Several hours had passed since Veil had fallen asleep. The sun had already begun its descent, and long shadows were stretching across the landscape. A few curious birds landed nearby, but quickly flew off again once they realized there was nothing left of interest around.

  “Hey, look over there—on the ground! Isn’t that him?” a voice shouted.

  Veil slowly opened his eyes, struggling to focus. His blurred vision searched for the source of the approaching voices. Groaning, he pushed himself upright, swaying slightly as he tried to stay on his feet.

  “Ugh… I’m starving. I could use a meal. What the hell happened here…?” he muttered, rubbing his temples.

  CLACK!

  The sharp sound echoed as he turned toward the footsteps—just in time to catch a slap that sent him crashing back to the ground. He winced, pressing a hand to his stinging cheek, then looked up to see Kaela standing over him.

  “I’ve had better wake-ups… You didn’t have to hit that hard, you know. What was that for, anyway?” he grumbled, half-dazed.

  “Do you have any idea how long the others have been back already?” Kaela shot back.

  She reached out a hand to help him up, and as soon as he was on his feet, she threw her arms around him. Her head pressed against his chest, her voice trembling, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes.

  “You idiot… We thought you were dead. We saw that white flash, and then nothing. We waited, and waited—but you never came back. Even little Eleanor wanted to go looking for you,” she murmured, her body shaking.

  “Alright, kids, hate to break the reunion, but the sun’s going down. I’d rather get back before we can’t see our own feet,” Elzyna grumbled.

  They started walking again, Elzyna taking the lead while Kaela stayed close to Veil’s side. The forest had already returned to its calm rhythm—the birds singing again as if nothing had happened.

  “By the way, Melrone’s not with you? You all made it back to the village safely, right?” Veil asked.

  “No trouble on the way. After that racket, the creatures must’ve all fled. Melrone stayed behind at the village—he’s been helping Elizabeth calm Eleanor down,” Elzyna replied evenly.

  The rest of the journey passed in silence. Veil couldn’t help but notice how unusual Kaela’s behavior was. Normally, she was all smiles and energy—almost childlike in her liveliness. Now she just walked beside him, quiet and withdrawn.

  They eventually crossed through the village gates and made their way across the courtyard toward the main hall.

  “Kaela… are you sure you’re alright? You’ve been acting strange since we got here,” Veil whispered, leaning closer.

  “Yeah, I’m fine… just tired. I thought this mission would be an easy one. You nearly died because I na?vely believed that,” she answered, her voice trembling slightly.

  “How could you have known? You didn’t make things worse—you’ve got nothing to blame yourself for. I had a bad feeling from the start, ever since they mentioned that creature. That’s why I wanted to leave. But even then… when I joined Elzyna to save Eleanor, I still thought about running away. I was scared,” he admitted quietly, a hint of shame in his tone.

  He’s trying to reassure me… but if something had really happened to him—it would’ve been my fault, Kaela thought, unwilling to continue the conversation.

  They entered the building, where Esmeth was already waiting for them. Melrone stood by her side, while Elzyna moved to take her usual place. Veil and Kaela stepped forward into the center of the room and waited in silence.

  “Thank you—truly. For everything you’ve done. I’m so sorry about all this. I know I keep repeating myself, but I never imagined that creature would cause such trouble,” Esmeth said with a weary sigh.

  “Don’t thank us. Without that little fire creature, things would’ve ended very differently. She’s the one who actually killed the monster—we didn’t do much. We mostly got lucky. If they’d stayed just a few minutes longer… with how fiercely she fought for her eggs, I’m not sure Eleanor would’ve survived,” Veil explained.

  “In any case, you’ve done far more than you realize. If you don’t mind, we don’t have much to offer, but I’d like to hold a small celebration tonight to thank you properly. I’ve already filled out the report confirming the mission and explaining everything to the guild—you’ll receive the documents tomorrow before your departure,” Esmeth added.

  A silence followed, Veil and Kaela exchanging hesitant glances at the offer.

  “It’s already nightfall; you’re not leaving now. Get some rest and eat something. You can head out tomorrow—fresh and in one piece,” Elzyna said firmly.

  Veil sighed softly, then turned toward Kaela. She tried to hide her exhaustion behind a faint smile, but it was enough for him to understand that Elzyna was right. He smiled faintly in return and looked back at Esmeth.

  “I guess we don’t really have much of a choice. We’ll accept,” Veil finally said.

  Elzyna stood from her seat, a faint spark of cheer returning to her usually stern expression.

  “Then I’ll show you to your rooms. Don’t worry—they’re not as run-down as the rest of the place,” she said with a small grin.

  She led the way, motioning for them to follow. Veil and Kaela stepped outside behind her. They crossed the courtyard once more, heading toward the outskirts of the village, but turned down a narrow alley instead. Hidden behind several dilapidated houses stood a small cabin—more modest than the others, but still intact.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  “We keep this little place for guests—it’s the only one still in good shape. I’m sorry, though, there’s only one bed inside,” Elzyna explained.

  She pushed the door open and stepped in. The interior was small but surprisingly warm compared to the rest of the village. A single armchair sat beside a small table in the corner, while a larger table and two chairs occupied the center of the room. In a small alcove stood the bed, covered with furs and woolen blankets.

  Elzyna lit three small lanterns, their golden glow softening the gloomy atmosphere.

  “There you go. Get some rest for now—I’ll come get you when everything’s ready. Take it easy,” Elzyna said with a kind smile.

  She closed the door behind her, leaving Veil and Kaela alone.

  Kaela unfastened her gear and set it down on the table, then slipped off her trousers, letting her long tunic fall to her knees before sitting on the bed. Her eyes followed Veil as she spoke softly.

  “You don’t mind if I take the bed, do you? I’m not exactly comfortable with the idea of sleeping on the floor, to be honest,” Kaela asked.

  “Not at all. I was going to head out and see if they need a hand anyway. I slept long enough already—I’m not really tired. I’ll crash in the armchair later, don’t worry,” Veil replied as he made his way toward the door.

  He returned to the main courtyard and found most of the villagers busily preparing—setting up tables and chairs while others handled the food. The sight made him uneasy; watching them work so hard to celebrate something he didn’t feel he’d earned.

  Still, he joined in without a word, helping move furniture and arrange the space. The preparations went on for over an hour.

  There are this many of them? Doesn’t look like it… I thought there were barely thirty people living here, he thought as he set down the last chair.

  Elzyna climbed onto the small stage they had set up beside the village well and called for everyone to gather. The villagers obeyed quickly, their chatter filling the night air as Elzyna stepped down and made her way toward Veil.

  “Would you mind going to get Kaela, please? I’d rather not send someone she doesn’t know—it might cause confusion,” she asked, her tone a little uneasy.

  Veil nodded, stood up, and headed toward the little cabin. When he entered, he found Kaela sprawled across the bed in a ridiculous position, hogging all the space. As he came closer, though, he noticed her sleep was restless—beads of sweat clung to her forehead, and her breathing was shallow.

  “Why, Krane... why are you leaving me? I don’t want to be alone...” she murmured in her sleep.

  Veil gently laid a hand on her shoulder and shook her softly. When she didn’t stir, he shook her again, a bit firmer this time, until she finally woke with a start, breathing fast and disoriented.

  “Bad dream? Everything’s ready outside. Come join us once you’ve changed,” Veil said, straightening up.

  But Kaela caught his hand before he could step away, pressing it against her chest. Veil froze, feeling the warmth of her skin—too warm, probably from her agitated sleep.

  “Thank you... for not leaving me too,” she whispered, trembling.

  She released his hand, and Veil quietly picked up her gear from the table, setting it beside her. As he turned toward the door, his hand resting on the handle, he hesitated and glanced back.

  “I’ve told you before—I can’t imagine what kind of life you’ve had. But I’m not like them, alright? Get dressed; everyone’s waiting,” he said with a faint smile before heading out.

  Back in the courtyard, the villagers had gathered around the tables, laughter and conversation blending with the crackle of torches. Elzyna gestured for Veil to sit beside her. Kaela arrived a few minutes later and took the seat on Elzyna’s other side, just as several villagers began laying out dishes across the tables—platters of meat, steaming vegetables, and hearty bread. The rich smell filled the air, making their stomachs growl in unison.

  “We may not be wealthy, but they’re good farmers. Without them, we wouldn’t have survived this long,” Elzyna explained as she began serving herself.

  The meal unfolded in a warm, lively atmosphere, stories and laughter carrying through the night. Elzyna regaled them with tales from the village—some tragic, some humorous—until Veil felt a light tug at his sleeve. He turned, surprised.

  It was the little girl he had rescued from the cave, staring up at him with wide, timid eyes.

  “Can I sit with you… please?” she asked, tapping his leg shyly.

  Veil smiled and gently lifted her up by the waist, setting her on his lap. She whispered a small “thank you,” barely audible, before he placed a plate in front of her, serving her a bit of meat and vegetables. She began to eat in silence, as though she’d been waiting for his permission.

  “By the way, Elzyna,” Veil said with a faint grin, “I don’t see Melrone anywhere. Should we expect him to show up and start yelling at us again, or is the evening going to stay peaceful?”

  Elzyna exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as if choosing her words carefully.

  “I know he wasn’t kind to you, but try not to hold it against him. The last time we hosted adventurers, they assaulted his mother in the forest… then forced her husband to end her life before executing him as well,” she said heavily. “You couldn’t have known, of course. But since that day, he hasn’t been the same. He’s… lost control.”

  Veil and Kaela both sat frozen, their mouths slightly open, unable to find words. Little Eleanor kept eating quietly, seemingly oblivious to the weight of the conversation.

  “I can understand what he feels, at least a little,” Kaela said softly. “But not everyone’s like them. Some adventurers are good people. Veil saved me when he could’ve just walked away.”

  “And what would you know about how I feel?” a harsh voice snarled behind them. “Just looking at you, I can already tell how stupid you are. It’s easy to talk about kindness when you’ve had a pretty life.”

  Melrone stood there, his expression dark, anger radiating off him like heat.

  Elzyna shot up from her seat at Melrone’s words, fury flashing in her eyes—but Kaela caught her by the wrist, shaking her head faintly. The entire courtyard had gone silent. Every conversation died out, every pair of eyes now fixed on them.

  “Because I was sold as a slave for five years,” Kaela said, her voice trembling but clear. “They tore me away from my parents and sold me from one person to another. I was only seven. Do you know what it’s like to have strangers’ hands all over you and not be able to do anything? To pray someone—anyone—will save you, when all you are to them is a toy?”

  Her eyes glistened, tears threatening to spill as she fought to keep her composure.

  No one spoke. The words hung heavy in the air. Veil averted his gaze, guilt tightening in his chest. He had suspected Kaela’s past wasn’t an easy one, from the way she’d spoken about adventurers before—but he had never imagined this.

  “You damn fool,” Elzyna hissed, fists clenched. “Always acting like you’re the only one who’s suffered. Do you really think this evening was meant for that? You’ve shamed us all, Melrone.”

  Melrone’s jaw tensed. Without a word, he spun around and stormed off, slamming the door of one of the nearby houses behind him.

  “Are you alright? You didn’t have to tell him that… I’m not even sure he can understand what it means,” Elzyna said more softly, pulling Kaela into her arms.

  Kaela didn’t answer. She simply closed her eyes, letting a few silent tears slip free. Veil sat frozen, struggling to process what he’d just heard. He had never realized how deep Kaela’s scars ran. The conversations slowly resumed around them, but the warmth of the feast had faded. The tension lingered in the air like smoke after a fire.

  Then, breaking the heavy silence, a small voice spoke.

  “What about you, mister? Where are your parents?” Eleanor asked, her innocent eyes blinking up at him.

  Veil blinked, caught off guard. The question hit him harder than expected. His parents… where were they? Were they even alive? He’d never really stopped to wonder.

  “I… I don’t know,” he admitted quietly. “I’ve never met them. I don’t remember anything about them.”

  Another silence fell. Veil’s eyes met Eleanor’s, his mind racing to fill the void her question had opened—but nothing came.

  “That’s okay,” Eleanor said softly, her tone gentle and pure. “My mama’s really nice. You can share her if you want. Then I’d have a big brother.”

  Her words struck him like a blade wrapped in warmth. His throat tightened; he didn’t know how to respond. His chest ached, his eyes stinging as the child’s simple kindness tore through every wall he’d built.

  “Don’t be sad, mister. When I get sad, Mama gives me a hug—and then everything feels better,” she said.

  Eleanor shifted closer, wrapping her small arms around his neck. The warmth of her tiny body seeped into him, something so foreign yet so unbearably comforting. Veil froze. His vision blurred. Tears rolled freely down his cheeks, his body trembling as time seemed to stop around them.

  “Veil? You’re crying? What’s going on?” Kaela asked, her voice back to its usual tone, though laced with concern.

  Crying? Why am I crying? What is this… feeling? I’ve never felt this before… so why now? he wondered, wiping his eyes in confusion.

  “It’s… nothing. Just the fatigue catching up with me,” he murmured, voice shaking.

  But the tears wouldn’t stop. He slipped an arm around Eleanor, resting his head gently against hers.

  “Thank you… I’d like that,” he whispered softly—so quietly only she could hear. “I’d love to be your big brother.”

  Eleanor pulled away from him, smiling, just as a woman approached the table.

  “Sweetheart, you’re not bothering anyone, are you?” the woman asked kindly.

  “Mama, Mama! Can the mister be my big brother? He’s really sad ’cause he doesn’t have a mama!” Eleanor exclaimed joyfully, her little voice ringing clear across the tables.

  The young woman blinked in surprise, caught off guard by her daughter’s words. She stepped closer, a tender smile softening her face.

  “If you want, sweetheart—but it doesn’t really work that way,” she replied gently.

  She approached Veil, who had turned toward her, still a little dazed. Without saying another word, she pulled Eleanor into her arms—then wrapped her other arm around Veil’s shoulders.

  “Thank you… thank you for bringing my daughter back to me. I don’t think I could’ve borne losing her,” she whispered softly.

  She rested her forehead against Eleanor’s, and for a brief, fragile moment, the three of them simply stood there—sharing the quiet warmth of a peace none of them had dared to hope for.