After ten long days winding through forests, plains, and rough and dusty roads, the caravan finally rolled into Calma beneath the golden wash of early afternoon sunlight.
It was March, and there was no trace of chill that lingered in the breeze. The quiet town stirred with signs of sumr—lush leaves and branches, rchants hawking wares, and the scent of ward earth.
The caravan, a patchwork of rchant wagons, armored escorts, and a single lacquered carriage bearing the Norse mother and daughter, clattered toward Narra Alley—a quieter street tucked behind the bustling market district. One by one, ten carriages pulled to a stop before an ornate wrought-iron gate. A sign made from hard wood arched above it, carved with the familiar words:
"House of ndel."
Inside the carriage, Reya attempted to rise, her limbs stiff and aching from days of confinent. She winced and reached for the side rail, but her legs barely responded. Lara, however, had already stepped gracefully onto the cobblestones and turned back with a gentle smile, offering her hand. Before she could assist, though, Lady Freya alighted without hesitation, her movents sharp and effortless. Even after long travel, she remained poised—elegant in her age and bearing.
A short distance behind them, General Odin’s n dismounted. Two knights and two guards ford a discreet periter. Ever-watchful, Sir Benwick stepped forward at Lara’s signal and extended his arm toward the final passenger.
"Careful, Uncle Hephastus," Lara said warmly. "Let Sir Benwick help."
The elderly tinkerer groaned as he shifted in his seat, his joints cracking audibly.
"Ah, these old bones..." Hephastus muttered. "One more day rattling in that carriage and I’d have been bedridden."
Lara grinned. "Then maybe you should invent sothing faster—and with softer cushions."
The old man blinked. His back straightened, and his eyes lit up with childlike wonder. "You know... I just might."
Lara’s soft laugh was cut short by the loud creak of the iron gate swinging open. Four familiar figures erged: Jethru, tall and grizzled; Samuel, stoic as ever; and barreling in front of them—the twins.
Ivan and Ivy squealed with delight, their little arms stretched wide as they ran toward her.
"Sis! Sis! You’re finally back!"
Lara knelt just in ti to catch them, laughing as they hugged her tightly. She ruffled their hair with affection.
"Did you miss ?"
"Of course we did!" Ivy exclaid, her cheeks flushed with joy. But then the twins paused, eyes scanning behind her.
Lara chuckled knowingly. "You’re looking for Sandoz, aren’t you?"
Two heads nodded eagerly.
"Well," she began, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "he found his family. Turns out... he’s a young duke. But he sent letters and gifts for both of you. I’ll give them to you once we’ve unloaded."
The young ones looked disappointed. "Are we not going to see him again?" Ivy asked sadly.
"Of course, you will see him again. Didn’t grandpa said he will bring you to the capital?"
The young ones were not comforted by her words at all.
"How about this instead—take the pups inside and show them around."
At her whistle, two sleek gray wolf pups, about a ruler tall, leapt down from one of the carriages—Little Gray and Snow—tails wagging wildly.
"Little Gray, Snow, you should rember Ivan and Ivy right?" Lara asked the pups as if they were people.
The wolves padded over and sniffed the children politely, then began licking their feet with playful excitent. Giggles erupted from the twins as they crouched to pet them.
"Go on! Let them run around and get to know their old ho."
The children cheered and led the pups into the house with eager steps.
Lara turned and spotted Jethru, currently enveloped in a tight hug by Reya, who was crying softly into his shoulder.
"Grandpa, I missed you so much..." Reya choked.
Jethru sighed and rolled his eyes, though his hand gently patted her back. He did not want to admit it. But he missed this stupid girl and his disciple.
"Alright, alright—go hug Grandpa Samuel too. Don’t play favorites."
Lady Freya was dumbfounded. Then she raised a brow, unsure if it was proper for Reya to act so openly emotional and casual. Why did she feel that Lara’s maid was a bit shaless? Can she hug the old n like that? In the end she said nothing.
Lara, composed and gracious, approached both elders and offered a respectful bow. "Grandpa Samuel, Grandpa Jethru—this is my mother, Lady Freya Norse."
Freya dipped her head in greeting. "An honor, Masters Samuel and Master Jethru. I finally t the man who saved my daughter two years ago and I am truly grateful."
Jethru nodded curtly, while Samuel gave her a slow smile.
"A pleasure, Lady Freya. Co inside. You must be tired—we’ve much to talk about."
As the gates closed behind them, the House of ndel beco much livelier.
The main doors of the house creaked open, revealing the soft and hoy ambiance within. The scent of sandalwood and dried herbs drifted out—familiar, grounding. The mont Lara stepped inside, the weight of the journey seed to lift slightly from her shoulders.
Samuel, ever the silent one, disappeared into the kitchen without a word—no doubt to ask soone to prepare tea and pastries. Jethru remained near the entrance, arms folded, his sharp eyes watching everything.
Reya, followed him and she darted off to the kitchen to help bring out more refreshnts.
"I had the rooms cleaned yesterday," he said, addressing Lara. "I have a premonition that you’d co ho sooner or later."
Lara smiled. "Thank you, Master. Sorry I could not write a letter. I figured that we might arrived earlier than the letter."
Behind her, Lady Freya entered slowly, eyes scanning the living room. She approached the man with the white hair and spoke respectfully. "Master Jethru, please accept this gift from my husband and I as a token of our gratitude." Freya made a hand signal and Sir Benwick brought in an exquisite wooden box and judging by its size, it should contain a robe or a cloak. Freya also handed Samuel his gift.
Just then, Hephastus entered behind them, groaning dramatically as he stretched his back. "Ahhh, I sll food being cooked. And not dried at for once. Blessed be this house."
"Sit down before you break sothing," Jethru muttered.
Hephastus grinned and plopped onto a cushioned bench near the main door, rubbing his knees. The two wolf pups had already made themselves at ho, curling up the corner, tails twitching in contentnt.
The twins ca skipping in monts later, their cheeks flushed from running.
"Is it true Sandoz is a young duke now?" Ivy asked breathlessly.
"Mm-hmm," Lara said as she removed her cloak and hung it. "But still the sa Sandoz. He sent you both gifts. They’re in the last trunk. Be patient."
Their eyes sparkled with anticipation. They wanted to get their gifts.
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