Chapter 80:Leaving.
Chapter 80: 80:Leaving.
Outside, the eastern horizon had only just begun turning a pale shade of blue. The sun still hid beyond distant mountains and the Sanctuary remained asleep. Streetlights continued illuminating empty roads while only military patrols moved through the quiet city.
Silver loaded the final storage cases into the vehicle, securing everything carefully. After one last check, he opened the door and entered his new car.
He couldn’t help but feel a little elated at the prospect of finally leaving. The engine hummed quietly to life. He glanced once toward the estate, toward the windows and the home that had belonged to another Silver.
"...Time to go."
The vehicle rolled silently through the gates leaving the one place he had woken up in and adapted in the world from. He was sure most of them knew he had left, but there was no one worth a goodbye.
The last person he knew was already kilometers ahead. He pressed the accelerator. The elite district gate closed softly behind him as he drove further into the lower districts.
The district looked almost peaceful before sunrise. It almost resembled an ordinary city.
Silver parked outside the Contractor Hotel. He barely had time to step out before the entrance doors opened.
Ravenna walked out carrying two travel bags. She had also changed into practical contractor clothing; dark trousers, a protective jacket, light armor around vital areas, and a longsword rested naturally against her back. Her white hair had been tied into a neat ponytail.
Grey eyes immediately found him.
"...You’re early."
Silver looked at the sky.
"So are you."
She shrugged.
"I couldn’t sleep."
"Me neither."
They shared a brief smile then Silver noticed something.
"...Where’s Mallory? If you have more bags, I can help you carry them down," he said, frowning slightly.
Ravenna glanced back toward the hotel then shook her head.
"She’s still asleep."
"...Really?"
She laughed.
"No... I lied."
Silver nodded solemnly.
"I actually believed you."
"You shouldn’t believe everything I say, silly."
They both laughed quietly then Ravenna explained.
"We had a serious discussion yesterday, she’ll come with the family convoys," she quietly said, glancing at the hotel.
Silver looked surprised which he was. While Mallory was a civilian, it was only one extra person.
"I thought she’d insist on following you."
"Oh, she did," Ravenna sighed dramatically," For nearly an hour."
Silver could imagine it, eventually, Ravenna continued.
"I somehow managed to convince her and reached a favourable agreement."
"How?"
"I told her she’d be more useful if she arrived before us."
Silver was silent for a moment then nodded.
"...That’s actually true."
She nodded.
"Exactly."
Ravenna knew Silver would have taken Mallory with them on their journey but she also knew Mallory would have been a burden, to both of them.
While they were travelling, they also planned to train and that meant they couldn’t predict how everything would pan out. If they fall into a dangerous situation with a normal Civilian with them, it will slow them down or even turn deadly.
She and Mallory had been travelling through Civilian roads and with a much larger Convoy before them, so it had been safer but now they were actively hunting, it wouldn’t make sense to take her with them.
She knew Silver had left that decision on to her and she wasn’t selfish enough to burden him even more. That was a distraction they both didn’t need.
Thankfully, Mallory was understanding in that part. The Academy City attracted thousands of new students every year. Accommodation disappeared almost immediately, hotels became impossible to book and rental houses skyrocketed in price.
Having someone arrive early with the larger convoy made perfect sense. Mallory could secure a place to stay while Silver and Ravenna continued hunting along the way.
Silver smiled.
"She’s probably already planning the furniture."
Ravenna groaned.
"...Please don’t remind me."
"That bad?"
"You have no idea. She already started talking about curtains."
Silver burst into laughter. Ravenna rolled her eyes.
"I haven’t even arrived yet, but apparently that’s irrelevant."
They loaded her luggage into the vehicle. It was much less than Silver expected.
"That’s all?"
Ravenna nodded.
"I don’t own much."
Silver quietly closed the storage compartment.
"...We’ll change that."
She looked at him and didn’t answer but the small smile she wore said enough.
Before they could get into the car, the hotel doors were pushed open and Mallory hurriedly walked out.
"Ravenna!"
They both turned towards her. She came to a stop before them, her breathing heavily. It was clear she had hurried downstairs.
"What’s wrong?" Ravenna worriedly asked.
Mallory didn’t answer immediately since she was still out of breath.
"Here take this," she extended her open palm and two small red sachets," My mother told me they can keep people safe. The sachets ward off bad luck."
Silver picked it up. It was a small blue silk sachet that could clearly be hung from the belt of his trousers. Ravenna took it and immediately equipped it.
"Thank you," she quietly said, her eyes watering slightly," I really don’t want to leave you here."
Mallory pulled her into a warm hug." I’ll make sure to book the most expensive hotel or rental. Now go and make your mother proud okay."
Ravenna nodded. Silver could only watch the interaction from the side.
They separated and Mallory turned to Silver her arms still open.
"Aren’t you going to say goodbye to me?"
He glanced at Ravenna who nodded. He reluctantly returned the hug.
Mallory patted his back softly but her words weren’t.
"Please do take care of my mistress," she loudly said then added more quietly," if anything happens to her I’ll..."
"Nothing will happen," Silver cut her off and separated from her, a smile on his lips.
Mallory smiled back and nodded. She cupped Ravenna’s cheek and then stepped back.
"Safe journey."
Silver nodded." You too."
They both got into the car, with her watching over them. Ravenna waved one last time before her figure disappeared when they left the parking lot.
"Will she be okay?" Silver asked.
Ravenna nodded. "She is proficient in these travels. She used to travel to different sanctuaries with my mother and when mother was sick, she went to buy most of the medicines on her own in other sanctuaries," she glanced outside and continued," I wouldn’t have left her if I wasn’t confident. She can defend herself well and knows how to use most of the weapons."
Silver nodded, slightly surprised. Ravenna continued.
"She was the one who taught me how to use swords and guns."
"She doesn’t look like it."
"That’s true."
The journey toward the Sanctuary gates took only a few minutes. The massive defensive walls gradually came into view.
Soldiers were changing shifts as dawn slowly approached. Traffic remained light, only long-distance contractors departed this early.
Silver lowered the window while security personnel verified his authorization. The guard’s eyes widened slowly as recognition trickled in, he then saluted.
"Recommendation student?"
Silver nodded.
"Safe travels and good luck"
"Thank you."
He knew the announcement of those qualified for the Academy had already been made. Since they were all basically going to represent the Sanctuary. That meant unless he was out of range of Delta-3 most people would recognise him.
The barrier slowly began opening, then a knock came; three times at that.
Silver frowned. Someone stood beside the driver’s window. He turned and lowered the window again.
"...Huh."