Yep, Lyude's comin' home. He gets to Azha and guess who he sees?
Chapter 1: Returning Home
Lyude hummed anxiously to himself as his small sailboat carried him across the ocean to the place he called his homeland. In the distance, he saw the shining city of Mintaka. He still wasn't sure if his siblings, or anyone for that matter, would be willing to trust him. In any case, he would find out soon enough.
As the red head wandered through the streets of the imperial capital, he realized he didn't know where to go. He decided that going home was out of the question remembering the last time he came home. Finally, he decided to go visit Scalla's house. If anyone, she might help.
"Lyude, your back!" exclaimed Scalla as Lyude entered. She ran up to hug Lyude. "Why are you here?"
Lyude embraced Scalla. "I couldn't very well go back home. I know that Skeed and Vallye would shoot me without hesitating." Besides, home contains too many... unpleasent memories."
"I wouldn't be surprised if they welcomed you back with open arems. A lot has changed since the ocean came back. You're a hero now, Lyude."
Lyude's eyes widened. "Me? A hero?"
Scalla nodded."Yes, ppeople are beggining to realize you were right. Everyone here has learned a hard lesson, and they need all the help they can get to restore Mintaka. Unfortunately, everyone's been so busy that noone has given Azha any thought."
Lyude frowned. "That's a pity. The reason I came back actually, was to restore Azha. It looks like I won't have any help. Oh well. It matters not, since I wasn't planning on having help anyway. If that's the case, I had better get going. Farewell, Scalla."
"Bye, Lyude. Good luck!"
As Lyude departed for Azha, he wondered if Scalla was right. Could Skeed and Vallye really trust him? It seemed almost impossible after what had happened. As the red head entered the barren village, he saw a familiar face. The woman's cold eyes concentrated on a frying pan, where she was cooking a pow over a flame.
"Savyna? Is that you?" Lyude asked.
"Hmm?" Savyna turned her head. "I was wondering when you would show up."
Lyude's face showed a puzzled expression. "I thought you were going to stay in Anuenue to help look after Mayfee and learn to cook."
Savyna grinned. "Who said I came alone?"
A small girl came out frome a nearby hut. "Savyna, when's dinner going to be ready? Oh, hello, Sir Lyude. It's nice to see you again."
"Mayfee, what a surprise to see you here. What about your grandmother back in Anuenue?"
Mayfee's happy expression faded. "She... passed away. I miss her. At least I still have Savyna."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mayfee." Lyude turned back to Savyna. "Savyna, you didn't tell me. Why are you here anyway? Don't these people resent you?"
"Azha seemed to be the most logical place to put my cooking to use, seeing as there is a shortage of food here. I owe them as much," Savyna replied.
Mayfee tugged at Savyna's arm. "Savyna, can Sir Lyude stay for the night? It doesn't sound like he has anywhere to stay."
"Alright, Mayfee. Go prepare a bed for him."
"You have my thanks," Lyude said appreciatively.
