Riku woke a few hours before dawn and then spent the next hour tossing and turning trying to get more sleep. [i]It's no use. Best try and do something productive now that I'm awake. [/i] And so the young clavat scoured his room and possessions to ensure he had packed everything he needed. Riku sat on the floor, rifling through his pack and going through a mental checklist. [i]Spellbook, check. Snacks, check. Change of clothes, check. Map, check. Journal, check. I think that's everything. [/i] He nodded to himself as his gaze drifted out the window where the morning light was just starting to drift in. [i]I should probably get dressed then. *Sigh* I hope the others got more sleep then I did.[/i]

About a half hour later Riku was dressed and making the final adjustments on his armor. It wasn't a very ornate piece, actually it was entirely patchwork made up of various pieces of mail and leather he had collected over the past few years. But it was comfortable and easy to move around in, plus it protected all the important places. With that the young Clavat quietly made his way down the stairs, ever careful so as not to awaken any of his family. He wasn't thinking about leaving without saying goodbye, oh no. But he figured he could at least have breakfast ready by the time they woke up. 
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His plan went perfectly as by the time his parents came down stairs Riku had breakfast made and on the table, needless to say his father was surprised. A bit later his little sister, Elizabeth, came down too. She loved it when her brother cooked and happily ate just about everything he gave her. It was a little unnerving to say the least, like no matter how much she ate she'd just keep eating and would stay the exact same size. 

Shortly after the family breakfast it was time for Riku to go, his sister, with tears in her eyes, gave him a hug. "Be careful big bro." Was all she said before their father chimed in. "Oh come on Elizabeth, you promised you wouldn't cry remember?" Alan Castillon laughed as he clapped his son on the shoulder. The little girl puffed out her cheeks and glared at her father. "Yeah but Big Bro's leaving! I can cry if I want!" Elizabeth turned back to her brother who knelt down next to his sister and mussed her hair. "Hey, don't worry. I'll be back before you know it. And with a Chalice full of Myrrh too! Count on it!" She gave him a warm smile and a final hug, then drifting behind their father who had a pouch and something else in his hands. "Here son," Alan placed a small bag of money in his son's hands. "It's not much, but remember what I taught you."
"A little money goes a long way!" Riku immediately interjected, reciting his father's old saying by heart causing the man to laugh.

"Ahahaha, that's right. A little goes a long way. I have something else for you too, it's old, but dependable. It's the sword I used when I was your age. It'll serve you as well as it did me." He handed the sword to the young Clavat who drew the weapon without hesitation. It was a simple double edged sword made of steel, with a plain crossguard and nut-shaped pommel. Riku sheathed the blade and smiled at his father, trying desperately to hold back his tears. "C'mere boy." Alan pulled his son into a final hug before they parted, each with their final goodbyes.

And so Riku Castillon's journey with the Crystal Caravan began as he finished his goodbyes with his family and ran to the bridge where his companions would surely be awaiting him. There he found three of his comrades already there, two Selkies and a Lilty. "Morning' guys!" He called to them, a smile on his face.