The day was coming to an end. Signaled by the low burning sun and the dazzling orange, endless sky above. The golden sands were dyed a soft red to reflect the dim light. The flowing sand dunes remained stagnant as the gentle winds settled for the day. Large Dunebeasts hid away beneath the surface, concealing themselves from the chilling cold that was to come. Lizards, insects, and small mammals, however, began to emerge from their dens as the nightlife took advantage of the last few hours of daylight without the oppressive heat the sun typically brought.

Along with those small animals, a sole individual clad in black and gray clothing traversed the sands. He strode confidently through the soft and dusty landscape, tirelessly carrying the heavy pack cinched to his back. His stride was measured and efficient, the length of his steps adjusting to match the varying inclines of the dunes as he followed their guiding crests. He kept the sun to his left and utilized the few natural features scattered about to ensure his navigation was proper.

It had been two days since he’d returned to the desert. After his work in the Ravine was complete, he bid his farewell to the desolate maw as well as the pair of dragonkin with whom he had shared dozens of battles. Their task complete, the pair had been instructed to return home without delay, leaving Jake to navigate the arid terrain alone. It had been just over half a year since he’d left home, since he’d slipped out of his Auntie’s tent without so much as a goodbye. Since he’d run away from his village, chasing a foolish chance at a new life. Well, he certainly got his wish. With it, however, he had also got so much more.

He let out a soft sigh as he reached the peak of a particularly large dune. A small mountain in a sea of rolling hills, it provided him with a wide view of the landscape. With it came a moment of clarity. All around him was familiarity. A place he knew. A place he had dreamt of dozens of times and a place that had felt so far away. Though it had been close enough for him to escape to if he ever truly wanted to run away from the Ravine’s cold embrace, he could never justify such an action. If he had, he doubted he would ever go back.

Yet, now that he was back in his comfort zone, he felt strangely out of place. The scene before him didn’t seem real. As if this was all a dream and he would wake up to the shrill of a distant Maedra horde. Maybe it was the boots instead of sandals that kept him from feeling the grains of sand over his soles. Maybe it was the magic aura keeping him cool, regulating his body temperature to keep him from feeling the scalding heat of the sun. Or perhaps it was his change of clothes, the weight of the gear on his back, and the weapons on his waistline. Or possibly, it was due to the way he perceived the world now. How his eyes naturally picked out movement and differentiated between threat and not. How he instinctively sought out places where he could find shelter whenever he felt fatigued. How he tracked his distance traveled subconsciously and measured the current time by his pace. Rather than enjoy his return trip home, Jake felt instead like he was just on another long walk to another destination.

His eyes turned toward the sunset, watching quietly as the sun fell behind the horizon. Distant dunes and towering rocks blocked the pure view of the sun truly setting. The warming sight remained, however. It was calming in how familiar it felt. The desert was a vicious place for many. In some regards it was even more dangerous than the Ravine. Jake could not ask for a better place after such a long journey.

“Come on…” he muttered to himself, urging his body onwards. His still feet stepped over the dune’s top ridge and he canted them to the side as he began his downward slide. Balancing his weight with his hands and feet, he slid smoothly from the peak down into a long valley between several dunes. There, he continued his trek along the familiar route back to a familiar place. As he walked, he recognized the signs of where Dunebeasts lurked and patiently walked around them, leaving the creatures to their well-earned slumber. Additionally, he avoided the pits leading to the maws of burrowed Sand Worms, careful not to disturb the tendril-like monsters.

He did pass by a handful of migrating Toros, which was a rare sight he let himself enjoy. Ten of them lumbered along, their long noses scoffing and huffing at one another as the tiny furballs clambered along the dunes ridgelines. Jake gave them a wide berth to not upset the animals, especially when he spotted two younglings clinging to their mothers' backs. Since they were traveling in the same direction, Jake overtook them to put himself in their line of sight. They didn’t pay him any mind, though, and the family continued on its merry way with hardly a glance in his direction. Jake minded his own business and eventually returned his own focus to his own walk.

Until he heard a shriek. Jake recognized the outcry. High pitched, full of fright, and the wails that followed set his neck hairs on end. Without thinking, the man shifted towards the squeals to see the reason. He spotted the silhouette, as well as the billow of sand in its wake, and realized what was happening. Without hesitation, he adjusted his footing and sprang towards the other side of the valley. The Toros pawed at the sand restlessly and stared down in horror as one of their kin rolled towards the noticeable ring of a Sand Worm’s trap. Sand kicked up all around the rolling body. The Toro’s tiny paws could not get traction or find anything to catch on to.

Though mother nature would have yelled at him for interfering, Jake felt it unfair for such a young thing to meet its end so quickly. Thus, he silently apologized to the worm as he slid into the path of the flailing infant. The animal let out a terrified wail as it popped up out of the sand, its tiny limbs shaking as its vision whirled. It suddenly fell silent as its momentum ceased and its eyes squeezed closed as if embracing the end. But, instead of falling into a worm's maw, its body fell into the safe pocket of something else. Something softer, warmer, and more forgiving.

“Whoa now… Careful, buddy.” Gentle and smooth, Jake plucked the Toro from the air and guided the ball of fluff into the crook of his arm, cradling the animal much like he may hold a newborn. Its fuzzy tan body curled up instinctively, trembling and shaking as if expecting the worst. When the worst failed to come, it peeked out beyond the protective layer of fur shielding its eyes. “Hey there.” Jake smiled and very gently ran his fingers over the creature’s head, soothing it as he gave it a moment to calm its nerves. “Let’s get you back to momma.”

The Toro shivered in his arms, still afraid of what was happening, but Jake’s soothing pets at least seemed to ease its screams. It whimpered and its eyes searched the sky for family, for safety, as Jake carried it steadily back up the dune. The Toros waiting there continued to cry out at first, as if attempting to scare Jake away by asserting their dominance. An impossible feat, of course. The animals came up barely to the middle of his shin at their largest, their only weapons being their claws and teeth that couldn’t even break his skin. But they did their best.

“Yes, yes. I’m very scared.” Jake huffed as he crossed the distance to the dune’s ridge. He carefully dug his toes in to brace his weight and climbed with ease, scaling the wall until he was mere feet from the Toros. Seeing the potential threat was much larger than they were, they finally stopped screaming but continued to growl. Their unease made Jake reconsider dropping the baby directly onto his mother’s back. Instead, he adjusted his path and moved to the front where the largest male was positioned. Figuring that would be the safest place to not agitate them further, he climbed up and took a seat on the ridge. As he sat there, he peered down at the Toro baby and hummed.

“Thirsty, bubba?” To try and re-energize the fellow, Jake extended a finger and conjured up a ball of water there. He offered it to the creature, allowing a few drops to trickle down into its mouth so it could taste what the liquid was. A moment later, it pawed at his hand and began to suckle on his finger, drinking down the offered refreshment. “There you go. Don’t choke.”

Toros could go for long distances without water but Jake knew how far their next stopping point was from here. If they were in between watering holes, it would be another three days before they reached any semblance of drinkable water. With two babies in tow, they were likely in a rush. A little help wouldn’t hurt. “You lot, too.” Jake extended his mana into the ground and molded the sand off to his right into a large basin. At its bottom, he gathered a small amount of water. Enough to drink from but not enough to drown in by accident.

At first, the Toros were hesitant. The male at the front eyed Jake warily, uneasy and unwilling to take his eyes off the baby. However, a brave adolescent behind him thought much less of its younger sibling. Instead, it prioritized the clear liquid that had appeared in front of it. It trotted forward and sniffed at the ground, checking for any dangers as it approached the water. When its snout touched the cool, familiar liquid, it curiously gave the water a taste. Then, it released a happy, quiet squeak before its tongue lapped at the presented drink.

The others steadily followed behind it, including the head of the family once Jake was seen as a non-threat to the youth. The worried mother continued to whimper, however, her eyes unsettled as her baby was still unaccounted for. Jake didn’t leave her waiting for too long. Once the family began to get comfortable around the water, he promptly placed the baby inside the rim of the basin and let him scamper off to reunite with the waiting mom. Jake chuckled as he heard her scold her baby but the two turned towards the water a moment later, indulging in the gift set before them. The tragedy had been avoided and Jake was promptly forgotten about.

Jake waited there, watching the animals for several moments before his eyes drifted to his left. He stared in the direction of his destination. Feeling his own comfort in the Toros' presence, Jake’s mind relaxed. In that small moment, the Toros reminded him of a harsh lesson he had learned in the desert: when offered an opportunity to rest on a long journey, one should take it. There was no need to return home in a rush. There wasn’t anything pressing waiting for him. After all of the trouble he’d gone through inside the Ravine, Jake figured taking it slow for a short while might be in his best interest.

Well, so long as he wasn’t in someone else’s way. After a few minutes, Jake heard a snort and felt an annoyed nudging from his right. He looked down to see the lead Toro's glaring eyes burning into his hip. It nudged at him again before brandishing its claws and threatening a few scratches.

“Oh, sorry.” Jake lifted himself out of the way and turned onto his knees, ushering the animals along while providing some help out of the basin. The baby he’d saved was once more clinging to its mother’s back and the pair trotted off happily together in the center of the group. When all of the Toros were out of the watering hole, Jake scattered his creation into the wind, returning the ridgeline to its normal shape. Jake followed behind the Toro’s and maneuvered himself back to the other side of the valley. He overtook the family again and continued on his way.

Jake stopped several minutes later to look back. He searched the ridgeline for a short time before finding the ten silhouettes and his lips curled upwards slightly. It was only a brief moment. A fleeting meeting that they would likely never remember. For Jake, it was just what he needed. The warmth of those animals thawed the chill in his bones more than the sun had done since his return to the surface.

During the remaining portion of his trek, Jake made sure to take ample breaks. He sat down to eat three times a day, drank plenty of water, and paused often to quietly admire the world around him. Much like the Toros, though he had a destination, he didn’t shy away from the opportunities to recover some of his expended energy. He had relied largely on his magic to do it originally and ate only out of necessity before. Slowly, he learned to do it out of convenience. Something he didn't have in the Ravine.

What should have taken eight days of constant walking instead took well over twenty because of all of his breaks and his slowed pace. Yet, Jake felt more refreshed and the trip felt more rejuvenating. Over time, Jake shed his cloak and extra layers of clothes. He allowed his body to acclimate to the desert’s temperature again, relying less on his magic to protect him. He kept himself hydrated and well-fed to make up for the adjustments, but in the end it felt more rewarding. He felt alive again.

On the twenty-first day of his trip, Jake stood atop another familiar mountainous dune. His eyes finally settled on the most heartwarming sight he’d seen yet. It was mid-morning, the gates were just opening to invite in the newly arrived caravan, and the village was finishing its routine rituals prior to starting the day.

“I made it home, Chul.” Jake frowned and reached for his neck. There, tucked beneath his shirt, a trio of jewels dangled on a single braid of twine. He clutched all three of them, squeezing them firmly as he drew in a long breath. “I made it home.”

He admired the view from afar. Taking in the nostalgic feeling washing through him until finally he felt ready to cross the remaining gap. However, though he was content to bring his absence to an end, his legs suddenly felt too heavy to move. No matter how much he willed his feet forward, they remained stuck in the sand. His heart wavered and his lips trembled. His mind whirled as his thoughts raced. A nervous wave doused the trip's finality in cold water, freezing him solid.

What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? Should he just stroll in and act like nothing happened? Like he just got lost or something? Should he hide his face? Act like a stranger and conceal himself?

Will his Auntie be angry with him? Would she scold him? What about Elana? Ah… She must have been married by now. If Jake was right, her ceremony had already passed. Hopefully her husband was a good-hearted man. If not, Jake might have to hit him once or twice…

While he stood there, frozen and indecisive, his eyes raised from the sand. An odd sensation of being watched drew him out of his thoughts and his eyes locked onto a silhouette standing outside the gate. The individual was tall, his skin a slightly darker shade compared to the other guards, and he stood with such a powerful presence that demanded one’s attention. He stood there, unmoving with his arms crossed as he gazed in Jake’s direction. The caravan was long gone, having already been processed, searched, and welcomed into the village. The gates, however, remained open, and that single figure stood impatiently outside them.

“Going to stand there all day?” Jake could hear the words in his head. That deep, heavy tone. Spoken flatly and out of annoyance. It wasn’t a question. It was a threat. Jake could either walk through the gates on his own two feet or he would be dragged through them.

Jake’s jaw tensed and his shoulders slumped. He sighed, his thumbs finding his pack straps. “There really is no hiding from him, is there?” In six months, Jake was certain his physical appearance had changed quite a bit. However, from such a distance and through the trained eyes of a certain guardsman, Jake could never hide who he was.

The boy finally found his feet capable of moving and sheepishly descended the dune, traversing the remaining hills until the sands smoothed out. He dragged his feet across the final two hundred meters to the village entrance, stopping in front of the guard who had not moved an inch. Ever imposing, ever stoic. Stern and harsh, but always welcoming.

“Captain Ada.” Jake bowed his head to the man and uncomfortably tugged on the straps to his pack. He felt like a child who had done something he knew he wasn’t supposed to do.

“Jake.” The Captain stared down at him, still standing a few inches taller. He looked over Jake from head to toe, his eyes pausing at each change to Jake’s figure. The toned muscles, the calloused hands. The tattoo on his left shoulder. His ragged hair. The change of clothes. The weapons. The pack. The boots. But most of all, the weariness in his eyes. “Quite the journey, huh?” He asked.

Jake nodded, lifting his head and gaze to meet the Captain’s. “Yea. Something like that.” He forced a smile and shifted the weight on his feet to his heels.

Ada returned a smile and stepped forward. He placed a heavy hand on Jake’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly. “Welcome home, Lyaha. Come. Let’s get you to your Auntie.”

“Yes, Ada.” Nodding again, Jake’s subtle smile widened as he followed the Captain into the village. As he stepped through, a few of the other guards stepped forward to welcome him back. They hugged, shook hands, and Jake received several pats on the shoulder from those less familiar with him. There was some curiosity in their eyes and plenty of looks at the odd weapons on his waistline. However, Captain Ada was quick to get the others back to their duties. The gates were closed and Jake was pulled away to the more important task.

Elana was nowhere in sight.

“How has Auntie been?” Jake dared to speak the question but received no direct response from the guardsman. Only a shrug. Jake heaved a sigh and resolved himself to whatever awaited him.

The timing of his return to his home village was both oddly convenient and laughable. He’d left at the tail end of the Trading Days, scampering off in the hustle and bustle and using it as cover. Now, here he was, showing his face just as it was about to begin again. He almost felt ashamed to think about his abuse of those merchants. Yet, he was thankful. The busy atmosphere would be sure to keep his Auntie busy. It would also give Jake time to breathe and relax in a comfortable place without his Auntie smothering him, should she decide now to become the overbearing type. He doubted she’d change so readily after fift--sixteen years of his life but he had learned all too well what circumstances could do to someone.

As the pair turned from the main path towards the large tent where his Auntie worked, Captain Ada suddenly stopped. He planted his hands on his waist and stared ahead across the open plaza, his eyes watching as the workers within dealt with the new rush of customers. Jake stepped up beside him, grimacing as he squeezed his ruck’s straps.

After a few moments of standing there, Ada’s mouth opened. He asked softly, not looking down at Jake. "Tell me, boy, is it what you expected?"

Rather than answer immediately, Jake paused to consider the question. He watched in silence as the tent came to life, the waitresses greeting the guests' faces and quickly distributing drinks, small plates, and simple cutlery. He observed the normalcy it, the lack of change in the air, and realized how unbothered it all seemed. Jake could return tomorrow, the day after, or even a week later. Would the scene in front of him be different? Would there be a lull where they all pondered how he was doing? Would there ever be a moment where he might creep up on one of their minds?

“Kind of.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t so childish. Maybe if it was quiet and something reminded his Auntie of him, she might reminisce for a moment. It might make her sad that he was gone, off somewhere in the world, but he doubted she would linger on it for too long. In the morning before going to bed, she might miss their boring dinner chats. However, the memories would bring a smile to her face as she remembered them. But he was no fool. She would still eat dinner in peace and greet her customers with a smile. She would still laugh and giggle and gossip with her friends. Whether he was here or not, the world would continue on without him. The scene before him was proof of that.

“Then you’re not looking hard enough.” Without another word, Captain Ada left the boy there to take the final steps alone.

Jake felt his lips draw together, his throat tighten. He felt his legs grow as heavy as iron blocks again, gluing him in place. For several minutes after Captain Ada left, Jake stood there trying to understand the Captain’s words and find what he meant. Maybe Jake was still too young, too innocent to see their meaning. Or maybe he was a fool after all.

“Was I always this indecisive?” Feeling the weight of his thoughts made his heart sink. He was thinking too much. The lack of direction in normal life compared to the simplicity he experienced in the Ravine made his head spin. He felt like he was drowning in the fog.

Inhaling deep for what felt like the hundredth time, Jake moved to the side of the path and set down his pack. He decided to spice up their reunion a bit. First, he stripped off his short swords and tucked them into his pack. He kept the twin knives concealed on his back but removed everything else. Next he plucked his cloak from the bag's top flap and draped it over his shoulders. He loosened his shirt, pulled his hood low over his face, and closed his cloak around his body to conceal the rest of his figure. His Auntie may hate him for his game but he wanted to see things from a closer perspective for a moment. He didn’t want to disturb her when she was so busy but it wasn’t like he had anywhere else to go or be.

Hidden beneath the cloth, the boy approached the tent and stepped up to the opening. A few eyes glanced his way but most returned to their business, ignoring the new addition to the mass. Knowing the tent customs, Jake found a seat off to the side at a half-empty table. Two other patrons were already seated, discussing their wares in preparation for trading times. Experienced merchants trying to form relationships early. After being given permission to join them, Jake set down his pack beside his cushion and settled into the purple seat on the floor. A cup of water was promptly delivered and a friendly waitress greeted him with a smile.

“Good morning, Sir. When you are ready to order, feel free to call or wave, yes?” Jake peered up carefully to see her face and was greeted with an eyeful of glossy bronze skin, black hair tied in a loose tail, and a pair of wide brown eyes that Jake could tell had never seen a day of hardship. He didn’t hate her for that. No, he found them quite dazzling.

“I will, thank you.” He grabbed the small menu she extended to him and peered down at the options. Nothing had changed. Not after six months nor ten years. The menu never changed. He couldn’t help but smile as he set it down in front of him. He noticed the table had become quiet and looked to find the two merchants staring at him. “Yes?”

“You don’t look familiar. Were you traveling with us?” The merchant to his right asked, squinting and trying his damndest to see Jake’s face clearly. The awkward lighting in their area of the tent made it difficult, as planned.

Using his water to steal a few seconds of thought, Jake created a lazy excuse. “I was hired to tail the caravan from a safe distance for this portion. Something about thieves along the route. The Caravan Master wanted someone who could help in the event of trouble.”

The merchants exchanged side glances, then the man across the table began to laugh. “Ah, yes thieves!” He exclaimed before leaning forward. “But I wonder… I don’t recall hiring you.”

“Ah-” Jake’s voice caught in his throat as his eyes met the merchant's. How unfortunate. Of all the people to randomly sit with and then promptly lie to… “You’re the Caravan Master?” …this was the last man he wanted to be caught by.

The gentleman was old, scrawny, and had a long gray beard. He wore loose gray robes over his shoulders and had some fairly new looking sandals. However, befitting of his age, his hands were very calloused, especially along his fingers after many years of tugging on leather reins. Jake had failed to see it before but the man also wore a very specific silver bracelet around his left wrist that contained a rectangular blue gem in its centerpiece. The amulet of a trade keeper, one of the few individuals qualified to lead a caravan into the desert.

“I am, son. Maybe your lie may have worked with someone else but not me. Good attempt, though.” The two merchants shared a laugh and the man beside Jake patted the boy’s shoulder.

“So? Would you like to try again?” The man on his right offered an olive branch, one that made Jake grin. They weren’t trying to corner him. They were simply curious as they hadn’t seen him with them, which meant Jake had travelled alone. A rare sight and a daunting task. One only foolish people would do, or it meant he was a seasoned traveler. Unfortunately, Jake was closer to the first one.

Not wanting to spoil the fun with a boring answer, he still took a minute to think. His eyes drifted over to his left, peering towards a certain older woman who was leaning on the counter space. Her dark brown eyes stared off towards nothing in particular as she waited for either an order to come out of the kitchen or a patron at one of her assigned tables to ask for assistance. Jake stared for a bit longer than he probably should have, nearly forgetting the question he had been asked. It was mighty impolite to do so. However, in that brief moment, he felt like he might have understood what Ada had said.

“I uh…” Jake stumbled at first, tearing his gaze from his Auntie. “I came from elsewhere. I’d recently been on a long trip and thought it was about time I came home for a while.” He grabbed his water, took another sip, and then set the half empty clay cup back onto the waiting coaster.

“I see,” the Caravan Master mused, his eyes fixed on Jake again. “You don’t appear to be a merchant. You’re far too armed for that… A hunter, perhaps? Mmm… You look far too young for such a profession.”

Jake nodded. “A hunter is a way to put it.” He placed a finger on the rim of his cup, tracing the moist circle of the pottery. “I dare say I'm an adventurer but I’m not there yet. The only adventure I’ve seen is sand and rocks.”

The older men let out a paired sound of admiration as they turned to face their younger table companion. The term 'adventurer' piqued their interest and suddenly they were both full of questions. Where had he been? What was he traveling for? How long had he been doing it? Jake lent them his ear and the trio began to converse, with Jake offering information where it was safe for him to do so. He doubted they would believe him if he was entirely truthful and he also didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention. Still, he didn’t shun their curious eyes. Instead, he presented them with a vague description of a far off place. Cold and dark, stoney and barren. Monsters as tall as the tent and as numerous as the grains of sand at their feet. He described the Maedra, vaguely of course, stretching the details playfully to entice laughter in the men.

Soon, another man chirped, saying that such a beast was impossible, only for another to smack him and ask if he’d ever done more than travel the sands. Then another joined, and then another. In mere minutes, Jake found himself sharing his tale with nearly a dozen interested individuals. He told of his ordeal within the Ravine with details just barely twisted to keep them from knowing exactly where and what. They found it amusing all the same. However, he noticed another set of eyes gradually drifting in his direction. She remained at the counter, her head turning as her trained ears picked up something familiar in the wind. Her gaze settled on his outline, her brown eyes searching for the answer to the tickling behind her ears.

Suddenly, Jake paused and placed his hands on his lap. The men around him raised their eyebrows, some asking why he’d stopped. All for Jake to grab his cup of water.

“My apologies, gentlemen. My story must end here.” Jake emptied the contents in a final gulp and rose to his feet. The men groaned and rolled their eyes, a few booing him as they grumbled back to their own tables. The Caravan Master and his merchant partner, however, both laughed and grinned at him.

“No worries, friend. Thank you for amusing us older folk. I look forward to another time when you are free.” The Caravan Master waved him off lightly, showing that he was unbothered. The merchant did the same.

“Thanks.” Jake bowed his head out of respect and moved away from the low table.

The woman at the counter stared at him, her eyes burning into his chest. He could see it in her eyes. The gears were turning in her mind, trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. She had heard his voice, but the tune of it had been different. She could see his height, but his build was different. The clothes didn’t match what she had last seen. She didn’t recognize the rucksack nor the way he walked. Where there were similarities there were just as many differences that she was unable to fit the final piece she was looking for. This man in front of her was so painfully familiar, yet so strange.

Then, Jake peeled away his hood.

“Oh, Salar!”

Jake didn’t get the fabric past his ears before the woman embraced him. Her arms wrapped around his body and he felt them squeeze. His Auntie clung to him with all her strength. Jake coughed and jerked, his feet staggering to avoid being tackled. He lowered his arms, draping them awkwardly over his Auntie's head so he could return the fierce hug he was now stuck in. He didn’t resist at first, content to let her hold him for as long as she wanted, but eventually he found it difficult to breathe. He was losing precious seconds of his life now.

“A-Auntie… Oxygen. Air. Please.” He wheezed and patted her shoulder, pleading for release.

For a moment, she ignored him. Clinging so desperately to him, as if he might disappear again. As his taps grew more intense, she finally relented. Her arms slackened and she gripped onto his shoulders. Tears stained her face as she peered up at him. Her lips quivered, her body shook. It was as if she was seeing someone she thought she may never see again.

Jake opened his mouth twice to speak. First to try and apologize for leaving but he found it heartless in the face of those tears. Second, he considered saying something silly to get a laugh, only to quickly squash the idea rather than risk getting smacked. But the third time, he decided on something simpler. Words he remembered his father saying whenever Jake saw him hop out of the back of a caravan wagon. A scene he could hardly remember now.

So this is how you felt…

Offering another warm smile, Jake finally spoke. “I’m home, Auntie.” Words that he’d wanted to say for quite a long time. Words that meant not just an end to a journey, but a return to a place of safety and comfort. A return to where his family was waiting for him.

Her lips trembled, her emotions nearly bursting again as she drew him into another, gentler embrace. One that he could return as his arms wrapped around her. “Welcome home, Lyaha.” A few of the younger girls behind the counter began to whisper to one another while the older ladies quietly smiled. Those who knew of Jake within the tent stared, their quiet expressions giving the pair plenty of time to reconcile with one another.

As she cried and sobbed, she spoke a few meek words. “I was so scared.”

“I know, Auntie.” Jake lowered his voice, trying to console her.

“You left without saying anything and when you never came back-”

Before she could ramble, he nodded and spoke. “I know, Auntie. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry, Lyaha.” Her apology caught him off guard and he wondered what it was for. But, unable to remember anything, he quickly dismissed it. If he couldn’t remember, it wasn’t important. It may have been for how she treated him or how she always yelled at him but that was long behind him. He forgiven her for that before he even met Chul.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Auntie.” Jake smiled and rubbed his Auntie’s back, patting and caressing it to sooth her sobs as she shook against him.

“Oh, my baby. I was so worried. I prayed every night that you were safe. Where did you go?” She finally peeled away from his chest and looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for answers. Unfortunately, he was no longer the easy face to read.

“I can tell you everything later, okay?” Jake glanced towards the women at the counter and smiled. “There’s still work to do, yea? I’ll sit here and wait until you have some time.”

The fragility on her face suddenly faded for a moment. “No. Now.” Auntie Rayne huffed and wiped away her tears. She pulled away from him, her feet kicking at the sand as she brazenly nudged her way through the other ladies behind the counter. She collected her things, stuffed her head into the kitchen to shout, and then grabbed Jake by the sleeve.

"Wa-wait! Auntie!” The firm grip he remembered wasn't something he could escape from. She yanked on not just his cloak but her fingers had managed to grab even his shirt somehow. Trained fingers capable of snatching a misbehaving child without fail were now his worst enemy. “My pack! Auntie, I need my pack!” Jake pawed weakly at her hand, desperate not to leave his gear behind. However, he was also aware that no matter how old he might be, there was no forcing his way out of that grip.

A few of the patrons and the girls laughed at the scene, watching him scramble to get the older woman’s attention. She stopped just outside the tent, turning to stare at him with pleading eyes. There was worry in them again. Fear that if she let go, he’d vanish.

“...I’ll be right back, Auntie.” Jake gave her a soft smile and placed his hands on top of hers, calming her and reassuring her that he wouldn’t go away so easily. Not this time.

Wordlessly, her clenched hand relaxed and her fingers fell away from his shirt. Jake held her hand until her grip was entirely slack before turning and hurrying back into the tent. He worked his way across the floor and grabbed the rucksack he’d left behind. Before he could step away, the Caravan Master grabbed his wrist. It wasn’t a violent grab but it was enough to halt the man.

“I wouldn’t worry a woman like that too often, kiddo. Your Auntie might not be able to take much more of that.” His warning was well received and Jake nodded strongly to him.

“I know. I won’t be making the same mistake again.” Jake gave him a smile to show his sincerity and then slipped away when released. He quickly returned to his Auntie outside and positioned himself well within her reach. Almost immediately, she snatched onto his sleeve again and the pair headed towards their family tent.