Blood of the Forgotten Gods

The Road to Westwatch

The quiet of the small cottage was broken by the soft, crackling fire, but the warmth of the hearth did little to ease the tension hanging in the room. Dan stood by the doorway, his eyes moving between his family—his mother, Tara, her hands wringing the edge of her apron; his father, Thorne, sitting at the table, silent and still; and Lina, perched on her chair, wide-eyed and uncharacteristically quiet.

When Dan had told them about his assignment to Westwatch, the reaction was immediate. Shock had crossed their faces—his mother's first, her lips parting in disbelief, her hands trembling ever so slightly. His father's jaw had tightened, though the look in his eyes had said everything. Even Lina, usually so full of questions and energy, had stared at him in stunned silence, the weight of the news sinking in.

Westwatch wasn't just another post. It was dangerous, and everyone knew it.

Tara was the first to speak, her voice shaky but trying to stay composed. "Westwatch? But... it's so close to the Outskirts, Dan. It's—" Her voice cracked, and she quickly wiped her eyes, trying to push down the emotion.

Dan stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder, his own heart heavy. "I know, Ma. But it's where they need me. I'll be okay."

Tara shook her head, tears threatening to spill over. "It's not safe out there. The bandits, the raiders... I've heard the stories. You just graduated, and now they're sending you straight into the worst of it."

Dan crouched down so that he was eye level with her, trying to muster all the confidence he could. "I'll be careful. I promise. I'll come back as often as I can. And I'll be back in one piece, alright?"

She didn't respond right away, just reached up and cupped his face, her thumb brushing against his cheek in a gesture that was both loving and pained. "You always wanted to be a soldier, and I'm proud of you. But a mother... she can't help but worry."

"I know," Dan whispered, his voice soft. "But I'll make you proud. I'll be careful. I swear."

Thorne cleared his throat from the table, his deep voice breaking the tense silence. "Westwatch is no place for the weak." His words were steady, but the look in his eyes betrayed his concern. "You'll face things out there that no training could prepare you for."

Dan stood, meeting his father's gaze. "I'll manage. You taught me well, Pa."

Thorne grunted, but there was something softer in his expression. "You come back. That's all that matters. Do your duty, but don't be a fool about it. I don't need you being a hero out there."

Dan smiled faintly. "I'll do my duty, but I won't be reckless. I promise."

Lina, who had been quiet through most of the conversation, suddenly stood up and rushed toward him, throwing her arms around his waist. "You better come back," she said fiercely, her voice muffled against his tunic. "You're my big brother. You're supposed to protect us."

Dan's heart clenched as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. "I will, Lina. I'll be back. I'll come see you whenever I can. You take care of Ma and Pa while I'm gone, alright?"

Lina nodded against him, sniffling. "You better not break your promise."

He pulled back slightly, ruffling her hair and giving her a soft smile. "I won't. I swear."

As the night wore on, the tension remained, but it was laced with a quiet sense of acceptance. They all knew what Westwatch meant—what it represented. It was a dangerous post, not just because of the bandits, but because of its proximity to the wild lands beyond Elyndor's borders. Raiders often crossed into the outskirts, and many militants had been lost to the ambushes and skirmishes that occurred there.