They reached the old shack just as the sun dipped behind the hills. Shadows stretched long across the mossy stones and worn roof, wrapping the place in quiet.
Cal stepped inside and shut the door behind them. After everything that had happened, the silence felt strange—too calm.
Cloud didn't say a word. She moved fast, lifting a loose floorboard and pulling out a small bag. She started packing without hesitation—bandages, an extra shirt, dried food, a few coins tied in a cloth.
"You're packing?" Cal asked, still catching his breath.
Cloud didn't stop. "We're leaving."
"What? Why?"
She finally turned to face him. Her voice was steady, but serious. "That mage woman saw too much. She'll be back. And she won't come alone next time."
Cal frowned. "So where do we go?"
Cloud paused, her hands frozen above the bag. She looked off into the distance, eyes thoughtful.
"I don't know," she said softly. "Somewhere far. Somewhere they won't find us."
Cal watched her for a moment, then said, "What about the capital? Pristan."
Cloud raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged. "big city. Lots of people. Easy to disappear. And maybe... maybe we could try the academy."
She stared at him.
"I mean," he continued, "you're strong. Maybe you could learn more there. Maybe they could help figure out what's happening to you."
Cloud didn't answer right away. She just stood there, thinking. Then she gave a small nod.
"Alright. We'll try the capital."
From that moment, they moved quickly.
Cloud handed Cal a waterskin and tossed him a pouch of dried meat. "Only take what you need. Leave everything else."
Cal grabbed his knife, a thin old cloak, and a cloth bundle with a few coins. It wasn't much, but it was all he had.
Cloud stepped outside first. The sky had turned deep blue, fading into night. Crickets sang in the tall grass. Somewhere far away, a nightbird called.
Cal followed her.
They moved fast, sticking to small paths and staying under the cover of trees. Cloud walked with purpose, her steps light and quiet.
After a while, Cal whispered, "Do we even know where we're going?"
Cloud nodded. "North. Just follow the stars. We'll reach the main road by morning."
The night air was cold, and the ground was uneven. Roots and rocks slowed their steps, but they kept going.
Hours passed. The forest began to thin, and in the distance, the land dipped down toward farmlands.
Cloud slowed her pace. "We'll rest when the sun comes up. Just for a bit. Then we keep moving."
"Okay," Cal said, breathing hard.
Cloud glanced at him. His shoulders drooped. Sweat clung to his forehead, even in the chill. He didn't complain, but his tired steps gave him away.
She said nothing.
Truth was, she could've kept going until noon without needing a break.
But Cal wasn't like her.
So when she said they'd rest, it wasn't for her.
They stopped near a crooked tree with soft grass around it. Cloud dropped her pack and sat. Cal fell to the ground with a groan, pulling his cloak tighter.
"You alright?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Just… haven't walked this much in a long time."
She nodded and looked up at the stars. They flickered gently above, like tiny lights watching the world. A small stream gurgled nearby, adding a calm sound to the quiet.
Cal leaned back against the tree, his eyes half-closed. "You don't get tired?"
Cloud didn't answer at first. She sat cross-legged, resting her arms on her knees.
"Not really," she said at last.
Cal let out a tired laugh. "Figures."
By the time the sky turned pink and gold, Cal was already awake, rubbing his eyes. Cloud hadn't moved. She was still sitting there, watching the horizon.
"We should go," she said as soon as he stirred.
Cal stood slowly, stretching his stiff limbs. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just… remind me never to be a traveling merchant."
A tiny smile touched Cloud's lips. "You wouldn't last a week."
They set off again. The farmlands they had seen earlier were much closer now. Golden wheat swayed in the morning breeze. A narrow dirt road ran between the fields, leading to a small Town up ahead.
The Town was simple—stone houses, a crooked well, and a signpost with faded letters. Smoke drifted from chimneys. Somewhere, a dog barked once, then fell silent.
They walked in calmly—not sneaking, but not drawing attention either.
An old man sat near the well, chewing on something. He watched them as they passed.
Cal gave a polite nod. "Morning."
The man grunted. "You two lost?"
"Not really," Cal replied. "We're heading to Pristan."
The man spat on the ground. "Long walk. You'll want the north road, past the ridge. Goes through Forest. Dangerous, but faster."
Cloud asked, "Any caravans heading that way?"
"Maybe," the man said. "Folks from the mill send carts sometimes. Or wait for the tinker. He might give you a ride, if you've got coin."
Cal looked at Cloud. "We don't really have time to wait."
The old man shrugged. "Then walk fast. And don't stop in the woods."
They thanked him and moved on. A few kids peeked at them from behind a fence. A woman carrying a basket crossed the road to avoid them.
Cal whispered, "Friendly place."
They followed the road north. The village faded behind them as the sun climbed higher, fields swaying in the breeze. Up ahead, beyond a gentle hill, the trees of Forest rose dark and thick.
Cal stared at the edge of the forest.
"It doesn't look that bad," he said.