Valor held his hand out from beneath the cover of the trees, feeling for the rain that had served as his cover for the attack the night before.

"The rain has stopped." He reported, turning to face the family sitting on the grass behind him. "Now is an opportune time to travel. If you feel up to it, that is."

"Y-yes, let's go. As soon as we can." Lady Aria replied, teeth chattering a bit from the chill in the air. The noblewoman sat huddled at the base of the oak tree they had spent the night beneath, which unfortunately had served as little shelter against the downpour. Her children, a boy and a girl, were tucked into her sides, and the three of them were wrapped in Valor's offered cloak.

The bodies of their captors had been disposed of already, deeper in the woods where they wouldn't run across them. Valor figured the children had been through enough. He wasn't sure if they had managed to sleep through the night, but hopefully they had at least enough energy to make it home.

Valor made his way over, offering the lady a hand to her feet.

"We should be there before nightfall," he told her as it was accepted. "If we walk for most of the day. If we don't make it, though, don't fret, you will be safe to spend another night with me."

"Thank you." Her eyes were warm and filled with gratitude. "I-I can walk, but my children..."

"I can carry them." He offered. Lady Aria reached down to pull her children to her feet, and the older girl stood up without much prompting, but the little boy simply curled up tighter in the grass.

"Emile," she pleaded, and Valor bent down to scoop the boy into his arms.

"I've got him." He assured her as the child cuddled into his chest. She pressed a hand to her chest in relief.

"Thank you."

Valor was quite impressed by the noblewoman's determination (and her stamina) as they traveled, both she and her daughter, Meredith, were able to walk for almost two hours before needing a break. The son, Emile, slept in Valor's arms for the first hour before awaking and insisting on being allowed to walk. Whenever they stopped to rest, Valor passed out some of the rations that the kidnappers had had on them. These three would need all the energy they could get.

It was during one of these breaks that Herobrine came forward and sat down beside him.

"You're doing a wonderful job." He told him. Valor's lips upturned into a smile. He usually tried not to acknowledge his father in front of others - talking to someone they couldn't see usually made them uncomfortable. "You are making good time." He continued. "You should reach their town by midafternoon."

"Good." Valor murmured, reasonably sure that he was far enough from the group that they wouldn't hear him. "They need good food, and a change of clothes before they catch cold."

"And to be home." Herobrine agreed. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine." Valor rubbed a thumb over the amulet that hung around his neck. "Thank you for your assistance during the battle." Herobrine nodded, looking to the pickaxe that laid beside him.

"I'm sure you would've been fine on your own."

"Probably." Valor agreed. "But I would prefer to avoid being run through." Herobrine coughed.

"...it is not pleasant." He cast a glance at the Lady and her children. "While it is noble of you to offer your cloak, I cannot help but feel uneasy at you showing your face."

"You never looked any of your rescues in the eye?" Val raised a brow at him. "I'm not concerned about it. I have no reason to think they would hurt him."

"Perhaps not, but you would not want word of your appearance to fall into the wrong hands."

"No," Valor agreed. "But my appearance changes drastically with my eyes."

"True."

"Sir Herobrine?" Lady Aria's voice made him jump, abruptly reminding him that he wasn't alone. "We're ready to go on."

"Good." Valor stood, crossing the distance between them and packing up their supplies. "Then let us be off."

As Herobrine had predicted, the traveling party reached the Lady's hometown just as the sun began to dip in the sky. As they neared the outer gate, Valor slowed, taking up a position behind the group instead of before.

"Go on," he urged Lady Aria, who had paused when he backed up. "I don't wish for them to think me an enemy." Understanding dawned on her face, and she nodded. While Valor had done much to mend Herobrine's reputation since he took over the role, there were still many who viewed him as a wildcard at best and a murderer at worst.

Fortunately for him, the shouts that came from the guards at their approach were of relief, not alarm, and several of them came forward to greet their Lady. Valor hung back, watching as the soldiers inquired after her safety and sent for her husband. Just as he was intending to slip away, however, she drew attention to him.

"Sir Herobrine!" He paused in his searching for an escape route, looking back to her. "Please allow me to repay you somehow." The corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile.

"Knowing that you're safe, and that those ruffians will never hurt again, is repayment enough." He responded. She frowned.

"Then at least let me offer you a room for the night...?"

"No thank you." He shook his head. "I have a pressing engagement." With those final words, he focused on a distant tree and teleported out of sight.

"Valor! Jus' like you 'ta show up at the last possible minute." Lithian came up to him with a grin, arms outstretched. "C'mere, cousin."

"In law." Valor reminded him, slipping out of the intended hug. "And not for another hour, or have you forgotten you're not married yet?"

"B'lieve me, I remember." Lithian sighed, gaze lingering on the church doors. "Where'd you run off'ta, anyway?"

"I was doing my job."

"'Job'." Steven scoffed lightly from where he was lighting candles to their right. "Can't call it a job if you're not makin' any money."

"Fortunately for me you make enough for both of us." Val responded cheerfully. Steven shot him a withering look.

"An' that's an excuse to not pull your own weight, how?"

"If it bothers you so much, you'll be pleased to know that I did make some money on this trip." Val held up a small sack of coins. Steven eyed it.

"Thought y'didn't take payment."

"I don't," Val confirmed. "But I'm not against looting corpses." Lithian snorted.

"Aye, that sounds right."

"How is Grace?" Valor glanced towards the back of the church, where his cousin was getting ready.

"I wouldn't know." Lithian grumbled. "Can't see her 'till the ceremony. 'Bad luck' an' all that nonsense."

"She's doin' well." Steven cut in. "How that's poss'ble with this clown for a fiancé, I don't know."

"Lay off, old man." Lithian had a grin on his face. "I'll be yer nephew soon."

"In law." Steven fired back. Valor just smirked at their antics.

Lithian had met Valor's cousin, Grace, not long after Null's defeat (about a year ago now) and they had hit it off almost immediately. Lithian had proposed last month, and the wedding was taking place that day. Valor had almost missed it when he heard that a noblewoman in the neighboring town had been kidnapped, but had thankfully made it back in time to be a part of the ceremony.

"You're not dressed." Steven looked him up and down. "Should get on that."

"Fine." Valor stuck his hands in his pockets, turning away. "I don't see why I need to dress up, it isn't as if I'm getting married."

"And ye never will if ya don't make a good impression!" Lithian shot back. "No woman's gonna be 'ttracted to a scruffy rascal like you."

"You managed it, didn't you?"

"Hey!"

"Besides," Valor shrugged. "What would I even do with a wife? I'd be abandoning her every two days to run off and rescue another woman." Nearby, Herobrine snorted quietly.

"Aye, she probably wouldn' like that." Lithian allowed. "Perhaps it's best ye stay a scruffy rascal."

"Get yerself dressed anyway." Steven cut in. "Fer Grace's sake."

"I will, I will." Valor assured him. "I wouldn't want to embarrass her." He nudged Lithian. "She'll have to suffer enough of that." Lithian nudged him back.

"This bett'r not become a habit."

"What, makin' fun of you?" Steven turned, resting a hand on his hip. "We've only jus' started."

"This is what you get for marrying into the family." Valor planted a hand on his hair, mussing it, and Lithian smacked his hand away.

"Get outta here before I demote you ta' flower boy." He threatened. A grin on his face, Valor turned away, leaving the church and heading back towards Steven's house.

"You'd better be careful how many women you rescue." Herobrine teased gently from where he floated beside him. "You're going to start collecting admirers." Valor groaned good-naturedly.

"You make a good point."

"Why do you think I pretended to be a madman?" Herobrine continued. "A tall, dark, handsome immortal who saves young women for a living is quite the catch. Unless he's a rampant murderer."

"I see your reasoning now." Valor sighed, still in high spirits. "Fortunately, I can just teleport away from any potential suitresses."

"So you can." Herobrine affirmed. "I suppose the majority of your problems lie in a woman being attracted to your civilian persona."

"Oh Nether."

"Broodin' as always, I see." A voice startled Valor from his thoughts, and he looked up to see Steven approaching the corner he had taken refuge in.

"I'm not brooding." He protested. "This is just... rather busy."

"Aye," Steven agreed, looking out over the festivities. The wedding had been a flurry of activity up until Grace had walked down the aisle, and was just as busy at the reception party. It was late, the town square usually empty at this hour now lit and filled with dancers. Valor was getting tired just watching them.

"I thought you didn't drink." His uncle nodded towards the glass of ale in his hand, and Valor shrugged.

"I don't, usually. It just seemed appropriate."

"Don't make a fool 'f yourself." Steven warned him.

"I'm only having a couple." Valor smiled, took a sip. He needed it to tamp down his annoyance at being around so many people. Most of the town had been invited, and the rest had shown up anyway, most bringing a dish to share. Though he wasn't one for large gatherings, Valor did appreciate the feeling of community.

"Alright." Steven slapped him on the shoulder. "Be safe." With that, he headed off into the crowd again. As Valor watched, he singled out his sister and invited her over to the dance floor.

"What are you thinking about?" Herobrine asked, hovering beside the diamond pickaxe that rested on the barrel next to him. Valor drained the rest of his drink.

"Making a fool out of myself." He responded. Herobrine gave him a look. "You weren't there," he added. "you were with Steven at the time. While I was at the mines I drank too much, showed off my skills with a pickaxe, then passed out."

"Oh, I remember that." Herobrine smirked, watching the dancers. "You showed up at Steven's campsite, he made you eat something and go to sleep."

"Right." Valor stretched, ambling just close enough to the partygoers to set his glass down on a table. "I'm going to go for a walk."

"May I come?" Herobrine asked. Val shrugged a bit.

"I suppose, if you want." Grabbing the pickaxe and sliding it into the sheath on his back, Valor slipped away from the celebration and began to make his way down a quiet street. This wasn't the first time he had wandered around Hadleigh at midnight, he found this the best time to roam around town. Not only was most of the village asleep, but with his superior night vision he was able to get around with ease.

The alcohol in his system muddled his thoughts somewhat, but he knew he wasn't in any danger here. He could feel himself calming as soon as he left the gathering behind, and he exhaled.

"Are you happy here?" His father's question caught him off guard, and he turned to face him.

"Yes. Why?"

"You seemed eager to leave." Herobrine gestured back towards the lights he had left behind.

"Ah." Valor kept walking. "I just don't like crowds. I enjoy being here with Steven and Lithian."

"I see." Neither spoke for a moment. "You know I am concerned about you living so... publicly."

"Is this going somewhere?" Valor could feel irritation rising up again. "No one suspects that I'm Herobrine. I'm not in any danger."

"How do you know that?" His father countered. "It's not only you that I'm concerned for. Living with Steven puts him in danger as well."

"Steven's just as competent a fighter as I am." Valor protested. "And the only people who live after seeing Herobrine are the ones I help, those who have no reason to harm me."

"I thought that about Null, once." Herobrine's tone was grim. "I thought that about the brigands that killed me. Clearly I was wrong."

"Those men killed you because you left them alive. I haven't made that mistake, and I don't plan to."

"It's not as simple as that. Someone could seek revenge for a fallen family member, or could not have seemed a threat at the time."

"I'm not you, father." Valor snapped, stopping in his tracks. "And I don't want to live in isolation anymore." Herobrine paused, taken aback.

"I'm not accusing you, Valor, there's no need to get a temper."

"You're telling me that it's selfish of me to want to stay with my uncle."

"I didn't say that."

"You implied it!"

"I'm merely stating facts. Living alone kept us safe."

"Did it really?" Valor snapped. "It didn't keep them from killing you." Herobrine went silent. Valor held eye contact for a few moments longer before his father turned away.

"This is why you shouldn't drink." He muttered. Valor's eyes narrowed, and he turned away, heading back towards Steven's house. As if it was the drink's fault that Herobrine was suggesting he leave his loved ones behind on the night of his best friend's wedding.

Although, Valor could feel the alcohol's influence as he stormed back home. His perception of his surroundings seemed dulled, and his balance was slightly unsteady, but he pressed onwards, not wanting to stop and have his father confront him again.

Val rounded a corner and crashed straight into a small figure, nearly knocking them both over.

"Sorry," he gasped out, grabbing the stranger's shoulder to steady them. They responded, but he couldn't make out the words through the ringing in his ears, and they quickly slipped past him and vanished down the road. Val paused there momentarily, processing the interaction, before he remembered why he had been storming home in the first place and continued.

He didn't see his father at all as he entered Steven's house, tossing the pickaxe onto the kitchen table and vanishing into his room. Anger ebbing away and giving way to exhaustion, Val barely had time to kick off his boots and collapse into bed before he passed out.

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