Solo For the first time. [ flashback ]

[Synntina Novul]

20th Spring, 500 Av

Synntina had been awake for some time now, her mother was sitting with her, humming quietly while brushing the young girls hair. She was content with sitting quietly, playing with a strip of silk between her fingers. Her attention was drawn to the entrance of their house making some noise as her father stepped down into the house. Her usual calm face lit up with happiness and she moved from her mother to run and embrace him in a hug. Her mother made a loud huff of protest, but said nothing more on the subject.

Her father looked from Synntina, to Nassivin and he gave her a soft smile before kneeling down to reach Synntina's height. He brushed some of the hair away from her face gently and spoke to her, his voice was deep and slightly rugged sounding, "Good morning Princess. Are you up to come with me today?" He asked her with a smile.

Two reactions came at this time. The first was Synntina's. Her eyes widened in excitement and she started to nod wildly, bouncing up and down and forgetting all her composure.

"Yes! Yes yes yes!"

She said happily, rushing past her parents and running to her 'room' to start grabbing her things. Her father had gifted her with a small bow her size not long before, and was teaching her at the hunting tavern's target area.

The second reaction was her mothers, who's face was growing ugly with anger. She walked right over to her husband and started to talk in a very serious, strict manner. "Diniov, you know how I feel about teaching her how to hunt! She's a lady and she should act like one." Her mothers voice came in a smooth, but fierce tone.

Synntina paused, not walking past the curtains into the next room. Instead she listened to what was being said.

"Nassi.." Her fathers voice came in a softer, lighter tone. "The girl should choose for herself what she wants to do with her life. The fact that she seems to enjoy hunting more than dancing is not an insult to you!" He said, stepping forward to put his hands gently on his wifes shoulders. Nassivin pulled away from him with a snarl, "You are teaching her to be more like a man!"

Diniov stepped back and gave a small huff of annoyance, "Man or Woman, I would love her the same. ... Come Synntina." He spoke before grabbing his things in an angry manner and climbing out of the house. Synntina walked out of her room quickly, casting a glance at her mother who looked furious. But her mothers gaze softened and she turned, looking hurt now as she sat back down in the chair she was in before. Synntina frowned, pausing for a moment before following her father out of the house.

[Synntina Novul]

Her father said nothing the whole way up to the gates that led into the city. It was as if he was silently fighting with himself. Every once and awhile Synntina would hear the man mumble something and look very angry. And other times he looked very sad. She didn't know why, but she felt bad for him and really just wanted to give him a hug. But she kept her distance, not once did he even turn to make sure she was still behind him.

When they got to the gates, her father finally turned toward her, a small smile on his face. He kissed the top of her head, calling her a good girl, telling her not to worry about anything her mother said. Synntina nodded, staying silent as her father led the two of them out of the gates and into the forest.

It was the first time she had been outside of the city, this new air was shocking, but lovely. She coughed a few times and her father commented that it was a normal reaction to being outside for the first time. Synntina's eyes wondered around the rocky outcrop of the gates location. Grey stones jutted from the earth, leading down into a large forest of green. At least what she figured was a forest from her fathers books and stories. Her father started to walk down and she followed, eyes squinting against the harsh light coming from the sky.