Lyn was restless; for the last three hours, she failed to get any sleep. So instead, she picked up her bow and practiced. Sword training would cause louder sounds. So after much debate, she picked up the bow and quietly left the tent, leading to this present situation.

Lyn sighed as she felt herself getting short of breath and sat down on a nearby rock to rest for a short while. In the past, she had no particular talent using a bow. Then again, it's not like she's had a specific talent in magic or using a sword either. If she didn't meet Kazuya, perhaps she would have remained completely ignorant of the world. Catching a movement in the shadow, Lyn reached out and grabbed her bow. Slowly, careful not to disturb the bird and frighten it away. Lyn raised the bow and held it in the air for a few seconds; she took a deep breath before she finally released it. She aimed it towards the bird, and it splattered on the ground in seconds.

Weapons no matter how harmless they seem, are used as weapons to harm another person. Even if one uses it to protect somebody, another person will still get harmed using a weapon. They are deadly tools. But in order to have power, she picked up a blade the night she was fourteen years old. What was it that Kazuya used to say about power?

Ah yes.

------

Year 4014

"Power?"

Lyn nodded, "I was wondering what you thought about it."

"I don't think a person has to define themselves based on the level of power they have. You know living in this time where there's a hierarchy even in terms of magic, not just social cla.s.s. People define themselves based on their level of power. I think that's wrong; whether you have a high-level power, you're still human."

-----

Kazuya, how much longer does she have to wait? Her heart can no longer take this. She misses him too much. Ever since he entered her life, Lyn doesn't recall a single moment other than the week he was too busy to see her where they were apart. Since Kazuya left, she's held back all these feelings. But now, Lyn felt the tears fall rapidly from her eyes. She can't take this anymore; it's painful. It feels somebody is tearing her heart from her chest.

-------

Year 4019, Mist Kingdom (A few days ago)

"I love him," Lyn said, "I really love him." She's never loved anyone more than she has loved Kazuya before.

"Do you miss him?" Cordelia asked.

Lyn smiled weakly, "A lot more than I can put into words."

----

"Kazuya." Lyn murmured, "I want to see you."

......….

The following morning - the three of them set off. They have to meet up with Sir Gerald and the others quickly. In their wounded states, anybody could attack them when they are defenseless. However, the main reason she is here is to look for Kazuya. Though they are too far from the location, Kazuya last was. Lyn knew he had to pa.s.s the following areas to get to the South.

Perhaps he left something there for her; it was a stupid belief. Though Kazuya usually would do something like that. When Kazuya is in a rush, he tends to forget. If he knew what was happening too, then it's less likely he left any messages for her.

"Little Lyn?" Adrien called out.

"Ah--yes?" Lyn replied absentmindedly.

"Did you eat something before we set out? You look awfully pale,"

"She packed her food into her pouch, she didn't eat," Teo replied for her. Lyn shot him a glare, geez!

At that comment, the older man stopped his horse, and her sweat fell. Uh oh, "Let's find the nearest town."

.....

They found one, a strangely live and bustling town with loads of activity. Lyn thought she already marked out which cities were still safe from the famine. But it turns out she missed a few. Lyn let out a relieved sigh, thank goodness there are still places like this around.

Teo proceeded to food taste, but Lyn laughed, "Don't you remember General? Kazuya used to take me around; I don't need anybody to food taste for me."

"That's true."

Though things were still awkward between her and the General, small conversations like this are fine. Lyn turned back to the food and ate. It was delicious, but unlike the times she ate with Kazuya. Lyn realized that she could not smile. For the next few moments, she ate in silence with an occasional light conversation with the general.

"Uncle Adrien?" Lyn called out. Since ordering the food and sitting down. Lyn noticed that the General was not speaking a word. In fact, he wore a frown on his face.

"Little Lyn, give me your map."

Lyn nodded and removed it from her bag. The former General looked at it up and down; his frown deepened, "This area, where is all this trade coming from?"

Her eyes go wide in alarm as she realized what he was talking about. Though she was distracted on the journey here, Lyn observed her surroundings. There're no ports here or trade points, "Illegal trading?" she murmured.

In the Empire, usually when one town wishes to trade. There're trade points or ports where the goods get transferred. These trade points can vary between actually transporting the rights to the town gates. Or arrange a meeting point. But even the deliver to the gates involve a trading point mark. On the way here, Lyn saw none.

"It seems like our stay here, won't be short," Lyn murmured.