We arrived at the gates of Brightmoor early in the morning, the chill in the air signaling the fast approach of winter. The snow had already begun to settle in small patches on the ground, and I could feel the weight of our journey lifting from my shoulders now that we were finally safe.
As we approached, the two guards at the gate crossed their spears, blocking our way. One of them, a burly man with a gruff voice, barked, “Halt! State your business!”
“We’re here to—” I started, but his partner, a younger guard with an arrogant sneer, cut me off.
“You don’t look like merchants or travelers. More like troublemakers,” he said, eyeing us with open contempt. His gaze lingered on Kael’s rough cloak, Kaldor’s imposing frame, and Sylas’s confident smirk.
Sylas rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Charming welcome.”
I stepped forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace. "We’re not here to cause trouble. My name is Duke." I motioned to my friends as I continued. "This is Kael, Elyndor, Sylas, Kaldor, and Mira. We’ve just returned from a long and dangerous journey."
The older guard snorted, his eyes narrowing. “Kids like you? Long journey? Sounds like a bedtime story.”
Before I could respond, Sylas crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look. "Do we look like kids who’ve had an easy life?"
The younger guard laughed harshly, but it faltered when his eyes fell on Kael’s dagger, the worn leather of its hilt suggesting frequent use. Then his gaze moved to Mira and Sylas, who stood confidently, faint traces of magical energy crackling faintly around their hands. His eyes lingered on Kaldor, who carried a massive shield and a sturdy war hammer strapped to his back, before finally landing on Elyndor, whose long sword gleamed even in the faint morning light. The smirk slid off his face, replaced by a wary seriousness.
The older guard straightened, his hand tightening on his spear. “Where’d you get those weapons?” he asked, his tone no longer mocking.
“We earned them,” Kael said calmly, his voice carrying a quiet confidence that made the guards hesitate.
The younger guard’s eyes flickered to me. "Fine, you’ve got weapons. But that doesn’t explain what you’re doing here. What’s your business in Brightmoor?"
Before I could answer, Lily and Lara stepped forward, their voices overlapping as they called out.
“It’s us—Lily and Lara!”
“We’ve been missing for weeks! Please, let us through!”
The guards froze, their eyes widening as they looked at the two girls. The older one frowned, his voice tinged with skepticism. "You’re claiming to be the missing girls? And these… strangers brought you back?"
I sighed, stepping in before the questions overwhelmed Lily and Lara. “Yes, we brought them back. We were all slaves in a camp deep in the forest. We escaped and found Lily and Lara there. We’re here to return them to their families.”
The older guard exchanged a look with his partner, doubt still etched on their faces. “Slaves?” he repeated.
“Do we really need to spell it out for you?” Mira said sharply, her patience clearly wearing thin. "We risked our lives to get them here."
The younger guard looked unconvinced, but the older one studied Lily and Lara more closely. His grip on his spear loosened as recognition dawned in his eyes. "By the gods," he whispered. "It really is them."
He lowered his spear and gestured for his partner to do the same. “If that’s true, we owe you a debt. I’ll take you to their parents immediately.”
The younger guard hesitated but followed suit, still eyeing us warily. “If you’re lying…” he muttered, leaving the threat unfinished.
“We’re not,” I said firmly.
“Tch fine. My name’s Sergeant Corvin.”
The guard quickly waved another over to take his shift and motioned for us to follow. As we entered the city, I found myself glancing around, taking in the sights.
Brightmoor was nothing like the small villages we’d passed through earlier. The streets bustled with activity, vendors shouting about their wares, shopkeepers hanging up fresh signs, and people moving between buildings like a steady stream.
There were small bakeries with delicious smells wafting out onto the streets, and open-air restaurants where people sat in cozy groups, chatting and eating meals that made my stomach rumble. It had been so long since I’d seen this kind of normalcy—it almost felt surreal.
A few street performers were playing cheerful music, their melodies mingling with the chatter and laughter of the crowd. Even the animals seemed livelier here, with small dogs darting between people’s legs and birds fluttering around the rooftops.
As we passed by, I caught sight of a butcher shop with fresh cuts hanging in the window, making me pause. Monster meat tasted fine, but nothing beat the smell of freshly cooked steak. My stomach grumbled again.
“You’re drooling,” Kael smirked, nudging me with his elbow.
“Shut up,” I muttered, wiping my mouth instinctively. “I haven’t eaten real food in days.”
“Well, if the mayor’s throwing us a feast, you’ll probably eat enough to knock yourself out,” Elyndor chimed in, grinning at my expense.
We kept walking, passing by a large square where children played around a beautifully crafted fountain, the water sparkling in the early morning light. The statue in the center depicted a knight on horseback, rearing up in victory, surrounded by carvings of mythical creatures. It was clear that this city was proud of its history and culture, unlike the towns we’d encountered before.
Finally, we reached the heart of the city, where a modest castle stood. It wasn’t the towering, imposing structure you might expect, but it had a quiet dignity to it. Ivy climbed its stone walls, and the banners hanging from its towers flapped in the breeze. It was elegant in a way that spoke of wealth and status, but it still felt... welcoming.
“Are Lily and Lara’s parents nobles?” Sylas asked quietly, her eyes wide as we took in the castle.
“Seems like it,” I answered, just as amazed by the sight. I never imagined the two girls we had traveled with all this time belonged to a family like this.
We crossed the threshold into the castle, and immediately the atmosphere shifted. The floor was polished marble, shining beneath our feet, and chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden light over everything.
Tapestries lined the walls, telling stories of Brightmoor’s past, from battles to grand celebrations. Everywhere we turned, there were maids bustling about, either cleaning or carrying trays of food and drink.
The further inside we ventured, the more crowded the hallways became with servants moving hurriedly around us. Finally, Corvin stopped in front of a grand door, pausing as we heard faint sobs from the other side.
“They’re inside,” he whispered, giving us a nod before pushing the door open gently.
Inside, the two girls’ parents sat by the window, their backs turned to us, the mother softly crying into a handkerchief while the father stood with his arms crossed. As soon as they heard the door, they turned. For a moment, it felt like time stopped as they took in the sight of their daughters, their expressions shifting from disbelief to overwhelming joy in an instant.
“Lily! Lara!” their mother cried out, rushing forward to envelop her daughters in a tight hug, tears streaming down her face.
“Mama!” Lily sobbed, clinging tightly to her. “I thought I’d never see you again!”
Lara, while more composed, was no less emotional. “We missed you so much... it was so scary out there.”
Their father, Merric Talwyn, followed quickly behind, his stride steady though his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You’re safe now,” he said softly, pulling both girls into a protective embrace. His voice cracked as he added, “We thought... we thought we’d lost you forever.”
The sight of their reunion tugged at my chest, and I glanced at the others, all of whom wore similar expressions of relief. After a moment, Merric straightened himself, addressing us with a dignified nod.
“I am Merric Talwyn, Lord of Brightmoor,” he said, his voice regaining its strength. “And you... you’ve saved our family. There are no words to express how grateful we are.”
I stepped forward, recalling the noble etiquette lessons my mother had drilled into me. I bowed as best as I could manage and said, “Duke Caddel, my lord, at your service. It was an honor to help.”
The others, catching my lead, offered their own approximations of bows. Even Kaldor, who usually carried himself with a relaxed demeanor, dipped his head respectfully.
Merric chuckled warmly. “No need to stand on ceremony. Please, come inside where it’s warm. We owe you more than mere words.”
We followed him and his wife into a spacious sitting room, its hearth blazing with comforting heat. Once we were seated, Merric began to recount the ordeal of searching for his daughters.
“The forests surrounding Brightmoor are treacherous,” he explained, gesturing out the window toward the tree line. “They’re crawling with threats—dire wolves, venomous creepers, and shadow stalkers that hunt even during the day. When we realized Lily and Lara were missing, we gathered every able-bodied soul to search.”
His wife added, “And just as we began to gain ground, a terrible blizzard rolled in, blanketing the city. For days, we could barely leave our homes, let alone search properly. It felt like the gods themselves were against us.”
Merric’s expression darkened as he continued, “To make matters worse, rumors began to spread—a group of raiders was seen in the area. The thought of my daughters falling into their hands...” He trailed off, his voice thick with emotion.
“We didn’t think we’d make it back alive either,” I admitted, glancing at my friends. “But we did.”
Merric leaned forward, his gaze intent. “Tell me everything. How did you find them? How did you survive?”
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “It all started when I was taken from my own town in Redmount, along with Sylas here.” I gestured toward her, and she gave a small nod. “We were enslaved by the raiders and taken deep into the forest. But we managed to break free, fighting back with everything we had.”
Sylas chimed in, “It wasn’t easy. They had us locked up pretty tight, but Duke’s quick thinking saved us more than once.”
“Lily and Lara were there too,” I continued. “They saved me when I was cornered by one of the raiders. If it weren’t for them...”
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Merric and his wife exchanged a surprised glance, their gaze shifting to their daughters. “You... you fought back?” Merric asked, his voice filled with equal parts pride and astonishment.
Lara nodded firmly. “We couldn’t just let them hurt anyone else.”
I continued, “After escaping, we found a map in the raiders’ camp. It led us back toward Brightmoor, so we decided to follow it. Along the way, we ran into more trouble—shadow beasts, dire wolves, even a venomous creeper that nearly got us.”
“They only nearly got us because you didn’t see it coming!” Mira teased with a grin, earning a few chuckles.
“Hey, I was distracted!” I shot back, shaking my head.
Kaldor added, “And let’s not forget the part where Duke tried to use a tree branch as a spear. That was... creative.”
Everyone laughed, even Merric, and the tension in the room eased.
Sylas leaned forward, smirking. “But we worked together, and we made it. No big deal.”
Merric looked at each of us in turn, his expression a mixture of gratitude and admiration. “You’re extraordinary,” he said. “All of you. As a token of our gratitude, please accept this.”
He gestured toward a small pouch that jingled softly with the unmistakable sound of coins. The sight of it made me falter.
“Money?” Sylas blinked, glancing at me. Kael’s expression remained neutral, though I noticed a slight tightening of his jaw. Kaldor folded his arms, his quiet demeanor making it hard to gauge his thoughts. Mira shifted uneasily, her discomfort at the offer clear.
I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I looked at each of them in turn. This wasn’t just my decision to make; it wasn’t right for me to speak for everyone. We had all endured this journey together.
But as my eyes met theirs, something in their gazes stopped me. Sylas gave me a small, knowing nod, her usual lightheartedness replaced with quiet resolve. Kael’s lips quirked into the faintest of smiles, as if to say, You’ve got this. Kaldor, steady as ever, met my gaze with calm assurance. Elyndor crossed his arms, his form steady. And Mira... Mira’s expression softened, her earlier unease replaced with a warmth that said she trusted whatever choice I made.
In that moment, I realized we were all thinking the same thing. The gold didn’t matter.
I took a step forward, shaking my head firmly. “We appreciate the offer, Lord Merric,” I said, my voice steady, “but we didn’t do this for gold.”
I shook my head, taking a step forward. “We appreciate the offer, Lord Merric, but we didn’t do this for gold.”
Merric frowned, withdrawing the pouch slowly. “I see,” he said after a moment, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and respect. “You’re remarkable, all of you.”
He paused, considering something before continuing. “If you won’t take money, then allow us to honor you in another way.” His gaze softened. “Let us host a feast for you. The entire city will join in celebrating your bravery tonight.”
At his words, I hesitated. A feast? The thought sounded wonderful, but exhaustion gnawed at the edges of my resolve. My eyes flicked toward my friends. Kaldor’s posture was steady, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. Mira was leaning slightly against Sylas, both of them visibly worn. Kael’s usually sharp eyes were dulled by fatigue. They all needed rest—we needed rest.
I bit my lip, debating. If one accomplishes something great, shouldn’t they receive something to match it? But my thoughts wandered to my mother and Clara. They were still out there, waiting for me. If I asked Merric for help in finding them, it would seem selfish—my friends had their own struggles and families to think of. Was it fair to make this about me?
Merric’s voice brought me back to the present. “What do you say?”
Before I could answer, Lily and Lara’s voices rang out, bright and jubilant.
“A feast? Really?!” Lily exclaimed, her tired eyes lighting up.
“Do you mean it, Father?” Lara added, clapping her hands together in excitement. “A party sounds amazing!”
Their enthusiasm was infectious, and I caught Mira smiling despite herself. Sylas chuckled under her breath, while Kaldor’s lips curled into a rare, faint grin.
I let out a slow breath, my decision settling. I glanced at my friends, who all gave me encouraging looks. If nothing else, the feast could lift everyone’s spirits.
“All right,” I said, meeting Merric’s gaze. “We’ll gladly accept the feast. But,” I added after a moment, “we’ll need some time to rest before the celebrations.”
“Of course, of course!” Merric said warmly, clapping his hands together. “We’ll make all the preparations while you recover. The feast will begin at sundown. Tonight, the city will honor its heroes.”
As Merric and his wife began making arrangements, Lily and Lara whispered excitedly to each other, their joy a stark contrast to the weariness in my body. I couldn’t help but smile at their energy. Despite everything, seeing them so happy made the hardships feel worthwhile.
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Later, we were led to a local inn where six rooms had been rented for us. We were escorted here by two of Merric’s guards and they introduced us to the keeper as the lord’s guests and that we didn’t need to pay the fees. I declined at first but soon the keeper turned down my money so I guess we will stay here for free now. But if we planned to stay longer, I might will pay the rents. It doesn’t matter since the money we recovered from the raiders are a lot anyways.
My room was small but cozy, with a bed covered in a thick, quilted blanket and a fireplace crackling in the corner. The window gave me a view of the busy street below, and for a moment, I simply stood there, taking it all in. After everything that had happened, this felt like a dream.
The next task was to find clothes for the feast. Since our outfits were either torn or covered in dirt, we decided to use some of the raiders’ stolen gold to buy new ones. We split into two groups: the boys went one way, and the girls another.
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Sylas and Mira headed to a clothing shop just off the square, the sign outside swinging gently in the wind. Inside, dresses and robes hung on wooden racks, and the scent of lavender wafted through the air. A cheerful woman with graying hair greeted them with a warm smile.
“Welcome, dears! Looking for something special today?” the shopkeeper asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Sylas glanced at the array of dresses, her expression softening as one caught her eye. “We need something for a celebration,” she said, her tone as direct as ever.
Mira added with a shy smile, “Something elegant, but not too extravagant.”
“Ah, I have just the thing!” The shopkeeper bustled over to a rack of dresses, pulling out a sleek, midnight blue gown. “This one would suit you perfectly,” she said, holding it up toward Sylas.
Sylas took the dress, the fabric shimmering like water under moonlight. Intricate silver embroidery ran along the hem, swirling in delicate patterns. She stepped in front of a mirror, holding it against herself. “Not bad,” she admitted, her lips curving into a faint smile.
The shopkeeper turned to Mira with a knowing look. “And for you, my dear, how about this?” She lifted a deep emerald-green dress with gold accents.
Mira’s eyes widened as she took the dress. It had a high collar with an embroidered clasp at the neck and soft, layered folds that moved gracefully. “It’s beautiful,” Mira whispered, twirling slightly as she admired herself in the mirror.
After settling on their dresses, Sylas turned back to the shopkeeper. “We also need something practical—enchanted robes, if you have any.”
The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re in luck! I’ve got a few that might interest you. Tell me, what elements do you primarily work with?”
Sylas raised an eyebrow but answered, “Earth, wind, and... some ice.”
Mira chimed in softly, “I specialize in healing magic.”
“Excellent!” The shopkeeper guided them to a separate section filled with flowing robes in various hues. “Each of these is enchanted to amplify specific elements. Let’s start with you, dear,” she said, gesturing to Sylas.
She pulled out a deep gray robe embroidered with brown threads that shimmered like stardust. “This one enhances earth and wind magic, allowing for stronger spells and better control. It’s also designed to conserve your mana during prolonged battles. And for ice,” she continued, selecting another robe, “this pale blue one offers additional resistance to cold and strengthens frost-based attacks.”
Sylas picked up the gray robe, running her fingers over the shimmering threads. “I’ll take this one,” she said, her voice tinged with approval. “Practical and stylish.”
The shopkeeper turned to Mira. “For you, my dear, I have this robe in dark purple with embroidery that mimics swirling winds. It’s enchanted to amplify healing magic and provide a protective aura against low-level physical attacks. Perfect for someone like you.”
Mira’s eyes lit up as she took the robe, examining the delicate patterns. “This is amazing,” she said, holding it close.
The shopkeeper smiled warmly. “You girls have excellent taste. The dresses are one silver coin each, and the robes are fifty bronze coins apiece.”
Sylas and Mira exchanged a look, their faces falling slightly at the price. “That’s... steep,” Sylas muttered under her breath.
“But worth it,” Mira said with determination.
After a brief pause, Sylas sighed and nodded. “Fine. Our wallets will suffer, but at least we’ll look good and be prepared.”
As they handed over the coins, Sylas couldn’t resist a wry comment. “Let’s hope these robes help us earn our money back someday.”
The shopkeeper laughed. “Oh, I have no doubt they will. Good luck at your celebration, dears. And do come back if you ever need more.”
Leaving the shop, Sylas adjusted the dress and robe draped over her arm. “Next time, remind me to negotiate,” she said with a smirk.
Mira chuckled softly. “It was worth it. We look and feel amazing.”
“True,” Sylas agreed, her rare smile returning as they headed back to rejoin the group.
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The boys and I ventured into a tailor’s shop across the square. Inside, suits and jackets lined the walls, and we each found something that suited us.
As we tried on our clothes, Kael laughed at how ridiculous we looked in the shop’s mirror. “I feel like I’m dressed for a royal ball,” he joked, striking an exaggerated pose.
Elyndor chuckled, brushing imaginary dust off his lapel. “You mean we’re not?”
“Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to impress someone,” Kaldor added with a smirk, adjusting his suit and standing a little straighter.
I rolled my eyes at them. “We’re just here to eat, remember? Try not to make fools of yourselves.”
Despite my words, it was hard not to smile at how the boys looked. Each of them had picked out a suit from the rental section, tailored just enough to fit their frames.
Kael chose a simple black ensemble with subtle silver accents along the cuffs, giving him a sharp but understated look.
Elyndor opted for a navy-blue suit with a high collar that emphasized his composed demeanor, while Kaldor went for a dark brown outfit with a vest that somehow made him look even broader than usual.
Then there was Kaldor. Kaldor had always been the biggest of us—both in stature and personality. And his choice of suit? A dark brown outfit with a vest that somehow made him look even broader than usual.
However, putting it on was an ordeal.
“I don’t think this thing was made for a man with actual muscles,” Kaldor grumbled, his voice muffled as he struggled to button up the vest.
Kael smirked. “You know, I’ve heard of tight fits, but this is next level.”
Kaldor grunted, tugging at the sleeves. “I feel like a sausage in a casing,” he complained. “There’s no way I’m getting this thing done up.”
Elyndor raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. “Well, if you’re going to burst out of it, at least let us know so we can all step back.”
Kaldor shot him a glare, then exhaled and finally managed to fasten the last button, but the suit’s fabric seemed to strain under the pressure. He gave a satisfied grunt and looked at himself in the mirror, arms crossed.
“How do I look?” he asked, his tone more challenging than anything else.
I stifled a laugh. “Like you’re about to wrestle a bear... in a suit.”
He shrugged, unphased by my teasing. “I’ll take it. At least it’s not like I’ll be hiding behind it.”
After a bit of laughter and teasing, I turned my attention to the jackets. The winter chill was only going to get worse, and I needed something practical for the journey ahead.
I found a jacket that caught my eye. It was a sleek, muted grey with sleeves that extended just to my elbows, offering a unique combination of form and function. The material was thick yet lightweight, designed to keep me warm without restricting my movement in battle. A single knot at the front connected the two sides of the jacket, a simple but practical closure. Along the edges of the sleeves and hem, there were subtle black accents, giving it a sharp, clean look. The inside was lined with a soft, insulated fabric, making it perfect for the cold.
I tried it on and immediately felt the warmth. It fit snugly over my frame, and I admired how well it suited me.
"Do any of you want one?" I asked, waving toward the rack of jackets. “I can grab some before we head out.”
Kael raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I'm more of a 'cloak' guy. The jacket looks good on you, though."
Elyndor shook his head. "I’ll stick to my sword and armor. If it gets too cold, I’ll just keep moving to stay warm."
Kaldor crossed his arms and gave me a hearty chuckle. “I’m tough enough. You might need that fancy jacket, but I’ll take the cold. I like the challenge.”
"Guess it’s just me then," I muttered with a small laugh, adjusting the knot on my jacket. It felt right—sturdy, practical, and ready for whatever the journey ahead had in store.
When we were ready, the shopkeeper helped us finalize the rentals for the boys' suits. "These will look great at the feast," the tailor remarked approvingly as Kael struck yet another dramatic pose. Elyndor shook his head in mock disapproval, while Kaldor just laughed, slapping him on the back.
I glanced at the group with a satisfied smile before giving the shopkeeper the payment for the jacket. "Alright, gentlemen, let’s get going before we spend too much time admiring ourselves."
As we walked back through the city, the streets were just as alive as before. People moved in every direction—some haggling with vendors, others chatting in groups as they sipped on drinks from nearby food stalls. The occasional stray cat or dog roamed the alleys, and I even spotted a few magical creatures—small faerie-like beings fluttering near the lampposts, illuminating the streets with soft, magical light.
Back at the inn, we gathered in our rooms to prepare for the party