COURSE OF ACTION: PART VII

The billions of stars lights in the sky soon slowly fades, as the sky turns from dark to light. The sun hasn't risen yet, but its rays have brought life to everything it reaches. The sleeping birds started singing as they welcomed the new day, animals feasting on the green grass to start their day. Whilst, some animals soon turn in for the day… It was as if night and day had become one beautiful moment. For dawn had come.

"My lady, are you awake?" Esme came knocking at the girl's door, wondering whether she was awake or not.

"Hmm, come in."

When Esme entered, she noticed the girl was up and working on some document. She smiled pleasantly to see how hard working the girl was but felt sorry that she ended too much for such a young age. "My Lady, let me help you get ready."

"Hmm, ah- did you prepare what I asked you."

"Yes, I brought it with me."

What she asked was for Esme to prepare a new hooded cape for her. This time, the cape was infused with some magic, enchantment such as resistance to cold since the place they'll be heading to is quite colder compared to where they are now.

"This is amazing, thank you Esme."

"My pleasure."

Meanwhile, Lirius was busy in his study, packing all the necessary potions, extra herbs, materials they'll be needing to survive during the trip. If he was to travel alone, there wouldn't be a need to bring so much stuff, however, since he was travelling with the girl. He needed to take all the necessary precautions just in case something does happen.

Outside, Tycho has arrived with all the equipment the girl asked him to prepare. Along with him were Father Roland and Diana to bid them farewell on their journey.

"Lance, have you prepared the horse?" Serfred anxiously asked as he continued to walk back and forth and have asked the same exact question for a couple of times already.

Lance looked at the man at the point of laughing, he found him funny seeing how worried he looks. The fact he asked the same question so many times already, in the end, he too answered the man with the same exact answers, "Yes, I made sure they are well fed and ready for the journey."

"Ah- very well then."

"Fred, be at ease, the lady will be fine. Master Lirius is a very powerful man." Greyford said as he tries to ease the man.

"Yes, I know the nerd is quite powerful, but lets not forget her condition at this moment."

Both father and son looked at each other and sighs as they give up seeing no end to the man's worries.

"Have you prepared the food?"

Lance smiled and replied, "Yes, I've prepared everything. Rest assured that Lady Tina will come home safely. So please be at ease…" 'This must indeed be the first trip my lady will be taking without Serfred seeing how anxious he looks, he must really be worried.'

"How do I look?"

When they turned to greet the girl, they were awed by her beauty and elegance. The girl was dressed in a short dress running all the way between her tights, as she paired it with thick leggings and leather boots. Her dress was long sleeves with a turtleneck covering her entire neck. Pairing it with the hoodie cape Esme prepared, she looks as if she was an adventurer.

"Father Roland, Diana, you're here as well."

Father Roland was first to return to his senses as he greeted the girl, "I came to pray for your safe journey as well as your journey home."

"Ah- thank you Father Roland for yours and everyone's blessing."

"Tina, you looked beautiful. I mean, you have always looked beautiful, but you looked even more amazing dressed like an adventurer." Diana was fascinated by the girl's attire for it was the first she saw a woman dress like an adventurer.

"Ha-ha, thank you Diana." She chuckled.

"Tina, I've prepared everything you asked." Tycho announced.

"Ah, thank you. Serfred you looked exhausted, you should have just rested." She said, noticing how tired, puffy his eyes were. ���You needed not send me off…"

'I rather lock you in your room, you don't know who much torture this is for me. But, what can I do, you are My Lady and free to spread your wings.' He thought as he looked at the girl and replied, "I won't be seeing you for long, so I wish to bid you a safe journey."

"Still…"

Serfred looked gloomy as he smiled despite how he truly felt, "How I wish for a different outcome."

"Serfred," Athena walked up to him as she reached out her hands and place it gently on his face, "I shall return soon, you may not know, when you wake up, I shall be here to greet you. So, take care of everyone and everything while I'm away."

He then got down on his knees as he kissed the girl's hand, "Take care, My Lady."

Athena was flustered by his sudden gesture, despite having done it a couple times already, she has still got used to it.

"Serfred, get up already."

As soon as he got up, he wraps the girl tightly in his embrace, "Please, come home soon."

The moment was quite a shock to everyone since they did not expect Serfred to do such a bold move and embrace the girl right in front of them. However, the moment was cut short when a dark horse came to ruin it.

"Let's go already, stop wasting time."

"Ah- Lirius…" Athena was flustered as she pushed Serfred away. Her face was already red embarrassed of what just happened. "Let's go."

Everyone knew how awkward the moment was, they did not bother and stay to watch the two battle each other. They hurried and went out of their way as they followed the girl out of the house.

"How about me?"

"Want one?" Serfred looked at the man all annoyed for ruining such a special moment.

"Nah, I'll save it for some other time." Lirius responded as he walked out of the house as well passing the man by with a smug on his face.

When Athena opened the door, she was to see the entire village was right in front of her.

"Wha?"

"Lady Tina, do take care."

"My Lady, come back soon."

"My heavens bless you on your journey Tina."

She needed not ask why they were there, she couldn't be much happier to see each one of them, happily wishing her well.

"My Lady, you almost forgot your dagger." Greyfrod handed the belt, which he helped her tie around her waist.

"Thank you, Greyford, I leave everything to you." She thanked him as she bid everyone farewell, "Everyone, thank you. I'll be back soon."

Some were in tears as they felt emotional by her sudden journey. They were only informed last night and they felt heartbroken by her sudden departure.

"Please, take care of each other and protect our homeland."

Serfred escorted the girl to her horse, "My Lady, please come back safely.

"I shall," she replied and turned to the man next to him all prepared and ready, "Lirius, let's go."

As they rode their horses out of the manor, they soon passed by the village where some of the villagers were waiting for them and bid them farewell. As they passed by the farmlands, she felt emotions didn't expect to be this attached to everyone and everything around her.

"Are you alright?" Lirius moved his horse closer to the girl as he noticed the tear rolling down her face.

"Hmm, I'm fine. I just didn't expect I'll be this emotional to leave everyone behind."

"You aren't leaving them, you'll be back soon." He explained as she needed not worry, since they'll be able to return and see everyone again.

"You're right, I'm not leaving them. Since, this is my home as well and I'll be coming home soon."

"That's right, who knows. Maybe in two days time, we'll be returning home."

"Ha-ha, Lirius are you planning to torture the horse, it takes more than two days just to get there."

"Well, who knows. The sooner we get home the better… I mean, that guy might burn down my house if you don't return soon."

"Don't say that." Athena suddenly felt goosebumps all over her as she could imagine Serfred burning the house if she does not return home.

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