To the North

“We shall be heading off now.” Ryker murmured softly to his mother as they stood just outside the entrance of the Duchy. “Please take care of yourself. Everything will be over soon.”

“You two stay safe.” Duchess Westerwyn caressed her son’s cheek for a moment before turning to Raquel. “Don’t push yourself… But if you have to remember to take the tonic I gave you.”

“I will.” Raquel nodded. “Thank you for everything.”

Duchess Westerwyn smiled. “You can thank me for everything with your safe return… Now you best off leaving before the sun rises.”

Ryker nodded his head, giving his mother one last hug before getting on a horse prepared for them. Raquel hopped on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Once Ryker was sure Raquel was securely on the horse, he got the horse to gallop off into the night.

It had been a little over two weeks since they had arrived in Westerwyn and Ryker was already leaving it to complete the mission in the north with Raquel.