Leaning against storage crates May had moved, about a month ago now, from the back of the stable to the front of it to better block it off and prevent people from more easily passing through the illusion barrier, (F/n) stared out at the forest before her. Today, they were leaving the forge, having been able to pack everything yesterday when May came back. Their destination was southeast of them, but it felt weird to be leaving the forge. She had grown accustomed to it, and she'd miss the safety of it. But if she wanted to remain safe, she wouldn't be starting the mission before her, and she wouldn't want the responsibility of being a queen.
(F/n) moved her (e/c) optics from the forest down to her feet. Her metal toes were hidden by a pair of brown leather boots. It was strange to have shoes on but not feel them against her feet. She knew that her toes were touching the tops of the boots when she lifted them up, but she felt nothing. But, the boots would hide her metal limbs from curious eyes. Brown leather gloves rested on her hands too to hide them. May had purchased them from Thorn on this last trip of hers, having taken (F/n)'s measurements prior to her leaving.
Her brown cloak rested over her shoulders, and she was wearing the dark grey dress May had given her. All of her short dresses were left behind. She also left behind her long dark brown dress and kept two of the ones May had given her, the grey one she was wearing and the medium blue one, which was in her travel bag underneath her cloak. (F/n) didn't want to take up room with clothes when food, water and curatives were more important.
As her eyes moved from her feet to her side, she stared at the blade that rested there. From the steel that was in the forge, Edwin had shaped weapons for them all, and Keiran had enchanted them. Keiran already had his own sword and the chest holster with the ten daggers. As for herself, she had a sword. Thankfully in the past month, Edwin and she had moved from training with a metal rod to a sword, so she knew how to use it enough to perform some basic blocks and attacks. Of course, Keiran planned to train Edwin and she more as they journeyed.
Edwin had the dual daggers, which he was able to train a little with, but he also had a sword, which he was more familiar with due to the training with Keiran. The daggers, he would train more with in the future, and he wanted to keep them as a reminder of his escape from the Stowwen castle.
A frown touched (F/n)'s lips. They hadn't discussed it, but Edwin would live in the very castle that was his prison for most of his life. He hadn't said anything, but (F/n) had a feeling that he wasn't too thrilled at the idea. Most likely, he'd change things within the castle, and she'd be there to listen if he ever needed to get his feelings out.
Steps behind her broke her out of her thoughts. May walked up beside her. Her grey cloak was over her, and she had a travel bag too. Strapped to her side was a dagger, and she had three smaller daggers strapped in a chest holster as backup. All had that familiar blue sheen to them too, but she hadn't wanted a sword. May had stated that she never had liked them, too clunky for her. Small daggers were her speciality. Even the one on her side was small compared to the dual daggers of Edwin. She did help with Edwin's training with the use of the daggers alongside Keiran, though, since the moves were relatively the same, but they did carry less power in their strikes since May preferred stealth to direct attacks.
"You ready?" May asked, familiar with the terrain ahead of them.
"As ready as I'll be given the situation." (F/n) crossed her arms and watched as her breath danced in front of her from the cold air. "I take it that Keiran and Edwin are close behind?" she asked, motioning to the door leading into the home.
"Yes, I think that Keiran is going to miss the forge like I'm going to miss this home." May smiled sadly. "But, I said my goodbyes. And, I'll always have my memories." A light laugh parted from her lips. "I think that my parents would be proud and would want me to move forward with my life."
"Thank you, May." (F/n) gave her a soft, appreciative smile, which also displayed sympathy. "I know that this isn't an easy decision to make, so I'm very appreciative." Yesterday, she had noticed that Keiran and May weren't their usual selves. Both seemed down, but it was understandable. They were saying goodbye to a place that had given them safety and comfort for many years, especially for May.
"You don't have to keep thanking me, (F/n). I know what I signed up for. I'm not backing out now." (F/n) smiled and nodded as May returned the gesture.
They both turned their attention back towards the door leading inside. Keiran and Edwin walked out. Their cloaks were on as were their travel packs. "Everyone ready to head out?" (F/n) asked. Yes, she had asked it before, but she wanted to make sure one last time. If anyone wanted to back out, this would be the time. No one stepped back. Rather, everyone nodded. "Alright since we only have one horse for the four of us, we'll be walking Finn alongside us unless one or two of us need to take off in a hurry for an emergency situation. Finn will carry extra water skins and blankets for us. Any extra food that we can't carry as we travel will go on Finn too." (F/n) walked over to Finn and opened the door to his stall.
Already, they had prepared him for travel, and he had his bridle and saddle on. She led him out. "When we're leaving Thorn, perhaps, we can get another horse depending on the situation." She looked over to May. "They have stables there, correct?"
"They do, but they don't always have a horse for sale. So, it'll depend, especially on how things go with beginning the rebellion."
"Right. Then, we'll have to wait and see. And, Edwin remember that if we run into people before we get to Thorn, you're to hide. May will cast an illusion on your cloak that'll help you blend in with the surroundings. While we're walking, it won't be cast on you since your lower legs and hands will stick out. It'll state that we have magic users in our group." She switched her focus to May. "As for when we're traveling, I'll trust your judgement on when to use an illusion or not since you can only cast it on one inanimate item at a time." Her gaze moved back to Edwin. "Once we reach Thorn, I'll pass the reins to you on our next moves. You'll be our leader. Also, Edwin and May remember that with our new plans, you're no longer going to call me your queen. We don't want anyone getting the wrong idea."
Edwin didn't say anything, but he nodded as did May. At least, he had the trip to the village to remind himself of what responsibility would soon be his. Accepting their nods, (F/n) continued to walk Finn out. Soon enough, she stepped past the barrier and into the open. The others followed, and before all of their eyes, the home became visible as the illusion disappeared. May and Keiran stared a moment longer before they looked towards the southeast.
It'd be about a twenty-four hour walk. Thankfully, it wasn't far. They didn't want to be in the open for too long. May took the lead of the group since she knew how to get to the village. Edwin walked on the left side of Finn and stayed close beside him. (F/n) walked on the right with the reins in hand. Keiran walked beside (F/n). Yes, he agreed to this plan and putting Edwin in as the new ruler of Stowwen, but, ultimately, (F/n) would always remain his first concern. He would save her over Edwin any day if it came down to it. They'd find another way to take back Credel if they needed to.
As they walked and abandoned the home behind them, the trees began to block it out of sight. The weather was cold as it was well into autumn now. Keiran had given some of his clothes to Edwin a while back since he had escaped with only the clothes on his back. And, (F/n) had the dresses May had given her. All of their clothes were made for the weather, thankfully. But at night, they would need the blankets. Much to their relief, though, they only had one night in the open.
Soon enough, the house was no longer in their field of vision if they looked back. Keiran, though, was focused on something else. "(F/n)," he started, catching her attention, "when I couldn't sleep or woke up early, I began to work on a small side project. I wanted to smith as it is what I enjoy." She nodded for him to continue as she listened. "So, I made something for you." Almost, she paused in her steps. She hadn't been expecting that; she had been expecting him to say that he made another sword or weapon of some kind for more defense against what was to come.
Keiran removed a dagger from underneath his cloak. Okay, so she was partly right, but she hadn't been expecting a gift. It was a simple steel dagger with a brown leather hilt, and it had Keiran's characteristic blue sheen to it. Because of her limbs, the weapons wouldn't form to her since they needed skin to connect to, and her limbs were already doing that, but they still remained difficult to break. So, having an extra weapon was beneficial because the sword, if she wasn't careful or faced a more skilled opponent, could be knocked out of her hand.
Accepting the dagger, she smiled at him. "Thank you, Keiran." She continued to walk with Finn, but she, carefully, leaned over, as he leaned down, and placed a kiss upon his cheek. "Where should I strap it to?"
"Somewhere that you have easy access to so that you can readily defend yourself if your sword is lost." He glanced over her. "In your boot, strapped to your leg could work. You could strap it around your thigh, but your dress might get in the way. You can strap it around your hip, like your sword."
Nodding, she passed the reins to Keiran as she leaned down and stopped for a brief moment. She quickly took off her boot and strapped the dagger beneath it. It was smaller than Edwin's dual daggers, but it was a little bigger than May or Keiran's. She put her boot back on, took back the reins and continued to walk beside Keiran, who had paused momentarily as well. So, had May and Edwin. May only smiled to herself at the gesture of Keiran's. Edwin thought it was nice, but his mind was focused on other things. With everyone walking again, they continued on towards Thorn, but Keiran was very pleased that (F/n) had liked the gift.
If it had been under different circumstances, he would've preferred to make her something else. In fact, he knew exactly what he wished to craft for her, but there would be time for that later. He wanted her completely, but he was on the road to that. Right now, he had to focus on getting her through the many obstacles that lay before them. Perhaps after they took Stowwen, they might take that next step.
Keiran walked a little behind (F/n) so that he could better see if someone were to attack her from the side. There was no such person or people at this time, much to his relief, but he kept an eye out. He'd be the first to jump into action if someone tried to hurt (F/n).