Epilogue

A week later, Saga stood at the top of the Beacon’s Gate ramp, idly rubbing her concealed forearm. The new tattoo there had been partially healed by magic, but the artist said she had to let it go through the final stages of healing naturally or the enchantment might be disrupted. The stylized key with the letter “K” at the head was common enough for graduates of the Academy, but it would also server as her identification to fellow Keepers. When she asked how, the artist had only laughed and said “you’ll find out when you need it.”
She was dressed for the road, her favorite red coat having been mended and cleaned, and her hat was perched firmly in place where it belonged. She could feel it shift as Dapper crawled around the brim, clearly as bored as she felt. The only new addition to her appearance was Master Dorrin’s green scarf; she wore it around her neck now, thankful that the material was light enough not to make her uncomfortably warm. Radiant Thorn hung at her hip, and her travel pack sat patiently against the wall at her feet.
Where is he? She grumbled internally. If he’d talked them into letting him accompany her, the least he could do was be on time. Even without being able to see it from where she stood, she knew the sun was already peeking over the horizon. She growled, outwardly this time. I should just leave him. If he really wanted to come he’d be here. Her mind made up, she stooped, grabbed her pack, and turned to leave.
“Saga!”
She paused, groaned, and turned to see her brother approaching, his face lit with a smug grin. He was dressed in a plain green tunic and dark trousers, but Saga’s eyes were drawn to the plate gauntlets and boots he wore. They glinted softly in the morning light, looking out of place next to his more casual clothing.
“Where’ve you been?” Saga demanded. She tried her best not to stomp her foot. Really, she did.
His grin widened. “I stopped by Betha’s to say goodbye.” He didn’t say anything else, but his face told Saga they did a lot more than “say” their farewells.
She rolled her eyes. “I said to meet me at dawn. Why are you even coming? Just stay here with your girlfriend.” She knew her tone was bitter, but he deserved a little bitterness for being so late.
His face finally grew serious. “I told you, last time I let you leave the city without me you almost died two times.”
“Three times.”
“Three ti—that’s not the point!” He crossed his gauntleted arms over his chest. “Grandpa said you’re heading to Balorn to poke around, and I’m not letting you wander around in some strange country alone.”
Saga snorted, turned, and began walking down the ramp. “I’m not alone.” She held up her hand, and Dapper appeared in it, waving excitedly at Epic.
“You know what I mean!” She heard the heavy steps of his boots as he jogged to keep up with her. “Pa and Grandpa already gave their approval, I just have to…do whatever you say.”
Saga grinned devilishly, causing Epic to stop in his tracks as horror dawned on his face. “Whatever I say?”
“Besides stay home,” he quickly added, then resumed walking.
“Well darn,” she said with a sniff, slowing slightly to allow him to catch up. Having had her fill of teasing him, she eyed his armor. “Is that what you’ve been working on?”
“Yeah! I feel like I could walk all day in these.” He puffed out his chest in pride.
She nodded appreciatively. “Where’s the rest of it? The chest, the upper legs?”
“I didn’t have time to finish them.” He shrugged. “This will be a good field test for what I have so far. I can finish it when we get back. How long are you expecting, a couple of weeks? A month?”
She eyed him as they walked. He didn’t know about the Keepers. How was she going to explain her mission to him? She’d have to come up with a convincing reason for meeting with The Captain. Thankfully, she had something in mind.
“We’re going to see the Highwaymen. Master Dorrin had family with them, they deserve to know about his passing. After that, we’ll probably head for Sunbridge. Grandpapa wants me to collect some of the local news while I’m there so it can be archived. It might be a few months before we get home.”
Epic spat and made a sour face. “Bandits. Why don’t they send a squad of guards to deliver the news? They can run them into the ocean while they’re at it.”
“Be nice,” she replied with a smile. “I’m supposed to collect any information I can from them, too.”
He grunted, and the pair walked on until they passed out of the sloping gate tunnel and into the early morning’s light.
Saga stopped, stretched, and turned towards her brother. “By the way, while we’re out, can you call me by my adventurer name?”
“You have an adventurer name?” he asked with a snicker. “Who do you think you are, a Keeper?”
“Just do it, please?” She gave him her best smile and widened her eyes, causing him to roll his.
“Fine. What is it?”
“Saga Rose.”
Epic’s attempt to conceal his laughter failed, and the last anyone in Beacon’s Ridge saw of the Vance siblings was the sister one eye ablaze, chasing her laughing brother down the hard dirt path, menacing him with a sheathed saber.