Jogging towards town, the expedition finally over; everyone cheered together, merry about everyone up on the surface again. The group went through the town, the townspeople staring at their new arrivals traipsing through it, walking towards their camp, picking up the people stationed around the town along the way.
Throughout the forest boundary and close to the town, Norbert spotted some fire-insectoids; having fled from their nest. Norbert ready to fight looked again, seeing that they were currently still. Either the townspeople or the frontiers stationed in the town dealing with them. Looking Norbert found a few villagers dragging one of the insects to the town, everyday tools in hand.
Looking around, mostly fine, only a few smouldering spots throughout the landscape. As Norbert made his way to their tents, looking and seeing that nothing had changed with them, the mess tent was still the same as before, Norbert sat down on the hill and inspected his backpack.
Looking on the outside, seeing it was still black on one side, even though Norbert tried to clean it off by banging the bag, shrugging his shoulders, seeing that there was no hole, hopefully, his items were still in one piece.
Pulling out hid water skin and having a sip, Norbert looked and saw the magic torches in there, needing to remember to give it back sometime soon. Digging further, Norbert pulled out the monster book; some pages turning slightly yellow from the heat. Flicking through the book, confirming that it was still readable, or Norbert assumed as much.
Hopefully, Sally wouldn't mind the damage too much. Norbert added it to the pile as he took out his coat from the wolf's pelt, not a single blemish on it. Looking towards the bottom, Norbert inspected the items there, only fishing out rags. Norbert saw his clothes from Earth in tatters, burn holes covering the garments and all the clothing singed or tearing at the edges. Norbert placed them in their own pile, knowing he or anyone else would never wear them again.
Re-packing his bag but leaving out the ruined clothes, Norbert placed his backpack on his shoulder. Looking towards the open sky, able to breathe in the fresh air, feeling it fill his lungs Norbert just rested, happy that they all made it out of the fight.
***
"Hey Norbert, get up. We must go to the others at the nest entrance and tell them the good news."
Norbert sat up looking towards the voice calling for him. Norbert saw Dobert walk towards him. Smiling at the man coming his way, Norbert raised his hand. Dobert pulling Norbert off the ground, the two men standing face to face.
"Thanks for that, and anyway, why do we both have to go?" Norbert asked as he brushed his pants off.
"Bosses orders stop complaining and let's go," Dobert said, already taking off down the hill. Norbert looked towards Obsius, the bird tilting its head in response as the two of them followed after him.
Norbert was quickly able to catch up with Dobert. They ran together, talking about their journey, Norbert telling about his experience in the caverns bellow.
As they crested the last hill before the river, Norbert looked down at the rocky slope leading to the river.
Obsius flew over and resting on the other side, Norbert looked down, not wanting to get wet this time. As Norbert focused and breathed in, holding as much air as possible, he sprinted down, bursting with speed, half sliding down towards the riverbank, rocks flying everywhere.
Hitting the riverbank, Norbert sprinted even harder, hearing the rocks fly under his foot with every leap, the force sending them flying behind him. Norbert leapt into the air as he heard the first splash of water underfoot. The wind against his face pushing him further across. Norbert landed, foot splashing against the water; the next step hit the dry land, and still having his momentum, Norbert slowed down before stopping.
Shooting his hands up in the air and yelling in triumph, Norbert cheered for his success. Finally, he would no longer need to get wet as he once again forgot a change of clothes. As he turned around, seeing Dobert smiling and waving, shooing for him to continue, Norbert stared at him, realising why he was taken across.
Dobert didn't want to get wet.
As the thought flashed through his mind Norbert just sighed, he may as well continue and tell the others the “good news”. As he climbed the hill and made it through the bushes, Norbert picked up Obsius, placing the bird on his shoulder as he jogged towards the nest entrance.
Looking at the field and avoiding the bugs' corpses, Norbert wondered what happened. Happening upon the nest entrance and seeing it was worse here than elsewhere. Around sat the four people, just chatting with each other.
As Norbert neared, he called out, notifying them about the good news, and they could return. The group made their way towards the river, just walking without rushing anymore. At the river, the mage stepped forward, holding out his staff; once again, a section of the river surface froze over; together, they made their way across, seeing Dobert standing there and smiling at them.
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On the other side, one of them asked, "Ah, now it all makes sense", Receiving knowing nods from the group at seeing Dobert perfectly dry.
Norbert turned around, wanting to confirm his thoughts. "You just didn't want to get wet; that's why you wanted me to come?" Norbert said, accusing Dobert of his nefarious deeds.
Norbert just stared at Dobert, waiting for a response. "Well, that is one of the many reasons why I did ask you to come", Dobert confirmed.
Anger flooded him; of all the times Norbert was wet from the river, Norbert charged forward, grabbing Dobert. The two fought in a struggle, the two of them wrestling each other. As hard as Norbert tried, he was constantly overwhelmed, unable to get the proper hold.
Panting on the ground in a hold, unable to move anymore, Norbert just tapped Dobert's body, feeling the pressure his body was under release.
Lying on the ground, Norbert looked up at the sky, not believing that he was bested so easily. Turning his head and looking towards Dobert, also lying there, Norbert asked, "Did you have any strength elixirs?"
The group laughed, Dobert just shaking his head in response. "Strength elixirs are some of the most expensive, only vitality ones topping even those out. Simple scouts like us will take a long time to have something of that grade." Dobert slowly got up, Norbert following him and the two men looking eye to eye.
"The way I bested you right now, even when you could have gotten stronger, is just practice. Something I've heard you will be getting lots soon." Dobert said, clasping Norbert on the shoulder.
Norbert nodded in response, clasping Dobert in return before picking the man up and chucking him over his shoulder.
As Norbert looked at Dobert sprawling on the ground, Norbert stalked towards Dobert before he could even move, grabbed him by the foot and dragged him towards the water.
Hearing the protests from Dobert but not caring, Norbert skidded him across the water, finally dropping him into the water. Dobert climbing to his feet, wholly soaked even though the water was only up to his knee. Staring at Norbert, who was completely dry, he charged towards Norbert.
Laughing at him, Norbert sprinted off up the hill, running away from Dobert, both of them laughing as he continued to be chased. The group slowly made their way up the rocky bank to the hills.
***
As the group slowly made their way back to camp, not rushing at all, Norbert went and conversed, just happy to be alive with them.
Seeing the final hills, the tents and torches around with the town hidden behind. Norbert looked at the camp, seeing how it differed from the other times he had seen it.
As he walked closer with the group, Norbert realised what it was. The ordinarily empty camp was now teeming with life; everybody he saw from the expedition was arranging something grand and noticing some of the townspeople also there.
Off to the side part of the group of kids he played with the other day, hearing cheers from them as he waved. Running forward through the crowd, he was engulfed by each asking him a question.
As Norbert waded through the kids, multiple scrambled on each of his limbs, trying to hold off their questions. "One at a time, I'll answer all your questions. Now first, you," Norbert pointed to a child randomly, feeling them all get off his body as they crowded around.
"How many were there?" the child he pointed to asked; Norbert pretended to be thinking and tapped his chin before replying, "More than I could ever count on my fingers" Norbert wiggled his ten fingers to the group all the kids laughing.
The list continued as Norbert continued answering the kid's questions, from whether he was scared to how long he was gone to what it was like there.
Finally, Norbert looked around, hearing Dousan call out to those around him. Norbert stood up and left for the table. Hearing the pitter-patter of feet behind him, Norbert saw the kids disperse and head to their parents, telling about all he said.
Norbert looked around the single table on the hill, food already plated, torches positioned in the air giving a warm fire-like growth. Dobert called out to him as Norbert looked to where he would sit. Heading in his direction, Norbert saw an empty spot on the bench, a plate already there with cutlery.
Saying his thanks, Norbert looked towards Dousan as he spoke to the group, "Thanks to all for making it out here today, and thanks to the townspeople for preparing this feast for all of us" Dousan raised his cup in thanks, receiving gestures from the many villagers likewise dotted around the table.
"For the next few days, we will take it easy in celebration of our splendid victory" Norbert and the rest cheered in response, taking a while for them to die down, allowing Dousan to continue. "Now for the rewards before you can all dig in. As discussed throughout the party, one member has gone above and beyond what was required of them."
"For their commendable efforts and recent strength found" Hearing this, Norbert suddenly got nervous, remembering what Martitia said about receiving a gift, was this it, and if it was, then what could they have gotten him before his mind could wander any further Dousan reached under the table.
"And here is the prize for their effort" The crowd clapped in response; Norbert just stared at the sword, more than half of Dousan's height, the blade shining in the light, the guard and handle simple pieces with nothing extraordinary in it—a simple straight metal cross guard with a leather grip ending in a simple round pommel.
As Norbert looked at the sword, a beast of a weapon with what looked like a ridiculous sword thickness came out of a cartoon or a movie. Norbert was left from his thoughts as Dousan continued, "Now, the lucky individual, I would like them to come up as the newest member in our little group. May I have a round of applause for Norbert now come up here, lad."
A cheer escaped around everyone, Dobert clapping his back as Norbert shimmied out of the bench, the claps never stopping as he made his way to Dousan. Arriving at Dousan, who held out the sword to Norbert, bowing in thanks, Obsius, also bowing on his shoulder, once righted Norbert and took the sword out of Dousan’s hand, almost dropping it as it fell into his arms.
Able to catch it before it hit the floor, laughs came around as Norbert stated, "Heavier than I thought; what is it made out of?"
Dousan joined in the laughter, only replying, "Out of good metal, now be off with you, so we can all begin eating."
Norbert just waved off as well, making his way to the table. Placing his new sword leaning on the bench beside him, Norbert started putting food on his plate.
Obsius jumped off Norbert's shoulder and picked at the food before Norbert could even put a piece in his mouth. Seeing his cup full of liquid already, Norbert drank it, seeing others also doing it. As the first piece entered his mouth, the meat cooked splendidly and so soft, not needing to chew. Norbert knew this would be an exciting night.