Chapter 97

A young boy, no more than ten years old, was working in the backroom as they entered. Rail thin, with hollow cheeks, he worked diligently, resoling a shoe, his eyes drifting up at the distraction while his hammering slowed down.

"Monster!" He cried, shooting out of his seat as Tobias' hand reflexively fell to his sword, and Riley firmed up beside him.

Gwendolyn rushed over. The child was holding the hammer up in a ready pose, shaking in the corner.

"Monster?" Riley puzzled, looking around.

"Cousin Harold?" Tobias boggled, his mind slipping a gear. "What monster?"

"There..." he pointed at Riley as Gwendolyn carefully drew the boy into a hug.

"That's no monster, love; that's his companion. Tobias is a ranger. It's ok, dear. Riley is a part of the family." She soothed.

"Monster? Me?" Riley puzzled further as a strange guilt took hold of her that flashed to an odder anger. "I'm not scary, I'm adorable!"

Harold looked at Tobias wide-eyed, scanning him over, his gaze ending at his blade.

"A Ranger? You Cousin?" He spoke the words reverently.

"I am, and I'm not the only one. Riley isn't just my companion but my partner. She's a ranger too, see the black torc?" Tobias spoke in gentle, soothing tones.

"I do..." Harold stammered. "Does that mean she's a talking beast?"

"Oh incessantly," Tobias joked, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation.

"Hey!" Riley stomped his booted foot with her hind paw in protest as Harold laughed.

"I'm sorry; you startled me. I'm quite afraid of monsters," Harold looked down as he apologized.

"It's ok, I'm new to this world, and it scares me sometimes too." Riley offered magnanimously.

"What are you? I've never seen such a creature!" Harold wondered, emerging from the corner, forgetting his fear.

"I'm a Jackrabbit, which is a kind of hare," Riley perked up proudly.

"Jackrabbit...Are there many where you come from?" He asked, bubbling with questions.

"Like me, no, I'm kinda a one-off," she explained awkwardly.

"Riley was a gift from Darius for Tobias' trials before we knew what she was. She was caught by an Astral Fisherman," Gwendolyn explained, smoothing the boy's hair back.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"When did you and your Ma arrive from Ashton? Is it temporary?" Tobias looked around, confused.

"I'm apprenticed to your Father!" Harold reported proudly.

"There's been some changes, love. With you joining the Rangers and moving into adulthood, it was time to think of the future," Gwendolyn said, beaming with pride.

"It seems so," Tobias replied.

"We received a letter from Aunt Astrid shortly after you departed. Harold is ten now, and that's high time he learn a trade and start his work. They sold their home, and she took a job at the inn. Let's go upstairs and have some tea. We'll get all caught up," she offered.

"I've got more to do down here," Harold announced, moving back to his chair, taking up the shoe he dropped.

"See to your work, love. Come on, you two," Gwendolyn hurried Riley and Tobias up the stairs.

The child began hammering away again, making muffled thumping sounds that drifted faintly up the stairs.

"Where's the uncle in all of this?" Riley asked as they got seated at the table and Gwendolyn busied herself making tea.

"He was killed by a Shiragon when Harold was five. My understanding is he and another villager cornered it, and it went crazy trying to escape the trap it had stumbled into. He was a carpenter who built houses for new settlements, like Landon," Tobias summarized, dancing over the painful family memory.

"Which is why he was scared of me," Riley said, putting it all together.

Tobias nodded.

"What's Landon?" Gwendolyn asked, scooping leaves into a tea kettle.

"It was our first mission with our Training Officer. Let's just leave it there," Tobias replied in non-answer.

"Sounds rough," Gwendolyn poked.

"It was," Riley replied, offering nothing.

"So where's Granda? It seems strangely quiet around here." Tobias shifted in his seat uneasily.

"He's at the Cathedral, love. He's been there in the mornings, praying to the Thirteen for your safety. Cedric is manning the shop with Harold to do the small work. All in all, things have been smooth, but we've missed you son. How long will you be home?" The kettle began its song, and Gwendolyn swiftly scurried off to the kitchen only to return with mugs, tea leaves, and snacks.

"We're on an assignment, so as long as that lasts, presumably. I expect a few weeks at the very least," Tobias explained.

"Well, we can do up the bench for ya, or the floor if you'd be comfortable but we gave Harold your bunk. You're welcome, though, love. It's just so good to have you home." Rising, she moved over to Tobias' seat and hugged him before patting Riley on the head.

"We're billeted at the Prancing Cockatrice. We'll be fine Ma," Tobias assured.

"That's a fine establishment. They must be paying you well," She said proudly.

"It's covered by the Corps, I'd no choice in my lodging, but they are paying me well, to that end...." Tobias, with a slight gesture of his right hand, called forth his coin purse and set two silvers on the table.

Gwendolyn's eyes went wide.

"These are for you, Ma, and the family. Use them however you wish. From now on, each month, a silver will arrive here." Gwendolyn pushed the coins back towards him as he spoke.

"Son, that's your money, I can't imagine what you must have done to earn it," she replied.

"You can't, but I can spend it how I wish. This is no time to stand on pride, Mother. You and Da aren't getting any younger, and I promise you I'm not going hungry," Tobias challenged.

She poked him in the ribs. "I doubt you've been eating fine by the looks of you."

"Hey!" He jerked out of the way. "I'm fine Ma, it's been a tough few months, but I made it. I'm a full-fledged Ranger now, as is Riley."

"You were serious about what you told Harold, then? How's that work?" She puzzled.

"Quite well, actually. We bonded our magic in a ritual adapted from first-tier methods. I don't think I'd have made it without her." Tobias looked towards Riley with a shy smile.

"Well then, I'm truly glad you're home for a while. You two didn't give us a lot of time to get acquainted." Gwendolyn complained.

"I'm sorry about that. I really want you all to like me," Riley said awkwardly.

"Oh, Riley, we like ya fine, and I'm sure it's only the beginning. You're welcome, dear." Gwendolyn smiled warmly, pouring Tobias a cup of tea.