B2 Chapter 138: Planning for the Future

They sat there, on that lonely hill that held Father’s final rest, until the sun started to go down.

It was cathartic in many ways, even if it was painful. He’d been given a certainty in Father’s passing, where previously there had only been likelihoods. While that certainty did not bring him peace, nor did it release him from the burden of grief, there was a weight of the unknown that had been removed from him.

He had sat there and talked for hours, sharing anything and everything that came to mind with his bond-brother. Anecdotes of his life with Father, one unstable and constantly moving, but one that had its own joys. Of seeing far more of the Sea than most ever did, of training, of stories, and of shared meals and passed down insights.

Eventually though, the time came where they had to make their leave. He would be back, before they left on their long journey, but before then there was time that needed to be spent amongst the living. Devising a plan for Three Fields to survive the coming shift in danger, securing them for the long term, catching up with old friends and allies, and preparing for their trip to Deadacre.

They made their way down the hillside, Kaius riding his brother’s back as they picked their way through the boulders that studded the grass.

As they walked, he thought of their earlier conversation, the way the shape and direction of their future had come together so quickly. Porkchop was a stalwart companion, and had not hesitated to take up his blood debt as his own. Yet, he did not want that to entirely flavour their relationship.

There might have been a level of necessity in their pursuit of power, and a level of need to pursue his father’s killer and the destroyers of his dynasty, but that did not mean that the path there needed to be fixed.

Porkchop was his own person with his own goals, and Kaius would not leave them by the wayside.

“Are you sure it’s okay? Our path through the frontier lands, and our trip to Deadacre? Is there not anything you wanted to do when you crossed the mountains?” Kaius asked suddenly, breaking the silence of the golden hour.

Porkchop chuffed, the sudden rise and fall of his chest nearly unseating Kaius. “This is what I wanted to do. I wanted to explore beyond the sea, grow strong, and see sights unseen. I wanted to live on the move, and go where other greater beasts did not. Kaius, the only two-legged city that a meles could ever hope to see normally are the elven conclaves, and no one wants to deal with their incessant prattling so we all avoid it.”

“You’re sure?” Kaius replied.

“I’m sure. I’m practically getting a grand tour of places I would have no hope of seeing myself. As long as we don’t end up settling down for good for years to come, I will be happy.” Porkchop insisted.

Kaius snorted, staring out over the rows of fields that grew all manner of mid-summer crops, all remarkably large and robust thanks to the might of class and general skills. He couldn’t see himself setting down roots for a long time, and not just because he had too many threads pulling him in multiple directions.

He felt the call of adventure just as strongly. Vaastivar, let alone the world, was full of known delights and unknown mysteries. With ruins, a dozen different peoples, and many a wild place to explore, he couldn’t ever see himself not wanting to lay his eyes on as many of them as he could.

“I don’t think you have to worry about that. Three Fields is just about the closest to a home that I have, and I’ve never even once considered moving here permanently. Life moves just a little too…slow.” Kaius replied, watching the small trails of smoke that rose over the next hill. Evidence of the sleepy village that was nestled behind it. “But please, if something comes up that you want to do, tell me. I would not dictate our every move.”

Acceptance and assurance flowed across their bond, and Kaius let the silence continue. He looked forward to getting back to the Stout Oak, there were plans to lay, and much to discuss. Thankfully, Hurrin had told him that he would keep the place closed for the next few days to give him some privacy.

The villagers might have been respectful, but they still gawked at him and Porkchop all the same. It got a little awkward after a while.

…

Thankfully, Cham had been manning the gate again, so it had been easy to get entry back into the town proper. It was a pleasant short walk through the village through the fading light of the afternoon, many a familiar face giving him a respectful nod, before they turned to gawk at him and Porkchop as soon as they thought he couldn’t see.

It was a funny experience. Most of the people he knew well in Threefields could be counted on two hands, with maybe a third and fourth for people he knew enough to chat with, such as Cham. Most of that second group being the members of the hunter’s lodge, who he saw more than most when they ran across each other in the Sea.

That said, Three Fields was a small place, and it was few the people he did not at least know their names, and fewer still that he did not recognise.

Arriving at the Stout Oak, Kaius dismounted and led the way in, wincing slightly at the discomfort of sitting astride Porkchop’s armoured barding. Hopefully, before they left, they would be able to replace it with something a bit more fit for purpose and compatible with his bond-brother’s armour skill.

Pushing open the tavern door, he was quickly treated to a blonde missile streaking its way across the room.

Illendra smashed into his chest, nearly driving the air from his lungs as she wrapped her arms around him.

“Kaius! I’m so sorry. I hope you’re okay.” she whispered, squeezing him tighter.

Grinning as he patted her back, Kaius returned her hug before he released his old friend. “I’m okay. Not great, but okay. I knew something like this was likely when he didn’t come for me, it was just painful to have my fears confirmed.”

Illendra looked up at him, searching his face for any hint of a lie. He didn’t know what she found there, but she nodded a few moments later. “If you’re sure. Come take a seat, Pa is off grabbing the other elders, so I’ll fetch you two a beer and some food. Stout again?”

Kaius grinned and shook his head, unsurprised that Hurrin knew he was coming. News travelled fast in Threefields.

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“Something a bit lighter this time please, just an ale.” he responded.

Illendra nodded. “And for you?” she said, asking Porkchop.

“Just some stew… I’m not sure if I particularly like beer.” Porkchop admitted.

Illendra smiled, before she stifled a laugh with her hand. “Don’t let Pa here you say that, he’ll be crushed.”

Kaius smiled and took a seat. Illendra joined the two of them at the table a moment later, bringing their drinks and food. They sat there, chatting for what felt like the better part of an hour before the elders showed up, catching up for lost time. No doubt Hurrin had taken his time fetching his colleagues, giving them a moment to just…talk.

It was nice to hear what his friend had been up to. Apparently she’d found a lad, some hunter from the next village over. It was still early days yet, but she seemed fond of him. That, at least, put a bit of warmth in his chest. He might have been jealous once, but those days were long past. Now he was just happy a friend had found a bit of joy, and it was someone who could hopefully keep her safe in the coming uncertainty.

The door to the tavern swung open once more, and the five heads of the village entered. Each gave him an appraising look, their faces filled with a mixture of sympathy, respect, and determination.