Day 1. The Zarakkar Jungle

"No, really, I'm telling you! Something in my gut tells me I need to visit my son!" declared the gray-haired old woman, patting a huge tortoise's shell with her wrinkled hand.

"Josephine, you've been my best friend since childhood — you can't just let me go on my own," she continued decisively, climbing onto the shell and hauling a pile of ancient junk up with her. "What if this is our last journey? Anyway, there's no way I'm leaving you behind, so don't even think about it. And how would I get there by myself? My legs aren't what they used to be!"

Four thick legs and a wrinkly old head emerged from the shell, and the response came grumpily: "You're a mad old hag, Martha!" Realizing that there was no way of getting out of this, the turtle turned around and, clattering with a load of bags, crockery and teapots on top, trudged off to the northeast with Martha on her back.

Day 3. Hardan's Plateau

"And I said, 'Are you really going to the capital, sonny boy? Now who's going to inherit my ancient magic?' And you know what he said to me? He was like, 'Ugh, Mom, don't you know that science holds all the answers?' But I bet he just went to university to walk around without a hat on and freeze his ears off!"

Josephine muttered something under her breath, but Martha kept on rambling.

"We can't just expect him to always come and visit us in the Zarakkar forests. It's our turn to pay him a visit!"

The tortoise continued plodding its way down the road in silence, nodding her speckled head and patiently listening to Martha's endless ranting.

Day 6. An Enchanted Grove

"Look over there, Josephine! How could a demon really want to kill such a cute little creature?" Martha was especially talkative that day. "Oh dear — my friend, let's go and help the little one!"

With a heavy sigh, the tortoise changed course and headed towards the scene. In a clearing in the forest, a small animal was being cornered by a monstrous demon. Fortunately, the threatened creature (it was none other than Heidi) saw the two respectable ladies coming in the distance, and kept the demon distracted while they got closer. Creeping up behind the unsuspecting enemy, Josephine suddenly reared up on her hind legs and roared an incantation in an ancient language, raising a whirlwind of leaves into the air. Taking advantage of the demon's momentary confusion, Heidi was the next to launch an attack. Thanks to Josephine's magic, the Guardian began to move as fast as lightning, running rings around the enemy. Deathflowers and Toxic Spit rained down on the demon until it shrivelled up and exploded. With the monster defeated, Heidi gave a deep bow to his rescuers and then darted off into the woods.

"The youth these days — so ungrateful! Here we are, supporting them like this, and all they..."

"Stop grumbling, Martha," interrupted the tortoise, stooping to allow Martha back on board. "Let's go."

Day 8. The Outskirts of Wilheim

"Did you see how well the Foremother's Oath worked? The kid was moving so fast, he made that demon look like... well, like a tortoise!"

"Martha, duck!" Josephine suddenly dropped with surprisingly agility to her belly, swiftly tucking her legs into her shell.

A flurry of crudely-made arrows flew over their heads. Turning around, Martha saw a group of orcs had sprung out of an ambush and were running towards them. But the ladies didn't even have time to bid farewell to their lives before a mighty troll stepped out from behind the trees.

"Jhu! We haven't seen you in years!" Martha exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the Guardian. Jhu leaped forward, placing himself between the woman and the orcs. Protected by the spirits of his ancestors, he unleashed a storm of bone boomerangs on the enemy, striking down a dozen of them. But the orcs kept coming and, receiving a deep cut on his shoulder, the Guardian began to lose the upper hand. The situation was starting to look desperate. "How about a cup of tea, Josephine?" Martha suddenly asked. "A splendid idea, my old friend!" replied the tortoise ceremoniously. "I'll brew some up right now." "These old women have completely lost their minds," Jhu muttered, fending off the oncoming orcs with the last of his strength.

Just then, a strange pyramid of teapots and cups appeared beside the troll. The next thing he knew, the whole structure boiled over, emitting a fragrant cloud of hot steam which enveloped the fighter. Surprisingly, his wounds immediately began to heal and close up, and the warlord felt as good as new. With renewed vigor, Jhu went back on the offensive, and the battle was soon over. As the dust settled, the area was littered with bone boomerangs and the bodies of orcs.

"Thanks for your help! You two grannies truly are brave warriors!" exclaimed the troll.

"Grannies!?" Martha burst out, almost falling off the shell with indignation. "Why don't you show us the way to Strongford? 'Grannies', really! The nerve!"

"Come now, Martha," replied the tortoise in a soothing tone. "Let's go, there's not long until the capital now."

Day 10. Strongford

The two old friends quickly found the university, and made their way to the lecture hall. There was her son, sitting at a desk with stacks of papers and scrolls piled up on it.

"Cornelius, always wrapped up in your books!" Martha broke the quiet of the room, startling her son.

"Mom?" the elderly scientist leaped up from his desk in shock, sending papers flying. "What a... lovely surprise!"

"Well what do you expect, sonny boy? How long do I have to wait until my darling child gets married and gives me a brood of beautiful grandchildren!" A mischievous gleam twinkled in the old woman's eyes.

"Ugh, Mo-o-om!" Cornelius, red-cheeked, looked around himself in a flutter.

"Don't you 'Mom' me!" Who am I going to bake pastries for? Should I go around changing the diapers of other people's grandchildren? A sly squint gave away that Martha was just teasing, but the academic just mumbled something and pretended to look through his papers.

"Come now, Cornelius, I'm just kidding! Josephine and I just came to say that we missed you, and we love you very very much!" With that, mother, son and tortoise embraced each other.

The evening flew by with hours of catching up over exotic pots of tea, the exchange of warm and understanding glances, and even the occasional tears of joy. Martha and Josephine spent the night in Cornelius's lodgings, and early the next morning prepared for the homeward journey. But who would let them go back now?

Word of how the two elderly ladies had helped the Guardians valiantly in battle had reached Strongford even before they did. Jhu and Heidi, having discussed the events with Engvar, suggested that the pair join the ranks of the legendary defenders of peace. Martha and Josephine agreed without hesitation. After all, they're still young at heart and always ready for adventure!