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Archives: A New Balance

Chapter 11: Morning in Hilt

    Ryna woke beside Garrack in the bed they shared. The morning light was rather dim, meaning that the sun hadn’t risen high enough to illuminate their west facing room. Last night, they had considered something very heavy; a possible pregnancy. She was late, and though for the last few days, she denied the possibility, but now she was beginning to doubt that assumption. She had been pregnant once before, but she miscarried three months into term. Still, she knew her symptoms, and she was beginning to feel some of them again. She had traveled and fought during her last pregnancy, and perhaps that was what had caused it. This time, she wanted to take no chances.

    Neither of them wanted to stop adventuring, but age was beginning to catch up with them. She was thirty, he was thirty-five. Most women had two or three children her age. Ryna wanted a child, though she didn’t want to give up her lifestyle yet. She and Garrack discussed it before they went to sleep and decided that they would stay behind in Hilt, then find a home. They had more than enough money, and the friendship of King Kashue, as well as many other important figures. Supporting a family would be no problem.

    Ryna sat up and turned to kiss Garrack’s cheek. “I’m going to wake the party and get breakfast,” she told him before climbing out of bed.

    After dressing, Ryna went to each of the rooms of her companions to wake them. She knocked on the doors of the rooms shared by Ashe and Edwin, Jeren and Dorian, and Leaf and Zira, and told them to meet her in the common room.

    After she complete her round of wake up calls, she went downstairs and found a table near the back of the room. She had breakfast ordered for everyone and waited.

* * *

    At Ryna’s tap at the door, the dragon knight was up with a spring. By all means of the word, Jeren was a night person, but he did not find it difficult to get up in the morning. It took no time for Jeren to throw on the regular clothes he carried around with him. In the military, he was expected to dress in full armor in no more time than a minute or so. And out the door he was.

* * *

    Edwin had slept peacefully, even though he was disappointed by not sharing a room with Zira. The wake up call was a little surprising, but Edwin got up. He noticed Ashe was still asleep, or that was what it looked like, as he changed his clothes and got ready. He made sure to take everything down with him, not knowing when the group would be leaving.

* * *

    Zira and Leaf awoke at Ryna’s knock and quickly dressed. Expecting to leave after breakfast, they packed their bags and left their supplies in the room to take before they left.

* * *

    Jeren’s rather bouncy manner of rising and getting dressed made him the first one down besides Ryna. “Good morn, Lady Ryna! I hope the dream world was proper to you, as it was me...”

    Getting downstairs, Edwin noticed that only Ryna and Jeren were there. “Good morning. I pray everyone is well this morning,” he said moving to sit down. “So, what do we have for breakfast?”

    Zira lead the way downstairs and Leaf followed with a slight skip to her step. Zira smirked coyly as she saw Edwin and sashayed toward the young man. Leaning down to plant a kiss on his cheek, she slipped into the seat next to him.

    Edwin couldn’t help but smile as he felt the kiss against his cheek. It was not every day he got a very pleasant surprise from a beautiful dark elf. “Looks like you slept well, Zira. That is good to see.”

    When Leaf saw Jeren, the half-elf’s face seemed to illuminate as she smiled and waved to the dragon rider. However, she took a seat next to her best friend, Ryna. “Mmm...I can smell cooking,” Leaf said, sniffing the air that wafted from the inn’s kitchen.

    Ryna seemed distant, and Leaf at least picked up on it. She said nothing, but her ears fell a little as she noticed the neutral expression and weak smile Ryna gave her. “I’ve already ordered breakfast for everyone. Eggs, ham, and bread, I think.”

    Ryna could smell the frying eggs and ham quite clearly. It was one of the symptoms of pregnancy, a heightened sense of smell and taste. Glancing towards the stairs, she hoped to see Garrack or the other remaining group members appear. She wanted to tell them all together.

* * *

    Ashe made his way past the others and made his way outside for some fresh air. His ears perked when he faintly heard the word breakfast. He had smelled the ham especially for a little while now. Though he spent the night in one of the rooms he never felt comfortable confined between thick walls. However the promise food was enough to lure him back in.

    Ashe quietly sat himself down in one of the vacant seats at the table the others began occupying.

* * *

    The young explorer left his room after getting dressed and ready for a new day. Dorian headed downstairs, and sniffed lightly, smelling the eggs and the ham cooking. The young man let out a smile, having not eaten anything cooked hot in awhile, save for his dinner last night. “Good morning, everyone,” Dorian said, as he approached the seat next to Leaf. “Again, I thank all of you for inviting me to join you.” The adventurer looked at the half elf and let out a small smile. “Would you mind if I sat here?” Dorian asked politely.

    Leaf smiled to Dorian and patted the seat next to her. “Sure,” she replied. “Wait, you’re coming with us?”

    “I invited him,” Ryna replied. “I hope no one minds.” She still seemed distracted though. Ryna continued to glance towards the stairs, waiting for Garrack.

    Edwin nodded his head to Ashe, then looked at Dorian, studying him for a moment and recalling him from the bar fight the night before. “I don’t mind that he joins, after all he helped us out last night.”

* * *

    Jeren found himself standing by the window, looking out at the dawning day. Each morning was a blessing, he knew. The life of a knight was one of danger from time to time. His father taught him well not to take any day for granted. But, with each sunrise came a sense of sadness for him. He could never quite place the reason. Perhaps it was the loss of another night within his true home: the night sky. Perhaps it was the fact that, while all good people awoke with the sun, so too would conflict and pain. In his night, there were never worries.

    The question of where he was going next still hung in his mind. It seemed as if the others of this group let him join along, but he wondered whether he belonged at all. After all, some of these people were heroes in their own right. Jeren wondered whether he was a welcomed friend or a lovesick puppy. A part of him wanted to run off.

    He gave a sigh and stretched out his arms. No matter the little formalities that seemed to separate Jeren and those around him, he decided to stick around and see what was to happen. At the very least, Miss Leaf enjoyed his company. He hoped that was a sign that meant he could stay. In all truth, Jeren enjoyed her company as well.

* * *

    Breakfast soon arrived and was laid out for everyone at the table. A spot was reserved for Garrack, but the warrior had come downstairs yet. Ryna didn’t see a reason to wait for him, though she wanted him there. As everyone began to dig into their meals, Ryna cleared her throat to get their attention.

    “I asked you all to join me for a reason,” Ryna started. “I’m afraid Garrack and I can’t continue with you on this journey.”

    “What, why?” Leaf asked. She had been traveling with Garrack and Ryna for years, though she worked independently, that hadn’t been recent. She was used to their company by now.

    “I’m pregnant,” Ryna announced, unable to keep a smile from turning up the corner of her lips.

    In a rather unknightly reaction, Jeren coughed on the food he was trying to eat. It caught him totally off guard, as it did his tongue, which he promptly began to swallow. The Dragon knight placed his utensils down and covered his mouth with the cloth on his lap quickly, trying to recover. “Excuse me...” he muttered.

    Pregnant? Is that why she declined a trip into the night-time sky? Assuming this fellow she clung to was the father, he realized it would have been almost shameful for her to come along with another man like that. He wouldn’t have asked if he knew this only the night before.

    What does one say to that and maintain proper etiquette? He didn’t know. It wasn’t something that was normally brought up like this. He decided it would be best not to say anything at all instead of risking a social faux pas...

    Leaf’s jaw dropped, and it soon became a grin. “Oh my gods Ryna! I’m so happy!” the half-elf cried and threw her arms around her friend. “How long have you known?”

    “I only just realized it last night,” Ryna replied.

    “Well, congratulations,” Zira said. She was surprised, but she still hardly knew Ryna. There had been a little subtle competition between them when they left Blade, but it wasn’t something Zira took very seriously.

    Tilting his head slightly, Edwin was very much surprised by such news. He bowed his head slightly with a smile. “Congrats to you Ryna. I am sure you both will make great parents,” Edwin said and leaned back against his chair. He was glad to hear that they were taking the time out now for the child, or that what he was guessing. Staring out distantly, it made Edwin think back to his own parents who were seemingly choose to settle down when he was born and then had to leave. One day he would find out the reasons, he had to find out.

    smiled with all the congratulations. “Thank you,” she said to the table. “I wish you all luck on this journey. I wish I could leave you with something, but I’m afraid I have nothing to give.”

    “It was just good enough to meet you,” Zira replied with smile.

* * *

    Breakfast continued and was finished quickly. Zira was especially eager to get on the road; the innkeeper seemed on edge with her in the common room. Once they finished eating, the group gathered their belongings and headed out into the street to get their horses at the nearby stable. Zira had to toss her hood up over her head again, hiding her face in the shadow. She walked in the center of the group to remain inconspicuous.

    and Garrack were the ones responsible for the horses the night before, so they needed to lead everyone to the stable. As everyone saddled their horses, Ryna and Garrack waited by the gate of the public stable patiently to say further goodbyes.

    Leaf saddled her horse, growing increasingly sad as she realized she’d be away from her best friends for the first time in four years. Leading her mount by the reins, the half-elf sadly shuffled over to Ryna, then threw her arms around the mother-to-be. “I’m gonna miss you!” Leaf cried.

    “I know, you’ll be fine on your own,” Ryna assured her, returning the hug.

    “Yeah, yeah, I’ll still miss you,” Leaf added. The half-elf looked at Garrack for a moment, her eyes rimmed in red and tears trickling down her cheek. Sudden, she launched herself at the tall warrior and hugged him as well. “I’ll come and see you when the job is done!” she insisted, then let go of Garrack and walked back to her horse.

    Mounting his steed, Edwin watched Leaf and Ryna hug, bowing his head slightly. Edwin had everything ready as he petted Night Raven’s mane for a moment. Looking at both Ryna and Garrack, he spoke, “It is an honor to meet you both, I wish you well for your family.”

    Ashe grunted as he hopped on the back of his old mare. He strapped himself and his equipment in properly while watch the others say their parting words.

    Garrack stayed quiet through most of the goodbyes, somewhere between waking up and the announcement it finally sunk in that he would be a father, a father!

    The child would mean no more adventures, no more exhilaration that came with a brush with death, no more grateful women, no more battles.... His skill and axe would rust, he would probably get fat. And yet this didn’t bother him as much as he thought, the idea of settling down did not give him the feeling of dread it once did. Garrack began to think about his unborn child; if it was a girl she would be smart and beautiful like Ryna, and able to manipulate Garrack out of whatever she wanted. And a boy would be strong and energetic, with an insatiable thirst for action just as Garrack was when he was a boy.

    It was then that Leaf lunged in to embrace the hardened mercenary, he had to admit he was going to miss her. Garrack had watched her turn into a strong young woman in the years he had known her and understood that this is where their paths had to separate.

    “You take care of yourself, little sister,” he said, trying to nonchalantly wipe a tear from the corner of his own eye.

    Dorian looked back at Ryna and Garrack, and offered a smile. “Congratulations to both of you, and on starting your family. It’s a shame that I won’t get to better know you both.” The young adventurer looked around, and looked at Ryna and Garrack. “I’ll keep an eye on Leaf. Don’t you both worry.”

    “Thank you,” Ryna said. Suddenly, she realized that everyone but Dorian had a horse. “Oh! You can take my horse if you need it,” she offered. “It’s in stall number twenty-three.”

    “I thank you, Miss Ryna,” Dorian offered her a polite bow and a smile. “I will be sure to take good care of your horse. It’ll feel great to be on horseback for once instead of walking everywhere.”

    “Don’t worry, she’s yours,” Ryna replied, waving Dorian on. “I can get another one if I need it.”

    Once everyone was mounted, Zira took the lead out of the stable yard gate. She paused as she passed Ryna and Garrack. “Good luck to you,” the dark elf offered.

    “Same to you. Watch out for Leaf, would you?” Ryna replied.

    Zira nodded, “I will.” Giving Thunder a little pat, she urged her horse into a walk, leading her companions out with her.

    Following Zira’s lead, Edwin smiled over to Ryna and Garrack, bowing his head. “Farewell and take care.” Taking a deep breath and patting Night Raven’s head, he wondered if it would be an easy day of traveling or like the day before with the scorpions.

* * *

    Jeren had told the others he would meet them outside of the city. With Leaf, he had learned that the guards weren’t comfortable with his wyvern’s presence. Instead of calling her in, he had to run out of the city to find her. As such, Jeren was not present for the final good-byes.

* * *

    Garrack wrapped an arm around Ryna as he watched his comrades slowly fade into the distance.

    It was then that another figure came into view from the north, apparently having come from the desert. The figure caught his attention for a number of reasons; he was a large man, almost as daunting as Garrack himself, and his handsome face was also battered and riddled with bruises along with an older slash wound between his eyes. But the most distinctive feature was the fact that the stranger had not a stitch of clothing on nor an ounce of modesty as he made no effort to conceal his nudity.

    “I greet you,” the stranger said casually as he passed by the recently retired mercenaries. He then disappeared into a tavern, leaving Garrack to only guess the young man’s story.

    “And I thought things would get dull after we settled down.” Garrack said.

* * *

    Not long after, Kai emerged from the tavern fully clothed, it was immediately apparent why he had left his normal attire there. He carried with him a heavy iron staff and chainmail long coat, not very practical for traveling the desert on foot. When he first arrived in Hilt a few days before, the young man donned lighter clothes, of which he was relieved by whatever he encountered.

    Kai then approached Garrack and Ryna. “You there,” he said Garrack “Are you a son of Flaim?”

    The mercenary nodded and Kai continued. “I need information on the Seihvregn.”

    Garrack instantly recognized the name, a tribe of warrior barbarians. “What business have you with them?” he asked with an arched eyebrow.

    Kai dug into his money pouch and tossed Garrack a few coins. “My business is my own, if you know anything please tell me, they’ve gotten more powerful haven’t they?”

    Garrack would have given the information for free, but the mercenary didn’t want to insult Kai by giving them back. “Yes they have, after the fall of their rival, their numbers and territory increased, but they’re isolationists, not bandits. They kill only those who trespass into their land.”

    Garrack then leaned in closer, having pieced together that Kai was robbed and humiliated. “Take my advice, walk away with your life and consider yourself lucky.”

    Kai gave a courteous bow and said, “I don’t intend to go back.” Though it was obvious he silently added ‘yet’ to the end of his statement. This was only a journey of reconnaissance anyway, to see how much they had grown in twelve years, which was substantial, and to see how close he could get, which was pitiful. His next destination was to the origins of a man he had met in Raiden, a man who had the power to wipe out a small army.

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