I'm Glad it Was You

Eiric, Sigrun, and Vilgur have trained every day since returning. Their training often leaves them exhausted, but the results are clear. The three understand better than ever how they must grow, and, of the importance of rest.

Today, Eiric travels outside of Sanctuary with Eydis, Astrid, and Torsten for a family outing. It’s the first time the group will spend a day of leisure together as a family, it brings tears to Astrid who wishes they could spend every day together in peace.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t bring Sigrun?” Astrid said.

“She wanted to come, but there is something she must keep an eye on at the moment.”

“Such a responsible young girl. Eiric, never lose her, or Eydis and I will have some strong words for you.”

“Haha, I’ll do my best.”

“Alright.” Torsten brings over a horse pulled carriage, “Everyone ready?”

After boarding the carriage, the family heads south for the day out together. With Freydis’s order, the family doesn’t worry about an attack. They also have plenty of well rested scouts and the captains all gathered in Sanctuary. They’re fast enough to return in minutes, but they have hope that everything will be ok.

“You guys never told me you were part of an adventurers’ group.” Eiric said.

The carriage rides along a path within a forest, though no creatures dare come near as Astrid and Torsten keep their magic high.

“Oh dear, we were infamous troublemakers. I’m not proud of all we did, but they are beautiful memories.” Astrid said, “It’s how I met your father. He was our leader for better or worse, and we became the worst generation.”

“Why that name?”

“Torsten?”

“I’d love to answer. Eiric, adventurer groups are kept under control by the guilds of Mithold. There were a lot of stifling rules and eventually many guilds become corrupt due to higher ups taking bribes from companies or powerful people. So, our group sought missions given out by those who couldn’t afford to contract with guilds. But that wasn’t what gave us that name. It’s a long story, but we eventually took down many guilds we didn’t like. Oh! We’re here.”

Astrid places a small hat on Eydis before sporting her own and hopping out of the carriage.

The seas of Mithold are strong and dangerous. Only enchanted boats can traverse the waters, but the shores of the ocean are a beautiful place to visit. The breeze is always cool, the smell of the sea wonderful, only the difficulty of the journey keeps people away.

“All to ourselves today.” Astrid said.

Eiric and Torsten set up a blanket before grabbing the picnic supplies from the carraige.

Torsten stops, Eiric bumping into his back before looking at what has stunned Torsten.

Up ahead, Astrid stands with Eydis in her hands. She stares into the sea as her hair waves with wind.

“I’m sure you get the same feeling when you look at Sigrun. Son, trust me when I say this, nothing beats this. I wonderful wife, beautiful kids. It makes each day worthwhile.” Astrid turns and waves to her two boys, “I’m lucky she gave me a chance.”

“Mom loves you a lot more than you think.”

“Does she say that?”

“I can tell. She looks at you the same way Sigrun looks at me. I think she would travel to other worlds to find you as well.”

“As I would for her.”

“And up!” Astrid dips Eydis’s toes into the water before tossing her into the sky, Eydis’s laugh carry as she falls into Astrid’s arms.

After eating, the family takes to the sea. The water keeps them cool and Torsten gives everyone a show by writing their names in the sky with streams of water and creating bubbles that burst into sparkling water.

As the sun begins to set, they sit by the shore to rest before returning home.

An unforgettable day, but one few can enjoy. It is Astrid’s and Torsten’s dream to give everyone the privilege to enjoy time with their family as they do.

“Mom, Dad, there is something I must do.”

“We know son.” Torsten said.

“We do. You’re our son. Sitting by and staying quiet just isn’t in your genes. We support you, but I hope you understand that cannot help you without sparking the war.”

“I know. I just wanted to tell you both before leaving, I think we are leaving tonight. I also want to apologize. For some time, I only cared for our people. I realize now that you fight for everyone. I want to be like you.”

“Haha, that’s my boy.” Torsten pulls Eiric close, Astrid soon joining with Eydis grabbing Eiric’s hand, “Of course we’re worried, but we've experienced no shortage of danger. Stay safe, and protect those you love.”

“Please make sure to come back, Eydis and I will be waiting for you. I’ll have to keep Torsten under control of course, he’s just as reckless as you. But that is why I love you both.”

“Mom, dad.” Eiric pulls his parents in close, drilling the moment into memory and hoping that his blessed life is no dream, “Thank you. For everything. I once wished for nothing more than a family, and now that I am here, I’m glad it was you.”

Vilgur walks out of his house, Keldan sitting on a chair just outside.

“Are you going to stop me?” Vilgur said.

“Did you at least say goodbye to Sigrun?”

“She’s asleep, she’d only worry and try to come with me.”

“You’re right. Vilgur, I’ll never forget the day we lost your mother. She did it to protect us all, her last words to me to tell me that she has loved every day with me. I was never sure how to help you and Sigrun deal with it. I failed. But, by dumb luck, Eiric came into your lives and you two began to smile again. Your hatred for humans began to disappear. It made me happy. It would have made your mother happy as well.”

“I can’t hate people like Eiric and his family, and I’m sure other races will have nice people as well. I am happy now, and a lot of that is because of you, because you have never given up on your dream. You inspire me. And it is because of you that I must do this, I can’t live with this regret. Not like then, I can’t be weak forever.”

“You always called yourself weak, but I never thought so. Not in the way you believe yourself to be. Strength comes in many forms. On that day, even though we were thrown across the village and suffered terrible injuries. You dragged yourself forward, reaching for Nattlina to help. I knew then that you would one day surpass me. I’ll get you there. But you must return.”

“I will do my best to.” Vilgur bows, “Father, thank you for everything. All that you have taught me, I will take it all and do my best to succeed.”

“I know you will.” Keldan hugs Vilgur, “You must know, we are stronger together.”

“I can’t bring them into this; I want them to be safe and happy.”

Keldan smiles. “Well, you’ll learn eventually. Good luck.”

As Vilgur enters the forest across Sanctuary’s gate, he forms a shield and braces.

“Where are you going?”

Vilgur drops his guard. “Sigrun, why are you here? You were just asleep.”

“That was just a bundle of blankets.” Sigrun drops from a tree branch, “I’m proud of you, but going alone is too reckless.”

“I don’t want you in danger. Does Eiric know you’re here, what would he say to you risking your life like this?”

“He’d come with me.”

“What?!”

Eiric waves at Vilgur from atop the same tree branch Sigrun sat on. “So, what’s the plan?”

“The plan is for me to go alone, why would you even risk coming with me?”

Eiric joins Sigrun and Vilgur on the ground. “I’m going to be fighting powerful angels one day. I have no hope of winning if I can’t help family.”

“He’s right, we’re not so weak that we’d die without a fight. Plus, we’ll be together. We stand a better chance like this.” Sigrun said.

“You two… you’re both idiots. Thank you. My plan is simple; I will take her side.”

“Oh. Proposing, are we? Isn’t love beautiful? To think, I’m going to have a princess as a sister.”

“Is it possible for a commoner to marry Freydis?” Eiric said.

“I’m not sure. But I will try, if not, then I will challenge for her hand. I’ll go through every noble if I must. I have to make sure she doesn’t sacrifice herself like this, not when she was that sad.”

Sigrun pinches Vilgur’s arm, “You’ll find a way, we’re going to get you there. Love! What do you think?”

“It’s worth a try, I have faith if we’re together.”

With that, the trio leaves for Solgrad at great speed. Their time short, but their hearts unwilling to give in as they head to help Freydis.