Chapter 35: Homecoming

  The midday sun was shining with all the brilliance of its light as their carriage began to slow.

  “He wouldn’t ride inside with us,” Riley glowered.

  “Humbert’s never been to Calaria before. He probably wanted to see it,” Tobias replied, gazing out the small window.

  “Been there. I still remember my first day,” Riley reminisced.

  “What do you remember most?” Tobias prompted, waiting to be told instead of reaching.

  “Being thirsty and deeply confused. I was just born… or remade, or whatever, but still, it was a whole trip,” Riley’s focus turned toward the window as everything came to a stop.

  Even within the cabin, the sound of hammers distantly echoed through, which became a thunderous cacophony once the footman opened the door.

  Tobias smoothly passed the man a silver, causing his eyes to go wide as Humbert plopped down from the buckboard at the back, a beatific smile etched upon his safe.

  “Thank you, M’lord,” He bowed low, “Do you wish us to wait for you?”

  “No, but thank you. Safe travels,” Tobias said with a smile.

  Without a word, the footman bowed again before shutting the door and climbing up next to the coachman.

  “You are kind to your lessers, M’lord,” Humbert gave a short bow.

  ”Because they aren’t lesser. I wouldn’t know how to drive that carriage. I’ve barely learned to ride in the last year,” Tobias replied.

  “As you say, sir,” Humbert surrendered.

  Riley let it sit.

  “Wow, it’s been what, three weeks since we left?” She said, taking it all in.

  The unmistakable scents of fall were upon the breeze, mixed with the sweet smell of flowers newly planted by the raised portcullis gate.

  “All the debris has been cleared around the walls, and the trees have been pruned back,” Tobias added, his words dripping with surprise.

  “I wonder what the inside looks like? Come on!” Riley raced forward, with Tobias strolling after her and Humbert staying two steps behind.

  Riley skidded to a stop, rising up to her hindpaws as her ears fell, giving Tobias time to catch up.

  Justinian was up on the roof with thirty other workmen, all busy hammering away. Fresh-cut timber shingles now covered over two-thirds of the old hall.

  New beams were still uncovered, and they stood out shiny and fresh against darker and more aged woods. Pulled up to the front were massive carriages filled with building supplies.

  As Justinian looked up and spotted the two, his hammer stopped in mid-swing as he held up his hand with a wide smile.

  “Tobias!” He cried, holding his hammer high before making his way to a catwalk and racing down.

  “Justinian,” Tobias nodded stoically, barely raising his voice, before holding up his hand in greeting.

  The massive artificer strode across the grounds before offering his hand only to pull Tobias into a hug.

  “So what do you think? We’ve cleaned the old girl up,” Justinian laughed, wiping the sweat from his brow.

  “I think you’re a miracle worker and still awfully blue-collar for a noble,” Riley exclaimed, bouncing on her hindpaws.

  “A noble, M’Lady?” Humbert startled.

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  “Justinian, Earl of Solstheim, Second Tier, happy to meet you,” he said, looking toward Humbert.

  The old man knelt, going down on one knee, “Honored to make your acquaintance, kind sir.”

  Tobias, Justinian, and Riley all shared a look.

  “Humbert, would you like to make your way into the hall and find a room? You are to choose one that is not in the servant’s quarters. No argument,” Tobias’ spoke with all the conviction of steel.

  Humbert paled, sounding pained, “As you wish, M’Lord.”

  Quickly, he scurried away.

  “Picking up strays, are we?” Justinian smiled.

  “I didn’t like how he was being treated, so I asked Ecbert to assign him to us,” Riley replied.

  “Still trying to change the world while dressed in the latest fashions, I see," Justinian bowed with a textbook flourish, “Have you at least been keeping him out of trouble?”

  “Was that my job? If so, I really suck at it,” Riley giggled.

  “Or he’s just lucky at finding it,” Justinian needled Tobias in the ribs.

  “And we keep finding more of it,” Tobias replied, ever serious.

  “Well, for now, you’re home, and you can relax,” Justinian yawned, stretching as he did so, “I know I could certainly use a break.”

  “There’s work to be done. We need to check in at the Cockatrice with Sabine and…” Tobias began.

  “Son! Gwendolyn come out, Tobias and Riley are home!” Cedric called from one side of the grounds, rushing over.

  “Hello, Da,” Tobias nodded respectfully before pulling his father into a hug.

  “I was just working on the other side of the guest cottage when I thought I heard your name,” the old man said, looking into his son’s eyes with pride before looking down.

  “And you, young lady, how have you been keeping?”

  “I’m good. It’s great to be here,” Riley flattened up against Cedric’s legs in her best approximation of a hug.

  “Everyone, come inside. I’ve got fresh cookies and fruit. I just put the tea on!” Gwendolyn called from the stoop of a small cottage as all looked at each other.

  “What are we waiting for. The woman has fruit!” Riley led the charge as the rest followed behind.

  “You know, Da, we make enough; you don’t need to work anymore,” Tobias said, noticing the leather apron, as they entered the small two-room cottage.

  It felt ancient, rough-hewn, jointed stone walls sat thick and ponderous over a timber shingle roof. Heavy beams formed a high ceiling above their head, rising to a high-angled peak, portending winter’s coming snows.

  “Should we get Humbert?” Riley wondered, looking up toward Tobias.

  “Humbert?” Gwendolyn asked.

  “A servant assigned to us out of Greyblade HQ. He's settling in at the manor,” Tobias explained.

  “Oh, well, we can make him a plate for later, but first, let’s sit down and talk a while,” Gwendolyn’s eyes sparkled with pride as she looked over her son.

  Plush carpets ran across the floors, causing Riley to stop cold on the stoop.

  “Will you help me get these off? I don’t want to tear up the carpet,” she projected to Tobias, who knelt to help her.

  “Tell me about it,” Tobias knelt and removed his before before he reached for her straps and buckles.

  “Wait…” Riley startled, her ears perking up proud and tall, on alert.

  Tobias remained knelt down while probing her side of the connection, as he cracked a grin.

  Riley’s armor vanished away, stored in their shared inventory space.

  “Cool! I just realized I could do that!” Riley exclaimed, the joy of home driving her to near-manic excitement before pressing up against Tobias’ chest.

  Rogue chuckles spread around as the ranger held Riley in his arms, rising, “Da, you’ve worked nearly every day of your life since you were Harold’s age. I never thought I’d be able to give you what you deserve, but now I can. Maybe it's time to set down the apron.”

  “Son, I worked because I loved you and your mother, but it’s also something I’m good at. I still have enough left in these old fingers to pass on my skills to your cousin and finish my run. Besides, I’d drive Gwendolyn crazy if I just lazed about at home all day,” Cedric smiled as she entered.

  “Nah, I’d just work him harder than he does now; come on, you four, the tea is ready,” She beckoned, disappearing back into the small kitchen.

  A large circular table with six chairs sat opposite a built-in fireplace with an iron stovetop set into it. The old stone and iron had been relentlessly scrubbed, and a sweet, citrus-like smell drifted upon the air, inspiring Riley’s nose to twitch.

  “Welcome home, loves,” Gwendolyn said, setting out fresh cookies and a steaming kettle on the table before moving to a cutting board and slicing some tenganut and grasses.

  Riley’s ears went stiff when she caught the hint of jogana fruits.

  Tobias set her in a seat before taking the one next to her as Justinian and Cedric all found their places.

  Gwendolyn soon joined with a bowl full of fruit, setting it down in front of her.

  “Oh, I’m so glad the fruit cart was closed,” Riley’s whiskers twitched with hunger.

  Nibbling some grass, she sighed, letting out stress with a long, deep breath.

  “So, how were your evaluations?” Cedric asked, pouring cups of tea and passing them around the table.

  “They were trials. It’s been rough, Da. Real rough,” Tobias shoulders drooped.

  “Rough, like road rash rough,” the hare added, with her muzzle full.

  “Rileyism,” they all said with a laugh.