The cool morning’s air swept over Hoi and lifted the hair off his neck. He hadn’t bothered to put it up in any official manner this morning, since he wasn’t meeting with anyone. The birds swooped overhead, calling their sweet cries, and dew glistened softly on every surface.

It was a large contrast from the day before, with the city full of bustle. Now it was at perfect peace. Hoi wondered if Ryube would be as peaceful.

As he neared the stone structure, sounds of fighting could be heard in the air. One lone door opened into the building, and it was blocked by a gate of iron bars. Glancing about, Hoi didn’t find any signs or any other indication that he couldn’t be there, so he approached the gate, putting a foot up on one of the crossbars and hanging his hands over the top one.

The building was open on the inside, the middle being one huge dirt practice arena. The entire area was filled with boys of different ages, each dressed in Highland armor, going through forms or trying a spar. Hoi peered through the assembled recruits, but couldn’t see Jowy or his friend.

A large man stepped down from a walkway that surrounded the arena and clapped his hands. All the recruits instantly stopped and came to attention. The man said something, gestured behind him with both hands at the walkway, and all the boys went off the arena. Save two.

It was an incredible sight, watching the soldiers-to-be flow off the arena, leaving two lone boys standing in the center, staring intently at each other. The other boys seemed as sticky liquid flowing over a rock, clinging to every surface as it passed, then finally letting go and revealing the rock itself. Such was the case with the two combatants.

Hoi immediately recognized Jowy standing on the right. He held his new staff in one hand behind him, the other hand latched onto something around his waist in front of him. He breathed with slow, even breaths that raised his shoulders slightly, then let them fall.

His opponent was who Hoi assumed to be Makoto, due to the “weird-looking gold band” that adorned his head. His hair was a short black, with eyes of clear brown. His stance with his own twin tonfu was something like Hoi’s stance, but Hoi took careful note of it since he was sure his stance was incorrect. Makoto’s weight centered over his toes, and he bounced with every breath, waiting for the fight.

A silence fell over the whole assembly. It stretched for what seemed like an eternity as the two combatants watched each other calmly. Finally, the large man who Hoi guessed was their commander clapped his hands again. Instantly, the two recruits jumped at each other, beginning the spar. Numerous sounds of wood clacking and strained grunts sounded as they each flowed through their own respective forms.

Makoto was quick, able to duck in and out of attacks with ease. He generally jumped forward to attack, then evaded Jowy’s attack. He never pressed his attack, but apparently he didn’t need to.

Hoi wondered how he would have handled a situation like this. He’d fought his share of monsters before, but that took no skill. You could throw rocks at a monster and eventually win. This, though, was something else entirely. It required finesse and strategy.

Hoi’s attention moved to Jowy, and he watched in awe. He really knew how to use that staff. It spun and connected expertly in his hands, almost as if he were born with the length of wood in his hand. His blond hair flew out behind him as he spun backwards and connected with Makoto over his shoulder.

Makoto blocked with one tonfu, and while they were paused, Jowy winked and Makoto smiled. The mark of a true friendship, indeed, if they could fight so vehemently and still be friends.

That was enough. He’d seen all he needed to. Quietly, in thought, Hoi trekked back through the slowly awakening city to the inn.

A few hours later, Hoi and his father were in the stables of the inn, preparing to continue their journey. Hoi wondered if Jowy was coming...they were almost done, and he still hadn’t arrived.

As if summoned by Hoi’s thoughts, the blond-haired youth trotted up the dirt walkway to the stables. “I hope I’m not too late,” he said as he came to a stop.

“Nope. Just in time, actually,” Xiu said, and began to hand him large satchels that would have been on Hoi’s back otherwise. Jowy obediently shouldered them, waiting for everyone else to get ready to leave.

Xiu put a foot against the wagon and pulled hard on the last rope to tighten the knot. Then, he turned to the open door leading to the inside of the inn. “Himiki! Setsu! Let’s go!”

After a few moments, Hoi’s sister and mother filed out of the door and stood next to the wagon. Setsu, Hoi’s mother, climbed up onto the wagon with Himiki’s help. Then Himiki joined her.

Xiu made sure everyone was ready, then he started the horse’s steady plodding gait toward the town entrance.

The town of Kyaro slowly disappeared in the distance. The only thing that lay before them is a pass through the mountains, one that Jowy had said was called North Sparrow Pass.

Mist crept up from all directions, making footing uncertain. Both Hoi and Jowy lost their balance on several occasions.

“Why’s it so foggy here?” Hoi asked.

Jowy shrugged under his load. “I’m not sure. Usually isn’t.”

Hoi was still amazed that Jowy hadn’t collapsed yet. He was carrying nearly as much as Hoi was, and was significantly smaller than him. Still, Jowy continued on, never missing a step from fatigue, never complaining about his load. Hoi admired and respected him for it.

Hoi was startled from his thoughts when his father started calling his name urgently. Another instant, and Hoi had dropped his load next to the wagon and was running to stand next to his father. Jowy blinked in surprise at Hoi’s speed, then mimicked his actions.

Four men blocked the path, three in ragged clothing with multi-colored bandanas covering their heads. The fourth stood behind them, silently looking to the side and apparently in thought. He was dressed differently, in a bit less ragged clothes, and a scar crossed over his left eye. What appeared to be a long sword was stuck in his belt, which tied off a large, loose tunic of white. Red hair flowed down his back, almost as long as Jowy’s.

One of the men in front glared at Xiu. “Look, old man...why don’t you just do as we ask? It’ll save you a lot of trouble.”

Another stepped forward, fueled by his friend’s bravado. "Yeah...hand over all your valuables.” He leered up at the women sitting on the wagon. “That includes your ladies there.”

Xiu stared back with an impassive face, but his grip tightened on his weapon. Hoi moved to stand beside his father, and Jowy stood by Hoi, his hand gripping his staff.

The red-haired man behind the three bandits looked up suddenly at Jowy. He pushed his way through the wall of his comrades and turned to face them. “You idiots!” he exclaimed. His voice sounded soft and even, and his shouting seemed out of place in that voice. "They’ve got Highland escort! How could you be so stupid?”

The man turned back around. He bowed his head slightly. “Forgive us for troubling you, sirs. We’ll let you be on your way.”

“B-but...Master Zecks...”

The bandit who had spoken up was immediately silenced by a firm backhand to his jaw. The bandit staggered, holding his injured jaw.

The man who Hoi assumed was Zecks lowered his fist and looked back to them. “Again, our apologies.” He turned away and started walking down the path. His entourage followed them, still shooting the occasional glance of irritation back at Xiu and his family. After a few steps, though, the mist had overtaken them.

Xiu waited for a moment, then turned back to the two youths. “It’s a good thing we brought you along, Jowy,” he said. He then took hold of the horse’s bridle and resumed his trek. Hoi and Jowy had to scramble to get their things and follow.

After a bit more walking, the group finally made it through the pass and encountered a checkpoint. After Jowy spoke with the guards for a moment, he came rushing back to Xiu.

“They say you can pass now,” he told him.

“Thank you, Jowy,” Xiu said. “If you ever come to Ryube, you’ll be welcome with us.”

Jowy smiled. “Thank you, sir. I better get back now.” He turned to run up through the pass back to Kyaro.