Once upon a time... Magic existed in harmony amongst the people of a peaceful kingdom. Until one day, there was an evil sorcerer that attacked the kingdom with his magic, wishing to dethrone the king and take the crown for himself. He believed himself better than those without magic. With an evil army at his side, the sorcerer had almost succeeded, until a witch betrayed him and helped the king, locking the evil sorcerer away with her magic. To release the sorcerer, one with good intentions had to wish to break him free of his cage. Though, no one wanted to wish evil upon the land once more, leaving him trapped forever.

"Patty!" Patton jumped, startled at the sound of his little sister's voice, and looked up from the book he had been reading from. "You've already read us this story!" She whined, huffing and kicking her feet in her bed from under the blankets. "Tell us a different one!"

"Yeah, new story!" He looked at his younger sisters, each squished into a much too small bed with one another. They each began kicking up a fuss, chanting together for a different story.

He could only sigh as he rested the worn out book down into his lap. "I've gone through all the stories already and we don't have any more books. Besides, this one is your favorite!"

Despite his words, they continued to chant. "New story, new story!"

"Girls, quiet!" Patton looked over to the bed with some of his other sisters that were a bit closer to him in age. "If you ask nicely, perhaps Patton can make up a new story for you."

"New story then, right." Patton closed the book in his lap and took a moment. "Okay, so, once upon a time... there was a princess who dreamed of exploring the world and going on a big adventure..."

---

The early morning sun was just barely making its way over the horizon. The sherbet colors of the sky were blocked by mountains and starting to light up the town and surrounding forest. It was always the best part of Patton's day. He appreciated that nothing could stop the stubborn sun from getting up every single morning. Sure, clouds and rain could block it, but he knew that behind all that was the sun, making its daily journey across the sky.

If the sun can get up and face the day every morning, then gosh darn it, so can he!

He loved mornings the most. His sisters were still asleep and his parents let him keep to his own devices as they got ready for the day. Patton had to tend to the few chickens that had survived the harsh winter and tend to the few crops the poor soil could manage to grow. He always had a bandana tied around his neck to help wipe away the sweat as he worked and rolled up his sleeves as he dug in the dirt. Then, he had to separate what they could keep for themselves and what they could sell. By then, the early morning market would be open and Patton could run down with his small supply to the stand he had helped build and try to see how much he could make. Some mornings, his mother managed to throw a loaf of bread or two onto the pile. On colder mornings, fresh warm bread was the best and Patton would always come home with a few more copper coins in his pocket. Life wasn't perfect but it was what he was given to work with and that was more than enough. Most days he got to be outside and enjoy the warm sun on his tanned skin, and the rain was always a refreshing change of pace that helped crops grow, even if it didn't agree with his dark, curly hair that would always frizz up. They could only afford one raincoat and most days it was Patton's to use. He would tend to the garden and animals and still be able to go to the market with a lower risk of getting sick.

And yet... every day, Patton looked to the sky and closed his eyes as the warmth of the sun shined down on him, dreaming of the day he would finally step foot out of the town and start his own adventure. He loved his family and what he had, but nothing in the village ever changed. He and his parents pushed to keep their family warm and fed since his sisters were still so young. Even the closest to him in age was just becoming an adult, but Patton wanted to make sure they all got the chance he always wanted. They would finish their schooling first before they would help out the family in hopes that one day, they'd be able to do more with their lives. He wanted them to have the opportunity he had given up.

On the bright side, life at the market was always interesting. Every day, the same few people would set up and try to sell whatever their families managed to harvest. Patton set up next to an older woman named Mrs. Morris that specialized in making jams. She was friendly and loved to talk but was a terrible gossip. Patton always got the latest scoop, not that he ever really cared, but it was nice when she had heard something about his sisters.

"Patton, sweetie, I'm so glad you're here! You won't believe what Margaret is up to now!"

After a couple hours in the sun, Patton sighed and looked down in his basket at the scraps that still remained. There were a few things he thought he might be able to sell off easy, but it just wasn't his day. The sun had climbed high in the sky by that point. Standing at his makeshift table any longer was wasting time he could be doing chores and helping out back home, unfortunately. Packing up, Patton cleared off his little table so it would be ready the next morning for him. He grabbed his basket and headed back up the hill to his family's cottage after waving goodbye to the others in the market.

"Mama, I'm back," he kicked the door behind him shut as he walked in, kicking off his muddy boots. "We have leftovers today."

He walked into the kitchen and found his mother preparing lunch for everyone. The short, middle-aged woman looked exhausted as always. The tired look in her eyes always broke his heart. "Well, that's quite alright. There's always tomorrow!"

"Right," he mumbled, forcing a smile on his face. His mother always said that. 'There's always tomorrow'. Tomorrow always brought the same things. How many tomorrows have his mother waited until she expected something good to happen? How many times can she hope that tomorrow will bring something better? Her unwavering optimism was admirable and a bit heartbreaking at the same time. "Well, where is everyone?"

"Out. Your sisters didn't have lessons today so I sent them out to keep them from going stir crazy. No need to be cooped up inside all day."

Patton hummed and unpacked the basket of things that they would be able to use before pausing at the sound of a distant thump. He waited until he heard it again before looking out the back window, watching his father chop a log for firewood. The bearded man lifted the axe and swung it down through a log of wood before pulling back. He huffed and puffed a bit, trying to catch his breath after, placing a hand on his lower back. The small stack of wood next to him showed that he hadn't been at it for very long. "What is Father doing? He's going to hurt himself!"

"Oh, you know him. Wanted to help and telling him 'no' is like talking to a wall."

"He threw out his back last time, what is he thinking?" Patton marched to the back door but stopped when his mother reached out and gently grabbed his arm.

"I know, dear, but he's feeling a bit down about not being able to help out much and you've been doing so much lately. Just let him have this?"

He hesitated a moment before pulling his hand away from the doorknob. "If he hurts himself again, he's not allowed to chop firewood ever again."

"Oh, I'd love to see you stop him. I think you're the only one who could, just as stubborn as he is."

Patton smiled and helped with lunch while glancing occasionally out the back window. He kept a close eye on his father, watching as he huffed and struggled to do just a little bit of chopping. He was happy to call him eat once lunch had been prepared. Then, after everyone had eaten, he helped clean up before helping his mother clean. There would be a loose floorboard or something would have broken that he would try and fix. Just before dinner, his sisters would beg for him to play and no matter how tired he was, he could never say no. He would eat, clean up and head to bed after telling them a story, just like he did every night. He would wake up just before the sun the next day and repeat this process over and over, as he always had, and always will.

Such was the life of Patton Darling.

----

"Marissa, where is your younger sister? It's time to leave for your lessons!"

"Which sister, Ma? There's half a dozen of us."

"I've got her." Patton walked in with his youngest sister, Tabby, trailing behind him. "She's all dressed and ready to go!" Patton held onto the heavy basket in his arms as he watched his sisters get ready for the day. He had to head down to the marketplace before it got to be too late, but some mornings, he couldn't help but get wrapped up in the chaos that was the Darling household.

Tabby turned around and smiled up at her big brother. "Patty, can you get a new book to read to us at night, please? Pretty please?!"

"I go to the market to make money, Tabs, not spend it." She looked up at him, crocodile tears shining in her eyes. He sighed, knowing to not even bother fighting with her. "I can look, but no guarantees! Okay?"

She ran forward and gave him a hug, almost knocking into the basket. "Thanks, Patty!"

Seeing all his sisters run out the door was enough to get Patton moving. He was late already, but he could still make the morning rush if he hurried to his stand. Rushing down the hill to the center of town and waving to his younger sisters, Patton held his basket close as he headed for his makeshift stall to sell the little their family had to offer.

It wasn't the best source of income, but with Patton's father growing older in age, it was getting harder and harder to make ends meet. Patton never knew how much he would manage to sell that day. The side of the market he sold at was usually filled with men in similar situations just trying to get by for their own families. The only times they managed to sell anything were when the main shops were running low or people were in a hurry and needed something cheap. Most days left Patton with a basket heavier than he hoped and his wallet lighter than he wished.

This particular morning went okay. He managed to sell a bit he had gotten that morning fresh from the garden. The weather was growing warmer and Patton's strawberry plant was starting to sprout as spring started. Selling fresh strawberries would help greatly, but that was still far too long in advance. The plant was weeks from flowering, let alone growing any fruit.

As the sun stood high in the sky, Patton looked over to the center of town. His savings dried up when his father had hurt himself in the winter; otherwise, Patton would just go and buy a new book for his sisters right now. The crowds had begun to thin out as the village went about their own business and other stalls began to pack up for the day. It wasn't going to be a good day, yet again, though Patton couldn't do much about it.

Packing up his small basket, he frowned and turned back into town. He couldn't afford to spend any of the earnings frivolously, but it couldn't hurt to look for a book and see how much he would need. It was at least something he could do for his sisters. Even if the ones closest to him in age weren't into fairy tales, they did enjoy reading as much as Patton had, even if he didn't get the chance to read very often for fun.

The town really had thinned out, but there were still plenty of people hustling by, dropping off deliveries and worrying about their own lives. Weaving through the crowds, Patton found the small library that was also attached to the outpost in case any guards from the castle stopped by. They were pretty far out so the space was often just used as storage, but the building needed someone to maintain the upkeep, so a library it was. New books didn't come through often and when they did get a delivery, it was usually for the small school. Patton missed the days of learning he had, but he left school early to help his family so his sisters wouldn't have to do the same.

The old door creaked open but no one was visible inside. The librarian was more of a maintenance man taking care of the old building that also just happened to take care of the books while he was at it. Walking carefully, the small selection on the shelves stared back at Patton as he couldn't help but smile. He didn't have much time, but he could sort through and try to pick something out before he had to head back home. There wasn't much to choose from, but he did find a book or two that would do the job. They weren't terribly expensive either! He could pull a few extra errands for a little while and hopefully have enough to purchase the book by the end of the month!

He left the library, basket in hand, filled with new hope. It wasn't as quick as his sisters would have liked, but it was the best he could do. He loved to spoil them any chance he got and it had been a rough winter for all of them, but this was enough to put a spring back in Patton's step.

"Woah!" Patton stumbled back and his heart jumped as he barely managed to run into someone in his excitement. "Careful there!"

"I'm so sorry!" Patton checked his basket and looked back up as he apologized. "I didn't see you there!"

"I suppose I was walking too close to the door, my apologies!" Patton blinked and grew confused as he realized he didn't recognize the man in front of him. "I didn't mean to slow you down."

"Oh, no! That's okay! Are, uh. Are you new here? Just passing through?"

"Is it that obvious?" The man laughed and ran a hand through his hair nervously. "Yeah, I'm a traveling messenger. Saw this quaint little village and decided to see if I could resupply before heading out."

"Oh!" Patton perked up and smiled. "That's so exciting!"

The man laughed again as the sparkle and wonder lit up in Patton's eyes. "Yeah, nothing too glamorous, but I get to enjoy the view everywhere I go."

"That's so cool! I've always wanted to leave this village and see new sights! Have you got any amazing adventure stories?"

"Calm there, friend. I'm nothing special, but I have seen a thing or two. How about you show me where I could stock up on supplies and I tell you a tale?"

"Of course!" Shifting his basket to one arm, Patton stuck out a hand. "Name's Patton Darling!"

The stranger took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Roman. Roman Grimsby."

"Well, Roman Grimsby," Patton shifted his basket into both hands once more as he turned to walk. "What brings you to our village?"

"I'm headed to the castle, actually. Have some business there." Patton froze immediately and stared at Roman. "Something wrong?"

"The castle? You have business at the castle?!"

"Nothing like that, just delivering a letter to someone's family, then I head back with the response. So nothing too special."

Despite Roman trying to shake it off, Patton was immediately taken with the stranger. "But you still get to go to the castle! That's amazing! I've never even left this town!"

"Well," Roman turned and started walking once more. "Maybe one day you and I can have a real adventure of our own, hm?" Patton felt his heart flutter as he raced after the messenger, catching up to show him the way.

---

"And he told me about this time he had to cross this bridge but it was out! He managed to climb down and across and back up in a day! It wasn't too steep but then he was behind, so he took a shortcut through these thick woods and-"

"Patty!" Patton jumped at the sound of his mother's raised voice. "You've been talking about this Roman fella for a while! You keep talking about this boy and I'm gonna start thinkin' that you're smitten with him."

Patton flushed at the accusation, Roman's smile flashed in his mind as he shook his head. "No, 'course not! But he promised he'd come back through so I could talk to him again!" His mother gave him a look before he huffed. "Ma, I haven't had a friend my age since I was schooled! I'm working all the time, let me have one person in my life outside this family?"

Patton regretted the words immediately as his mother looked down in guilt. "You're right, I'm sorry. Just teasin' ya is all. I'm glad to see you being so excited all the time. I've missed that smile on your face, my baby boy."

"Maaaaa, don't say things like that!" Patton smiled and reached out, wrapping his mother in a hug. "I do it 'cause I love my family. It's just nice to get a break once in a while."

"I know, baby." His mother reached up and Patton bowed his head so she could plant a kiss on it. "I just want what's best for you. One day, we'll all be good and I want you to be able to live your life and not worry about all of us, alright?"

"Of course, Mama."

Though, Patton knew that wish was still far from coming true.

A few days had passed and Patton had begun doing extra chores around the village. He helped pull weeds and garden for some of the older villagers for a few coins. Some had housework that Patton didn't mind helping with. Loose floorboards and windows that needing some fixing because they wouldn't open. A few odds and ends took up all of his spare time before he headed home and did the same for his own family.

It wasn't until a week later that a familiar traveler made his way back through the village. Patton was at his stall, trying to sell a day old loaf of bread when Roman approached him with a few copper coins in his hands.

"Roman!" Patton almost dropped the bread he had been trying to sell for pretty much anything at that point. He held the loaf close to his chest and smiled at the messenger. His heart fluttered as Roman smiled back at him "You're back!"

"Indeed, I have returned as promised! Now, how much?" The messenger pointed to the loaf of bread.

"Oh, no! I couldn't!" Patton shifted back, hiding the loaf close to his chest.

Roman raised a brow and shifted on his feet, holding a hand out with three copper pieces in it. "You were willing to sell it just a moment before, but now that you have a buyer, you have changed your mind? It must be the best bread in the whole village!"

Patton smiled but shook his bread. "Oh, no. The baker has far better options. This is just a load ma made yesterday that I couldn't sell."

"Then three copper is plenty, right?" Roman placed the money on the makeshift stall Patton always used before reaching out and grabbing the bread. Patton looked up at him silently as he let go, watching the other wrap it in cloth before shoving it into his bag. "That will be wonderful with my dinner tonight, thank you Patton."

"O-oh. You're welcome."

Roman had kept his promise to talk before he ventured off back to his employer. Roman Grimsby was the opposite of Patton in many ways. He grew up an only child and left his family the first change he got. He wanted to travel, but not really to adventure. He had hoped to find a place to settle down and make a life somewhere before he came across the messenger job. He never actively sought out adventure, letting it come to him instead. Patton was enraptured by his stories, desperately wishing to be a part of them one day. Traveling with Roman and waiting to see what the next horizon would bring or snuggled next to each other under the stars at night to keep warm.

Luckily, Roman's messenger job was not yet completed. He would be delivering letters back and forth for a little while, giving him the chance to stop by the village as he traveled through. Every time, Roman would wave goodbye with a promise to stop by next time he was in the area. Every time, it was heartbreaking to Patton. He never knew when Roman would come back, if he ever would. He was simply exchanging letters to someone closer to the castle and this was the best route for him to take, but who knows how long that would last? Patton always sent him off with a snack and a smile, hoping his promise to return would be sooner than the last.