Valtava: Dragon Sword

Chapter 27

"Sister Katerlina, look what I got for you!" Fennie said excitedly as she hopped into the tent, carrying stacks of boxes in her hands.

"What is it, Fennie?" Katerlina asked as she set them onto the table.

"There was a merchant from Marrock City selling goods here! I got too excited and didn't call you over, but I got some surprises for you!" She opened the boxes one by one, revealing an assortment of jewelry, rouges, and powders.

Katerlina gasped at the sight and marveled at how exquisite each item was. "What's all of this for? These are far too precious for me to have all for myself."

"You need to dress up beautifully for your wedding, of course! I know you haven't decided on a date yet, but it's never too early to start preparing!" Fennie squealed.

Katerlina took a box of rouge and admired the sweet scent radiating from it. "Oh, what about you, Fennie? It seems like you and Stephen are a nice pair, do you two have plans as well?"

Fennie rolled her eyes and said, "That lad has been too busy hunting and exploring, who knows when he'll remember to propose to me."

"What good things are you saying about me?" Stephen's voice interrupted as he appeared behind them, giving Fennie a shock.

"Stephen! Can't you show some manners before storming into our room?" Fennie snarled.

Tony also entered the tent, intrigued by the pile of goods on the table. "Wow, what's all this?"

"Fennie was kind enough to buy these for our wedding," Katerlina replied with a smile. "I'll save these for now, we don't want them getting old and dusty by the time the big day comes."

"Report!" They turned to see a soldier at the entrance of the tent. "There is a visitor outside requesting to see Tony."

"Oh? Another visitor?" Tony uttered.

"Look how popular you've gotten, Tony!" Stephen laughed.

The four of them followed the soldier out the tent and to the open field, where they spotted a sole figure waiting at a campfire. He was a middle-aged man, dressed in a long gray robe and a heavy scarf, his hair scattered down to his shoulders. Tony's eyes flashed wide open when he recognized the man's face.

"Stepfather!" The man turned his attention to Tony, who ran up to him and bent down on his knees. "Stepfather, I never thought I'd see you here!"

"Tony, please, get up!" Wallace placed his hands around Tony's shoulders. "It's been a year since we've last met! Let me have a good look at you."

"Stepfather, how did you make it all the way to Emeradia?" Tony asked, his mind bustling with a million questions.

"I saw a searing bright light in the sky and then noticed all my energy had returned to my body. I knew you must have unleashed the energy from the Dragon Sword, so I immediately made my way to Valtava to look for you. You've accomplished an incredible feat, Tony! I'm so proud of you."

Tony grinned humbly, then turned around and shifted his gaze onto Katerlina. "Stepfather, look who's also here!"

Wallace looked at the girl he was gesturing towards, taking a moment to examine her unfamiliar features. She was around the age of eighteen, with long, flowing hair and soft peach skin. Even though he didn't recognize her face, he could feel a special bond with her, as if he had seen her somewhere before.

"Father?" she said in a delicate voice.

Wallace stepped up to her, his heart pounding as he realized who she was. "You—you're Katerlina?"