Ian

“You're returning?” my grandfather asked.

“Yes, the Ancestor wants me around in case something else should happen,” I answered seriously.

“Be careful my boy, new strength is often difficult to deal with. Take care not to harm anyone by accident.”

I nodded assent and left. It was good advice, as the sudden burst in my power had been something astounding. I could now run faster, jump higher, lift things I'd never been able to before. It was almost a full improvement, even my skin was harder, like that of one of the beasts of the world.

The trip wasn't long, and as I approached I could see the watchers where they were stationed, quietly keeping an eye on the goings on of the area. Justin hadn't been told, but almost nobody knew he was still alive, and we were keen to keep it that way. It would be best if the enemy didn't know where he was, and left him to do what he did best, make dangerous things.

“I'm here,” I said as I came to the door, which was soon opened by one of my favorite people in the world.

Atie pulled me inside before wrapping her arms around me and burying her face in my chest. Slowly, carefully I returned the gesture, letting the tips of my fingers rub along her skin.

“Was wondering when you'd get back. Perhaps we should ask Justin to let you stay?” she said invitingly.

“You know I need to return to my family now and then, and attracting more attention here now would be bad. How are you by the way?”

“I'm well,” she chimed. “Thank you for the deliveries, we needed the food and the two craftsmen have been moaning about getting enough supplies.”

“Of course, if you need anything else just ask,” I told her, looking down as we stood there.

She broke our embrace and led me to the little sitting area where she was working on some handcraft or other, something involving plant fibers. I didn't recognize exactly what it was, but if it was important I'm sure she'd let me know. Nearby the girl Ida was doing something similar with a large web of them.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I can go to the market myself,” she told me after thinking for a bit.

“Naturally you could, or gather most of what I brought, but for now please let me or one of the others take care of it.” Perhaps she knew that she was being kept away from the public for protection, perhaps not, but there was no need to point it out. “How is he by the way?”

“How he always is when he gets like this Ian. At least after Isha's little fit he's coming back up now and then and sleeping enough. Don't even think he knows what's going on most of the time.”

“That's probably for the best love. We need him working, not worrying about what is coming. It wouldn't help anyway, but his weapons will. Do you know what he has, or when it will be ready?” These were all questions I had to ask, as I was now one of his assigned protectors. Atal knew that at the least I was trustworthy with this.

“He said many were done, but he'd keeping them in storage until the time comes. Not sure what he made, and he won't explain, but it's apparently nasty stuff.”

“Damn right it is,” said a male voice as he entered the room. “I don't want to mess with anything that HAS to be stored in steel.”

Chien appeared a moment later, sweat covering his brow and body covered in a mixture of it and soot. He was getting older and stronger by the day, and was likely formidable in his own right. Justin may be a bit odd, but he was a terror, and anyone trained by him personally was also guaranteed to be one. A whole cave of powerful warriors dead, and he didn't even look like he was trying, they just died, like it was nothing. Not to mention the fact that he'd stood before one of the most powerful of the enemy generals and not only survived but managed to turn the fight against her.

“On that note, the other craftsmen are complaining that they're unable to match your quality. Are you holding something back?” I asked as the youth appeared.

“No, why would I? They just aren't getting it hot enough if I had to guess from what I've seen, and that's their problem, not mine. And just so you know, I'm not going to help them, I've got enough going on as it is.” He poured himself a cup of water as he spoke, drinking deeply.

I believed him too. Chien had been an annoying little brat all those years ago, working for whoever he could to get as much as he could, but now he was maturing nicely.

“No worries, I'll make sure you're unbothered by them.”

He scoffed. “Bet you could too.” At my lack of response he shook his head. “I forget you can't see it. Atie can't either can she? So, if you were strong before... well, be careful, wouldn't want to see what Justin would do if you ripped his poor auntie in half, or leave her unable to walk for days.”

I just frowned, I was really getting tired of people telling me to 'be careful' like I didn't already know.

“Why wouldn't I be able to...” I saw her face as it dawned. “Aren't you too busy for bringing that in here?” she almost hissed.

“Actually, I'm here to see Ida.” He turned to the girl in question where she was quietly working. “Did you manage to finish it?”

She tossed him a piece made of leather and plant fibers that looked like it went over the hand.

“There you are,” she said, also clearly unamused by his joke.

“Thank you, now if you'll excuse me.”

He left, and I spent most of the rest of the day, well into the evening there. This was a job I enjoyed, spending time with people I cared for, making sure they'd see tomorrow. When she was done with her work Atie moved over to where I was sitting and curled up, falling asleep beside me.

For a time I even entertained the idea of taking her up on her offer. I could stay with them, learn with them, work with them. Day after day I could stay with this woman I cared for, needing nothing much more than that. Perhaps when the war was over...