Edinmire was in sight. Even from a distance, they could see the war machines rolling past the town, catapults and ballistae. Strangely, they didn't see the Templar tower that was there when they left. As they got closer to the city, Barret became more and more nervous, and eventually decided it was time to break out his cloak, staying covered even at night, for fear that a Templar might see him and decide to attack. They were still a full day out from the city, but the Estate was within view. It rested on top of a hill, gleaming in the late winter sun. They would be there by noon.

"It's still standing at least. I don't think we'll have to worry too much about anyone bothering us up there, but we can take the longer roads if you really want us to."

"Please." Barret said, watching a fourth platoon of soldiers walk past. "I would much rather forgo the roads entirely, you know that. It's not in my nature to be this close to civilization."

"You're just nervous." Flora said, putting her hand around him.

"Yeah! You should be too! Have you forgotten we are all wanted? Ex-Templar, Ex-assassins, a foreign diplomat, an Ishtaer, and… well, you hadn't really done anything wrong, but we all escaped from Lyn'Knoll. We burned the city walls and assaulted, even killed Templars to get out of there. I don't know how fast word travels, but they probably are going to be looking for us in every major city from here to the west coast!"

"So it's a good thing you've been teaching me to defend myself! I just need to actually get a bow first…"

"I suppose… still, I'd like to err on the side of caution."

"I understand. We'll take the long way round, we should be at the Estate by evening. I wish I could tell Eric we have an extra." Trace said, going right at the fork in the road. As they rolled along, Barret looked in awe as he saw the sheer scale of the building and surrounding area. Unlike anything he had seen before, he looked upon the single largest house he had ever seen.

"You live there?! Why the heck did you leave?! That's massive!"

"Well, the war is going on right on my doorstep. I figured it was safer for us to not be here, especially with Flora and Natani. Zen tagged along, but I'm glad he did. And I couldn't tear Keith away from Natani, even if I tried."

"You would have been fine." Zen said, crawling to the front. "You have a knack for getting out of sticky situations."
"Maybe, but I feel like things could have gone very differently if you didn't come with us. For starters, we probably never would have met Barret. And without you, we never would have escaped Lyn'Knoll."

"You wouldn't have taken the mountain pass either."

"No, but that just proves my point: you've changed our Fates, and you've made our lives better for it."

"If you insist." The last ten minutes were spent in silence, as the cart rolled up to the door. The large fountain in front was not running, but it was clean. Trace handed the reigns to Zen, and stepped down.

"Just- just wait here a minute. I'd like to go see what's going on inside before just barging in."

"It's your house. What could possibly be going on?" Keith asked.

"Better safe than sorry with the luck we've had. Just stay put." Trace walked over, and knocked on the door. For a moment, there was quiet. Then…

"I swear, if you are here again, I will personally toss you off of the property! I don't know how I will, but oh, so help me, I will find a way! As I have told you, Trace is-" Eric stopped shouting as he opened the door and looked at Trace. "Oh!"

"Issues while I was away?"

"Get in here!" Eric grabbed him and pulled him inside, almost closing the door, before seeing the cart. "Right. Forgot about those fouuuu- five? You picked up an extra?"

"Long story. Can you take Angela- the horse- to the stable? I've been sitting on a wooden bench for the last month, and want to plunk down somewhere comfy."

"Yeah, I can see if Mike and Evals want to help. It would make the unpacking go faster."

"Didn't know they were still here."

"Oh, yes. I've been paying them. They aren't slaves anymore, but they seem to enjoy working with me, rather than for me. It's been… enlightening. For all of us."

"Good." Trace beckoned for everyone to unload and come inside. "I'm thinking coffees, a nice warm chair, a sweet snack, and a crackling fire in the living room while we all catch up. We really don't have much to unpack. Barret travels light regardless, and most of our supplies have been used up from the trip back."

"Mike! Evals! Can you give me a hand for a few minutes?" The two Keidran came walking out from the dining room, talking to each other.

"...that bet. He always wants a drink after dealing with people." Mike said.

"I'm not actually betting, it's just- Trace!" Evals smiled. "You're back! How was Lyn'Knoll?"

"I'm glad to see you two here still. I'll tell you both all about it, but we need the cart unloaded first. There's not much, but we're tired, and need some coffee."

"Did someone say coffee?" Kathrine walked in, smiling with two full pots. "I saw you coming up the road and figured you'd like something hot to drink." Trace smiled.

"You are a saint, thank you." Mike, Evals, and Eric walked out to unpack the cart, and everyone else walked inside. Barret kept his cloak wrapped tightly around himself until he was well within the doors, earning him strange looks from Mike and Evals. Shortly after, the cart was fully unloaded, and Eric took Angela around to the stables. As Barret took a cup of coffee from Kathrine, he admired the grand interior, at least he was admiring it, until whispers caught his attention.

"It has scales!" Evals whispered.

"I've never seen a lizard like that. It's so… tall!"

"Poke it."

"What?!"

"Poke it, I dare ya."

"I'm not poking it, you poke it!"

"No, I dared you first, now go poke it!"

"IT can hear you, you know." Barret said loudly, causing both Keidran to jump in surprise. "I can track a deer on a foggy night, I can hear you. And if either of you poke me, you'll find out just how far away I can hit a moving target with my bow."

"Barret…" Keith stepped over, as though he would somehow hold back the might and weight of Barret. "they're idiots. Just leave them be."

"That one's the idiot." Evals said quickly, pointing at Mike.

"Idiot? You-"

"This is a rather interesting development, but considering your past, not entirely unsurprising." Eric said, closing the door behind him. "I had suspected you would come back with a sixth, but not like this. May I ask where the little one is?" Flora's smile vanished. Her hand fell to her stomach, and her head fell.

"It's… a long story. We should head to the living room and sit." Trace said, putting his arms around her.