Penumbral

Chapter 40: Way Back

Khim finished checking the caravan's stock and gave the group a thumbs up who began moving, Bther took the lead and beckoned Alimur to his side, Aurora happily hummed while playing with her "child" which gnawed at her scaled fingers, the Wheling turned its attention to her "father" whom talked at extense about his old group's adventures, the "mother" took note of Velka's focus and whispered to her.

-That's Alimur, your "father"-

The Human turned back and spoke slightly annoyed.

-Love, do you really need to call me its father?-

-I'm calling you "daddy" if you prefer it- The woman quickly rebuked.

Bther laughed and slapped his knee.

-It's a Wheling- The man argued.

-Velka- She replied angrily.

-Fine... Velka- Alimur responded.

This banter continued to nightfall with the bear laughing every so often, the couple embraced with their pet and rested easy, Alimur feel prey to another nightmare and awoke in the middle of dawn, his sight met glowing green eyes and his memory jolted but couldn't bring anything, the man petted the animal and tried to meet sleep once more.

Morning struck and three more days of talking ensued, Bther learned more about his brother's friends and the various battles in which they partook... he... relieved the memories... Bther insisted against it but Alimur firmly believed he deserved to know exactly what happened, the Human dug deep and the Beastkin watched, the Demi-Human finally intervened and stopped Alimur who looked into his confidant's eyes and slightly smiled.

Berg didn't change, the same little coastal town... Edna was there... she was devastated and her husband consoled her, an old friend lost to negligence, the redhead captain sped up the process of loading her Galleon and soon set sail.

Three days on the sea, not a word from the captain that wasn't a command... her chatter was absent and even her daughter wasn't able to completely cheer her up, the lion was a brother, finally Heytral once more and the trio went alone towards Hylsadrou.

Faced by small dangers across two days, groups of Sanguins jumped and were easily dispelled, Itayudosmus bit down on Bther but the bear's thick fur and fat dissuaded any harm and finally their last obstacle was an Okamoya close to Hylsadrou's gate.

Alimur sloppily dodged the creature's paw and drove his blade into its neck, the Okamoya gasped for air, Aurora pierced the beast's eye and Bther cut off its head with his titanic axe, the bear exhaled and gave the couple a thumbs up, the Demi-Human looked at her friend as he cleaned and sheathed his blade.

-You were sloppy-

-I know Rora, I need to get used to the spears-

-Not that, you're getting better... you need rest-

-We'll talk to Alexander and head to Raito-

-Listen to her Alimur, I can see those bags through your helmet- Bther rebuked sternly.

-The sooner we get to Raito the sooner I can get rid of them- Alimur annoyedly responded.

-What if she can't help? You'll be too tired for anything- Aurora rebuked, concern crystal clear in her voice.

The Human laughed softly and nodded slightly, the woman beckoned to Velka and picked her lover up with both arms and gave the man a concerned look, the three entered the city and the population gazed at them, some in curiosity, others in a mere force of habit and the remaining few in a certain disdain.