Chapter 13

Lost Family

Adolpha became surprised to learn that Madam used to be a slave. Wolf, still drunk, felt some emotion. Madam saw that Wolf wanted to say something but couldn't. Madam asks for more tea. A waitress goes to the kitchen. Adolpha wants to learn her story.

Madam tells her that she will, but she needs something to drink. They waited awhile, and Wolf also was sobering up. The waitress returns and gives Madam her tea. Another waitress brings her a blanket. It was late, and the staff had heard the story. They stayed because they liked listening to it.

"My childhood was not that astonishing. I lived a normal life and grew up like most kids then. My family was of lesser Nobility. That means we had money but not like most nobles."

Madam talked about her father and how much of a hard worker he was. She told them about the land given to him by his father. Madam also mentions her mother marrying into the family. Madam said her father knew how to keep their land profitable. Adolpha and Wolf could see how much she cared for her family.

Madam became sad telling her story. A tear ran down her eye. Madam continued telling her story. She told them about her grandfather sending them a letter. He asked to meet him because he was dying. Her father went to see him, and so did his family.

Madam told them about his uncles visiting their dying father. Her father had four other brothers. She said that her father was the fourth child. She told them that when her grandfather died, he left them all he had.

She said that he split his fortune among his children in his will. Madam said the oldest three got land equally, and the younger two got money. She said that in all, they should have all been happy. Adolpha agreed, and Wolf just listened.

Madam then told them that seasons later, her uncles came to visit. She said to them that she remembered being there at the time. She then overheard that her uncles had lost much money. They said that the land was useless. Madam told them that it was because they didn't know how to manage it.

"My father knew how bad they were at learning what my grandfather did. After losing and selling their land, they ran out of money. They came to my father and asked to borrow some."

Madam told them that her grandfather let them borrow money so they could live everyday life. She said that he knew how bad they were when making decisions—Adolpha questions why her grandfather gave them land.

Madam laughed and told her that she wondered that too. She continues and tells them that her father would let them borrow money, but he could only afford one of them to borrow it. She said it upset them.

Madam said that her uncles left the house angrily. She said her father saw her listening to them and told her there was nothing to worry about. She said she was too naïve to know any better.

Madam continues by telling them that her uncle didn't visit after that. She said that she was growing up happy and liked their farm. She said she made lots of friends back then. Adolpha then asks about her uncle, the younger one.

Wolf told her to wait for her to get there. Madam laughs and sees that Wolf is now paying attention. Fisher smiles as he continues to drink. Madam took a sip of her tea and told them what had happened.

"I remembered his face when he heard the news. He had received a letter, and his emotions took over him. He learned that his younger brother had died in a hunting incident."

Madam explained that his younger uncle was the only one her father still contacted. She said that it broke him and took time for him to heal. Adolpha became sad hearing it. Madam said that her uncle lived a solitary life. She said that he enjoyed hunting.

She then said that her father and brother met for his funeral. Madam said her father told her that her brother only cared about money. He said they split the money, but their oldest bother got the most. She said that it upset her father very much.

Adolpha became upset. Wolf told her to calm down. Everyone laughs, and Adolpha asks Madam about them. Madam, without care, said to her that they were dead. Wolf asked her how they died.

Madam told him that she would have killed them if she could. She then continues where she left off. She said that after a year, they were back working like normal. She said that her father grew his business, and they worked hard to do so. She said her father still mourned his brother.

"This is one of my most painful memories, but I choose to tell people who want to listen."

Wolf and Adolpha sit straight and stare at Madam. She holds her emotions back and tells them about it. She said that they were preparing for a celebration. She said she was coming of age, and her family wanted to celebrate.

Madam told them she worked with her mother to order what they needed. They were going to celebrate her birthday in three days. Madam said she remembered that one of her uncles had shown up at the house. She said that he asked for money.

"I hear my father telling him that he will only let him borrow money once. He then told him never to show his face again."

Madam said that he remembers seeing her father angry after. She didn't want to bother him, so she went to work. She went and helped feed the livestock and put some equipment away. She said that the workers liked working for her father.

Her father employed people from a nearby town. Adolpha interrupted, and Wolf told her to apologize. Madam laughed again and told her that the town was friendly. She said that she knew almost everyone in town.

Adolpha apologizes and asks Madam to continue. She told them the workers had left for the day, and her family had eaten dinner. She then got ready for bed. Madam smiled when she told them about her mother telling her bedtime stories.

Adolpha remembers her mother. Madam saw the sadness in Adolpha. She continues. Madam said she was asleep and woke up to the sound of frightened animals. She said she got out of bed and walked over to the window.

She saw the barn fire, so she ran out of her room and looked for her parents. She said they were not in their room, so she ran outside. Madam teared up again. She tries to hold herself from crying. She takes a sip from her tea and calms down.

Madam said that she saw a man standing over two bodies. She said that the bodies were her parents. Madam told them that the man was a noble. He was higher than her father, and her uncles owed him money. The nobleman said that he came looking for them.

Madam told him that she knew nothing. The nobleman didn't believe her. He said that her parents were protecting them, and he came to collect what he was owed. Madam said that the nobleman took her as payment. She was forced out of her house and enslaved.

Wolf asked if she knew why he killed her parents. Madam told him that she later found out that her uncles told him her father had the money they owed. When her father refused to pay, he killed them.

Madam told them that the nobleman put her to work in his fields along with other slaves. She said that slaves at the time were allowed by the kingdom if there was a cause to enslave them. She noted that corruption played a big part in making her a slave.

Madam said to them that she had spent three years as a slave. She admitted that it was not as long as other slaves, but it gave her an understanding of how they felt. She knew how they lived and how hard it was on them. Madam continued by telling them of the other slaves she spent time with.

Madam talks about human slaves. She mentions beast men helping them with heavy work. She also spoke about some elves' slaves. She said that they were reluctant to join humans. Madam said that they were still prideful even as slaves.

Madam then talked about the day she became free. She said that they were working in the field, and it was hot. She said the guards were not paying attention, and several people were exhausted. Madam said she remembers going to someone and helping out.

"There they were on the floor. Hot to the touch. I had little water and was about to give him some when there was a commotion. Just outside the field, a group of people on horseback wearing knights' armor showed up. They drew their swords and without warning attacked."

Madam said that the knights killed everyone in sight. She remembers everyone screaming and the guards running away. Madam said she too ran but felt something pierce her in the back. Adolpha felt sick hearing that. Wolf asked about the knights.

Madam told him that they were probably hired by another noble. She said that noble often fought during those times. She said the previous king allowed opposition as the kingdoms were not involved.

Adolpha asked Madam why the king allowed fighting among his people. Madam had no answer. Madam then said that higher nobles were greedy and they want more. She mentions that these nobles often pay the kingdom to stay out of their disputes.

Adolpha gets angry. Madam then tells her everything changed when the new King John took over. Madam said that she wished it was sooner. Madam gets back to the story. She continues by saying that she woke up and had a stab wound.

She said she saw that everything was burnt and much dead. Madam said she walked away from the field and somehow made it to a road where she collapsed. Madam said she felt her life fleeing when she heard a voice.

"Hey, are you all right? Oh, no blood…. don't worry, I'll get you help."

Madam smiled, and Adolpha noticed. Madam talked about a man. The man was a merchant, she said. Adolpha asks about him. Madam told her that he had saved her from death. All the employees smiled when she told them.

"My savior then became my husband. Mathews Borrows helped me heal, and I was happy living with him."

Madam told them about Mathews. He was older than her. He was light-skinned with brown eyes. He had long black hair, and he had a well-clean-cut face. Madam said he only wore merchant clothes. She said that he brought her to Ivory Springs.

Madam said he was a hard worker and was building his first shop. Madam told him she had nowhere to go, and he hired her. They ended up falling in love and settling in the town. The business grew, and they made a house.

Madam then becomes sad. She told them that she could not have children. Madam revealed that her injury made it impossible to have children. She tried healing magic, but it didn't work. She and her husband felt sad but eventually moved on.

Adolpha looks at Adolphus and then realizes why Madam was so cheery when holding him. Adolpha felt sad for Madam. Madam told her not to worry about it. Adolpha asked where her husband was. The story got even more tragic.

Madam said that they finally felt like they belonged there. They were living their lives and enjoying their business. Madam told them how the landlord began to fight with another noble. He called the men from his territories.

"It was an awful situation. He gave us two options. It was either fight for him or lose everything and get out of town. My husband and I have made a living here, so he chooses to fight. I should have stopped him."

Madam said that the lord died and most of the men. She told them her husband was not a warrior and didn't return. Adolpha began to cry. She said that eventually, the Kingdom took the land. She said the dispute made the Kingdom act and punish the other lord.

She added that the Kingdom returned what it could to put the people at ease. She only got a letter he was not able to send. Madam said it broke her, and she felt heartbroken for a long time. She told them that she had begun to ignore the business and was losing it.

Adolpha goes over to her and hugs her. Madam smiles again and taps Adolpha's shoulder. She continues by saying that she then had another reason to live. She had promised Mathew that she would keep on living.

Madam told them about when she wanted to make a difference. She said she was closing her shop when she saw two young children. They were hungry and scared. Madam said that she heard people looking for them. She then noticed that they had slave collars on them.

Madam realized that the children were slaves. She took them home and hid them. She said that she helped them heal. Madam felt joy seeing them smile. The children thanked her. Madam took them to find their parents.

She said that when she found them, they were overjoyed. They showed much respect to her. They told her how they were taken, and the time they spent looking for them. Madam said that they gifted her and celebrated her.

Madam saw how much it meant for the parent to reunite with their children. She then came up with the idea to help others. She said that she wanted to make her life meaningful. She remembered how hard it was to a slave.

Madam said that she sold much of her business to buy some slaves. She helped them recover before setting them free. She said that she would also use other methods. She hires mercenaries to attack slave traders.

Madam said she had no remorse for them. Madam said that the more she helped, the better the world became. She said that eventually, some slaves became adventures and helped her. She made connections to save nobles or anyone who was looking for help.

Madam told how the adventurers gave her money to help support her. She used it to build the inn as another way to get money. She also used it as a place of refuge. Madam said she spent years helping and meeting a dying man along the way. Fisher laughs.

Madam said she helped him, and he recovered while spending time with those he once transported. She noted that Fisher had changed and offered to help her. She wanted to use her own money and start a fishing company. She said she has become old and can't do what he has been doing.

Madam told them that another group had grown out and began to take care helping others. Madam would help, but only those that were close to her. She said that she would continue until she died. Wolf and Adolpha became grateful to her. Wolf apologies for what he said.

Madam takes out a paper and hands it over to them. Wolf opened it, and it was a rewards flier. Madam told him that one of her spies got it from an underground source. It was a bounty for Adolpha. Madam explained that it was handed in at the beginning of early spring.

Madam apologized for hiding the fact that she knew how Adolpha might be. She was just making sure she was the real deal. Madam again explained that many wolf girls would get kidnapped just to get the reward from the kingdom or Lord Michael.

Madam said that the search had died down after the war began. It was late, and Madam was tired. She told Wolf they would talk more, but she needed rest. Wolf and Adolpha head to their room. Madam goes to her office.

Madam sits at her desk and takes out the letter she received from Mathews. It also had a drawn picture of them. Madam began to weep while seeing his face. She then asked him to help her help Adolpha and Wolf. Fisher had gone to sleep.

Adolphus was asleep. Wolf and Adolpha were lying on the bed. Adolpha began by saying that she liked Madam even more now. She trusts her. Wolf said that he also liked Madam. Adolpha continued by saying that she wanted to help other slaves. She would talk to her father first and stop the fighting.

Wolf said nothing. Adolpha became very happy. Wolf was thinking about what Madam said. She used force to help slaves. He wondered if he had faced some of them. Wolf remembers killing some people by order of Lord Michael. He had capture adventures messing with his business.

Wolf went to sleep with that thought. Adolpha was also asleep. The following morning Wolf woke up and headed downstairs. The staff was already at work. Wolf saw Fisher drinking coffee. He told Wolf about it. Wolf smelled it, and it was intense. Fisher laughs.

Fisher then becomes serious. Madam also happened to walk out. She gave the staff instructions. She talked about their serves for the day. Fisher looks at Wolf and apologies. Wolf becomes confused.

Fisher explains himself. He gave Wolf strong alcohol so he could bring out his emotions. Wolf didn't know what Fisher was saying. Fisher told him that he knew he had doubts. Fisher wanted Wolf to express himself and move on from his past.

Wolf realizes what Fisher meant. He was not sure if he had made the right decision. Fisher said that talking would help him. He told him that he would listen to him on the boat. Wolf didn't know what to say. They left the inn and headed to work.

After dropping the traps, Wolf and Fisher sat together. Fisher told him to let it out. Wolf slowly began to talk about himself. He mentions all he killed and what he used to do for Lord Michael. Fisher listens to him. Fisher then thinks.

"That has been a rough life you had. I won't judge you much because I haven't been a saint. All I can say is to move forward and focus on what you have now. That girl and baby boy need you. Make them happy and protect them as a father should."

These talks encourage Wolf to look forward. He still had doubts but said he would make immense by helping when they needed him. The day passed, and they were back at the docks. Fisher told Wolf he could head home.

On his way home, Wolf heard more about the war. Another town was lost, and the human army moved west. Wolf continues to walk home. When he reached home, he saw some people leaving. He went inside, and Madam saw him. She calls him over.

Wolf follows Madam to the back. They go into Madam's office. There Adolpha was sitting. A small man was looking at the collar. He was a dwarf smith. He had several tools out. He tries another device, and the collar makes it break.

The dwarf smith scratches his head. He tells Madam he has no idea what the collar is. Madam asks Beowulf if he knows anything about it. Wolf becomes surprised when Madam calls him by his name. Adolpha smiles.

Beowulf said that Lord Michael one day shows up with them. He said he only puts them on his favorite slaves. The dwarf smith tells Madam that he cannot remove it. He then explains that the crystal was the problem. Madam asks him to explain.

The dwarf smith starts by saying that a black crystal has never been seen. He said that the dwarf kingdom has tried making them but failed. He then said that the crystal was sucking the Mana of the person wearing it. Madam asks Beowulf another question.

She wants to know how Lord Michael used it. Madam wants Wolf to go by his real name again. Adolpha agreed, so Beowulf agreed. Beowulf tells them about the bracelet and a ring he uses. The dwarf smith thinks about it. He then tells Madam to send them to the Dwarf Kingdom. Madam disagrees because she knows how bad it is there. She then says that Kings Land will have someone. She will send a letter. The dwarf smith excuses himself and apologies that he cannot help. Madam thanks him, and he leaves.

Madam looks at Beowulf and notices some change. She smiles and talks to them about what they are going to do. Beowulf agreed to follow any plan Madam had for them. They trusted her, and Madam thanked them.

Madam told them what they were going to do. She tells Beowulf that he will buy a sword to defend themselves after they reach Kings' Land. They will also stock on food from there. She said they should still move as soon as possible if they could not remove the collars.

Beowulf asks why they need to move. Madam explains that someone may recognize them. She wanted them to get close to the wolf territory. That would help anyone following stay away. Beowulf understood and said he would follow the plan.

Madam said she would now pay them, and they should begin preparing. The escort wagon should be heading their way now. Adolpha began to feel excited. She talked to Adolphus and made him laugh. Madam laughs with them. They talk a bit more.

Time passes, and Beowulf is almost making a living there. Adolpha had more courage to interact with customers. She became famous among them. Madam would take care of Adolphus. After work, when Beowulf came back, they ate and talked. Madam came over and told them that they had the next day off.

Madam told them to get the last of their supplies. Wolf told her that he was going to get his sword made then. He said it should be done by the time they leave. Madam nods, and they have an excellent time talking.

The following morning Adolpha and Beowulf go to the stores. They buy preserve meats and fruit. They had got more information on what they could take. It took some time to save enough money. They go to a smith shop. Beowulf orders a custom-made sword. He also gets a bow and arrows.

For the rest of the day, they enjoy a nice outing. Beowulf and Adolpha enjoy eating from stalls and playing with Adolphus. They got over the fear of looking over their shoulders. Adolpha and Beowulf were even closer.

Midsummer 844, Word travel that the kingdom escort group was arriving in a few days. Adolpha was working at the inn, and she got more fans. Beowulf helped Fisher bring in more fish than they previously had. Madam was in her office going over some paperwork.

Someone knocks at her door. She tells them to go in. One of the waitresses comes in and hands Madam a letter. The waitress told her a soldier had delivered it. Madam was confused and took the letter. She sees the dwarf kingdom seal.

Madam excuses the waitress and reads the letter. Madam had a sad expression. She leans on her chair and sighs. Madam then gets up, goes to a shelf, and takes a box. She opens it and gets out a medallion.

Later that night, Madam has all her staff gather. They didn't know what was going on. When Fisher returned, she started by announcing that she was going to the Dwarf Kingdom. Everyone began to question her. Madam told them to silence.

Madam told them that she got a letter from the merchant guild. She said they acquired some documents with his husband's name on them. They wanted her to go and confirm them. Madam told them that she would be away for some time.

Everyone was talking. They were worried that the inn would close while she was gone. Madam reassures them that they will still be working. She told them that Fisher would be in charge. The staff began to make fun of Fisher.

Fisher got angry and told them that he would fire them. They all laugh. Madam told them to work hard and that she didn't want to return to a disorganized establishment. The staff said to her that they would keep it as she left it. Madam told them that she would go the next day.

After everyone got the news, some went to bed. Others cleaned the tables. Madam goes over to Beowulf and Adolpha. She told them that she would not be there when they left. Beowulf said to her that she should not worry.

Adolpha thanked her for all the help. They talked a bit and went to bed. The following day Madam was ready to go. The merchant guild hired soldiers to escort her to the kingdom. Madam got into a carriage and talked to Fisher. Fisher told her he would keep her business safe.

Madam waves to everyone, and the carriage leaves. Fisher tells everyone to get back to work. They all joke with him and go back into the inn. Fisher left his crewmates to go out by themselves. Beowulf was with them.

In the evening, the kingdom escort groups arrived. They brought more troops, and they go rest. At the inn, Fisher tells Beowulf went he comes back about how the process works. He told him they rest for two days and then leave. They also need everyone who is going there. Beowulf understood, and he told Adolpha about it. They will check everything before they leave. Adolpha was anxious; she could not control her happiness. She was in her room with Adolphus.

"Just a little bit longer, and you will see your grandfather Adolphus. He will be so happy to see you. I can't wait to see brother Ardolph too."

Somewhere on the coast, a battle intensifies. Human soldiers fight creatures. Fireballs rain down on them, and Arrow volleys break through the enemy. A soldier runs to a tent and speaks to someone.

"Sir, the line has broken; we can't hold out."

The captain calls for a retreat. He orders everyone back. The soldier asks where they would go. The captain looks at a map. He points to a further town west.

"Ivory Springs."