Jarek walked across the feild, enjoying the sun on his face. Summer was his favorite season. The heat, the sudden rainshowers that rolled across the farmlands of Kilathas, all of it.

The fact he'd been gone for the better part of three years brought memories rushing back to him. He strode over a small hillock and looked down to the village that had been his boyhood home.

It was a little bigger now, some more people having come from the Westlands to build new lives here in the flatlands of the kingdom. The adventurer smiled to himself. It was good to be home.

He walked down a well worn dirt road to the town. On the outskirts was Bryon Felldon's forge. The blacksmith was laboring away, mending a wagon wheel. He glanced up at the approaching travller.

"Well met!" his deep baritone voice boomed. A good day for travel, isn't it?"

"Always good when one is coming home Bryon!" Jarek replied. "And too long has it been!"

Bryon looked hard at the young man for a few moments, then a great smile spread across his face. A roll of laughter rumbled up, echoing across the fields.

"Jarek! Jarek Fallon!" he cried, extending his hand. " you've grown! Three years gone off to seek your fortune and now returned a man!"

Jarek clasped wrists with the smith, laughing along with him. Byron held him at arms length studying him closely. He took in the hair now down to his shoulders, lean muscular build, the sword at his side.

The younger man noticed the power still in the smith grasp, the greying of the beard, and the eternal kidness in the eyes.

"Your mother and sister will be happy your home." Bryon said. " Go and know we'll have a celebration at the tavern tonight to welcome you back!"

Jarek smiled and thanked the man who he'd known his whole life. He walked down the road, greeting others from his childhood. He eventually came to a small shop. out front where a display of cloaks, shirts and dresses. A tailors shop.

His mothers shop. He walked in, a small bell sounding as he opened the door. He walked in amazed at how little his home had changed.

"One moment!" a voice called from the back room." I'll be right there."

"I've waited three years, another moment won't be so long!" he called back, grinning.

A woman looking to be heading into her middle years walked out of the back, a smile breaking out over her face. She ran over to him and wrapped him in an enormous hug. Lany Fallon wept with joy at homecoming ofher only son.

After a few moments she composed herself and let Jarek go.

"You're taller." she said smiling brightly. "Looking more like your father, rest his soul."

"I promised you I'd be back." He said."Besides, I've had my fill of traveling and adventures."

"Well, you'll have to tell me all about them. But first go find your sister. She's missed you terribly."

"Dinner at the tavern tonight." Jarek said. "My treat."

"You sweet boy." his mother laughed. "Of course. Now go find Lara."