Jeanne, Cid, Leonidas, and the young Halfling Cullen reached the others at the mouth of the cave as the sun left its peak in the day sky. “Well,” Kveldulf said to them as they came out from the deep darkness, “that was a long talk.”

“We had a few bumps in the road,” Cid said, “but otherwise, it was a fairly fruitful situation.”

“So what’s our next move?” Benkin asked, getting to his feet.

“Return the runt back to his family, and see about getting the towns’ heads out of their asses,” Jeanne lifting the halfling boy by the neck and handing him to Kveldulf.

“Should I ask?” Kveldulf said, looking to Cid.

“I’ll explain on the way there,” Cid said, looking up to the heavens and shaking his head.

Arriving back at the farm, The Wolves found Cullen’s parents tending to their daily chores as they spotted the mercenaries walking towards their homestead. The two sisters spotted the group first, Jeanne could see their mouths dropping as soon as they saw their younger brother amongst the group. They rushed to another part of the homestead, soon followed as a series of excited calls and the rest of the family rushing back to meet them.

“By the Sheperd,” the father cried out as a lifted Cullen into the air in his arms.

“I didn’t think they’d actually do it,” the mother said, taking her son and embracing him tightly.

One of the sisters turned to The Wolves and said, “I don’t think she meant that as an insult to you.”

Benkin waved the comment off. “We’ve been called worse.”

“I’m so glad you’re back,” one of the brothers said, patting Cullen’s back. “We were missing you terribly.”

Cullen, once released from his mother’s hold, tried to readjust his clothing. “Lovely to be back,” he said, trying to regain his composure.

“We – we don’t know how to begin to repay you,” the mother said to The Wolves, wiping tears from her eyes.

“You could start with stop trying to kill the goblins every time they poked their heads out of the woods,” Jeanne said.

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“What?” the father blurted out. “Do you know what those things are? What they’re capable of?”

“A lot more than you,” Jeanne replied. “And if it wasn’t for them, your boy would’ve been a meal and a half for a hungry wolf.”

The parents were shaking their heads as one of the daughters came up to The Wolves. “The goblins … they took care of my brother?”

“They did,” said Cid, “though a few wanted to throw him into a pit for some of his … habits.”

“What habits?” the father demanded.

“Stealing chickens for starters,” Leonidas replied.

The parents turned to Cullen, “You were the one stealing the chickens?” his mother asked. Cullen turned his gaze down and away.

“Shepherd guidance!” his father cried out, “do you know how many people thought it was someone else?”

“Maybe the goblins –” the mother said before Jeanne stepped forward.

“Finish that sentence, I dare ya,” Jeanne said through gritted teeth.

The mother recoiled, her hands clutching her gown and holding it close to her chest. Silvius stepped in and gingerly placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Perhaps we should try a more diplomatic course to assuage this situation?”

“You’re on the list, too, bub,” Jeanne replied.

“List?” Silvius said, confused.

“Oh no,” Cid said as his shoulders slumped and Kveldulf smacked his head with his hand, “not the list again.”

“It is back and filled with righteous indignation.”

“That’s just a fancy term for being pissed off, isn’t it?” Benkin asked.

“Damn straight!” Jeanne said, turning back to the parents as Cid called out.

“Jeanne!” he ordered, “Knock it off!”

Jeanne turned to Cid unamused. “I can’t have one moment can I?”

“Save it for the reeve,” Cid said, moving past her and towards the parents. “But she is making a good point. Your animosity towards the goblins is beyond unfounded. And would’ve led to your son being returned sooner.”

“Sooner?” the mother asked.

“They were trying to tell you of the situation, but between the constant efforts to stick them with arrows and other unhospitable methods, it only made the matter worse.”

Both parents turned to the other before turning back to The Wolves. “We … I can’t think of what to say,” the mother replied.

“You could head down to the cave, and let them know you appreciate them taking care of your child,” Leonidas said, “that’d be a good first step in the right direction.”

The father nodded. “I guess we could send them something, some food or I’m not sure.”

“They could use the food,” Cid said, “and they’ll be more than able to repay you.”

“Should I ask?” the father replied.

“I think you’ll find out soon enough,” Leonidas replied. “But we should get in contact with the reeve.”

Jeanne noticed Gabriel as she turned her head towards the direction of the town. She sniffed the air and brows furrowed her eyes had a disturbed look to them. “Something wrong, Gabriel?” Jeanne asked.

Gabriel barely turned her head towards Jeanne before taking series of deep sniffs. “I think I smell blood.”

“Blood?” Jeanne replied.

Maeryn began sniffing the air as well. “I’m smelling it, too.”

The mother asked, “Is anything wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Cid said, “But I think it would be a good idea to stay indoors until we get back.”

“What if you’re not back soon?” one of the sisters asked.

“Head to the goblin’s cave,” Cid said, “and let them know we sent you. Come on!”