Jamal stepped down the ladder, before inspecting the work above. The roof had its final touches applied, and looked good as new. He was clumsy at first trying this out, but with time and help, it got easier reapplying the wood and hammering it down in place. A month's worth of work is finally over, he grinned, as he began making his way back inside the cabin.
At least it was easier fixing up in here. Much of the stuff had to be gutted and removed, but some of the things were able to be replaced luckily. He could see Ula placing a drink for Laken, who had finished eating something, before grabbing the cup and drank the liquid happily once he entered. At least the family was doing good.
"I think the roof is done." he walked up to Ula, before lightly kissing her, then sitting next to Laken. "At least the place is looking better than before."
"Pa, you should see this!" Laken got out of his seat and walked toward his room.
"What's that about?" Jamal asked Ula.
"I don't know. He's been working on something all morning long. I had to carry him here since he refused to come to eat." Ula noted, as Laken came back with a piece of paper.
"It's you!" Laken plopped the paper down on the table.
Jamal looked down at the piece. It was him, or he thought so. He could barely make out the figure, but he noticed flames surrounding what he thought was him, as it took up most of the space.
"Is it good?" Laken asked, looking into his eyes.
"I think so, you worked so hard, I can tell. I think I'll keep it safe with me." Jamal smiled back at him, as he folded the paper up before sliding it into his pockets.
"You're so strong! I saw you hit baddie so hard!"
"You guys were watching me fight?" Jamal looked at Ula, "I thought I told Heskins to watch you guys."
"He did, but Laken wouldn't come down with us, and so we had to drag him down when he must have seen you attack whoever." Ula tried to explain, while Laken continued to brag about his artwork.
"It's fine, don't worry about it. But I think in a week or so, I'm going to look for Leon. Probably going to have to fight him too, so there's that." Jamal knew.
He looked back at Ula, who just seemed disappointed with him leaving again. It sucked, but it would likely be their only chance to take on Youden head-on again, knowing that he wouldn't hold back. He looked at her left hand, only to notice the ring he gave her wasn't there.
"Hey, where's the ring?" Jamal asked her with worry.
"I still have it. I didn't want it to get destroyed," she promised him. "I can show you if you want."
"No, no, it's fine. I just wanted to check-in. I plan for our marriage after we get at least three more members for the Viligantes. Then, I'll really stay for a while, I really promise." he told her, before kissing her.
"Ew, Pa! That's gross." Laken complained as they parted.
"You'll understand one day, son." Jamal replied, as someone knocked on the door. "And that must be Hops. I'll go check and speak to him."
As he got up and let Ula chatter with Laken, he frowned thinking about taking out Leon if needed. He'll probably be must stronger and more dangerous, but the real question was how much so? He shook the thought out of his head, before opening the door.
Strangely enough, it was the harbormaster of the town from the bottom of the mountain. He checked him out yesterday only for him to tell him the ship heading to Fuishem wasn't even arriving until next week. Perhaps another delay.
"Um, hello there." Jamal greeted him.
"It's always a pleasure to see you. But getting down to business, I'm really here to tell you that the boat to Fuishem actually came to port last night. Apparently there were some problems that required them to get docked. You might be in luck to get there earlier." the harbormaster replied.
"That's actually great! When is it leaving?"
"Tomorrow night or the dawn the next day, depending on if it's ready for sea from what've been told."
"Okay, one last thing." he carefully moved his head, to see Ula looking at him. "Uh, if I wasn't going to catch this boat, then when would be the next chance?"
"Well, since they're here early, I'll say maybe three weeks."
Jamal hissed through his teeth at the thought. Was he really going to go off away from his family and that he couldn't wait three weeks? Then again, it would be likely Youden would attack them again, with him actually there and it would only be a matter of time. Having Leon there would be a good addition to the team.
"Thanks for the information. I'll likely be down there before they leave."
"No problem Jamal. Stay safe." the man said, before leaving.
Jamal closed the door, to see Ula and Laken still looking at him. He just remembered he spoke to him out loud and now they knew what was going to happen.
"Jamal! You said you were going to stay! You're leaving us again after coming back barely!" Ula cried out to him.
"Ula, is not that I don't want to be here, is that I want to protect us." Jamal said calmy.
"You think I can't protect our son? Do you think I'm always going to need protection? That I'm going to always need someone watching over me or us?"
"No, I would never think that. I'm just making sure if I was to, well die or something like that, and Youden or anyone of his power is there, there might at least be someone of my strength to be there."
"Mama, is Pa leaving us again?" Laken asked his mother.
"Sweetie, I don't know, but maybe he is." she replied softly, before glaring at him. "Perhaps he might be too busy to even stay with his family for a bit, instead of going off adventures like some type of fantasy. I think it's time you have a nap, let's go."
Jamal just watched, as she picked up Laken, with him staring at Jamal, as they went down the hallway and into his room. I think I just need some fresh air, Jamal knew, as he walked out the door and closing it, looking into the clear sky, before making his way to Hops' and the others' apartment. I just need to cool off for a bit, Jamal hoped for.
The walk was brisk, as he made it to the complex in only a few minutes as he walked up the steps to their floor. He reached their door only a few moments later before knocking on the door.
"Jamal, you look frustrated." Fonda answered, noticing his appearance. Why don't you come in?"
Jamal didn't answer as he walked inside. He had forgotten how tight it was in here. There were only six rooms in this house, and three of them were their bedrooms. There barely was space for even a quaint living room, as he sat down on the small settee they had installed. At least here they were able to build up quickly as the building withstood the attacks better.
"Morning Jamal." Hops managed to make out as he was eating something. "Any news."
"Oh yeah, the boat is actually here and we could leave tomorrow night." Jamal said.
"Dang, that's actually great. We can finally go somewhere different for once. Almost like old times. I hope Ula's taking this okay though." Hops grinned with excitement, as living in Suruthem for many years had began taking a toll on what life was before for him.
"Um, that's why I'm here. She got mad at me again, for us likely leaving, again, and she thinks I don't want to be apart of our family or something like that. Like, does she not get that I'm trying to protect everyone!" he began to lash out.
"Hey man, calm down. We literally just bought that, like two weeks ago. As for you and Ula, you guys need to work it out, or we can just wait until they come again. I don't think we're in a rush."
"Of course, but knowing Youden, he could be here any day, and if I'm gone or dead, who's going to protect them? Not you, Brat, Fonda, or even Heskins! It's only up to me! And they think I'm leaving them to die because I don't love them enough! Like I'm treating them as a joke! What is there to not understand!" Jamal spoke as he began to break down, "I love them too much, and I don't want them to die against Youden. I would literally die for my family, and they don't think I care."
"Yo relax. I'm sure if you actually spoke to her like that, she would be okay. She needs to understand what you're telling her. You need to be more real when you speak to her."
"I just want her to understand. I just want her to get what I'm trying to tell her." Jamal sobbed out, as Fonda just patted his back.