And so the days passed, and weeks, Norbert went around the town doing his daily drop off of items. Looking around, he went into the leatherworking shop once more. The grey wolf's pelt from long ago was hanging up on a mannequin. He was now transformed into a coat by the hands of the skilled seamstress. Walking up to it, Norbert looked to the seamstress, and with a nod of confirmation, he touched the outside of the garment. Feeling the hairs go through his hand, Norbert went and smiled.

Carefully Norbert raised it off the mannequin, holding it before himself. He looked at it one last time before he donned it. Instantly feeling the warmth engulf him, Norbert smiled at the creation. With a wave of his hand, Norbert left the shop, the doorbell ringing, announcing his entrance and prize to the world.

As he left, Obsius came down and landed on his head from resting on the door arch; looking at it again, Norbert never did see what it was used for or the reason for its placement. With a smile, Norbert looked at what was around the arch; stalls and people were gathering for an event. Excited about what the rest of the day could bring, Norbert returned to the cabin. Seeing the people pass his way, all arriving at the centre.

Most of the people now waved at him, shouting his name. Norbert went and waved back, not remembering the number of names required for everyone in the town. Still, Norbert tried and succeeded on more occasions than not when he did not; they would re-introduce themselves again with a smile on their face.

As he made his way back to the cabin, Norbert saw the family all sitting around the table; with a smile and a wave, Norbert walked in and turned in front of the table, showing off his new coat to everyone.

Nassan clapped and cheered for him, the two parents only giving him half smiles. Giving both of them strange looks, Norbert went and looked at the two of them. Without a word, the family stood up from their chairs and exited, smiles taken once more and voices being said between them.

Looking, Norbert confirmed he had his belt on him with his knife and coin pouch. Norbert also went and left with the family. Turning around, he looked out from the balcony, Obsius sitting on the rail as he did all those days ago when he was looking for something to do. With a smile of how far he had come in the time, looking back at all the things he had seen and the skills he had been taught.

Smiling, Norbert caught up with the family as the group made it to the town again, picking up and talking to people along the way. Norbert carried Nassan on his shoulders, making him stand tall.

***

In the town centre, the crowd was bustling. Looking around, Norbert was in the back, still having Nassan on his shoulders so he could see over the crowd forming. Unexpectedly, the crowd surrounded the door frame in the middle of the town that he had passed so many times before, putting off the idea of what would happen. Looking around at everyone, there was constant chatter within the crowd.

Norbert looked around at the parents to the side of him. Tense and not saying a word, just holding each other's hands, Helga and Cossan stared at the frame like they were waiting for the doctor to come out of the operation. The tense atmosphere infected Norbert, changing his excitement from the unexpected to nervousness at what could significantly affect the people around him.

Tense Norbert forward once more and waited with the crowd. The longer they waited, the quieter the crowd became, until it was so quiet you could hear a mouse squeak. The metal frame filled with blue light, a swirling mist appearing within the frame that was constantly changing. Breathing and moving as if alive, everyone in the crowd stepped back, Norbert doing the same and looking at the blue light.

With his eyes growing even wider, Norbert saw a foot and a head appear. Out came a person wearing a black cloak, completely covering his body. His face was hidden within the depths of the hood. Looking out, the only part not under the cloak of the person's body was a hand holding the staff. He could see none of his skin, for he had black gloves over his hand and a black shirt covering his sleeves. The only part of his attire, not black, was the staff in his hand.

It was a white staff, clashing greatly with the rest of his uniform. Squinting, Norbert could barely make out the rune covering the staff. The sleek material is just a constant shape throughout; only the runes' undulations provide any difference in shape. Turning around, the person passed his staff partially through the smoke light of the frame once more. Stepping away, the crowd stepped backwards; going with the crowd, Norbert looked out again.

They outstepped people wearing uniforms. All the same and have swords strapped to their waist. On them was metal armour with the same metal helmets covering it in the style of the Galea helmet of ancient Rome back on Earth. This one had no plume on top, just the helmet within it. Standing out came more and more people. With their arrival, the crowd stepped back even more. Also stepping out were people he would recognise as regular clothes. With the arrival of these people, the crowd burst with emotion.

People started laughing, smiling and crying. People ran towards each other, and the crowd dispersed. Standing still, just looking at the meeting of the people, Norbert was happy at the reunion, though not entirely sure what was happening. Feeling squirming on his head Norbert picked up Nassan and placed him on the ground. Once his feet hit the ground, he sprinted off into the crowd, being instantly lost.

Looking back, Norbert stared back at Cossan and Helga, waiting to see if he should chase off after Nassan. Seeing Helga raise her hand, he stood beside them, waiting for whoever to come. With the crowd now alive with movement and sound, Norbert stared at people and saw more people than ever in this place now. Waiting, Norbert looked at the crowd, and out appeared Nassan, holding a man's hand and dragging him towards their group.

The man being dragged was the spitting image of Helga, with the same blonde hair that pierced the crowd of dark but having the eyes of Cossan and the height. Together the pair of them walked forwards; hearing the sobs and cries of those around him, Norbert continued to look forward. With a flap of his cloak, the two rushed forward, all semblance of holding back the emotions lost on the family as they cried in each other's arms. Hearing words being exchanged between them, Norbert just stood still. He was, once more, feeling alienated in this world.

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The memories that this is not his actual home but a strange land he had somehow half trapped in. Standing there, not knowing what to do, he felt a weight on his shoulder; looking to the side was Obsius, looking back at him. Petting the bird, Norbert did the only thing he could do; Norbert smiled at the family. He was not moving a single step.

***

The crowd moved to the field where the markets were usually located, but today there were no stalls for food. Throughout it, tables sat up, all long, able to fit the entire town. Walking with the family, now reunited, Norbert followed them to one of the several tables. He was looking down and saw food already laid out on them. Looking at it made his mouth water; on his shoulder, Obsius went from foot to foot, waiting to begin.

Standing, one of the armoured people stood up from their table, saying some words; Norbert stayed quiet and looked. Not wanting to draw attention to himself at a time and place he didn't belong. With the words over, everyone waited and said the exact words at the cabin; now, knowing the words, Norbert joined in, though the message was lost on him. With that, everyone began eating.

The crowd once more came alive with music and voices. As the sun slowly set on the town, lamps around the field began to light up the field. With the light came out, the pub owner stood up and shouted some words. With that completed, out came the same jugs he had seen before. Looking around, people started to go up and take a drink. Starting to stand, a hand fell on his shoulder. Looking around, Cossan, beside him, just placed his hand and pushed Norbert back onto his seat, shaking his head. Sitting down and looking, Norbert waited, still not letting the strange behaviour affect him. He started talking about his adventures to the people around him, knowing that although they listened, they did not understand what he was saying.

And like this, the rest of the event went out without an issue. They were laughing and smiling. As the last plates were finally emptied, the sun was well and truly gone; Norbert was happy that he had his cloak around him, keeping off the night chills as the food ended; the same person as before stepped up again. Talking, he looked around at the people. When he finished, the people around him clapped.

As the speech ended, people started to get back up; some started crying together. As those once reunited left. Looking around perplexed, Norbert felt arms around his stomach. Looking down, Nassan was hugging him. Not understanding what was happening, Norbert felt himself get up, not moving his body. As he stood up, so did the rest of the family. Each hugged him and whispered in his ear. First was Cossan, the father of the family. The one who had shown him how to survive in this land, who had taught him how to hunt and come back to the town no matter how far away he was. The son, Nassan, showed him the joy of the world. The wonder of it if you knew where to look. Smiling, he picked him up, throwing him as high as possible. He wanted to leave him on a happy note, at least. As he laughed in the air, tears flowing down Nassan's face, Norbert caught him, gently tossing his black hair before walking forward. Next was the man who had returned from wherever he came. Still sitting down, Norbert went and bowed to him. Receiving a nod, he returned to the last one in the family.

Helga, the mother, stood there, watching with tears. Slowly walking forward, time slowed down for Norbert. All sound stopped, each step taking all his effort to go. With each step, Norbert remembered what she had done and the things he never saw—lifting him out of the river, tending to him when unconscious, and preparing all the food he had. Showing him around the town and making sure he kept on the straight and narrow. Always there, a rock in the storm of newness. Something Norbert could always count on. And the rock was now falling away, leaving him alone in the sea of the unknown, with no reference for what he should do or should happen.

All this went through him, and when he finally touched the world sped up once more, the sounds that had once stopped came back with a vengeance. Staying together, Norbert spoke to her and thanked her for what she had done for him. Trying to allow her to express what happened, what she had done. Feeling the pats on his back, Norbert finally cried, just holding there. As the uniformed man started talking again, Helga held him back, taking a final look at him. With a smile and a squeeze of his hands, she left him.

Norbert looked to the soldier. Most of the people already there arrived today. Some of them stayed behind like the new member of the cabin family, and other people joined the group, now circling. Looking at the group, Norbert spotted the young lady at the candy store. Smiling that he would at least recognise some people, he joined them with a shooing motion. As the uniformed individual continued talking, words were said until he died. With a calm tone, Helga broke the silence and started talking. Looking back at her, Norbert did not know what was happening. Those were the last words that came out of her mouth before she held her hand high.

"Norbert", escaped Helga's lips. Now staring, she nodded back at him. Slowly, unsure what would happen, Norbert held his hand, waiting for whatever to happen. Looking around, Norbert saw the cloaked man who first stepped out of the mist walk over. Reaching slowly, he took something out of a pocket on the cloak. On the simple leather chain was a flat disk with a small crystal on it. He stood in front of Norbert, holding it out. Norbert went to hold onto the medallion. Both of them holding it, the cloaked man was not letting it go. Chanting, his hand lit up, causing spots to dance in his eyes. When he finished, he let go, letting the band fall against Norbert's hand. Looking at it, Norbert went and placed it over his head.

"Now that everyone can understand me, thank you all for coming to help support your country. Thank you for joining The Frontier. And to all of those who have served, we thank you. "

With that, the soldier walked off, the rest following him and the cloaked person. Looking back and hearing for the first time all of the voices, Norbert waved once more and shouted, "Hello, my name is Norbert, and thank you all for having me in your town."

With a bow, Norbert went and followed in silence.

Hearing the cries from the town and the responses of thank yous, he heard one voice. Sitting on what Norbert assumed his brother's shoulders sat Nassan shouting, "Good LUCK!!!"

Turning around, Norbert smiled again, waving back at Nissan.

"Luck will always be on my side Nassan!" Norbert shouted back to him. With that, Norbert joined the crowd walking back to the door frame. The cloaked figure went and made the light appear again, walking through. Once again, when Norbert saw the staff walk through, half of the uniformed people went first, and then the several dozen villagers followed. As Norbert walked up through, he stopped at the portal, waiting. As he stood there, the wind blew out, able to follow it from the glowing dandelions caught in it. Norbert followed them as they travelled back to the forest on the plateau.

With a square, something landed on his shoulder. Obsius landed once more. Knowing he was leaving people but would not be completely alone, Norbert breathed in again. Norbert controlled his nerves and stepped into the blue mist within the metal frame.