The morning air carried a crisp chill, the kind that hinted at the approaching autumn. Leaves along the village paths had begun to turn, shades of amber and gold brushing against the cobblestones. The sun rose slowly, spilling pale light over the rooftops, glinting on the dew that clung to windowpanes and garden leaves.
Wads woke before dawn, as was his habit, careful not to disturb the quiet of the small home he shared with his father, Ethan, and his younger sister, Ariel. He adjusted the rectangle-shaped glasses perched on his nose—a new addition to his mornings, not because he needed them to see, but because the first rays of sunlight had grown too sharp for him to face comfortably. His dark hair was slightly longer than the previous year, brushing just above the nape of his neck, and his frame was average for a 13-year-old—not particularly strong, but fit enough for endurance and agility.
Klyden, meanwhile, was a few houses down the street, his new haircut making him look sharper, more confident. His muscles had begun to fill out naturally, reflecting the constant motion and play that defined him. Where Wads relied on calculation and observation, Klyden relied on instinct and strength—his fists often the first line of action in their childhood adventures.
Wads sat at the small wooden table in the kitchen, the warm smell of breakfast bread and roasted vegetables filling the room. Ariel, perched on a stool beside him, swung her legs as she watched her older brother carefully fasten the small, silver stud piercing in his left ear—a gift from their mother and her.
"You really are going to wear it, huh?" Ariel asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Wads touched the stud lightly, examining the small gleam in the early sunlight. "Yes. It's… subtle. I think it suits the morning light better than squinting."
Ariel nodded approvingly. "It looks nice. Are you going to write us letters when you go?"
"I will," Wads replied, his voice soft but certain. "Every week, if I can."
Ariel grinned. "Promise? You better not forget! I want to hear everything—the city, the people, the food… and Klyden too!"
Wads chuckled lightly, his gaze drifting out the window to the village square. Cobblestones shone faintly under the morning dew, and the market stalls were just beginning to awaken, merchants arranging their wares while the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted chestnuts drifted through the air.
"I won't forget," he reassured her. "And I'll make sure Klyden behaves—at least somewhat."
Ariel laughed, playfully punching his shoulder. "Good luck with that!"
After breakfast, Wads walked outside to meet Klyden. The crisp air ruffled their hair, carrying the scent of wet earth and distant smoke from chimneys. Klyden's new haircut caught the morning light, highlighting his expressive features and energetic grin. The two boys shared a quiet moment of understanding: in a month, they would leave for the capital, marking the beginning of a new chapter, one they had anticipated for years.
"I've been thinking," Wads said as they strolled down the familiar village paths, "we need to be ready for everything there. It won't be like home."
Klyden flexed his fingers playfully. "Don't worry about me. I've got fists, smarts, and you to keep me in check. We'll manage."
Wads allowed himself a small smile, adjusting his glasses as sunlight brushed across his face. "We'll manage… together."
The village around them stirred, familiar yet tinged with the bittersweet feeling of change. The distant mountains framed the horizon, and the cobblestone streets led them past gardens, fountains, and the small river that had been a constant backdrop to their childhood adventures. Even the black cat slinking along the rooftops seemed to pause, as though acknowledging the last month of peace before the new journey began.
That evening, Wads sat by the window in his room, sketching a small plan of the village in his notebook, while Ariel quietly folded letters and small gifts to send along when the time came. The silver stud in his ear caught the fading light, a quiet reminder of family, home, and the responsibility waiting for him and Klyden in the capital.