Denied. Again. She huffed, though she did so out of sight of her parents’ sight. She was eighty-three, after all – hardly a child. She had been learning from Lanliss, her father, ever since she was old enough to walk, as she held no magical ability (something she felt saddened Tessara, her mother, a little from time to time). She’d been asking him since her eightieth birthday if she could strike out on her own and help support the family. But it was always no.
He could come and go as he pleased to take jobs, of course. He wasn’t beholden to anyone, except maybe her mother. It was almost tradition with her to ask him about what he’d been up to, though he never told her when Tessara was around to hear. Those stories were something she enjoyed. As far as she knew, he was always up front and honest with her about his trade, as he wanted her to follow in his footsteps, so to speak. The only thing he never talked about was this special dagger he had – he only ever warned her to keep away from it and declare it evil.
She pouted as she lay in her bed that night. A small part of her was of the mind to take off on her own without their permission, and take that damn dagger with her. That was likely to have her father hunt her down though, and she didn’t want that – she didn’t want to face those kind of consequences. Maybe I’ll appeal to Mother after Father leaves for his next job. she thought. Satisfied with this, she fell asleep.
Narcelia kissed her Father’s cheek before he left, and watched as he walked away, until he disappeared. She then turned to help her mother with the household a bit before going to hone her skills some more. She had to wait for the right time. Lanliss needed to be far enough away that Tessara couldn’t get word about it back to him and then he track her down. Three days. she decided. In three days she would make her case to her mother and try to get permission.
When the three days had passed, Narcelia made her move. She was helping her mother with laundry – a simple enough task. It would keep their hands busy but leave them free to talk. Here goes nothing. she thought.
“Mother?”
“Yes, Narcelia?”
“I want to ask for your permission to venture out on my own.”
Tessara sighed. “We’ve been over this before, Narcelia. You know how your father feels about it.”
“Yes….but how do you feel about it?”
This gave Tessara pause. Finally she smiled and then smirked, turning to face her daughter.
“I see your point. I’m in agreement with you in that you aren’t a child any longer, but you are still young, don’t forget.”
“Well I know that.” she responded. Tessara held up a finger to shush her.
“I’ll tell you what…we’ll get together some supplies for you…I know what your father uses, and you can get what you feel you might need in town…I’ll send you off, and deal with your father when he comes home.”
Tessara smiled as she watched the sunrise on her daughter’s face. Narcelia jumped up and down in glee.
“Do you meant it?”
“I do. Now calm down and help me finish.”
Narcelia did her best to calm down, but she was excited. It was hard to sit through mundane tasks and dinner. When nightfall came, and they hadn’t done anything yet, she turned to her mother and opened her mouth to speak, but Tessara interrupted.
“Tomorrow we’ll go to town. I’ll gather the other things tonight. I doubt your father will mind you having them. Now go relax – tomorrow will come soon enough.”
They went into town mid-morning, and picked up things for Narcelia that Lanliss’ extras wouldn’t cover. When they were finished, they had a meal at the tavern and shared a hug. Tessara pressed a coin pouch into her daughter’s hand.
“I know you’ve been out with your father once or twice, and so have an idea of what to expect. I’m going to give you warnings anyway – barter your way down, camp when you can to save on an inn, and don’t trust people too readily…you never know who’s waiting to stab you in the back.
“I’ll be careful. Promise. I’ll write once in a while to tell you how things are going.”
“You’d better, or your father will have my head.”
“I hope he won’t be too mad.”
“At worst he’ll drag you back kicking and screaming.” her mother teased. At her daughter’s frown she sighed. “He loves you, Narcelia. You’re his most precious treasure – if he lost you, he’d be broken.”
“Just him?”
“No, me too. I was lucky to have you – for a while it seemed as though I wouldn’t have children, then I was blessed with you. Now be off with you before I change my mind.” she said, brushing a tear from her eye. Narcelia hugged her mother again and began walking off, in the direction opposite her father had disappeared into just a few days ago.
She wondered what sort of adventures awaited her. Eager to find out, she picked up her pace, and kept going until she reached the next town.