Chapter Text
Alice reads the letter again. She finally was given the chance to take a break from keeping people safe on the long journey between towns, and it was immediately stolen away by the crown themselves.
She picks up her well-worn leather bag and checks her supplies for the tenth time. Shield, check. Extra sword, check. Extra arrows, check. Extra armor, check. Instant healing and regeneration potions for emergencies, check. Enough food to last a week should something go wrong, check.
Alice closes her bag carefully and sheathes her favored sword at her belt. She wishes she could spend time with Nym, maybe then the girl could... Alice shakes her head. Nym just needs time.
She glances at the clock. "Nym, I'm leaving! Come say goodbye one more time?"
Nym hops down the stairs like normal before giving Alice a big hug.
"Tell me what you're doing again!" Nym is as enthusiastic as ever, making Alice laugh.
"I'm going to the capital. They need more people to help defend against the monsters."
Nym loosens her hug. "Why don't you try to find out who's behind this? Someone has to be making more monsters appear!"
Alice shakes her head, even though she knows Nym won't listen. "It could just be a wave, the new moon and the clouds giving more of them the chance to spawn."
"Or," Nym grumbles, "it could be a bad guy trying to destroy the castle. Someone needs to find him before he gets the chance to!"
Alice squeezes her again before dropping the hug. She takes Nym's hands in hers and smiles gently. "If this goes on for another week or two, the kingdom can decide what to do."
Nym pouts, looking down at the floor and kicking her feet. She really believes there's some grand villain behind everything bad that happens.
"Stay safe while I'm away, okay Nym?" Alice smiles, picking up her bag and shouldering it again.
"Okay Alice." Nym looks back up at her.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Even though she's upset, Nym still returns the gesture.
Alice turns away and walks out the door, sighing.
"I have to leave soon, everyone! Come say bye if you still want to!"
A few travelers who had been passing through come over from the market, the old-fashioned of them bowing gently to her.
"Did Nym give you trouble?"
"No more than usual. If you don't mind, could you check in on her every night? I just want to be sure she's at home instead of out trying to be a hero."
"She's a fool, trying to do all these grand things. The world isn't like that!"
"She's still young. Once I have a proper break, I'll try to talk her out of hurrying off whenever she can."
"You'd better, before she gets seriously hurt."
A horn sounds in the distance, and Alice sighs. "That would be the guards, come to make sure I head the right way. Best of luck to all of you. Stay safe."
Alice waves to the rest of the town and walks to thet edge of town.
"You're ready to be off, Miss Alice?" One of the guards nods to her.
"I am. How long will I be stationed again?"
"One week minimum, though the period may be extended if circumstances require it."
Alice sighs. "Very well. We'd better head off before it gets late. The closer we can get to the capital tonight, the better."
The guards turn and begin to head west, Alice following close behind.