"Are you sure we can have these?" Tyrion looks at the brigandine given to him by Rhys, snapping a finger. The armor shifts, shimmering and morphing into a well tailored nobleman's suit complete with jacket, tunic, trousers, and boots.

"Father's wishes are quite clear. He doesn't want them anymore. This is his gift to Deo for all he's done." Rhys adjusts the pendant around his neck.

"All I did was send you a message. You and Valora did the rest." Amadeo examines the pearl he was gifted, pocketing it as Anna gleefully swings a rod around. Compared to her old one, this rod has more intricately done carvings and a citrine gemstone place at the top, with a shaft made of black walnut.

"True, but regardless. You paved the way for us. My brother and I wouldn't have been here, were it not for you." Valora slides a ring onto Anna's left pointer finger. "This one's already got a couple of spells in it, so just use them to free up space. You'll need to resonate with it first to use it, though."

"Resonate?" The elf asks curiously, eyeing the ring, a band of silver with a white opal upon it.

Her counterpart nods. "Some gear of the enchanted variety requires you to resonate with it. You know, spending a bit of time creating a link that bonds the item to you."

"Ooooh, that's what that's called? I just call it 'getting to know you'." Anna laughs.

Valora shakes her head. "Deo, you'd best keep an eye on this one. Her head ain't all the way on."

"You'd be surprised how tight she has it on when the time is right." Hope folds her arms as she watches the party admire their new toys. "We ready to get back out on the road?"

"Very much." Amadeo adjusts his pack, slipping his book into it's holster.

Ruby steps out of the kitchen with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, so you're that excited to dash out into the world again, hm?"

The wizard freezes in place, turning his head to face the woman and raising his hands defensively. "Don't get me wrong, I loved being back. But I also love adventuring. And maybe if I make enough, I can start sending some back here to help you and Dad."

Ruby chuckles. "Always thinking of home, dear. You should think about yourself sometimes."

"I do." Amadeo pulls her into a hug. "But I also want you to live comfortably well into old age. And adventuring is a great way to pay for that. As an added bonus, I get to see the sights with a group of like-minded individuals."

Stolen novel; please report.

"Such a goody goody." Tyrion teases. "I'm just here to watch your backs."

"And I thank you for that, little man." Ruby leans down, shaking the halfling's hand. "Thank you for keeping my son safe. All of you."

"Oh please, it's a team effort. He's done the same for us a few times himself." Hope shrugs nonchalantly.

"Well, I do hope this team, this 'Leur' comes back to us one day safe and sound. And I do mean all of you." Ruby stands upright, pulling the two girls tightly into her arms. "Be good to each other." Hope, like Amadeo, freezes up. Anna returns the gesture, however.

The front door opens, Kira stepping in and wiping her brow. "You guys are finally getting out, huh? Guess that means I get my room back at last."

"You'll miss me, you little brat." Amadeo pokes the half orc's forehead.

She laughs and hugs her brother, head resting on his shoulder. "Of course! I just wish you'd come by under better circumstances."

"Next time I will, I promise." He kisses her forehead before she moves past him with a wave of dismissal.

The party heads outside into the late morning light, the disappeared fog no longer shrouding them from the golden shine.

"Woah, now, that's it." Soren calls to the horses as he pulls the wagon around, laden with a few crates and barrels.

"What's all that?" Anna asks, looking over the side into the wagon.

"Fruits and vegetables, mostly, along with a few supplies for your journey back to...actually, where are you going?"

"Mysthaven first to check for work, then maybe Whitemorrow to see the One Eyed Sentinel." Hope shrugs. "Might go through Kaina just to see how things are doing there."

"You'll be careful." The old orc claps the wizard on his shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "Blood and water, son."

"Blood and water. I know." Amadeo smiles, helping Hope load up their gear into the wagon before climbing into the front seat, the rest of the party hopping into the back. He takes a long look over his family; Soren with his arms folded, Ruby leaning on his shoulder with a bright smile across her face, and Kira waving her middle finger just outside of Ruby's peripheral, tongue stuck out impishly in a way that makes him laugh.

His eyes fall on the siblings next; Valora holding a thumb up with a genuine smile, and Rhys waving enthusiastically. "Come back soon, you hear me?" Valora calls out. "We'll have a round of drinks at the pub."

Tyrion shoots his head up. "Wait, there's a pub in this town?!" His question goes unanswered as Amadeo waves goodbye, driving the cart off toward the main road.

They move through the streets, the shining gold Mercy Warren glittering behind them. The road turns, coming to the familiar fork. Amadeo stops, watching the tower in silence for a moment.

"You alright, lad?" Tyrion tugs on the wizard's sleeve gingerly.

Amadeo nods at first, before shaking his head. "Just glad it's finally over. We can move on...But I'll miss it."

"Course ya will. It's home. Everyone wants to go home and cry on their mother's lap. That's just how people are."

"Does that include you, Tyrion?" Hope plucks an apple from one of the crates and takes a bite.

"Aye, lass. But that's never going to happen." The halfling snaps a finger, the fancy clothes changing to a brigandine once more before he pulls his hood up.

Anna sits up and watches the road ahead, pointing a finger excitedly. "Next stop, Mysthaven! Let's hope that beasty from before isn't hungry this time."