As noon approaches, Hope enters the Ravenwood home after an hour and flops onto the couch with a sigh. "Man, that was a workout. I think we've got at least a month's supply now."

"I just stood and watched. It's nice not being the only girl around here who's jacked." Kira chuckles, sniffing the air. "Mmm, something smells good!"

"Thank you for your hard work, dear." Ruby sets a cup of tea down along with a little bit of bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiched between two slices of fresh baked bread. Kira's mouth waters and she reaches for the food, only to have her hand smacked away by Ruby. "You just said you stood and watched. No food if ya don't work."

"What?! But I-we-she-Mom!" Kira pouts, and Ruby snickers, holding a plate out for the half-orc. "Hush up and eat, love."

Amadeo looks up from his chair, sipping a cup of tea in silence before setting it down and rising. "We'd best head out. Hope, Tyrion, can I count on you to hold the fort in case things get dicey again?"

"No complaints from me. I'm looking forward to another fight we can actually win." Tyrion cracks his knuckles and goes back to oiling the wood of his crossbow.

"Yeah, we'll be fine. You're taking Anna with you, I assume?" Hope relaxes in her seat, laying Valkyrie across her lap.

"I am. I'm hoping we'll be able to talk some sense into him. Master Yuri can contact me if something goes wrong."

"Mages sure are something." Hope chuckles. "Alright. Be safe, don't start a fight if you can help it."

"That may be difficult. Ondra is the type to pick at you emotionally until you snap or bend to his will. I'll just have to not jump at the chance to punch him in the face."

"Anna, make sure he doesn't so anything stupid." Hope raises a hand, the elf high fiving her as she passes.

"Roger that! Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. You guys be safe too."

Soren reaches out, taking Amadeo's hand. "Be careful. He's a pompous, arrogant little runt, but he's got skills."

"It's gonna be alright, Dad. We have some skills too." Amadeo squeezes the orc's hand in response before walking out the door.

As they walk down the street, Anna looks back. "Think they'll be ok?"

"Hope's a beast in a close quarters fight. Tyrion has fantastic aim, and with that crossbow, he can keep people from getting too close. Things may get dicey if Ondra brings a mage, but those two can otherwise hold their own very well."

The elf looks back one more time, the house shrinking as they move further away, before they round the corner and it disappears from view. "I hope you're right."

"You ok? It's odd to see you worried." Amadeo nudges her softly.

Her head shakes, gaze lowered to her feet. "No, if I'm being honest. After the last big fight with that Dane guy...I just keep getting this sense, like any moment, I'm gonna turn around and none of you will be there. Just graves where you once stood."

He pats her head softly. "We're not going anywhere, Anna. No one's dying if I can help it."

"You say that, but...alot of people lost their lives back there. I've seen death like that, but never on so wide a scale. It frightens me to think that anyone could do something so...so vile."

"Some are born wicked. Some achieve wickedness. Dane and his master will pay for all those who were lost. We just have to get stronger before our next encounter."

"I know." The elf takes a deep breath, slapping her cheeks. "Just wish this place wasn't so gloomy."

"We'll fix that too, somehow. Just believe it can be done." He holds up a fist and smiles. Anna, conversely, looks confused before he brings her hand up to his, bumping their knuckles together.

"First things first, Ondra's in for a real talking to."

"Right. Lead the way!" She forces a grin, following him down the main road.