The following morning arrived with the year’s first frost, covering the landscape in the sparkling herald of winter. The commander of the bounty association and captain of the city guard, Alan Krees entered Kel’s place along with his squire and two retainers. Inside there were several people gathered eating breakfast. Kel, Agitha, Arlim, and Birna sat at one table while Zell, Cora, Nin, and Rin were seated at the table next to them.

Agitha stood up from her seat to greet the man with some confusion.

“Krees, you’re armed and armored. What’s the occasion?” She asked politely.

Krees responded by assuming an official stance and unfurling a long scroll before him.

“By decree of the high chancellor and approval of King Vinia VII himself, Agitha Defaria is hereby requested to attend a ceremony in which she will be named as a true hero of the kingdom for her recent accomplishment of vanquishing a Greater Demon within the city walls. The ceremony will take place on the eve of the day following this declaration. Agitha Defaria may submit as many personal guests as she would like to be given royal treatment at the banquet following the celebration.” Krees finished the reading and breathed a sigh afterward.

“May I go change out of this stinky metal prison now?” He asked Agitha with a disarming laugh.

“That’s so awesome!” Zell blurted.

“Congratulations Teacher.” Kel clapped her on the back as he spoke.

“No thanks.” Agitha said as she sat back down and resumed her breakfast.

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

“Oh come now, Agitha. The king’s gonna be there.” Krees implored, holding up the scroll with the royal seal.

“The King’s a dottering idiot lost in his harem who signs whatever piece of paper that crooked chancellor puts in front of him. Sounds like a hassle, so no thanks.” She said before eating a bite of her hot porridge.

“Borderline treason aside, would you make an appearance so I can save face here?” Krees asked bordering on desperation.

“Fine don’t cry about it, nothing worse than a weepy old man. I’ll go but I’m gonna get really drunk and eat all the appetizers. No speeches either!” She finally conceded by pushing her bowl away and crossing her arms.

“As you wish.” Krees bowed deeply. “Tomorrow evening at the promenade in the court district.” He added.

“Yeah I know where all the inbred dandies go to feel good about themselves. I’ll be there.” Agitha dismissed Krees with a halfhearted wave.

The commander clicked the heels of his sabatons together and bowed deeply before departing with his small entourage.

“You’re not excited to be named a hero of the kingdom?” Zell asked her after he was gone.

“Bait, I have been named a ‘True Hero of The Kingdom’ eleven times. I gave one of the medals to a raccoon. It amounts to a boring evening of watching the nobles figure out who should be sniffing who’s ass. Then for about a week it’s back pats and handshakes. And then it’s back to the same old life.” The disillusioned elf explained distastefully.

“Oh.” Zell looked somewhat defeated but brightened up a second later. “But free fancy food sounds good!”

“The food is good.” Agitha admitted. “All right it’s settled. We’re crashing a royal party tomorrow. No one dresses up and we leave with pockets full of crab cakes.” Agitha raised her tea cup in salute, and everyone else followed suit.

They continued their breakfast, and Arlim broke the news that they would be returning to the valley within the week to beat the first snow that could well block the pass.

“We still have alot to prepare before winter sets in.” He said. “Cora and I will manage well enough, and I’m planning to hire another laborer or two before we go.”

“I wish you could stay.” Zell said unable to hide his sadness.

“That’s the other half of my news.” Arlim said, cracking a smile.

Everyone at the table looked at him curiously.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“If it’s alright with Cora, I’d like to move us here in the spring. I can lease the farm to one of the agricultural lords and just share in the profit while they manage it. It’s not fair to keep either of you tied to that land with the guilt of not helping run the place. The truth is there are plenty of ways I can earn a better living here in the city, and the farm doesn’t really feel like home with just the two of us.” Arlim looked from Zell to Cora after he spoke.

Cora leaped at Arlim, wrapping him in a tight hug.

“Thank you dad! I can’t wait to come back. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work here!” Cora was shaking with excitement. She had wanted to propose that exact thing but hadn’t in fear of upsetting her father or sounding ungrateful.

Zell was just as ecstatic over the news. He could pursue his dreams and still be with his family, nothing could have made him happier.

“There’s always a roof for you all here, and plenty of jobs to do as well.” Kel announced, caught up in the happy moment.

“We actually have a piece of land somewhere nearby.” Arlim said almost apologetically. “The home of the lord that was executed for framing Coralia was deeded to us. Coralia insisted it simply be left to decay, and I didn’t really argue since I was ready to settle down away from the city myself and we had plenty of money. I have the deed in our safe in the valley. I think we can renovate the place over the summer while we stay here.” Arlim added.

Zell and Cora looked at each other as realization dawned on them. The mansion with the overgrown courtyard they had their picnic in... was theirs!?

Zell and Cora related the story to a chorus of disbelieving gasps. After convincing everyone of the incredible coincidence everyone settled down and Zell enjoyed the rest of one of his few precious remaining days of rest with his father and sister. They reminisced, made plans, and laid out all of their hopes for the future.

“I think I’ll open an alchemy shop.” Arlim announced as the three of them sat near the fireplace that evening while the busy dinner crowd bustled around them.

“I should introduce you to the lizardman that made the potion for Merc.” Zell suggested. “He is amazing too and you might be able to share some experience.” He added, enjoying the warmth of the fire and of the hot cup of cider between his hands.

“That’s a great idea. I think I’ll take you up on that.” Arlim answered. “Though alchemists and magic users both are very guarded about their secrets.”

“That’s a shame. Imagine what could be done if they collaborated.” Cora put in.

“Like a universal elixir that doesn’t decay.” Zell added “Ever since that day I’ve worried about something happening to Merc while we’re too far away from someone that can make it.”

“I would love to aid in that research.” Arlim mused. “A shelf stable universal elixir has never been produced.”

Their conversation carried long into the evening, and they were joined by Kel and his family after the last table was cleared. Nin sat next to Cora, and Rin next to Zell. Birna and Kel brought over extra chairs and sat on either side of Arlim.

“So what do you want to do? Like when you’re all grown up?” Nin asked Cora.

“I don’t really know. I like animals and being outside but I haven’t really thought about it until recently. I was a quick learner as a child when my mom taught me to fight but I never picked it back up after she was gone.” Cora gazed at the fireplace ponderously as she answered.

“I see. You should go to school with us next winter. They teach a little of everything so something is likely to catch your interest there. Rin, Bait, and myself will all be first year students together so it would be a perfect time for you to join.” She suggested.

“I’ll be eighteen by then. Is that a little old to be a first year student?” Cora was hopeful but reserved.

“That’s not unusual at all!” Rin interjected cheerfully. “You need to be a minimum of fourteen but there are first year students of all ages that decide to join because it functions as proof of competence in many fields. and has no upper age restriction.” She added with a big smile.

“My sister will go to school with me?” Zell asked, unsure of how he felt about it. Sure Cora had been nicer than usual over the past few days but how long before the torment resumed?

He looked at her, and something inside him told him that their relationship had indeed changed. He always knew she cared for him somewhat, but now there seemed to be respect there as well. He smiled.

“I can’t wait.” He finally said. “Let’s all do our best to be the best!”

They all heartily agreed, and Kel and Birna stood up to excuse themselves for bed. Zell was surprisingly worn out himself, and started to do the same. A hand under the table found his at that moment and froze him in his tracks.

He looked over at Rin, who was simply looking ahead with a slight smile and a tiny bit of color staining her cheeks under her long bangs. He squeezed her hand gently and settled back into his chair, and against his will a silly grin spread across his face. The look was lost on everyone except for Arlim, whose sharp eyes caught the exchange clearly. He smiled brightly and stood to excuse himself. Agitha left next, and Cora after that.

Nin stretched and stood.

“Don’t stay up too late, we’re going to train a little in the morning.” She said as she walked past them.

“Sure thing.” Zell said. He finally released Rin’s hand and immediately missed the sensation of holding it.

“And we’ll practice some more meditation tomorrow, right?” Rin asked him with a trace of coyness in her voice. Zell’s stomach was suddenly packed with butterflies and he could only gulp hard and nod.

With that they finally said goodnight, and Zell never even felt his feet touch the floor as he rode on clouds of happiness all the way back to his room.

Sleep was elusive that night, Zell’s brain would simply not settle down. He spent an hour with his eyes wide open in the dark, listening to Agitha snore with Merc’s heavy body making his legs too hot. Well since I’m awake, might as well practice. He thought to himself. With that he began to pay attention to his breathing as he had been taught, and as usual the exercise ended after a few minutes as he drifted off to sleep. A passing thought occurred that perhaps he was falling asleep because he was in fact successfully meditating and allowing his mind to rest.