I wake up next to a grave. A bit bizarre. I had a dream. It was my previous life, but my parents were Hannah and Jorgen. Instead of begging me to get a job and start a family, they helped me train and become a better runner. Jorgen was tough and had me training constantly, screaming something about "I had decided to do this, so do it properly". It didn't make much sense, but it felt nice.

"Good morning" I say to Hannah but there is no response.

"Do you know if anyone's been clearing the dungeon?" I ask, but still get no response. Maybe she is asleep, it is really hard for me to tell with her in this state.

For safety's sake I might as well do it. Can't have monsters popping up so close to home. I have been on a request to exterminate escaped monsters before, reported by the villagers and there were a few casualties before we arrived. If something happened to Vella or mother because I neglected it, I would hate myself, so I clear the first two levels in an hour or so. It goes really fast when you can tell where the monsters are.

As I exit, I go past Hannah one last time, before I will head to join up with my mother and sister. "I am planning to come to the village every month or so for at least the next half a year... So, see you in a month."

"Please don't" is the answer I receive in that same raspy voice. "I have made my decision, reminding me of the one bond I have left is only really going to hurt more".

I quietly nod. I don't know if it's because it's her choice, that she will not really die or that I spent less time with her than with Jorgen, or that Jorgen's death is still weighing on me, but I don't begrudge it nearly as much. I had half a mind to call her mother here, to show what I thought of her, but it seems it will only make it more difficult. I leave the azurite decoration I bought for Hannah in the cabin. It had a carving of a tree on it. I thought it would "fit" since she was one, but now it kind of feels stupid and off, somehow.

On the way to my mother's house I pass by Yuro. "Priest Yuro, I don't need the house. Tell the summit they can use it as they see fit, as long as I have bed to sleep in when I am in town" To which he just nods.

Once I reach the house, Vella is playing outside with two other girls. This is probably only the second real meeting we're going to have, so I am a bit nervous. I crouch down beside them, asking Vella "Do you remember me?"

She slowly nods. Seems I interrupted something. "Just go on and play" I say, as I retreat to the house to say hi to mother. Seems her new husband is already gone, but his wife is also here.

"Greetings, I am Yos, Luvia's son" I introduce myself.

"Greetings, I am Mila, I will just leave you two alone." She says. It seems a bit cold. I wonder if there is some social convention about not meddling with a new wife's previous family or something like that.

"Yos, my boy, good to see you" My mother says, hugging me. I am just about as tall as her now, which is weird, since I distinctly remember being a few inches short when I left. Young bodies grow quickly, huh?

"I brought you something" I say, as I bring out the amulet I chose for her. It is also azurite, so its blue colour shines wonderfully, but its engraving is different. It has a circle containing a spiral. It is apparently a symbol for motherhood here, or so the blacksmith told me.

"Oh thank you, Yos, that looks lovely. Was it expensive? Don't use too much money on me, now you hear?"

"What's the point of earning a lot, if I can't spoil my mother and sister a little?" I say as I bring out the second gift I had prepared. 50 blue coins in a leather pouch, meant to deal with whatever. These past months, even with my expenditure on fancy boots, throwing daggers and various smaller parts of gear, I have an astounding income. I must have made some 200 blue coins. And that is with the 50% taken because I am an apprentice. Though, I do work a lot more than you are supposed to, apparently. And a day's stay at the inn costs a single blue coin, so if I stayed there, I would only have a little left over. Ah, but I also pay absolutely nothing now for my upkeep? I don't know, I feel rich and I can spoil some people important to me, so that's what I will do.

"Ah no, I can't accept this, it would be an insult to Horag" Horag is her new husband.

"Just keep it for emergencies then, for a situation where an insult to Horag is worth the money" I reply, to which she reluctantly accepted. I think of grandmother's fate. I had thought of searching for her in the city, but if she served a noble, like she seemed to hope was her best option, there really isn't a good way to go about it.

Afterwards the girls come in. Apparently they are her step-sisters. I simply thought they were neighbourhood girls. The two other girls are directed away by Mila, so it ends up just being mom, Vella and I. Vella is shy at the beginning, but immediately opens up and comes a lot closer after receiving her gift. This plate is like the others, but decorated with some flower, apparently it meant beauty, and I thought it would be a perfect fit for the little beauty.

By the time I am asked to leave before dinner time, I then ask if I can come by again tomorrow.

"Ah, Yos, it's nice that you came to see us and spend time with us, but we're part of a different family now. You really shouldn't intrude so much" This damn world and its annoying conventions.

"Can I at least take Vella out to play?" My mother thinks a little before giving her okay.

And so I spend the week at my hometown, mostly training, but often playing with my cute little sister who tells me about everything. About Horag, so is mostly away and doesn't really speak to her, but she isn't his kid, so she should not pay that any mind, according to mother. About the sisters, who she is fast friends with, but also have a manner of criticisms, like one always says her hair is the prettiest, when it clearly Vella's, such nonsense. I also hear about how happy she is about the amulet, and how envious the others are of her.

Seems most kids get here is some crude etchings on iron, but she has an azurite one from a genuine craftsmen, so it is obviously enviable. On the last day, I say my goodbyes and promise to come in another three weeks, before heading home. Strange, how I already think of that place as home after half a year.