Gardiani Back At Home

It was a long journey for us. Newly transported to Gairidan, and we ended up trekking across two continents. When Abel left, we started on our journey back. We circled around Dongrui, and spent a week in each city and town we stopped in. Over that time Esther and I grew closer until eventually we were married. To be honest, I wasn't quite ready for it to turn into marriage, but I wasn't ready to come to this world in the first place when it happened. It wasn't like getting married would change our dynamic, so I decided to go through with it. We spent our first night together in a port town called Junyao.

We bounced around the towns along the way one after another. I noticed a difference in Ogun along the way. Ever since we had it out and laid our feelings bare, we had been just as close as before. Maybe even closer, since I finally saw the person behind the cool and gallant façade. When we reentered the five empires, we all promised that we'd help those who needed it while we traveled through just like the caravan did. It was felt amazing to save so many lives, and preserve whatever beautiful works created by the people of the Sun Death Strip. As we progressed, we developed a following of displaced soldiers, city guards, and people who also wanted to make a difference. When we reached the land surrounding Beyalan we learned that Palvena ended up needing to pull their soldiers back and call off the war after all. Just as we speculated, the blacklisting of Palvena by the Collection caused monster populations to increase. Without Hands to cull them, the empress needed to rely on her troops to do it. Passing through Beyalan, we saw that life had returned to the way it was the last time we were there, only happier. I assumed that the end to the trafficking made lives less fearful.

It was during our stay that we realized that Esther had a belly bump. I asked her why she didn't tell me she was pregnant, and she said that she didn't know until recently. As she is half dwarf, she wouldn't experience morning sickness like human women. We broke the news to everyone immediately, causing a mini celebration to spring up. Even our entourage joined in on it, spending money at the market. One of the guards near our inn said our group stimulated the economy in the city nicely.

When we eventually decided to leave, Ogun approached me at the western gate.

"Taiyo, thank you for pulling my head on straight back then. I could not have returned to my senses without you. But this is where we say goodbye for now."

I was taken aback by the suddenness of it, but then I saw the look in his eyes. Calm and clear. He had thought about this for a while it seemed.

"I still want to bring just to those who need it. Our work in these countries has reinforced that for me. I have talked it over with those that joined us. They all believe as I do. We will continue to help those who need it until we find the caravan. Once we do that, I will lead them west to the city state regions and unify them into one country. That will greatly reduce the fighting, and at last the people will live peaceful lives."

He held out his hand.

I stared at it for a moment. This would be the first time any of us separated and went our own way in this world. The thought was scary, and I worried I would never see him again, but I knew that he had to follow his heart.

I took it with a smile. "You better come see us from time to time. I'll leave it up to you to tell your sister."

He smiled back and nodded. After we released hands he walked over to his sister and pulled her to the side. From behind me came the sisters and Skylar.

"What was that about?" Yuliya asked.

"He's not coming." I said simply.

"What?" Yuliya went to go over to him, but Skylar stopped her, shaking her head.

Sofiya cleared her throat. "I think I'll stay here too."

Whirling around to face Sofiya this time, Yuliya sputtered.

"Before you say anything, I want to speak my mind." She took her sister's hand. "We will have to find our own ways to live now that we're living here. I've already chosen mine. I want to become a technologist, and I've talked with Esther many times about it. She's already told me how to go out there and start my life as one. I want to make things that help people, and explore places never seen by the people of this world. I want to learn things these people never knew about the monsters and places around them, and then teach them. Most of all I want to see the world. I always wanted to do that back on Earth, and while the Sun Death Strip is evidence that not everything is the same, I can still experience most of it if I go now. I'll stay with Ogun for a while, but then I'll go on my own. Maybe I'll meet someone. Maybe I won't. Maybe I'll have assistants and maybe I won't. But I'm going to explore everything I can. For Yuri."

Yuliya struggled for a few moments, seeming to want to stop her, but after a while she held her tongue, giving her a loving hug instead and saying her farewells.

We exited the city gates, Carter on our remaining horse. Looking back I could see Ogun with his hands on his hips, and Sofiya waving at us enthusiastically.

"She'll be ok, right?" Yuliya asked Skylar.

She chuckled at her. "I'm more concerned about you."

We continued on our journey for a few weeks before we came across a broken wagon. There were signs of a struggle, and when we investigated it, we noticed that there were a dead man and woman by the cart, as well as two bandits nearby. Carter deduced that the bandits descended upon the couple, but something or someone joined the fight and caused the bandits to flee, giving chase once they did.

As we were discussing it, a little boy of about two years of age toddled into view from between two barrels in the wagon. Yuliya immediately rushed to him, checking him over. He had white hair and green eyes. In place of human ears he had fox ears. I looked at the dead couple and realized they also had fox ears.

"I think they fought to protect their son." I stated.

"You poor baby. Are you hurt?" Yuliya gave him a hug.

"Mama?" He said questioningly.

Carter and I quickly covered his parents so he wouldn't see them. He gestured for Adaeze and the others to put him in our wagon, then when they did, I helped him dig graves for them.

After we finished and returned to the cart, Yuliya put her hands on her hips in defiance and looked at us. "Skylar and I have decided to adopt this boy. He doesn't know his name, so we have named him Hector."

Skylar shrugged. "I didn't agree. She said we're doing it and I'm just going with it."

I returned my gaze to Yuliya, who looked like she was waiting for my response. "Ok." I said, and hopped into the wagon.

The Russian woman deflated, realizing nobody was going to question her.

The rest of the way to Vernacieux was uneventful, even from monster attacks. It was a blessing, as we would have had to fight them off while defending Esther and Hector. Skylar used her Zeke's break stick to shoot a bird monster out of the sky. It was the first time I'd had anything remotely like chicken in this world. It was surreal to have it over a fire.

When we pulled into town, we were instantly greeted. Questions were asked about where Abel, Sofiya and Ogun were. We just told them that they had other purposes that called to them, and that if they saw any of them, tell them we'd be going to either the northern or southern cities in the city states realms.

They decided to hold a smaller party for us before we headed out. We stayed in Esther's home, which had been repaired and cleaned up by the residents. It was only a few weeks until the Forbidden Week, so we stayed until it was over. During that time Esther gave birth to our daughter, Olivia. The town wanted to celebrate that too, but I politely declined. I was afraid they were beginning to deify us in their heads.

As we were leaving Vernacieux, Carter and Adaeze asked if we could make a stop south to a fishing town before we continued. None of us saw a problem with it so we agreed. It took us a month to reach it. Apparently it was near where Carter was found by his mentor. The town of Thalassinos, a gorgeous town that had artificial hot springs and seafood cuisine that rivaled anywhere else. If it was part of a nation, it would definitely have been the crown jewel.

When we arrived, Adaeze announced that she and Carter wanted to get married here.

"I don't care if this one is full of monsters, I always wanted to get married beside the Mediterranean."

They didn't want a big ceremony, just to exchange vows with each other with their close friends as witnesses.

We stayed for a week and a half so that the newly weds could have some extra time to honeymoon. Not that it was a concept here, but Adaeze asked for it and we obliged.

During that time, I learned more about being a dad. While we were on the road Esther took care of the baby so that I could remain free in case of danger. Now that we were safe in town, it was my turn. Her mother was a wet nurse, and she helped take care of her employer's children. Esther learned from an expert on child rearing, and now she passed it onto me. First she showed me how to hold Olivia properly. Then came diaper changing. When it was time to feed her I was off the hook, but right after I learned to burp and rock her to sleep. I had vast amounts of respect for her after doing that for a full week.

Just before we left the town we took an escort job at the Collection building. We were to take a scholar to Drachenfeld, a town in the northern territories. The trip there seemed uneventful, until I realized that I had just become efficient at dealing with things that threatened us. Even when a pack of twisted hands attacked us, like from our first day, Carter and I dispatched them on our own without needing Adaeze, Skylar or Yuliya's help.

Whenever we had to deal with larger threats, little Hector started helping Esther with Olivia. It was unfortunate that he lost his real parents, but his two moms doted over him constantly. I was worried that he would grow up spoiled and entitled, but that would be their problem if it happened.

We reached Drachenfeld relatively quickly. It was slightly colder here, but it was peaceful. We learned very quickly that the populace adored and trusted their lord. Supposedly he was well known for taking good care of his people. One of the few.

With that in mind, and after learning there hasn't been a technologist seen here in decades, we decided to call this town home. Esther and I bought a house with land large enough to build a shop at the end of it. Up on a hill at the outskirts of town Adaeze and Carter purchased a cottage. Meanwhile there was a building in the center of town that the old owner was looking to get rid of. At the sight of Hector the old man just gave it to the ladies. It frankly wasn't fair, but it didn't matter too much for me. I had my happy family and was looking forward to the future.

Fast forward five years, and a lot changed. Word was going around of a man and his band of warriors meeting with various lords on the eastern edge of the city states region, seeking allegiances. It was known that he had already conquered Palvena with a popular uprising. The ousted empress was allowed to leave peacefully and alive with some of her wealth if she turned over power to her younger sister, a well known royal who looked after the poor and needy of the country. We knew it was Ogun, since he had sent a letter to us describing his plans and what he had accomplished already.

Today we were all enjoying the nice weather in my yard. Yuliya was teaching Carter how to use the grill that I coached Esther through inventing, while Skylar was performing maintenance on her knives. Adaeze was watching the kids.

Five year old Olivia was running with seven year old Hector. They were pretending to be chased by two year old Connor, Adaeze and Carter's son.

I was sitting on a couch with Esther in my arms. She was tinkering with something. Another invention that I couldn't fathom until she was finished.

By now, we had all settled into our lives. Carter more or less retired as a Hand. He didn't make it official, but he didn't pick up work anymore. Instead, he worked alongside the town watch to keep Drachenfeld safe. Adaeze established a daycare in town where she began watching the town's children. It was a novel idea to the people here, as they never thought of a school, but for tiny children. She made a name for herself for being a safe and enriching environment, causing other women and even a couple men to want to learn from her. Already one of her employees went off into the five empires to establish one such school.

Skylar and Yuliya continued working as Hands, more often than ever. I officially retired as a Hand, and gave party leadership over to Yuliya. Together they recruited more people into the Elementals, which meant only two more since I was the only one that left and we had one more space to begin with. They grew so known, that they started a clan, establishing two party offshoots that reported to them at their headquarters, the floor space in below their home in the building they own.

At that moment one of Yuliya's clan members came running through our yard. Olivia and Hector both stopped and looked at him. In unison they both stuck their tongues out.

"Hey! What have I said about that!" Adaeze chided.

He ran straight to Yuliya and handed her a scroll, breathing heavily.

"This... just... arrived." He fell flat on his back in the grass. The kids came charging like warriors and jumped on him.

Yuliya took it and sat down by Skylar.

"Skylar your newbie left himself open. That's not good." I joked.

She tutted loudly for effect. "To allow children to get the upper hand. More training is needed."

Yuliya threw the scroll to me, nearly hitting me in the face.

"Read it out loud."

I maneuvered it around Esther's head and began to read.

As proclaimed by the cities and towns of Drachenfeld, Vernacieux, Bergtal, Wolfsbach, La Rosiquelle, and Belmontaise, Ogun Igbo is recognized as lord of the land. His desire to establish a kingdom that protects the defenseless, and conqueror the evil has been heard by the lords and heads of these areas. Let be known that these cities and towns now fly the flag of the Kingdom of Gardiani. The first official act of Gardiani is to declare war upon cities in the lord Veyrac Blackbourne's domain. All who seek the light, heed King Ogun's words.

I wasn't sure what I'd be reading, but it seemed like Ogun had been taking a big leap in creating a kingdom.

"Wow, does that mean we might be seeing more of him?"

"I can't believe that's what he's been doing. Why can't he just settle down somewhere? He always has to go bigger." Adaeze groaned.

"Because it seams if I don't do it, nobody else will.." Came a voice from behind us.

Yuliya turned around and squealed. "Ogun!" She nearly knocked Skylar over trying to get to him.

A soldier that was escorting him attempted to block her way but he shook his head, taking the full force of her hug.

"It is good to see you too." He looked over us all. "I am glad you already live in one of my cities."

"Your cities? I helped you with your speech to those lords, so they are kind of mine too." Came yet another voice behind him.

"Sofiya!" Yuliya screeched, shoving Ogun to the side. The soldier made to draw his sword, but Ogun stopped him, laughing.

He chuckled. "Your help was integral, I give you that. With this new kingdom, we'll unify all the city states in time and begin moving forward into the future. Empress Yolanda has pledged aid from Palvena, so as we capture each city, we're going to increase their quality of life."

Carter walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. "I knew you were a protector." He smiled at him, then looked at me. I nodded to him, agreeing.

"Carter, I have word from Byrant." He said. "He has led many of the dissatisfied and downtrodden in a rebellion against that despicable lord, and has pledged his forces to my cause. He is a good man, well loved and respected by the citizens of Belle Reve, so when we liberate it, I intend to make him lord of it."

Carter grinned. "That city will become the jewel of you empire."

"With his leadership, I hope so."

The guard stepped forward. "My liege, I believe it is time to meet with the lord of Drachenfeld."

He nodded to him. He went to turn but seemed to remember something. "I have two more things to say. One, is that I intend to announce my nephew over there as my successor." He gave his sister a warm look, which she reciprocated.

"Dad would have been proud of you."

"What was the other thing?" Esther asked. She was tinkering with her next invention while I held her in my arms.

"Sofiya here has become a renowned technologist in the five empires. I heard she went to the barbarian tribes north of there before moving on to Palvena. She has been declared a friend of the empires and receives a royal escort where ever she goes. It seems that is the only thing they all agree on."

"I'm sure she's embarrassed by that." Skylar said looking at her.

Sure enough, Sofiya was covering her face moaning in agony, causing us all to laugh.

"Anyway, I will be going to a meeting now. I want you all to know you are welcome to join my cabinet at any time." He bowed slightly. As he turned he looked at me and nodded.

"A lot has changed in five years, hasn't it?" Esther thought allowed. I rubbed her belly. "And it'll keep changing."