“Ella! We’re home!”

A man’s voice yelled outside and Amriel recognize his brother’s accent immediately. “Get your butt in here!”

“Papa!” cried Ella, as she ran outside.

Amriel meanwhile took a sit and settled himself down.

“Your heartbeat is increasing,” Shayla said through his mind. She had silently stood in one corner and made herself ethereal so she wouldn’t bother anyone. But now, she notice the change in Amriel. “It’s as if you’re readying for battle.”

Outside, he can hear whispers and he knew that Ella is reporting his presence inside. He knew that Tyler needed to compose himself before he goes inside the house. He didn’t mind that. What he is most concerned about is the presence of-

“What?!” A shrill voice said.

The door opened and a young woman in her twenties entered. Her long curly black hair and blue eyes made her the bell of the clan. She still has those hypnotic hips that made every young man in the clan drool all over her.

But as Amriel look at her, he can see the tiredness at the back of her eyes. He could not believe that once, he ever fell in love with this woman, but he did. But comparing her to Allana now, she looks so… ordinary.

“Hello, Navina,” Amriel said calmly. “Long time no see.”

The woman was speechless for a moment, but she easily recovered. Amriel could feel her growing anger as she straighten up and her nose rose to that familiar disdainful look. “So you came back,” She said coldly.

“I am,” Amriel answered simply.

“Did you come back to-”

“Amriel!” cried Tyler. His big bulk entering the house. Amriel had just enough time to stand up before receiving a bear hug from his brother. Amriel is not a small man, by earth standard he is about 188 cm, but compared to his brother, everyone is puny.

He let his brother raised him in the air until he is satisfied. Awkwardly, Tyler let him down after a while. “You look well brother,” He said, eyes gleaming.

Amriel laughed as he sat down. “I am, brother,” He answered. “I’m still in one piece at least.” He carefully did not look at Shayla’s direction.

Amriel meanwhile decided not to make an issue about Ella’s chores. The girl has food in the table and roof over her head. It’s more than he could wish for when he went out to die all those years before.

Instead, they talked at length on what is happening in the clan. Who is still there and who isn’t. Tyler mostly told him about happy stories or at least funny ones, but eventually, he reluctantly also told Amriel about the important changes in the clan.

“Wait, you’re telling me that the new head elder is Burrlock?!” Amriel said astonished. He change position in his chair. “What happened to Master Lohan?”

Tyler winced. He forgot that Amriel is Master Lohan’s protégé. “It was a close vote. But in the end, Master Burrlock become the new Head Elder when Master Quilan died. Many like Master Lohan, Amriel, but many of us also believe that Master Lohan is not ruthless enough to carry the clan to the future,” Tyler explained, rubbing his beard.

Amriel smiled at his brother’s concerned face. Amriel always find his brother as this gentle giant. Everyone else who didn’t know him always gets intimidated by his bulk. A formidable warrior in his own right, Tyler’s main problem is that his kindness always made him hesitate. And he easily gets pressured. Those several years getting separated from Amriel actually did Tyler some good and now he is his own man. Normally a potential conflict will make him just shut up, but now if he believes what he wanted to say is actually important, he will continue to say it. And Amriel respect him for that.

“Listen, it’s been 3 years since Master Burrlock took the staff of high Elder. I know you are close to Master Lohan, but this is already an old issue. Everyone accepts that Master Burrlock is the boss around here, including Master Lohan. So don’t make any troubles,” Tyler said gravely.

Amriel smiled and raised his hand in surrender. “I did not come back to make any troubles, brother,” He said.

They were both silent for a while until Tyler broach the subject that they were both waiting for. “So why DID you come back, little brother?”

Amriel sighed. “I’ve spent more than 9 years of my life serving the kingdom and roaming the world. I’m done with it,” He said.

Tubby snorted, who is sitting next to Navina. “Nine years? We spent more than 3 times that in our service to the kingdom.” He spat bitterly.

“No one needs to know that,” Simon said behind Amriel.

“… I just want to spend my remaining days with my family and the clan.”

“And Ella? Are you planning to take your daughter back?” Tyler asked bluntly, an edge to his body and voice.

Slowly, Amriel shook his head while maintaining eye contact with his brother. “No, you’re her father now,” Amriel said. “I will never be good at that. For what’s it’s worth, giving you my daughter 5 years ago was the best decision I made in my entire life. I… I just want to see her grow up… from a distance of course.”

Shayla watches from the window as the little girl carry a small sack into the barn, a determined but a happy smile is etched on her face.

Tyler’s shoulder suddenly lost its tension. He didn’t even know he was that tense until he let go. He nodded wearily. “I’m glad to hear that,” Tyler said, suddenly there is a twinkle in his eyes, an almost exact copy of Ella’s. “Especially now that you’re going to be an uncle.”

Amriel nodded. “I know that. I will be the best Uncle there is and –”

Tyler started shaking his head happily. “No no no no! I mean NOW you will become a true uncle!”

“Wait, you mean…”

“Yes!” Tyler Guffawed triumphantly. “Ella will become a big sister soon!”