The beginning of our journey.

All of my life I have felt what I call a "pull" towards some distant place. My family has lived with my "silly idea" for just as long. I am not alone. My best friend also feels a pull like mine. We have told our families that, when we reach the age of journeying, we will set out for those pulls. Since it is a tradition to travel at that age, they cannot stop us. We sat down a couple of days before to sort of plan out a bit of our journey.
"My family has given me fifty gold coins on top of what I've saved. We should have enough to stay at a couple of inns while it's still cold at night. What about you?"
Callie scratched her head, "I'm not sure. My parents haven't given me my away money yet, but I have saved about twenty. Which direction are we headed?"
Without thinking, I said, "North."
Callie looked at me in shock, "Kayla, north, really? I feel the pull to the north, too. This is incredible! Do you think they're in the same place? That would just be too much if they were. We could stay together, not have to go alone, and not have to face strange things or eat weird food without the other's help..."
"Callie, Callie, calm down. It is good that we can travel together for a while. I don't know how far we can travel until we are pulled towards our separate destinations. Let's just take it one step at a time."
"You're right. We're leaving in two days. Let's get our stuff together so we're not rushing at the last minute."
"Right. Dawn on our eighteenth birthday. Just before the sun peaks over the horizon, not one moment later."
"I'll let you know what my away money is so we can spend wisely. See you later."
"See you, Callie."
We parted to go to our own homes. I had been packed and ready for a week. I had had to pull clothes out to wear a time or two. My money was safely stowed. Callie would need the next two days to decide what to take and what to leave behind. I hoped we would travel quite a while before parting.
Day 1:Callie needed every second. She was still sorting by candlelight when I got to her door. She rushed out to meet me, a little flushed from running around. Still, we made it to the edge of town before the sun was visible. Our families saw us off in traditional fashion, parents telling us to be safe and all of that stuff. We walked out of town as the sun broke over the horizon. A bit out of town, we totaled our money and looked forward to our journey.
Fortunately, in this area, villages are about a day's walk from each other, so we got to the next village, north of our home, before nightfall. A friend of our families let us stay at his place for free, as a birthday gift. He also fed us and provided an updated map for us to use. We asked him and his wife many questions about the area ahead of us. They both seemed puzzled that we wanted to go north.
"After Matthias, there isn't another village for a week. Are you sure west is not a better choice? Can't experience too much of life where there is none."
"We have to go where we are led. This pull is too much to bear one moment longer. I'm sure it would drive us insane if we resist any more." I informed them.
He shrugged, "I don't understand it, but it is your journey."
Day 2:We left early the next morning with breakfast in our bellies and travel food from the wife, who insisted we take it and the western road. We thanked her for the food, but informed her again that the path was not a choice. She watched us leave with a worried look on her face.
Days 3 & 4:The second and third villages we stopped at were much like home. A few people treated us as was tradition for your journey time.
Day 5:
In the fourth village, as we were eating a modest meal, one of the serving girls caught our attention. Even though we had never seen her before, she seemed familiar to us. We caught her looking at us from time to time. Our mutual conclusion was that she felt the same as we did. When the lady of the inn came over to ask how we were doing, we inquired about the girl.
"Anna, my daughter, she is a hard worker. It will be rough while she is gone on her journey time, but we will manage."
"She's eighteen?" I asked since Anna was a small girl who looked barely twelve.
"Tomorrow, this is why she is extra busy today. She wanted to be sure to leave no chore undone before she left."
I looked at Callie, she nodded, then I asked, "Has Anna been feeling a pull or tug towards a direction, say north?"
The paling of the woman's face told us all we needed to know. She looked around and tried to come up with a logical response. I stopped her.
"We, too, have felt a pull towards the north. I believe Anna, Callie, and I are being drawn towards the same place. We would gladly travel with Anna, as we are headed the same direction."
Relief washed over her expression, "I was so worried about her going alone, especially, well, you know. It would so ease my mind knowing she has company. I will tell Anna. Your food and room are on me. Anything you want."
We ordered a little more. She called Anna to our table while she went to get our food. Anna timidly approached us. When she got to the table, I launched into the reason she was called to us.
"We know about your pull to the north."
Anna paled so fast we feared she would faint.
Getting her to sit, I continued, "We, too, have felt a pull in that direction as long as we can remember. We are also eighteen. Your mother knows this and we would like to travel with you as long as three of us can. I know we have never met, but a the legend says, those who hold the swords are sisters. I believe , I think we both believe, that those holding the swords are closer than even blood sisters. Callie and I are nearly twins. We feel a kinship to you even though we just met. So, please, let us know your feelings on this. What say you? "
Anna took a moment to think over my words. Callie and I allowed her that silence. Finally, she began.
"I knew not that it was the legendary swords that caused the pull, yet it now makes sense. As soon as I saw you two, I felt a connection. I would appreciate and cherish the opportunity to travel with you. I was afraid to go alone. I would like to learn more about the swords while we travel. My parents are not the type to believe tall-tales or ancient legends, so I know very little about them."
Anna looked around as her mother brought us our food. She stood up and excused herself. Her mother sought for words but gave up and returned to the other patrons at the inn.