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Chapter 1 : The Journey Begins

For a long time, nothing happened. The party rested, explored and ate, and the days passed. It was only due to the fact that they were staying in an inn, rather than a house, that the party had the opportunity to sleep in.

Then, one morning, just as the party was having breakfast, the innkeeper came to the door with a letter. The party was immediately alarmed, for they had not asked for any letters. The innkeeper said that the messenger said the letter was from their parents. They all knew that they had not written to them, and the expressions of the party were immediately frightening.

"It must be bad news." Lucius said.

"But we haven't written to them in months!" Magus said.

"There's no way they could have known we were here!" Hazel said, trying to hide her fear.

The innkeeper said that the messenger said the letter was from their guardians. Hazel's heart sank. Her parents had sent her guardians to find her.

"I hate to have to do this." The innkeeper said. "But I have orders from my lord."

There was a moment of silence as the party considered their options.

"We could kill the messenger." Lucius suggested.

"It would probably be better if we left the city." Magus said.

"There's another option." The innkeeper said. "You could all go see your parents. In private."