Yes, and the journey finally began.

A coach stood in the courtyard of the villa. Ignacio, the Obscurian magistrate, was waiting for the young Alan to finish his goodbyes with his family.

Robert came up to his son, an attendant at his side who held a big wooden case. At a nod of Alan’s father, he opened the case and revealed two fine weapons: a rapier, with splendidly swept rings and bends of steel protecting the hand. A parrying dagger for use in the off-hand.
‘A gift, my son. Fine Aquilian craftsmanship, they’ll serve you well,’ Robert told his son.

‘Thank you, father. I hope I’ll have no use of them,’ Alan said as he took the rapier from the case. He inspected the blade for a moment, stepped back and tested it with a few quick swings.

With the belt and harness the rapier rested on his left side. He strapped the parrying dagger to his lower back, to be drawn with the left hand.

‘Don’t disappoint me, my son,’ Robert warned him and with those words stepped back to wait for his daughter to say her goodbye.

‘A splendid gift, father. I fear I cannnot match it,’ Catrina said as she walked up to her brother.

She wore a simple necklace that day, unlike the more intricate jewellery she was used to wearing. It had a silver chain holding a round pendant with silver frame and a single sapphire at the centre. She removed it slowly and handed it to her brother.
‘A reminder of me, Alan. Don’t you dare lose it,’ she said.

Alan quickly fastened the pendant around his neck and dropped it beneath his shirt.
‘I’ll cherish it, Cat,’ he thanked his sister for the gift.

He opened his arms to embrace her and she swiftly came forward to close the distance, wrapping her arms around his back and touching her forehead to his.

‘Goodbye, dearest sister, I’ll miss you,’ Alan said.

She clung to him, pressing herself against him with all her might.
‘Be safe, little brother, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,’ she whispered.
The list of things Catrina would not do was rather short, Alan thought to himself, causing a chuckle.

He turned his head, intending to give her a peck on the cheek as they always did, but Catrina had other ideas. Just as Alan came close, she moved ever so slightly, catching his lips with her own. Their contact was only a fleeting moment, but it sent a shiver down their spines nonetheless.
‘Come back to me quickly,’ Catrina pleaded with her brother.

Alan did not feel the need to comment on their kiss, he only looked at her with adoration for a long moment.
‘I promise,’ he answered.

‘Break it up you two, will you? Alan needs to get going!’ Robert called his children to attention.

They did so reluctantly, and Alan turned towards the waiting coach. A footman was waiting for him, the door held open for the young man.

Shortly before the doors closed, Luna had slipped into the cabin with Ignacio and Alan. The magistrate was irritated at first but allowed the cat to stay after Alan ensured he would take care of her and she would not cause any disruptions.
The coach lurched forward as the coachman spurred the horses and they settled into a slow trot.