Bonds

Yeah, I'm back. Hi!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"It's like night and day," Lyra murmured to herself as she watched Dr. Phlegming talking softly with some of Coffinwell's other residents.

"Well I say good for him," Erika opined as she settled herself down on the bench beside the mage. "He was a bit of a stuffed shirt the time spent with us, so anything that gets him more active is all good in my book."

"I must admit to being curious about the catalyst for his sudden change, though," Jasmine said as she cast a meaningful glance at the leader of their party.

"I didn't do anything special, if that's what you're asking," Geo said softly. "I just… talked to him, made a suggestion or two. The rest was all him."

"Well, whatever you said, it helped," Lyra nodded. "Everyone's happy to see him now."

"Yeah…" Geo glanced down at the ground. "I bet Catarrhina would be happy, too."

Lyra gave Geo a questioning look, but he simply smiled, almost to himself.

"Well!" Erika was the first to break the silence. "I think we've done some bloody good work here, boss. But we've more or less tapped out our work in Coffinwell, haven't we?'

"Yeah, I guess we have," he looked over to Lyra. "Lyra? You have anyone you want to say goodbye to before we leave?"

"We?" She questioned. "The job's still on?"

He raised and lowered one shoulder. "Well, I should probably get all of you back to Stornway before parting ways, right? That's where the Quester's Rest is, so that's where your next job will be.'

"Yer all heart, boss," Erika chuckled. "But if you're willing to see us all back to Stornway, I'm not complainin'."

Lyra smiled and nodded. "All right. Thanks. Give me a few minutes to talk to my folks and I'll meet you at the town gates. Sound good?"

"Sure."

"Well, already on your second job, aren't you, love? And you came to Coffinwell to do it, too!"

Lyra chuckled. "I'm just glad I could be here to help out when the village was in a bind, mum," she glanced up the flight of stairs. "Tell dad to rest up so he'll be fully recovered soon, all right?'

"Oh, you know the old boar. He'll be up at sunrise tomorrow claiming he's fit as a fiddle until he collapses again and it'll take twice as long to fully get rested up," her mother patted her on the shoulder. "But let's talk about you, dear. Have you been eating all right? It can be hard to get proper meals on the go, you know."

"I know, mum," she sighed and rubbed the back of her head. "I don't mind telling you that my first boss' been looking after us pretty well. But I can't count on that lasting, can I?"

"Well you just remember that if you ever need to take a break, we'll still be here waiting for you."

"I know," on an impulse, Lyra leaned over to embrace her mother. "I'll miss you, mum."

"I know. I'll miss you too, sweetie."

"Hey, Geo."

"Hm?" he glanced up from the merrily crackling campfire. "Something the matter, Lyra? Your turn at the watch isn't for another hour."

"Not really, I was just wondering… where're you going after this?"

Geo glanced over at his shoulder at Erika and Jasmine, both of whom were snuggled in their sleeping bags. "I told you before that I wanted to go home soon, right? With any luck, I'll be able to make the trip now."

"Oh…" Lyra paused, thinking. "Hey, Geo?"

"Yes?"

"Where do you live?"

There was an uncomfortable silence that stretched on a good long while. After a moment Lyra glanced over at him. "Geo?"

"It's… I'm not really sure how to say it, actually," he let out a chuckle, but Lyra could tell it was hollow.

"You don't want to talk about it?"

"It's not that," the minstrel paused, and Lyra could sense frustration radiating off him. "It's just…" Finally, he slumped over and shook his head. "Tell you what: When we get back to Stornway, I'll tell you what I know. I don't suppose it'll be terribly important to have it remain a secret then," and as he spoke, he waved his hand in the air, as if shooing away something.

"…All right," Lyra nodded. "Stornway it is."

"Good. Now, you really should be getting some sleep before your watch."

"Pft," she blew out a breath of air. "I'm not tired. I've got energy to burn, and besides," she snapped her fingers, and the campfire flared with brightness and heat. "It's a lot easier for me to maintain the campfire than it is for you."

His laugh was light. "Can't argue with that."

And as the night continued, the two of them sat there, huddled near the light of the campfire.

Thanks for reading.