Shinon could hear the endless chatter in the kitchen. As he sat beside the captain's sick bed, it wasn't hard to eavesdrop on Gatrie's extravagant tales of mercenary life. He shook his head. It wasn't that extravagant, but it pleased the guy's parents, and Rhys, at least, seemed less stressed over the unconscious woman in his house. As expected, Rhys's parents adored Gatrie. It was just as well for Shinon to sit that one out.

It was several hours before Titania stirred, slowly opening her eyes. Shinon sat up straight the moment he noticed. "Titania? Hey, captain."

The room was small enough that any noise carried, and it brought Gatrie to the doorway in an instant. "Shinon? What is it?"

"Oh!" Rhys appeared behind him, poking his head over Gatrie's broad shoulder. "She's awake!" Titania was still trying to get a grasp of things, moving only her eyes to glance around the room. She was visible perplexed when Rhys hurried to her side, inadvertently backing away from him. "Take it easy, now," he said. "You had a nasty wound."

"You were an idiot," Shinon said. "Running after that bandit."

"Good to see you too, Shinon." She groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead. "Where are we?"

Gatrie shoved Shinon out of the way, spilling the story himself. They were on a job, and the one guy got away, and Titania went after him . . . Rhys listened intently, not having heard the tale prior to his arrival on the scene.

"That was stupid of me," she said, shaking her head against the pillow. She looked over at Rhys. "And you were there?"

Before he could answer Gatrie slapped him on the back, friendly, yet forcefully. Rhys stumbled slightly. "This guy fixed you right up!"

Titania tried to sit up, but Shinon reached over to hold her shoulders down. She swatted him off. "I was an idiot. What were we thinking, going out without a healer?"

Rhys's mother came into the room, interrupting the reunion. "Oh, we're so glad to see you're all right! Are you all hungry? Supper is ready."

* … * … *

It was late when they finished supper, the meal lasting longer than their little household was accustomed to. Rhys and his parents loved the tales of their lives, and Gatrie was only too happy to oblige. Titania humored him, delicately correcting some of his more exaggerated accounts, but Shinon didn't hesitate to call him an idiot and share the real story. Rhys's parents wished for them to stay the night, but Titania was adamant about heading back that evening. Their commander would be worried, after all, and they had another job early the next the morning.

"Oh," Rhys said, concerned, "I wouldn't suggest you go back to work so soon."

"I'll pass this one up." She smiled. "Leave the job to these two."

"Thanks, boss," Gatrie mumbled. Shinon elbowed him in the ribs.

Rhys stood with his parents at the threshold of their home, watching the mercenaries adjust their armor and take account of their belongings. They may look like a harsh group, he thought, but they cared for one another. He smiled as he watched Gatrie talk unceasingly to his friend. Shinon tightened the strap of his quiver, obviously only half-listening.

Titania cringed when she approached her horse, seeing the trickled blood on her body. "Sorry about that, girl," she said, brushing at the dried blood. "It's just mine, is all." She smiled, stroking her mane.

Rhys anxiously clutched his staff to his chest, in case any of them needed him before departing. Titania winced when she pulled herself onto her horse, but once she was settled she put on a brave face. The bandage around her shoulder was the only thing to give away her wound.

"Thanks for taking care of us, buddy," Gatrie said, ruffling Rhys's hair. He beamed, a blush crawling up his ears.

Titania turned to face them. "Hey, guys. Don't you think Rhys should come meet the commander?"

"Huh?" Gatrie said. "You think?"

Shinon nodded. "He should get proper recognition." He pointed a finger at Rhys. "You're not bad at that healing thing."

His father nudged his shoulder before Rhys could even turn to face his parents. "Well, go on."

It didn't take much convincing. He had talked with his parents. They had trusted the mercenaries from the start, judging by the men's doting on their unconscious captain. Deep down, Rhys had hoped they would invite him back to base. Maybe start a new life for himself. They were in need of a healer, at least; that much was obvious.

"Just…" His mother sighed. "Write to us sometimes."

Rhys smiled. "I'm not leaving forever." He kissed her cheek.

He fell into step with the group, and it didn't take long to sense his belonging. It was funny; he barely knew them at all. But Shinon and Gatrie were chuckling over something between them, and Titania was high on her horse, and it felt like he had always been walking beside them.

After some time, Rhys noticed that the only thing he brought was his staff. He held it out before him, admiring its orb shine in the moonlight. Perhaps this was all he needed, he thought with a small smile.

"Oh!" Titania exclaimed, breaking the silence. "Rhys, I forgot to take your mother's wildberry pie recipe. She wrote it all out for me, too."

"Don't worry, Titania," he said, jogging up beside her. "I'll ask her to send it."