Chapter 40: Homecoming

"We’re done for the day."

"Are we?" Adara sounded faintly disappointed. She slid her sword back into its scabbard with a soft, satisfied snick and let her shield rest against her hip. "And here I was just beginning to enjoy myself."

"Aye, I noticed." He turned back, mantle over one arm, and fixed her with a look that was flat and unreadable and, if one knew him at all, profoundly long-suffering. "Next time I’m distracted — you call it. You don’t hit me."

The amber eyes sparkled. "Where is the lesson in that, m’lord?"

He stared at her.

She smiled back at him, bright and guileless as mountain sunlight.

"...Fine," Bramm said, and walked away.

"You’re welcome!" she called after him, cheerfully, as he retreated.

He walked towards the cabin, scowling as he rubbed his jaw. "Abyssals, this is gonna hurt for a while..."

He reached the porch, and without any hesitation, he sat down on his favorite chair. "Now, let’s see what the hell was the reason for me earning such a punishment."

[Battle Log Updated!]

[Dread Ape Ambush]

[Total: 8]

[Killed: 3]

[Renown Gained: 1350]

[Battle Grade: B]

’Dread apes? Why in the abyss would they venture down the Vorrhalden mountains? They’re not even supposed to be even close to here...’his thoughts drifted, but he was soon brought back by another piece of information,’Eight of them, three killed and earned 1350 renown... all three of them were Dark reds?’

’Strange, truly strange. They all would’ve needed to fight two at a time...’A smile bloomed on his face,’I knew I could count on them...’

Laughter resounded from the cabin as Bramm stroked his sweat-laced beard in delight.

’They’ve become quite strong... Once Mestin reaches the limit of Dark Red, I’ll give him the Hero Evolution slot. By then, I’ll have two heroes.With a smirk, he pulled out his putty and took a leisurely smoke.

’I just hope I can get a few more in the coming time...’

***

As daylight faded, the group finally emerged at the last corner of the forest trail. "Gather up and enter slowly!" Resven called out from the front.

The group of men led by Mornell quickly fell in line as they entered the entrance. The palisade fences were up and standing steadily, but since they had run out of many supplies, the builders had not been able to finish the construction of the gates.

Now, only an empty space between the Iron Oaks served as the gateway to the House.

The group made their way into the ’keep’ with excitement. Elspeth and Torin, who were in the middle of the group, looked around curiously. "Thye don’t even have a gate? And only a wooden fence... El... Are you sure this is the right choice?"

He whispered softly, leaning towards Elspeth. "It may not look like much, but it;s quite, out of the way from prying eyes... I think it is. Loosen up a bit, we’ll be staying here a while, don’t be so tense."

"How could I not be..." he shrugged, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword.

Elspeth shook her head at Torin, who refused to let down his guard and eagerly began to look around the area. From beyond the open ’gates’ she could see a beautiful clearing up a small, slight slope, a cabin in the distance.

To her left and right, four cabins were built with two campfires on either side of the dirt road that had formed. The dirt road led straight up towards the cabin situated on the hill. Beyond it, Elspeth could see the ocean, and the breeze blowing through the area made it seem picturesque.

’Wow, beautiful,’ she smiled sweetly, her gaze drifting towards the cabin at the end and the open sea behind it. She was so in awe as she walked that Torin had to grab her for her to stop, as she almost walked into one of the builders.

The caravan creaked through the unfinished palisade, wheels crunching on dirt. Suddenly, it halted, and she almost bumped into the man ahead. She leaned sideways and saw Resven and the others in front.

Opposite them were another five figures standing near the campfires. Four warriors in disciplined formation, shields and spears gleaming faintly in the dusk. At their head, a woman stepped forward — tall, poised, amber eyes bright with mischief.

"Something’s up... stick close to me," Torin whispered in her ear, stepping to stand in front of her slightly.

The others stood at the front. Their gazes locked on the well organised group before them. Resven’s brow furrowed. He had not seen her before. She hadn’t been here when they left.’Is she another one of us?’

The woman in the lead stepped forward with a smile, her voice carrying with melodic refinement. "Welcome home, gentlemen. You’ve marched far, and now you return to find your House not quite so empty as when you left."

Telarin blinked, then broke into a wide grin. "Well I’ll be damned! We leave for a bit o’ travelin’, fight off a pack o’ apes, and come back to find reinforcements waitin’ for us? Ha! Lord Bramm’s been busy."

Resven’s brow furrowed, his tone precise. "Reinforcements? I was not informed of additional warriors joining our ranks."

Adara dipped her head, her lilt playful. "And yet here we are. The Chief thought your camp could use a touch more fire. I am Adara Oldflame, and these are my men. We’ve kept the watch while you were away."

Keren snorted, his accent cutting through like gravel. "Aye, and a fine sight it is. Better seein’ ye standin’ here than comin’ back to empty cabins. Ye’ve got the look o’ folk who can swing steel proper."

Adara’s amber eyes sparkled. "We swing it well enough to keep the fires burning. And perhaps to keep you from growing too complacent."

Telarin laughed, clapping Resven on the shoulder. "Hear that? She’s already challengin’ us. I like her spirit. Makes the place feel alive."