Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Fifty-Six: Family Reunion

The fire crackled, bringing light and sound and warmth to the chilly March night. For the three gathered around the flames, it was a bright spot in the midst of a dark meadow, only one other spot hundreds of feet away. The muted sounds of conversation drifted over to the smaller group, cutting through the silence.

Sighing, the smaller man glanced over his shoulder at the roaring fire so far away. "As much as I love being with you two, I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"It's not that bad." The brunette woman offered, pulling her cloak tighter around her waist.

The third member of their party snorted, the man rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, now, dame, this is the most we've talked in the last hour."

"I really doubt you're the one who wants to leave," she muttered, a brief glance out of the corner of her eye the only sign she gave. "Your brother is the reason we're here."

"He's pretty cool," the first man agreed begrudgingly. "But I still don't know why we gotta come here every time you want to see him."

"No one made you come."

"Where else would I go if I didn't?"

"Somewhere you would stop complaining for once."

"Is it my fault if I'm a little jumpy here?"

"Well if you listened to what he had to say, maybe you wouldn't be so jumpy."

"You only believe him cause your brother told you."

"I never said I believe him, but it makes a whole hell of a lot of sense."

"Tell me how it makes more sense than what actually happened."

"Bro, come on, if you just listened for a minute-"

"Can't you guys just, I dunno, lay off a bit?"

Both men turned to face the woman. She buried her chin against her chest, staring intently into the fire to avoid the eyes of her friends. "He's telling the truth, by the way. But that's not why we're here, so if we could just enjoy the time we get together?"

They fell quiet, properly cowed into silence. "Sorry, dame," the second man murmured. "It really is nice to be here with you. Been too damn long."

She sighed, light brown bangs sweeping across her forehead. "Not all of us are here."

"I hope you're not talking about-"

"No," she snapped back, no venom behind her voice. "Just leave it alone. No, you know who I mean." They all fell silent once more, thoughts consumed by the face they hadn't seen in too many years.

"When's she coming home?"

The second man groaned, stretching hugely and glancing longingly at the tents behind them. "Who knows. She's always off on some adventure or another, isn't she? Off saving the world and keeping the rest of us safe."

The first man smiled, brushing his blonde hair out of his eyes. "I don't know what we'd do without her." Then his gaze fell, smile dropping with it. "I just wish it hasn't been twelve years since we saw her last."

"She always asked about you two wherever I saw her," the woman added, a sad smile brightening her features. "She always said the minute I tracked you down, she wanted to see you again." She sniffed, adjusting the tail peeking out from under her cloak. "Sorry, I, I didn't wanna cry today."

"You always cry, Millie," Shô snorted, bumping his shoulder against hers. She leaned against him, their shared log providing not nearly enough space for them to share. Wally grinned from the other stump, elbows resting on his knees as he watched his two closest friends goof off like the children they often were.