmurs of early risers and distant livestock.
Inside their home, soft light spilled into the main room where the trio began their morning in their usual rhythm.
"Aria, your hair's a nest again," Liora chuckled, sitting behind the sleepy girl at the breakfast table with a brush in hand.
"Mmm… but I'm still waking up…" Aria yawned, resting her chin on the table, the little silver star pin already nestled crookedly in her tangled hair.
Tessa laughed softly as she sliced bread. "You said that ten minutes ago."
"And I meant it!" Aria insisted, only making everyone laugh harder.
It was a quiet morning, full of comfort and ordinary joy. After breakfast, the girls tended to small chores, watering the flowers by the windowsill, sweeping the porch, and folding clean linens. Tessa helped Aria practice tying her boots on her own, while Liora cleaned out the hearth.
As the sun rose higher, the village began to buzz with more activity, vendors setting up stalls, farmers passing through with produce, and children chasing one another down the street.
Liora strapped her sword to her back, pulling her hair up into a quick ponytail.
"I'll stop by the guild and ask around," she said, crouching down to meet Aria's eyes. "Just for a little while. See if anyone knows a good tutor."
"Okay!" Aria beamed. "Tell them I'm really smart!"
"You are," Liora smiled, tapping her nose. "And that's why we'll find someone who can help you learn even more."
Tessa stayed behind with Aria, the two of them settling into a simple game of counting painted stones while Liora made her way into town.
The guild hall was busier than usual. Adventurers milled around the job board, chatting about recent bounties and upcoming weather. Liora made her way to the receptionist counter, where a familiar clerk greeted her with a nod.
"Looking for a job today, Liora?"
"Not today," she replied. "Actually… I'm looking for information. Do you happen to know if any tutors live in the area? Someone good with kids."
The clerk blinked, flipping through a ledger. "Tutors, huh? Not a common request from adventurers…"
Liora gave a soft smile. "I'm not quite the usual adventurer anymore."
"Fair enough," he chuckled. "Let's see… There's Old Mena, but she retired years ago. Mostly just watches her grandkids now. And there's young Torin, but he's more of a scribe than a teacher. Not much patience."
Liora frowned slightly. "Anyone else?"
He shook his head. "Most families send their kids to the temple school three villages south. We don't have many official teachers in town."
Disappointment flickered across her face, but she nodded. "Alright. Thanks anyway."
She left the guild a few minutes later, hands on her hips as she gazed out at the sunlit village square. I'll have to look harder… maybe ask the village head. Or take a trip myself.
Still, her steps were light on the walk home. Even if she hadn't found a tutor yet, she'd taken the first step.