Returned
It was difficult to say how long I had been awake at this point. I couldn't remember sleeping any time during my watch over Deborah two days ago, so by reason, that meant I hadn't slept in three days. However, there were long stretches while traveling that I couldn't recall, as though lost in a dream. I knew sleepwalking was a phenomenon among many people, but to have enough of one's mind to keep marching? It just didn't seem right to me. All of this to say I was struggling to remain conscious while organizing supplies to be transported to the fortress. I had been tasked with doing so by Kharion, and while I had been happy to accept the task, my lack of sleep had begun to catch up with me.

Thankfully, I was not alone in my efforts. A number of residents who were unfit or unable to fight had been stationed with me in the storehouse, each of them looking through various casks and bags, searching for items that could be feasibly transported across the long journey to the fort. Thus far, only a few small crates of dried fruits and a few bags of flour had been properly prepared, each having been carefully placed at the far end of the storehouse. They were meager rations, but in a battle, you had to make do with what you could.

I turned my attention back to the crates before me, carefully moving aside a crate of colewort and taking a small, sealed box in my hands. Opening it up, I found what looked to be a small amount of dried and cured venison, carefully preserved with a small smattering of salt. It was by no means a large quantity, but dried meats like this would do wonders for the people. Closing the box, I carried it towards the slow growing pile of supplies, though I had to fight back a feeling of frustration seeing how small it was. True to my suspicions on my first visit, the storehouse had already been rather sparse thanks to Blackstone, and Herongale's storage had even fewer foods that could be easily transported. Less than ten items had been collected for travel.

I tried to force these frustrations away as I set the box beside one of the bags of flour, only to find myself stumbling as my head began to feel light. A strange wave of pressure seemed to pulse from the back of my brain and into its center, before expanding into the remainder of my head. Perhaps I was more tired than I'd realized, every part of me felt five pounds heavier than it should have. There was no time for rest though, not yet. With a deep breath I pushed myself up, briefly rubbing my forehead before I turned around, seeing another resident carefully walking towards the pile with his own box of mystery rations.

"Not off to a stellar beginning, I see." I heard from my other side. The surprise barely registered in my mind as I turned towards the source, coming face to face with Berrat, his hood now extended over the top of his face, covering his eyes in dim shadows. I wondered if it were his skills as a ranger or my failing senses that allowed him to sneak up on me. Regardless, I sighed and nodded, crossing my arms as I turned fully toward him.

"We've four bags of flour, two crates of dried fruits, a crate of greens, and one box of cured venison. I hadn't realized how little travel food your lot had at the ready." I remarked. Berrat simply chuckled and placed a hand on my shoulder as he began walking, turning and pulling me along as he went.

"Yes, Blackstone was sure to strip us clean of that." He said. Of course they had, I thought. Food good for travel was a valuable commodity during the winter, especially in a state of war. Frankly, I doubt Ashfeld had seen a time of genuine peace since the Cataclysm. That in mind, it was no wonder that was the resource Blackstone seemed to claim above all others. I was fairly sure Berrat had fetched me to reassign me for that very reason, so I allowed myself to be pulled away by him.

A cool rush of air enveloped us as we stepped outside, and a soft snow had begun to fall as the horizon shifted to a golden hue in the fading hours of day. Just how long had it been since I arrived? It couldn't have been long after mid day, and it certainly hadn't felt that long since I'd met with Kharion. Then again, with how sleep deprived I was, it wouldn't be surprising that I'd lost track of time. Perhaps when this was all over I could rest before going to retrieve Stone and Deborah, if I was still alive when this was said and done. If not, I only hoped Heaven's gates would open for me. I shook such thoughts from my mind and turned back towards Berrat, whose arms had been folded behind his back.

"What can I do for you, Captain?" I asked. Berrat simply smiled and removed his hood before folding his hands behind his back again.

"I simply wished to say a few things, Warden." He explained. This seemed an odd time to simply chat, but I suppose as Captain, he was free to do as he pleased.

"Of?" I pressed. Berrat turned to face me now, there was a kindness in his eyes that I hadn't seen in a long time. As though that one stare was able to wipe away worry itself.

"I wanted to thank you for your aid. I know things have been hectic, but we truly needed help to keep our people safe, in any capacity. Yours is most welcome." He said. I felt my chest rising a bit at his words, though I fought to suppress it. It was earnest praise, but I did not deserve it.

"Think nothing of it, I am a Warden. I am sworn to the people of Ashfeld." I explained. Berrat actually laughed at that.

"Yes, yes you are. And you're one of the only Wardens to remember that, is that itself not worthy of honor?" He asked. Now my chest began to sink, a deep shame welling up within me. Because no, that wasn't worthy of honor. If anything, it was a cause for disgrace at how far our order had fallen, a reminder that Wadens, and even other Knights had lost their way. It was a painful, and bitter reminder of our failings, though one I know Berrat did not intend. My silence must have been telling, for Berrat's smile faded as he spoke again.

"Warden? I haven't insulted you, have I?" He asked. A shake of the head was the only response I could give, lest I give away my frustrations. I needed to move on from this subject.

"What else did you need to discuss?" I asked. The ranger seemed to understand the hint, and breathed in deeply as he stood up straight. I could only assume this topic was a more serious one.

"One of my rangers noticed a Conqueror on horseback traveling this way, fast." He began. I nodded, more than familiar with having to fight off one of their lot.

"I'll get out there and see what I can-'' I tried to say, but Berrat raised a hand in a silent order. Perhaps I had spoken too soon.

"The Conqueror carries no colors, and rides with a lute carrying maiden behind him. I remember you having companions described as such." He clarified. A jolt of energy rushed through me as I made sense of his words. Stone and Deborah were on their way already? How? I could have sworn Deborah would need more time, and where had they gotten a horse from? For that matter, had Stone decided against my wishes to bring an innocent woman to a battlefield? And yet, despite these misgivings, I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my chest at the thought of their arrival.

My breakdown on the road had made me consider things, and rethink others. I realized now that the nightmares and flashbacks had been nearly wiped out with those two around, and even those that remained had diminished greatly. Traveling with those two had given me a peace and sense of purpose that seemed to supersede anything I'd felt prior. Besides, I suspected it wasn't spite or anger that was leading them here, rather, I believed, it was loyalty. At least I hoped so.

"How long before they arrive?" I asked. Before Berrat had a chance to answer, the faint sound of a horse's neigh reached my ears, followed quickly by the commotion and yelling of armed men rushing towards something. Both Berrat and I turned towards the direction of the sound, and witnessed at least five militia and one ranger making their way towards the front gate. Berrat, in response, simply shrugged.

"Well, right about now, I would say." He joked. I didn't bother to hide my smile, my helmet would make easy work of that. The two of us made quick work heading towards the gate, the yelling growing steadily louder as we approached. The ranger, who I now recognized as Kharion, had already drawn his bow and held it ready. Surely enough, just past the first barricades was both Stone and Deborah, sat atop a horse I did not recognize. Stone was holding the reigns in one hand, and wielding his flail in the other. Deborah simply gripped onto him tightly, her face pale, and her hair tied into a small ponytail, likely for the long ride.

"Hold your ground, Conqueror! Hold!" I heard Kharion shout over the commotion. Stone, in typical fashion, seemed to stir, even rousing the horse a bit to move away from the barricades. Even from here, I could see his determination not to back down. It was at this point that he finally noticed me, and raised his weapon into the air.

"There you are, Warden! Will you tell these people to stand down?! We're trying to help!" He shouted. Blunt, as always. Behind him, Deborah adjusted her head to be more easily seen.

"Look, both of us are sworn to the Warden! We're just trying to meet back up with him!" She yelled. This didn't help defuse the situation much, as many of the residents still yelled and kept ready weapons. This situation wouldn't end well on its own, I needed to ease the tension, now. Taking a step forward, I raised both hands, sword clasped in one, and turned to face Kharion and Berrat.

"It's alright, these are my companions, we can trust them." I explained, Kharion seemed less than convinced, though he did loosen his draw on the bow. Berrat simply glanced at his elder before looking back at me.

"Your friend was sent away, Warden. I can't accept them back in." He retorted. That was true, officially. Elder Zulan had been clear that we weren't welcome once Deborah left, but hadn't that been to placate Blackstone? What good was such an order now, that they had abandoned their deal?

"An order to keep peace that hasn't been kept, Blackstone now marches on your hamlet, you need not appease them!" I reasoned. Again Kharion eased the draw on his weapon, but still held the arrow ready. Berrat, for his part, nodded along with my words.

"He speaks true, Elder. Zulan was clear that he only ordered such a thing to prevent Blackstone's wrath. If we have already wrought it, what good is it to deny more aid?" He argued. I appreciated his support, and nodded back at him, though he didn't seem to notice. Still, Kharion seemed unconvinced, shaking his head as he stepped forward, looking me dead in the eye.

"I will not go against my father's standing order, not while he is kept by Blackstone." He declared. My heart sank at those words, a heavy weight filling my stomach as I gently lowered my hands. He still thought his father was alive? Or was he merely hoping beyond hope? I wasn't sure how to tell him, let alone if I could possibly use that as an arguing point, what man would do such a thing? I suppose my silence did the speaking for me, as Kharion's eyes widened to the point I thought they'd break. For a moment all was still, neither of us saying a word.

Then he dropped his arrow, followed by his bow as he stumbled back, his balance thrown as he tripped over himself and landed with a thud on the ground. Berrat was quick to rush to his elder and keep him from collapsing entirely. There he held him as Kharion sat there, dumbfounded and in shock. His companion placed a hand on his shoulder for sympathy, as the commotion finally began to die down, only to be replaced by a gentler one over the Elder's safety. I knelt by him, but he did not look back. He simply stared at the ground, lost in his own mind.

"Kharion?" Berrat said gently, rubbing his shoulder as he did. It was now that I could hear Kharion's deep, heavy breaths, his whole body heaving slowly as the other residents formed around him, spears lowered as one knelt to get a better look at him. After what felt like minutes of stunned silence, Kharion finally stirred, gulping once as tears began forming in his eyes. Berrat, seeing them immediately, looked to the growing crowd and began waving them away.

"Everybody back! Give the Elder his privacy!" He shouted. When I turned to see the crowd, many still seemed unsettled, and did not move.

"He has received a shock, he needs time. Everyone back!" I parroted, taking a step forward as I mimicked Berrat's motions. The crowd seemed to understand in part, for they backed away slowly, though some still eyed Kharion cautiously. It was another minute or two before they had returned to their previous posts, though their stances did not have that same animosity as before. Finally, Kharion spoke.

"Let them in." Was all he said. His voice was haggard, and broken, almost as if he were unable to breathe as he spoke. My heart wept for the man, I couldn't imagine losing my own father and finding out this way.

"Are you sure?" Berrat asked gently, still rubbing his elder's shoulder. It felt wrong, being near him like this. I'd known him for less than a day, yet it was my fault that his father had died. I knew I needed to make this right, I only hoped I could drive Blackstone out for him. The young Elder nodded, swallowing once before gasping, he almost seemed short of breath. Berrat, in turn, nodded, then looked to the rest of the armed men as he lowered his hand to rub Kharion's back.

"The travelers are welcome, lower your weapons!" He yelled. Around me I began to hear more orders and yells of standing down, all while Berrat tended to Kharion. I was hesitant to move, I didn't want to seem giddy in the face of his suffering. Seeming to realize my concerns, Berrat looked towards me.

"I've got him, Warden, you go tend to yours." He said. I nodded, grateful for him. I could still feel the tension in the air as I stood and made my way back towards my allies, but it had thankfully diminished. Deborah awkwardly began to try dismounting, though from her efforts, it was clear to me she either wasn't familiar with riding, or terribly sore from the journey. Stone seemed unable to help her as he tried to put away his weapon while maintaining his balance, and the residents seemed uninterested in helping. So I rushed over, sliding a bit in the snow as I came behind the horse and gently raised a hand to Deborah's back.

"I've got you, just gently slide off." I said. She did as I instructed and began to slowly slide until she landed on the ground with both feet, grunting a bit as she did. I noticed immediately that she clutched at her side as she turned to face me, her smile doing nothing to hide obvious pain.

"Well, that was certainly a ride I've been on." She joked. I looked at her carefully, but could not notice any new injuries that might have made her seem uncomfortable.

"Are you not fully recovered?" I asked. I'd expected a frustrated rebuttal, or at the least some sort of denial. Instead, Deborah sighed and leaned against the horse a bit, gently rubbing at her side as she breathed in deep.

"Still hurting a bit, but I've recovered enough. I just rode several miles, didn't I?" She replied, her smile was actually audible in her words. She carried herself well, and she seemed both comfortable and in pain at the same time. Still, I wondered why Stone hadn't tried to stop her from traveling. Looking over to him, I saw that he had just finished dismounting, and was now steadying himself on the ground.

"Stone?" I asked. My friend only shook his head as he began tending to the horse.

"It was out of my hands, Liam. Our bard here caught the attention of Lady Claire, and she pretty much gave an order for us to be released." He explained.

"Lady Claire? The Peacekeeper?" I asked, more than a little confused. Hadn't she been one of the few to stand by us? Why would she send them away before they were ready? Stone nodded as I had these thoughts, and pulled his shield close to him as he looked toward me.

"That would be the one. She was even "gracious" enough to lend us her personal horse." He said, patting the horse's neck as he did. That was enough to almost completely throw me off.

"A Peacekeeper gave you her personal horse?" I asked. I assumed I had misheard, but Stone only nodded in response. That… was alarming.

"What, is that a bad thing?" Deborah asked. I turned to face her, glad that my helmet masked my concern.

"It very well could be. There's an old legion tale that anyone who takes a Peacekeeper's horse, stolen or not, invokes some sort of wrath. That's why I made sure I was the one to accept it." Stone explained. Deborah's gaze seemed to drop, her smile had all but faded, and I could scarcely blame her. I wasn't a superstitious man by any means, but I'd heard of Peacekeepers lending horses to intended targets in the past, whether it be to assassinate them, or bring some other ruin upon them. Still, I'm sure Lady Claire would have been aware of the rumor. It could very well have been some kind of test, I only hoped we had passed it.

"Let's not think of that for now, I'm just glad to see you both safe." I said. Stone nodded.

"Yeah, it's good to see you too, brother." He replied.

"Well, they certainly makes this part easier." Deborah said jokingly. This part? What was she talking about? Before I could even turn to face her, I felt a force press into me as I turned to try and better catch it, only to realize that Deborah had taken me into a hug. I was so stunned that I simply held onto her sides for a moment, before I fully registered that this had happened. Her auburn hair might have touched my nose had there not been a layer of steel between us.

"Don't you ever leave me behind like that again, or I might just kill you myself." She said softly, almost as though she struggled to say them. My heart melted at her tone, and I found myself relaxing as her grip on me tightened. As if it were on cue, I heard a whistle coming from Stone, and looked towards him. Sure enough, he was teasing again as he nodded his head in an exaggerated bobbing motion.

"Lucky, lucky man Liam." He joked. Strangely, I didn't feel frustrated at his remark, nor did I find myself wanting to deny it. I was lucky. In perhaps one of my most fearful and doubtful moments, I'd been blessed with the return of two companions I'd come to care for. Already I could feel myself easing up, as if their very presence served as a balm. So, instead of scolding him, I simply nodded, turned back to Deborah, wrapped my arms around her…

…And hugged.