Snow was falling, though not heavily. Most of the flakes vanished without a trace as soon as they touched the ground.
But the biting wind through the woods stripped away any warmth, and his white breath quickly dissipated in the cold air.
"I'll see you off here," Renato said, pointing toward the stone boundary marker faintly visible ahead. "Beyond that is Falania."
"Once you're on your way, I need to hurry south. I've lost almost two days. Fried City should be posting bounties and starting the manhunt by now."
Perly pulled her cloak tighter. A few crystalline snowflakes clung to the fur edging her hood.
"Renato, are you really not coming to the Academy with me?"
"I've told you why plenty of times." Renato gently flicked the snow from the edge of her hood and teased, "A little scared of somewhere new and unfamiliar? That doesn't sound like the brave little Mage I know."
Perly said nothing. She simply stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Renato's waist.
She buried her face against his chest, though Renato was sure pressing against cold Plate Armor couldn't feel pleasant.
Renato rested a hand on Perly's back. Her wool cloak was warm, which reassured him.
"Renato..." The little Mage's voice was muffled and unmistakably choked with tears. "I don't want to leave you, but..."
"But you don't want to give up your dreams either, do you?" Renato finished for her, his voice very gentle. "Don't cry. Our paths are only parting for a while. This isn't goodbye forever. We'll meet again."
He rummaged in the Bag of Holding at his waist and took out a dark green scale threaded onto a leather cord.
"Do you remember this? It came off that Drake on the Misty Path. You even set his backside on