Morning sunlight spilled across the kitchen table, painting golden stripes over mismatched plates and the half eaten remains of breakfast. It had been a couple months since Anecus stated his training with Red.
And to Red words he is progressing at a fast rate.
Cassia, Naia, and Anecus sat pressed together on one side of the table, whispering furiously. A wide grin spread across Cassia's face as she gestured with her graphite pencil across a sketched map on a crumpled piece of paper.
Anecus nodded while Naia glanced toward the hallway to make sure no nosey parents were eavesdropping.
Anecus tapping the map "the furthest we have been is to the big hill west of here, but not past it." he started to draw a pond a little past the hill, "Rennen said there was a pond here, so clear you can see your reflection."
"Which means we have to go." Cassia said finishing his sentence.
Naia giggling in excitement "plus we know how to get back, and we have the supplies already packed…we just need them to say yes." The trio exchanged glances, inhaled deeply in unison, and marched out of the kitchen like soldiers off to war.
Jane was folding laundry in an exterior room while Red sat nearby, oiling his boots.
The trio entered with determination, Jane didn't even look up as the trio stood at attention in the middle of the room.
"Mom, Dad," Anecus began speaking with an even tone. Trying to keep his nerves from showing by straightening his shirt. "We have something important to ask."
Red raised a brow. Jane lowered a tunic she was folding and gave them a glance that said this better be good.
"We want to go on a walk," Naia said, a little too innocently.
"To the hills west of here, the one with sunflowers." Cassia clarified. "And maybe just a little past them."
Red set his boots down slowly. "How far past them?"
Anecus stepping forward produced a crumpled map "To a pond Rennen had told us about. We know our way back. We already have supplies." Anecus started to rattle off anything he could to persuade them. "And we'll be back before sunset."
Jane exchanged glances with Red, the kind that spoke volumes without a word. Her fingers twitched slightly, folding a pair of pants twice over, buying time. "You three would be unsupervised," she said calmly.
In reality Jane wanted this. It was time for them to start experiencing things on their own. 'It's important for growth.' This thought process was sound but it didn't help lessen the nerves.
"We know," Anecus replied. "But that's the point. We're ready."
Cassia chimed in, hands behind her back like she was holding a secret. "We made a checklist! Smoke flares, salves, water, food, rope just in case."
Naia leaned forward slightly, twirling her two index fingers. "And you always say trust is built on responsibility, right?"
Red leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable. Jane studied the three of them like puzzle pieces. 'These three little schemers' she couldn't help but feel proud. 'I'll have to let Amara and Rennen know.'
Finally, Red grunted. "Sun sets, and you're not back I come looking. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" all three chimed.
"No wandering, No cliff edges, No beast chasing. if one of you gets hurt, you come straight home," Jane added firmly.
Cassia bounced on her toes. "Thank you thank you thank you!"
After some inspection Jane gave them some extra food and a compass that was synced to her wind spirit, so they always knew the direction of home.
The sun kissed the land with golden warmth as the trio stepped past the familiar markers signifying the leaving of Goldenfields proper. The trail ahead wasn't wild or dangerous, but without their parents, it felt different it felt Wilder.
Cassia led the charge, twirling her walking stick like a baton "Off into the green!"
Anecus at the back kept an eye on the sun's position while Naia occasionally tapped the compass, ensuring its pulse still pointed toward home.
"Feels bigger today," Naia murmured. "I think it's because we are alone." Anecus said, he was smiling but his tone was reverent.
Everything felt sharper, closer. For a while, they walked in quiet wonder. Cassia tossed a rock into a creek they passed, its splash echoing louder than it should have. "See? Nothing to be afraid of."
...Cassia looked toward the horizon feeling something stir in her heart.'mh?'
It took a little longer than expected, they had to double back once after Cassia led them down a path that ended up leading to a rabbit warren. They contemplated bringing one home, but it would probably turn into dinner.
Eventually they crested one last hill shaped by wild pear trees and gasped.
Below lay a quiet pond, shaped like a teardrop, its surface so still it looked like polished glass. The edges were ringed with sun bleached grass and pale blue lilies that quivered in the breeze.
"We found it," Anecus said quietly.
Cassia and Naia bolted down the hill squealing in joy, not wanting to be left behind Anecus runs after them. Shedding their bags and shoes letting the soft grass fill between their toes.
Cassia and Naia dipped their toes into the water, it was cool and crisp. Anecus lay back in the grass, hands folded behind his head, watching clouds pass by. 'No parents. No instructions. Just the three of us.' Sighing in content "this is the best."
It was just past high noon, Anecus was laying down in a soft patch of grass listening as Naia sat next to him weaving a flower crown humming. Cassia was walking the perimeter of the grove inspecting the foliage and collecting petals for Jane.
Back with Anecus and Naia, she placed a flower crown onto his head and another on hers. 'hehe flower prince.' Looking at his relaxed face "how has training been? you've been at for a bit now."
Anecus squinting one eye open "its been good, father says I'm progressing fast and understand instruction well but he said the 'real training' doesn't start until I awaken. If I even do."
he lest out a sigh and continues. "If I am honest though, finding the motivation and meaning has been harder."
Naia lays down beside him and looks at the moving clouds. "Maybe that's normal. My momma says you need something to fight for or someone."
glancing at his side profile "maybe you just need to find that reason."