Chapter 30:

  Welcome Home

  After our in depth discussion concerning legacies and stones, our gathering turned to the more tedious details of our arrangement. I learned that each elder oversaw a different aspect of life in the valley. Some managed civil disputes, others supervised farming efforts, and a few handled matters of trade. Leonis Fisher, who had spoken the most throughout the meeting, was not only the head of the council but also, unsurprisingly, the leader of the village’s fishing operations.

  As I was introduced to each elder in turn, I eventually learned the name of the thick unibrowed man from earlier: Aldus Coppersworth. He served as the village treasurer and was responsible for negotiating trade deals both within and beyond the valley. His work involved a great deal of numbers, and I’ll admit, I tuned out the moment words like percentages and statistics entered the conversation.

  Aldus informed me that if I were to produce any goods of my own, he would personally see to their trade and distribution. Not only that, he would ensure that my portion of the profits would be delivered directly to me once any sales had been made. He didn’t strike me as the apologetic type, but I suspected this was his way of setting the balance back to zero between us, so that no debt or offense remained.

  Finally, we reviewed the contract my uncle had established with the valley. He had allowed its people to continue their way of life on the condition that they maintain order, defend the borders, and remain faithful caretakers of the land they called home. In return, they agreed to let him weigh in on major decisions within the circle and to watch over his estate during his long absences.This arrangement had suited the villagers perfectly fine, as it was all they had ever wanted in the first place.

  Personally, I felt no need to make any major changes to the agreement, beyond what I had already stated concerning how I was addressed by those under my stewardship. With the negotiations concluded, we sealed the final contract with a prick of blood from each attendee’s finger. The agreement was now legally binding and would be reviewed every five years, should the need arise.

  A wave of relief washed over me, knowing the last of the tedious formalities in my life had finally been settled. I rose with the elders, and together we exchanged polite bows in mutual acknowledgment before taking our leave.

  “Samuel, just one more thing before you head out,” Leonis said, gripping my hand firmly. “Thank you for assisting my son on your way here. He is a brave young man, but he tends to get in over his head if no one is there to fight alongside him. I trust that you two will form a strong bond going forward, as he will soon inherit the stone after my passing.”

  “Don’t mention it,” I said, returning his handshake. “With the formalities out of the way, I’ve no doubt we’ll have a long friendship ahead of us. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I think Blue and I would finally like to see our home after a long journey.”

  As I waved goodbye to Halius and his father, the attendants in white guided Blue to the front of the great, turtle shaped hall.

  Blue looked as swollen as I’d ever seen him. Somehow, the stubborn ass had managed to consume what I could only assume was a month’s worth of food in the short time I’d been occupied with formalities. His saddlebags were stuffed to bursting with carrots, which he had no doubt procured through sheer persistence, and obnoxious charm. For an animal who couldn’t speak the common tongue, he somehow managed to make his demands with startling efficiency and, unfortunately, great success.

  “The next time I have to speak with someone about the fine details of trade, I’m sending you in to do it,” I muttered.

  Blue nipped at me in protest as we made our way toward the western side of the lake, where our new home no doubt waited eagerly for our arrival.

  I led him along the path, stopping occasionally to let him graze on the tall grass by the lake’s edge. It was incredible that he could still make room inside his stomach, considering he looked as if he might burst at any moment.

  We meandered like this for nearly an hour; Blue grazing lazily while I skipped stones across the water, both of us lost in thought about what awaited on the other side of the valley.

  Despite being so close to achieving my goal, I couldn’t summon any excitement. Anxiety had taken root in the garden of my mind, and my thoughts were choked by the thorns of a thousand unanswered what ifs.

  It was impossible not to think of my family back in Wheat Hollow as we walked further along the path. What if leaving Seth behind had been a mistake? What if he gets eaten up with bitterness, just like Dad? What if someone fell ill and no one showed up to help with the harvest? What if… this future I was chasing turned out to be nothing like what I’d hoped?

  I sighed under the weight of my thoughts. “Well, no matter what happens, I’m thankful you came with me, you stubborn ass,” I said, patting Blue’s side affectionately.

  Blue let out a miserable grunt as he finally gave up on stuffing his mouth with more of the long grass. At this point, I couldn’t tell if he thought the grass was some rare delicacy or if he was simply stress eating while wrestling with his own anxieties.

  “Just a little further, buddy,” I said softly. “Then you can take a good nap while I get us settled into our new home.”

  When we finally reached the end of the western trail, we crossed a narrow stone bridge spanning a swift stream that spilled outward from the lake. The winding ribbon of water traced the valley’s edge as it made its slow journey back toward the mountains.

  A little ways from the water’s edge, a broad hill rose proudly above the smaller mounds scattered through the green valley. From its earthen heart, the front of a house emerged; its peaked roof and timber frame jutting outward like a turtle stretching its head from its shell.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The rest of the structure was half buried beneath the hill, as though the land itself was struggling to swallow some unfortunate prey. Only the front fa?ade stood fully exposed, while the rear three quarters disappeared into the body of the great mound. It looked part cottage, part burrow something between a farmhouse, and a home grown from the soil itself.

  The front of the house resembled those found throughout the Belt, yet it had taken on a character of its own. As though it had slowly burrowed its way into the valley’s old traditions.

  Black slate tiles covered the main roof and the small awning that hung above the front door. Creeping vines adorned with yellow flowers climbed the walls, framing the wide window to the right of the entrance before curling upward toward a porch that jutted out from the second floor balcony.

  On the second floor facade, a large round window caught my eye, its glass glinting faintly in the light. Beside the house, a chimney rose from the earth, its dark stone base suggesting a fireplace nestled somewhere deep within the structure.

  A simple path of large, flat stones wound its way up to the front door, each one sun warmed and settled firmly into the earth. Grass had begun to creep between the cracks, softening the edges and hinting at nature’s slow, patient claim in my uncle’s absence.

  Despite my urge to rush inside and explore, I decided it was best to get Blue settled first. I led him around the side of the hill, following a small path carved smooth by years of passage. There, nestled into the slope, we found the stable. Like the house, it was built half above and half within the earth, its sturdy timber frame faced outward, while the rest of the structure burrowed comfortably into the hill itself.

  I mentally noted that during the winter months, this would provide excellent insulation for my four legged companion.

  “Blue, I think that stable over there will be your own little private home. What do you think, wanna check it out?”

  Blue nodded vigorously, his gaze fixed on the pack still strapped to his shoulders. With a huff, he pressed his head against me, nudging insistently toward the stable. It was clear he was eager to be done with his role as a pack animal.

  As we approached, I noticed the door to the stable had been left partially open; a detail that immediately put me on edge. In a secluded place like this, an open door was an invitation for anything wandering by to make itself at home.

  I took a few steady breaths, drawing my sickle from Blue’s pack as I crept toward the wooden door. For several long moments, I stood still, listening for any sound that might betray whatever had claimed this burrow as its own. Hearing nothing, I reached out and wrapped my fingers around the cold metal handle.

  I gave myself a few seconds to gather my courage before bursting into action. The rusted hinges protested with a sharp screech as I threw the door open and stepped into the dim light beyond.

  Before I could even raise my sickle, a furry, clawed creature exploded from the shadows, striking with wild, desperate fury. My vision vanished beneath a flurry of claws and frantic yowling as I toppled backward, bracing myself for its killing blow.

  After everything I’d endured… leaving my family, getting attacked by bandits, fighting city guards… this was how it ends? Killed before I even set foot inside the house.

  Perfect. Just perfect.

  As quickly as they had come, the claws were gone, and I realized, to my immense relief, that I was still very much alive. The crazed yowling that had filled the air moments before had turned into a low, persistent gutural hiss as I cautiously pushed myself up from the ground.

  I looked around frantically for my attacker; the deadly creature that had nearly ended my journey before it began. Heart pounding, I spun back toward the stable doors, only to come face to face with a… tiny… orange… kitten, its tail puffed out wildly as it arched its back in a valiant attempt to scare me off.

  Fierce green eyes glared from the doorway, and despite the obvious size difference, the little beast seemed perfectly convinced that I was trespassing in its kingdom, and that I had better take it very seriously.

  Behind me, a loud bray of unrestrained delight broke the silence. Blue shook his head and stomped his hooves before collapsing into the grass, sending half our supplies spilling across the ground.

  “Blue, are you… laughing at me? Seriously?” I asked, brushing dirt from my shirt.

  Blue’s snorts echoed through the clearing as I turned away from the stable doorway. Exasperated, but secretly relieved no one was around to witness my defeat at the paws of an adorable, fluffy ball of terror, I strode over to him.

  “Oh yeah, laugh it up,” I said irritably as I passed. “You know what? I’m heading back to the house to check things out. You get to deal with the cat now. Good luck, tough guy.”

  At once, Blue’s amusement died. He looked up at me with big, round, pleading eyes, his ears drooping in a silent, guilty apology.

  “Oh no, that’s not going to work this time,” I said, shaking my head with a grin. “This one’s all you. I’ll come check on you in a bit.”

  As I made my way back to the front door, I stole a glance over my shoulder and immediately burst into laughter. Blue approached cautiously, only to be met with the same furious whirlwind of orange fur and claws that had sent me flying moments earlier.

  He shot me an exasperated glare, then trudged a few paces away from the stable before collapsing to the ground with a dramatic crash; which sent the rest of his pack tumbling free in one final, theatrical act of defiance.

  Making my way back to the stone path, I soon found myself standing before the home’s large wooden door. Its surface was weathered but sturdy, the dark oak etched with subtle grooves of age and use. Iron hinges framed the edges, and a small metal hook held a wreath of bright yellow flowers at its center. Ever since reading my uncle’s letter, I had imagined this moment, and now, finally, I stood before a place I could call my own.

  I reached out and gripped the handle firmly. Taking a deep breath, I pulled the latch... only to be met with resistance and a sudden, sharp pain that lanced through my fingers.

  “What the hell was that?” I yelped, jerking my hand away from the door handle. I grimaced at the small drops of blood that now dripped from my fingertips.

  Before I could step back to decide what to do about the locked door, faint runes that had been carved around the doors frame flared to life. I stood in awe as golden script began to scrawl across the door’s surface in intricate, flowing letters.

  Two step verification initiated: Please answer the following question.

  What comes before, never last, though you walk a different path?

  A riddle? Seriously? It was just like something out of the stories my mother used to tell me as a child. I supposed one of the perks of being a famed magical adventurer was using both wealth and power however you pleased.

  I stared at the glowing script, and racked my simple brain for answers. My uncle had left this home to me, so it stood to reason that the answer would be something only I would know. Otherwise, anyone could walk up and claim the house as their own if they guessed correctly.

  I pondered the riddle a moment longer before a smile spread across my face. Of course, that had to be the answer.

  “Family first.”

  As the words left my lips, the golden script faded, and then returned with a final message:

  Soul Contract Fulfilled:

  Welcome Home, Samuel Garner