[REVERIN]
[3 Days Later]
From a considerable distance, Reverin Castle could be seen like a giant creature birthed by the earth and fathered by countless hands, sweat, and stubborn hope.
It rose in the distance like a silent guardian made of polished granite and stone, watching the town below.
“Beautiful,” Arthos and his party said as they approached the town.
The road leading to Reverin appeared to be extra busy today with carts and wagons creaking by.
Like a growing baby, the town appeared “older” and “bigger” than the last time the group had been there.
Sounds of shouting, bargaining, laughing and working could be heard from a distance.
“OPEN THE GATES!” A guard stationed on the watchtower called out.
“Karuto!” Robin yelled out joyfully recognizing the shadow stationed on the village central watchtower.
“Hey guys!
Welcome back!” Karuto yelled back.
He was a lively and charismatic young man from Japan with dark hair and dark eyes.
Before joining the Scavengers guild, Karuto had worked for the Legion guild as a contracted spy and hitman.
Nine months before, he had been hired to spy on the Scavengers guild.
He stalked them from a distance and followed them into a dungeon, during which Percy noticed his presence and defeated him in a fierce melee battle.
Before Percy could finish him, Arthos stopped the deathblow impressed by the young assassin’s performance.
That same day Karuto ended his relationship with the Legion guild and joined the Scavengers guild as a full-fledge member.
With the agility of a ninja, Karuto jumped off the watchtower and joined the group as they passed through the main gate.
“Welcome back Percy, Gale, Owen, Rino, and Robin!
I’m glad to see you didn’t die on your second mission.” Karuto teased.
“You guys go on ahead, I will catch-up later.” Percy said with a certain sense of urgency as he and the shadows stayed behind.
“He’s probably checking on the status of the princess.” Wain mumbled in a low whisper.
The group laughed lightly.
“Given the past assassination attempts and the person behind those attacks, I imagine Percy will be spending more time in Camarax.” Neva observed. This story is hosted at g.com.
The group nodded their head in agreement.
It was the best strategy to ensure the princess’s safety.
The group’s attention was captivated by the lively market square.
In one single week, dozens of merchants had set-up shops and were now conducting trade within Reverin.
The tangy smoke from the blacksmith’s forge combined with the smell of fresh bread baked from the bakery and the smell of leather from nearby tanner.
It was like smelling a rainbow with dozens of distinct smells overlapped and blending, forming a unique “homey” aroma.
Other shop owners smiled pleasantly as Arthos and his party greeted each.
Reverin was starting to feel like a real town with shops ranging from pottery, smiths, armorers, enchanters, craftsmen, taverns, inns, traders, and various merchants.
At the end of the busy market square stood a familiar shop sign… “Lily’s Diner.”
“Anyone hungry?” Arthos said as he formed a giant smile.
This brought back old memories of countless meals shared with friends and family.
“Yum…I could go for a steak.” Kristan replied a little too enthusiastic.
The group laughed as they headed for the diner.
[…]
Arthos, Neva, Kristan, Wain, Percy, Kay, the shopkeeper, Gale, Owen, Rino, Robin, Karuto, Bala, Zamira, Ren, a few other guild captains sat together enjoying dinner.
Hector helped Lily in the kitchen and together they brought forth roasted quail glazed with honey, a whole boar cooked to perfection and seasoned with citrus , Juniper berries, crushed garlic, and a dash of Rosemary.
Bowls of potatoes, lentils, and roasted vegetables were set on the table along with freshly baked bread from the nearby bakery.
Arthos sat at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair as he laughed at the hilarious story shared by Gale.
Of all the members in the Scavengers guild, Gale had the unique gift of storytelling.
He was tall but not imposing, with a slender and agile figure resembling a greyhound built for speed and agility.
He needed no instrument, no scroll, and no props…just his colorful and full voice.
He didn’t shout, didn’t gesture wildly…he didn’t need too.
His voice and his words landed with the weight of a hammer shaping iron, captivating the audience in a trance impossible to break.
The table roared in laughter as Gale reached the punchline…the part where his buddy Owen had to run away from a magic beast completely naked.
Arthos turned his head to his left and noticed Neva’s serious expression. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
He leaned closer and asked, “what’s wrong?”
The table stopped laughing and as a silence overtook them.
“It’s my father.
His heart stopped just now…the doctors tried everything but were unable to resuscitate him.
Sorry, I have to go.” Neva said as she fought back tears.
A few seconds later, she disconnected.
Her avatar glimmered then disappeared (Avalor Castle uses a unique teleportation skill to move avatars to their respective pods when offline.).
“We are going too…we need to check on her.” Kristan and Wain said as they disconnected.
A few minutes later, the dinner group disbanded as each member went to attend to their duties.
Only Arthos, Kay and the shopkeeper remained.
No one spoke.
Arthos was deep in thought frustrated and worried for Neva.
He wished he could be there with her…to hold her and comfort her during her time of loss.
Neva and her father were not close, but still that was her father…he was family.
If only he could leave Avalor, if only he could leave everything behind even if just for a few days.
Hundreds of thoughts plagued his mind and heart as he slumped in his chair.
“Arthos…you probably don’t want to think about this right now…but I think its time you go see him.
You have been avoiding it…and putting it off.
If anyone can help you right now, it will be him.” The shopkeeper said as he placed his hand gently on Arthos’ shoulder.
“I can go with you.” Kay said softly.
Arthos remained silent.
He had been avoiding, even trying to forget him…the man in the tree…the one who started their impossible journey over a year ago.
His jaw tightened as silence returned to the table.
He had imagined this moment a thousand times during his sleepless nights and in his dreams…the moment he faced the truth.
There was no longer any running or delaying…he would have to face him.
“We leave tomorrow morning.” Arthos replied calmly as his gaze shifted toward the window and to the road leading back to Avalor.