The eastern horizon glowed with the first light of dawn.
Morning mist drifted through the towering walls of the Varien Tribe as warriors changed shifts atop the watchtowers.
Outside the main gate...
Four sturdy warhorses stood fully prepared.
Leather saddlebags bulged with supplies.
Water skins, preserved meat, medicinal herbs, maps, spare weapons, and camping equipment had all been carefully packed.
Vicky walked around each horse one final time, personally checking every strap.
Nothing could be left to chance.
Harold and Bryan stood nearby in full armor.
Unlike their usual relaxed expressions, both Rank Four warriors wore serious faces.
This journey would last years.
Anything could happen.
Not far away...
Rajiv quietly stood beside his horse.
Snaky remained comfortably wrapped around his wrist, sleeping soundly.
The little white snake looked completely unconcerned with the excitement surrounding her.
Several elders slowly approached the gate.
At their center walked Lord Cris.
His white hair fluttered gently in the morning breeze.
For several moments...
Neither grandfather nor grandson spoke.
The silence itself carried countless emotions.
Finally...
Lord Cris broke it.
"You've grown."
Rajiv looked up.
"...Grandfather?"
Cris smiled faintly.
"It feels like only yesterday your father stood here preparing for his own journey."
His eyes became distant.
"He looked exactly like you."
Rajiv quietly listened.
The old chief reached into his robes and produced a bronze token.
One side bore the symbol of the Varien Tribe.
The other carried an ancient wolf engraved upon its surface.
He placed it into Rajiv's hand.
"This represents the Varien Tribe."
"It is more than proof of your identity."
"It is our honor."
Rajiv carefully accepted it.
"I understand."
Lord Cris nodded.
"Never abuse it."
"Never use our name to oppress others."
"But..."
"If someone tries to trample upon the dignity of our tribe..."
His voice became firm.
"...never lower your head."
Rajiv tightened his grip on the token.
"I won't."
Nearby...
Vicky smiled quietly.
Those words...
Were exactly what Varinder would have wanted his son to hear.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Rajiv turned.
Ananya slowly approached.
The once-unconscious little girl had grown considerably over the past three years.
She stopped before Rajiv.
For a few seconds...
Neither sibling spoke.
Finally...
She held out a small cloth pouch.
"I made this."
Rajiv accepted it.
Inside were several dried medicinal herbs.
"You always forget to eat when you're reading."
"So..."
She looked away awkwardly.
"...don't forget."
Rajiv stared at the pouch.
Then gently nodded.
"...Thank you."
Ananya smiled.
It was a small smile.
But genuine.
"Bring me something interesting when you come back."
Rajiv actually thought about it.
"...Books?"
She immediately rolled her eyes.
"I knew you'd say that."
Even Lord Cris chuckled.
Vicky laughed openly.
Harold whispered to Bryan,
"The young master truly only thinks about books."
Bryan nodded seriously.
"I was hoping he'd say treasure."
Snaky lazily opened one eye.
"Hiss."
Apparently...
She agreed with treasure.
After the laughter faded...
Vicky walked toward Rajiv.
His expression became much more serious.
"Rajiv."
"Yes, Uncle Vicky."
"For the next four years..."
"I won't treat you like a child."
Rajiv simply nodded.
"I know."
"You'll make mistakes."
"You'll meet people you dislike."
"You'll meet people you admire."
"You'll lose arguments."
"You'll win others."
He placed a hand on Rajiv's shoulder.
"But remember one thing."
Rajiv waited.
"Books teach answers."
"They tell you what happened."
He looked toward the open world beyond the gates.
"The world..."
"...teaches questions."
Rajiv silently repeated those words inside his mind.
Books teach answers.
The world teaches questions.
He felt...
He would remember those words for the rest of his life.
Harold mounted his horse.
Bryan did the same.
Everything was ready.
Lord Cris stepped back.
"Go."
Rajiv climbed onto his horse.
Before leaving...
He turned around one final time.
The massive walls of the Varien Tribe stood proudly beneath the rising sun.
Behind those walls...
Lay safety.
Family.
Home.
Ahead...
Only the unknown.
Rajiv bowed respectfully.
"Grandfather."
"I'll return."
Lord Cris smiled.
"I know."
The gates slowly opened.
The horses began moving.
One by one...
They disappeared onto the long road stretching toward the distant horizon.
The journey...
Had finally begun.