Amaya sat in a carriage heading to the forsaken region. Today the young heiress was watching the landscape boredly while half looking at the file of information and reports. She looked back to the folder reading on. She loved the knowing of knowledge and being able to escape the capital and stresses of the capital. Traveling wasn’t something she tend to do as freely as she once did. She had a lot more responsibilities as well as expectations from all family members. She had even younger ones that looked up to her. Her life wasn’t just about her and her wants. She needed to be more mindful of the world around herself.

She continued her read of the file. Seen livestock has been going missing for awhile now from the reports. Livestock missing was not something totally uncommon as this was the forsaken region. There were bandits, wild herd of predators that eat livestock and people yearly. The strangest thing about the cases was there was no confirmation of the said creature. What they look like, what they smell like, what they sound like. There was nothing not even signs of the livestock getting killed.

To her it sounded like bandits but that wasn’t it. She knew it wasn’t that simple. Bandits were rampant in these part. She sighed shaking her head as she continued her read before looking over to her side at some of the light reading of animal tracks and things to possibly help her finish this mission quick and efficiently. She had to get prepared for Lilith but it was a struggle between wanting to spend time with her family train with Sol and Hinota and having her own personal time with Sol. Not to mention she hasn’t held much of the usual meetings with those of her circle. She was sure hania and the others would either hold some of her favor and then probably have her hold a few once she got back from Lilith.

She was worried of her place in this mission. She wasn’t as good as Sol or Hinota. She was a social lite who felt it best to follow in the magic knights. What would her parents think of her if they saw her now? Would they be happy? Mad? Sad? She was still a true socialite and a girly girl, even against her protests of not being one. She shakes her head pushing the thoughts back. She needed to focus she needed to push those worries away. They were dead and probably wouldn’t like her worrying about them. She was a Ravencrest. They respect the past but they don’t dwell they keep moving forward and fix the mess ups other cause. They were not arrogant like the Silva. The Silva would just tell you you’re dumb and they are right. Her family will allow you to mess up before taking over the situation and lead.

”I got to get better. I have to get stronger and more mindful. Sol and Hinota will be depending on me and captain Zaven will be watching. I don’t want him to think ill of me or my family.” She said to herself in out loud thought.  She would have brought Jianyu along but it has seemed he been getting busier and busier tending to hania and his needs. She knew Jianyu’s duties were to Hania and Hania alone. He has served to protect and care for her since coming back to the main estate and growing side by side with hania. It was a few years ago that hania gave Jianyu the order to focus all his attention in keeping her safe. That was the same day he took off his mantle and went to war with the diamond kingdom.  He has been the most faithful servant she could ever have asked for. She did always miss some of his simplified explanations for even someone like her not to pay attention.

She felt the carriage stop as she climbed out thanking the driver dismissing him as she looked around at the small town infront of herself. She let out a deep sigh of confidence as she walked towards the town, straightening out her skirt and mantle. She looked around slowly knowing some were watching her from the buildings as a few citizens came to greet her.

She watched them for a second before opening her mouth " Hello, I am Amaya, I am here for the livestock issue. "She spoke beckoning them to follow as she listened to any and all details they could give her, if any at all

"It was bandits, nothing got killed."Spoke one of the citizens walking with her.

"Bandits? I personally have never dealt in the ways of bandits but they would have left tracks and come in pairs if not more then three in a group. They are not subtle to stealing in secret. They want their deeds known to strike fear into the locals near their camp. "She said with in thought. She had grown up hearing how uncivil and their ways. No bandits wants glory, wanted their deeds known. if a bandit didn't want their deed known then that told her, they were in the wrong profession. " Do you have any actual sightings any actual evidence of these livestock just disappearing. tracks? markings? sounds? anything?" she asked curious


"There was nothing. "Said one woman.

"Nothing is not nothing. Livestock is missing. your livelihood and coin for your family and yourself is missing. If this wasn't something that mattered, the magic knights would have never been asked to investigate. "She spoke sweetly as she looked towards another. "You seem nervous. "She said gently 

"We did have another go missing, but there are some possible tracks. "muttered the man

"Some possible? "she asked confused of that wording.

"Well some...kind of got stepped on and messed up by our kids on accident. "he said

"Anything is better then nothing, can you take me to the location?"she asked curiously.
"Y-yes this way. "Spoke the man relaxing as he lead her and the others to the last livestock theft. She stepped from the crowd moving forward as she scanned the area. It was undisturbed above the normal expected living situation. A simple large, improper live stock fence forming a pin, a slanted roof like shelter with a trout for the livestock's food and water. She took out a handcherkif covering her noes taking in the floral scent of lavander over the smell of manure and mud. It was not a place she liked being and could guess she was going to somehow find a stain on her hanfu.  "What precautions have you tried?"she asked walking around the edge of the pen slowly.

"We made patrols and scouting towers just to look over the livestock and the entrances to the village. We put bells on the animals in hope it would alert someone but that didn't help... nothing seemed to help."Spoke the man as amaya stopped at the edge of the pen seing an odd grouping of tracks seeing several smaller ones being confirmed to be the kids that liked to often play around the pens. "I believe I found what is required for my further investigation."She spoke 

"Will you need any help ms magic knight? we arnt entirely useless at fighting but you shouldn't have to tend to this alone?"asked the man

"No, no. I might not look the part but I can handle this on my own. If you were to help you might get in my way or make it harder for me to retrieve your livestock for you or end your problems. What you can do for me is make your pens more stable and harder to get into as well as not be so easy to spot right off the bat."She Spoke heading north without any word. She wasn't going to argue or hold their hand in ensuring this wasn't going to happen again. They had a problem that they attempted to solve, but failed. She was here to fix the issue that should have been fixed the first time.

Amaya sighed shaking her head as she adjusted her satchel to behind her, double checking the contents inside as well as her grimoire. "Alright my friend." She said softly to her grimoire moving her hand into the satchel. Maybe she was a bit weird but her grimoire was an extension and one that held her magic spells within its pages. It has changed and adapted along with herself. It was comforting to see the gold trimmed pages of the pink grimoire covered book grow with so much writing. Each page holding a spell that was of her from its style to its color to it's warmth and design. Her Spells were meant for someone like her. Even if mentally she didn't feel these should be her spells. She was an healer but standing back didn't fit her. Seems even going to hino's she had solved some issues but not all her issues. She sighed removing her hand as she shaked her head continuing out the villager heading towards north. She didn't know how far. However she was sure that these massive tracks were going to lead her to her target. she just wasn't sure all she was going to be able to do or what she needed to do with what she had in her arsenal. she just hoped she was able to take this on alone and need need anyone else.
Word count: 1617