“We made it.” Zell whispered as he rode his horse under the high portcullis at the southern border wall’s gate. He could see the walls of Vinia City across the misty morning meadow. The sounds of sheep bleating and dogs barking accompanied the familiar smell of clover blossom and sheep scat.
“That’s the feeling we all live for as hunters.” Agitha said noticing Zell’s posture change. “Let’s go get you a couple baths and see everyone. I can’t hand you over to Rin smelling like that.”
“Is it bad?” Zell asked, lifting an arm to sniff himself. “I can’t even tell.”
“Aye.” Came Fargis’ voice from behind him. “I’ve been downwind of you both for the last few miles.”
Agitha snapped a glare over her shoulder at the smiling captain.
“Perhaps if I had just saved my energy and let the monsters eat you I wouldn’t be so smelly.” She jabbed back
Zell enjoyed the awkward couple’s banter all the way to the city gate. He felt the intense stares of everyone they passed. The gate guard stood rigid at their approach.
“N-names... and business?” He stuttered and hesitated at the sight of the shifting giant spider on Zell’s pack.
“Agitha Defaria, Zell Balfonse, Captain Fargis of the Saber Chaser, his crew, and fifteen liberated slaves seeking asylum under our protection.” Agitha began. “We’re here to turn in some bounties, and spend a ton of money in peace.” Agitha finished with the magic words that opened the gates of almost any city.
“Of course.” Welcome back lady Agitha.” The guard bowed low and stood aside for the procession.
As soon as they were out of sight, the guard raced to the guardhouse to find someone to relieve him. He then sprinted off to inform his real masters that the dreaded day of Agitha’s return had finally come.
Their first stop was the largest and most reputable inn in Vinia City. It was upscale and backed up to the inner wall of the noble district. The River’s Arms was a three story sprawling structure with a full staff and security. It also contained a public bath, a dining hall, and many other amenities.
Zell ignored the astonished look of the inn manager and desk clerk and emptied two dozen gold coins onto the desk.
“My fifteen associates from Axis are quite road weary and need a nice place to stay for some time. Can I count on your help?” Zell asked with a smile.
“But of course sir, and right away!” The manager said excitedly. The sight of gold washed away all concern over the strange and unkempt young man with the odd furry pack.
Zell turned to Sira and smiled to reassure the elf woman and her sisters who looked around the grand lobby with trepidation and wonder.
“You all rest easy here tonight and enjoy yourselves. Eat when and what you please. I’ll return tomorrow and give you all a proper tour of the city and introduce you to everyone!” Zell announced to the gathered former slaves.
After a bath, new clothes, and a visit to the stables Zell and Agitha stood in front of Kel’s place. Fargis and his boys had decided to spend some time in the docks district to reconnect with some former colleagues. Zell’s stomach was suddenly in knots and his feet felt even heavier than when he was deep in The Tear.
“What are you waiting for?” Agitha teased him, understanding well the trepidation of a hunter’s homecoming. “It doesn’t get easier. You just gotta get it over with. The fear’s going to vanish the second you walk in that door.” She advised sincerely, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Zell nodded and bravely stepped forward. He opened the door and the sounds of the lively lunch crowd rolled over him along with the smell of Birna’s delicious mutton sausage and roasted vegetables.
Rin had some of the steadiest hands and best balance in the restaurant business. She hadn’t dropped a tray since she was seven years old. She heard the front door bell jingle and turned her head to give the standard greeting with her best customer service smile.
“Welcome to Kel’s just grab a chair anywhere and I’ll be right...” Her words trailed off as the door closed and the glare from outside left to reveal the boy she loved and had missed for the entire summer. Her tray of empty mugs fell from her suddenly numb hands with a clatter. Rin didn’t care. She raced across the dining room as Nin’s voice called over to see what was causing the commotion. She didn’t hear her sister at all. She didn’t hear anything but her own blood pounding in her ears as she crushed Zell in her arms and buried him in the thousand kisses he was owed since the day he left.
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Zell returned the embrace with equal intensity and was overcome with a happiness he didn’t even know was possible. Agitha stepped around the smashed together couple and gave a small wave to the gathering family. Kel, Birna, and Nin had finally caught on and rushed over.
“You two are excused. Go to your room and catch up.” Birna said putting a warm small hand on Rin and Zell’s shoulders. “Just keep your clothes on.” She finished with a wink that made them both blush.
Rin practically dragged Zell out of the dining room in her haste.
Agitha gave a big hug to each of the other three and took her place at the bar for the reunion she was most excited for: the reunion with Kel’s famous apple blossom mead. The first sip sent her straight to paradise and she let out a sigh that came all the way from the soles of her worn boots.
“After the lunch rush I’ll go inform Arlim and Cora that you guys are back.” Nin said to Agitha as she passed carrying two fully loaded trays of food.
“Thanks Nin.” Agitha paused between long gulps of her second mug to reply with foam on her upper lip.
“You’re bigger... and harder.” Rin noted as she laid in her bed with her arms around Zell, feeling the iron corded muscles bulging across his thick torso.
“Phrasing?” Zell teased as he squeezed her back.
“It must have been very difficult.” She said seriously. “It’s not just the muscles. Your presence is bigger, harder, and there’s sadness now that wasn’t there before.” She said ignoring the juvenile joke Zell was using to deflect her seriousness.
“I know how concerned and curious you must be. I promise I’ll open up everything for you as soon as we’re settled.” Zell said, struggling to find the words. “But for right now it’s too big to take the cork off that bottle, and I need to keep it together at least until we’re all reunited. So for now can we keep it light and happy my love?” He was honest, direct, and sincere as he locked eyes with her.
“You went and grew up didn’t you?” Rin’s eyes welled with tears but her smile was wide. They laid for awhile in silent appreciation of each other’s company until a gentle knock on Rin’s door jolted them alert.
“Yo Nin went to fetch Arlim and Cora, you guys better get your clothes straightened and come on out.” Kel’s deep voice made Zell smile as he sat up in bed and stretched.
Zell stood and straightened his new white short sleeved shirt and looked at Rin.
She was still the same height, hovering just below six feet but her body had matured since he had seen her. Her bust and hips had started to catch up with her long limbs and she no longer looked like a gawky little girl. Her long wheat colored bangs still hid one of her ice blue eyes and her strong jaw and button nose still melted Zell’s heart.
“I missed you.” Zell said simply. His words were simple but so full of emotion that Rin couldn’t help but choke up.
“Not as much as I missed you.” She replied with equal passion. With those simple words they left the room to prepare for the private party for their homecoming.
Just as promised, Nin returned with Zell’s family a short time later and the reunion was tearful and joyous. They exchanged stories and Cora caught Zell up on all they had been doing over the summer.
“Our new house is almost all fixed up!” She said. “Z it’s incredible, it’s huge compared to the farmhouse and it even has its own library and two kitchens!”
“Karakis has been an enormous help.” Arlim added. “Since I started working with him to develop new potions, he has been paying me very well and has lent his magic to restore several parts of the house. I owe you a big thanks for introducing us.” He added, giving Zell a pat on the back.
“Everyone’s thriving.” Zell said as he looked around the table and his heart was so full that he thought it would surely burst.
They exchanged news and stories late into the evening, the laughs and ale flowed naturally like a meandering river and the family was finally reunited. Arlim’s only regret was that his beloved wife couldn’t be there to enjoy it with him.
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Coralia stood alone outside of Kel’s place. She needed information and a hot meal and all the tips she had received around town pointed her to this inn. A sign on the door said simply “Closed for a private party, welcome back tomorrow!”.
She was going to turn away, but one of the muffled voices caught her attention. It sounded so much like her husband’s voice but that was impossible. He was living in the country with her kids after all. She shook her head and started to turn away. At that moment the door opened and light spilled out onto the dark street.
Two men and a young woman stood in silhouette as they gave goodbye hugs and waves to some other people inside. The voice was clear now, and it sent a jolt of paralyzing electricity up Coralia’s spine. A word escaped her dry, cracked lips and the sound of it stopped the world around her.
“Arlim?” She asked, almost too frightened to speak.
Arlim froze, not daring to turn around. Zell didn’t recognize the voice and turned casually but the sight of Coralia’s face was clear in the light of the tavern and his body went numb with the sight that was simply too big for his mind to process.
“Mom?” Zell’s quiet word echoed through the universe that had stopped around them in that moment.
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The headmaster of the famed Monster Hunter Academy, an unshakable and composed man named Grasius Sorn gripped the edges of the parchment with white knuckles. Sweat beaded above his bushy grey eyebrows as he scanned the registration form. He suddenly felt ill, and his mind raced.
“Impossible. Impossible. Impossible.” He muttered, every line was more impossible and troubling than the last. “Not another one of Her students!” He pleaded with the uncaring heavens. He set the paper down on his wide polished desk with shaking, large knuckled hands and leaned back in his chair. His eyes never left the new student registration form.
He was the son of Coralia and Arlim Balfonse, the most decorated and dangerous couple in history. He was the apprentice of the reckless and overpowered Agitha Defaria. His list of deeds already dwarfed the average professional hunter. It all spelled one clear thing for the poor headmaster. His final year before retirement was going to kill him.
It was already a year of standouts and prodigies. The young daughters of the mighty Kel Corso were already beating up on grown warriors, two foreign students from Red Isle were rumored to possess magic power rivaling even the most talented mages of Vinia, and now to top it all off this Zell Balfonse was registering at the same time. He took one last look at the registration form that spelled doom.
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MHA First Year Registration
Name: Balfonse, Zell Age: 14
Father: Balfonse, Arlim Mother: Balfonse, Coralia
Sponsor/Master: Defaria, Agitha
-Titles Acquired: Beast Master, Troll Slayer, Thunder Beetle Slayer, Spadehead Python Slayer, Axis Arena Champion as verified by Director Defaria
*Notes:
-Zell is forbidden from casting any spells which directly consume mana, as the results could be catastrophic.
-Any student engaged in sparring with Zell must have signed all appropriate waivers in advance.
-Zell should be treated with extreme caution at all times, even by instructors and visiting hunters.