Going Home

Going Home

Late afternoon light slanted across the stone-paved streets of Ravenhold.

Shadows cast by the magic lamp posts stretched across the road, brushing the bases of nearby buildings. Window shutters closed one by one. Wooden crates scraped back into shops. A blacksmith smothered the last of his embers, while the scent of fresh bread and warm metal lingered in the cooling air.

Zio reined the horse to a stop before the Guild building.

The Guild emblem above the entrance caught the last of the sunlight, reflecting a muted gold. One side of the heavy door had already been pulled halfway shut, where a guard stood with his shoulder braced against the thick wood.

Zio dismounted.

Nyssa followed, her green coat swaying lightly as her boots touched the stone pavement.

After securing the reins with a firm tug, Zio stepped inside the Guild.

Nyssa followed close behind.

Only two round tables remained occupied. One adventurer slept with his head resting on an arm, while the quest board along the right wall was crowded with parchments whose edges had begun to curl. Behind the long reception counter sat Selene and two other staff members.

Zio and Nyssa approached the desk.

Selene looked up.

Her gaze settled on Zio before shifting to Nyssa.

Nyssa raised a hand.

“Evening, Selene.”

Selene's brows lifted slightly.

“You're still with him. Don't tell me you two went out together.”

Nyssa grinned, one shoulder rising in a casual shrug.

Selene let out a quiet breath before looking back at Zio.

“What is it, Zio?”

Zio took a small sack from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

A short, heavy thud.

Selene loosened the knot.

Three beast cores rolled gently inside the cloth.

“You went straight to the beast territory.”

Zio nodded.

Selene carried one of the cores to the appraisal frame beside the counter and placed it onto the engraved metal plate.

Thin lines of light traced the rune patterns before fading. A faint click sounded from within the frame.

She waited.

Dim numbers slowly surfaced along the edge of the plate before settling into place.

Her eyes narrowed.

She repeated the process with the second core.

Then the third.

“…Not bad.”

She returned to the counter.

“Three cores. Total value, nine silver coins. After tax, you'll receive seven silver and sixty-five copper.”

She counted the coins onto the counter one by one, each piece tapping softly against the wood.

As Selene turned one of the cores with the tip of her finger, one of the staff members leaned closer.

“He's a new adventurer, right?”

Selene gave a small nod.

Zio gathered the coins.

“Thank you.”

He turned toward the exit.

Nyssa started after him, only for the edge of her coat to be caught.

“Wait, Nyssa.”

She glanced over her shoulder.

“What is it, Selene? I'll stop by next time if you want.”

Selene narrowed her eyes.

“Don't act ignorant.”

Nyssa stepped closer.

“Not here.”

Selene released the fabric.

“You'd better tell me everything later.”

Nyssa let out a small laugh.

“Sure. It's getting dark anyway.”

“Selene, over here.”

A voice called from the other side of the hall.

Selene turned.

“Bye.”

Nyssa gave a small wave before stepping outside.

Selene's gaze lingered on the beast core in her hand for another moment.

“That man…”

She slipped it into the drawer and closed it softly.

***

Zio stood beside his horse as they stepped out of the Guild building. The fading light left faint reflections across Ravenhold's stone streets, while the magic lamps lining the road had yet to glow.

Nyssa stopped beside him.

“Zio, can I borrow some money? I'll pay you back.”

Zio glanced at her before offering the coin pouch.

“Looking for an inn?”

Nyssa shook her head and took a few coins.

“Wait here. Just a minute.”

She hurried toward a row of small kiosks along the street.

Zio remained where he was, one hand resting on the reins. The horse scraped a hoof lightly against the stone, its steady rhythm blending with the sounds of the evening.

Across the street, a modest restaurant was still open. Steam drifted from a large pot near the entrance, carrying the scent of salty broth and onions. Nearby houses were already closing their shutters, while the wooden sign of an inn creaked softly each time the wind nudged it.

Nyssa disappeared into one shop, then another. Fabric curtains lifted and fell behind her. From somewhere inside, the brief clink of metal reached the street.

Zio lowered his gaze to the coin pouch.

He opened it for a moment.

He did not count what remained.

He simply closed it again.

A short while later, Nyssa emerged carrying several shopping bags along with a few simple cooking tools.

Zio glanced at the bundle in her arms.

Nyssa answered with a faint grin.

“Don't ask.”

She shifted the bags into a more comfortable grip.

“Let's go home.”

Zio tucked the pouch away before helping her onto the horse, careful not to disturb the items she carried. He secured the purchases in front of the saddle, making sure nothing would slip free.

Only then did he mount.

The horse settled into a steady pace along the stone road. One by one, the magic lamps flickered to life, spreading warm pools of golden light across the street. With every step toward the eastern gate, the sounds of the city grew fainter behind them.

Several guards stood casually beneath the gatehouse.

No inspection.

Only brief glances.

The horse passed through the gate.

Once outside, Zio urged it into a faster pace. The stone road stretched straight toward the great bridge ahead, each hoofbeat ringing clear against the hard surface.

The city gate slowly receded behind them.

Ahead, a massive stone bridge arched across the broad river, its enormous blocks fitted together with careful precision. The horse climbed the gentle rise without hesitation, each step echoing softly between the low stone walls.

Far below, the river reflected the last of the evening light as its broad current drifted quietly beneath the arch.

Beyond the city walls, the wind felt different. Gone were the scents of bread and hot metal, replaced by cool water and wild grass.

The sky gradually darkened.

Nyssa held her shopping bags close to keep them from shifting.

Neither of them spoke.

Before long, Ravenhold had become nothing more than a cluster of distant lights behind them.

***

Dusk was nearly gone by the time they passed the fork leading to the cabin.

The stone road ended behind them, giving way to hard-packed earth. The horse's hooves no longer rang against stone, settling instead into a deeper, muted rhythm.

Tall grass brushed against its legs as it followed the narrow trail. Low shrubs dotted the roadside, while scattered trees stood far enough apart for the last slanting light to spill between their trunks.

A breeze drifted in from the river, carrying the scent of cool water and damp grass. Somewhere beyond the trees, the current flowed steadily through the gathering quiet.

Nyssa shifted the bags in her arms.

“All that?” Zio asked.

“Come on.” She smiled. “Don't you ever get tired of eating wheat bread and dried meat?”

Zio kept his eyes on the road, the reins resting steady in his hands.

The river caught the last traces of daylight through the gaps between the trees.

By the time the cabin came into view, the sky had deepened into a rich blue, leaving only a thin band of fading light along the western horizon.

The cabin stood facing the river, its wooden walls dark beneath the approaching night.

The horse slowed on its own as they entered the clearing.

Zio drew the reins back gently.

It came to a stop.

Nyssa climbed down first. Her boots landed on ground that still held a trace of the day's warmth. Without another word, she adjusted the bags in her arms and headed for the door.

The wooden door opened with a soft creak.

Zio remained outside for a moment.

The wind stirred the grass. Somewhere among it, night insects had begun to sing beneath the quiet murmur of the river.

He led the horse toward the small stable beside the cabin.

The stall door opened.

A moment later, it closed again behind the horse, the dull sound of wood lingering briefly before fading into the night.

Darkness settled over the riverside.

***

A small fire crackled before the cabin porch. A metal kettle rested above the flames, heating slowly as the firelight danced across its surface and the weathered floorboards beneath it.

Zio sat facing the river with a piece of wheat bread in one hand, eating without hurry.

The cabin door opened softly.

Nyssa stepped outside carrying a bowl of hot soup. Thin wisps of steam curled into the night air, and its aroma reached Zio before she did.

She stopped beside him and set the bowl within reach.

“Go on. It's still hot.”

Zio looked at the bowl for a moment before raising his eyes to her.

Nyssa turned her face away.

“At least I can make myself useful here.”

Zio picked up the bowl and took a slow sip.

One eyebrow rose slightly.

Nyssa narrowed her eyes, waiting.

After another sip, he gave a small nod.

“Thank you.”

The tension in Nyssa's shoulders eased.

“It's good, right? My Aunt Martha taught me.”

Zio's hand stopped.

Steam drifted across his face.

He coughed.

The spoon slipped from his hand, striking the wooden porch with a light clatter.

Nyssa quickly reached for the kettle and poured water into a cup.

“Take it easy.”

Zio accepted it and drank.

When he lowered the cup, he glanced at her.

“Thank you.”

Nyssa blinked.

“Why do you keep thanking me?”

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and went back inside. The door closed softly behind her.

Zio remained where he was.

The fire burned with a steady crackle.

Beyond the porch, the river flowed through the darkness without pause.

A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.