We left Kerchest the morning after. The village had been kind to us but Ronalt and Earnest were waiting back in Axel. They had gone to Axel with Marley and Lara but because Lara had felt a bad premonition she decided to go look for us, taking Marley with her. Taylor's slave collar led her right to us, though Ardent's barrier had blocked it for a certain period of time. I had promised to continue the journey as their steward once everything had been settled. As painful as I knew it was going to be, I kept my promises.
Servius guided us alone as we took Pina and our now incredibly cramped carriage back to Axel. Pina was fine however as the carriage was still lighter than the usual. We enjoyed the scenery of the border forest and even detoured for the more scenic route. It felt strangely calm after all that had happened but it was much better than dying and having to go through it all again.
We reached Axel just as the sun set and were greeted by several of my parents including Mattias. Beside him was Earnest and Ronalt. They looked amicable enough but there was an underlying tension between them.
"Rain welcome back," Mattias greeted us at the edge of the town. "I see your friends found you. How was your trip to the forest?" From the way he phrased it I could immediately tell that Ronalt and Earnest were not in the current loop.
"It was eventful," I smiled in reply. "I'm not sure if you met them but this is Marley and this here is Lara." I pointed them out in turn. "They found us last night while we were camping and have been with us since. It was a bit sudden but there was no trouble."
"Good," Mattias nodded.
Ronalt stepped forward, "It is good to see you all in fine health. You have a lovely home Rain and the people of Axel have been very hospitable. We do however have much to talk about."
"Of course," I bowed my head. "Mattias can we please use the lounge?"
"It's fine with me however we don't have enough spare rooms so some of your friends will need to spend the night at the inn." In the background Nill and Bert smiled in celebration.
"Is that okay with you Ronalt?" I asked.
He nodded, "It is where we spent the previous night and the accommodation is pleasant."
"Then I'll drop off Pina and unload the carriage. Mattias can you please guide my friends ahead of me, I'll be there soon."
"Please follow me," Mattias gestured for them to follow. "Ardent, Taylor as well. I'll have Nill prepare something for your dinner." Lara and the others followed him. I could trust Ardent and Taylor. Marley I had bribed earlier. The problem was Lara, as much as I believed she wouldn't say anything on purpose she could be quite a klutz with her words.
Servius came with me as we dropped off the carriage. Margaret joined us.
"So how was it really?" she asked once they were far out of sight.
"Kerchest is a really nice place," I responded happily. "Have you been there?"
"Oh a few times for this and that," she grinned. "Did you use the explosive?"
I frowned, "Yes… we ran into some trouble. To tell you the truth that trouble was really close to coming to Axel as well."
"You can tell me more Rain. Unlike the others I won't coddle you to death."
"Have you heard of the Imperium?"
Her reaction was all I needed as her usual happy go lucky expression crinkled to a dark glare, "I wish I hadn't."
"They were doing some experiments in Kerchest. Thankfully Ardent was there and Lara came after so everything was settled."
"Settled?" Servius scoffed. "You say it like it was a walk in a park. Didn't you almost die? Half the village centre was torn up."
I hit him over the head, "I was playing it down you idiot."
"Ah… sorry," he moped.
Margaret sighed, "You really are growing up to be able to handle them. I understand. Quite a few of us here know of them. We'll keep a watchful eye while you're gone."
"You knew I was leaving again?" I said slowly.
"Of course we knew. Also your 'friend' Ronalt came practically begging for your return. He holds you in high regard."
"Well he does now at least," I let out half a laugh. He still killed me twice.
We packed up the carriage and stored away the goods Kerchest had given us as presents. It was mostly alcohol…. I left Servius with Margaret and headed back to Mattias' home, the Mayor's office. By the time I arrived darkness had already taken over and the streets of Axel were dimly lit by the few lights we had. The lounge room was full with Lara and the others. A selection of foods already brought over from the inn.
"Good evening," I greeted them. "May I take a seat as well?"
Ardent looked at me with raised brows, "Why are you acting so stiff? This is your home."
"Well I'm back on the clock. As I promised, I will do my best and serve you all as your steward." I turned my eyes to Ronalt. "Of course that is if you would still have me."
"I accept your accompaniment whole heartedly," Ronalt stood and shook my hand. "Please sit. Also you don't need to act so… as Ardent said, stiff. If we are to travel form here on out it would be best to have a more palatable relation."
"Great," I stretched and yawned. "Because I'm starving."
The sudden change in my attitude caused Ronalt to pause but eventually he accepted it and sat down again. We finished the meal together. Although really it had only been a week or so, it was a nostalgic feeling. Earnest ate in relative silence. Ardent talked vividly as always. Ronalt would occasionally grunt a response. Marley was keener on the food than anything else. Taylor did whatever, and purposefully moved to sit closer to me. And Lara, she smiled like nothing had changed.
As the meal ended I took away everyone's plates and prepared some light beverages. No alcohol of any kind. At this point I really didn't want to have to deal with anyone drinking too much.
"Shall we begin?" Ronalt took his glass and spoke seriously.
Ardent sighed, "We might as well."
"Then I shall start," he took a sip of the juice and for a moment said nothing. "To be frank our mission has become more critical. We managed to extract some information from several high-ranking demons and discovered plans to launch a larger invasion into the Kingdom. Taking Greytree was meant to be their way of gaining a foothold. If it weren't for Rain's warning I'm afraid of what would have happened."
"Yes his vision was rather on point," Ardent nodded.
"Maybe it was a gift from the Goddess," Marley said cheerfully. I really doubted it was.
"I can only hope so," Ronalt said sombrely. "Unfortunately we have come at an impasse. We planned to remove the Demon Lord before he could gather his forces while there was still time but with our route blocked, passing the border has become much harder.
Lara looked at him anxiously, "Then how do we stop him?"
"We need to find another path through the forest, that or take the sea route. Both are filled with danger. By sea, if the tides do not crush against the rocks the creatures beneath will. Going through the forest blindly could have us lost for days if not weeks and by then it could be too late." He frowned, "If only we had a way in at least past the border."
Four pairs of eyes shifted to me. I ignored them splendidly. He pulled out a map and placed it on the table. It was rare to see one so detailed and it even included information about the Empire I had never seen before. While geography was something I had studied there wasn't much point for me to know much more about the regions past the Kingdom's capital. The continent was split into six major regions. To the west was Demon territory marked by the border forest, taking up about a quarter in total. Then came the Kingdom that reached just past the midline of the continent, however large chunks to the north and south belonged to two smaller countries, the Principle and Theocracy. Aside from a group of islands off the south coast the rest was controlled by the Empire. Surprisingly Axel was also marked on the map. Even those just showing our region sometimes left us behind.
"This is a current map of the continent. As you can see the Empire clearly controls most the land, factor in that the Principle and Theocracy are basically their vassal states they are an incredibly powerful force." Ronalt frowned, "Our immediate threat however are the demons."
For the next hour we discussed possible entry points past the border. I stayed mostly silent unless spoken to directly. I had no intention of revealing Axel's relation with Kerchest. Yes it would be the easiest way in and with Servius here he could lead us through the border forest, but at what cost? Earnest wouldn't care, Ronalt however… he was a Knight Captain and even more so the illegitimate son of the Queen. Even if he promised to spare Axel, if his hand was forced it really might be wiped off the map. In the end we got nowhere.
"It's getting late," I said and stood up. "Let me guide you to the inn. We can solve this tomorrow."
"I am in agreement with Rain," Ardent rose tiredly. "We've had a long day and it would be most wise to rest."
I led them through the streets to the inn and after saying my goodnight slowly made my way home. Taylor had started to follow me back but Lara dragged her into the inn. It wasn't fair if she got to stay in Mattias' home and no one else did. The rooms in the inn were nice but not that nice. It would also be a good opportunity for me to actually be alone as even Servius was staying somewhere else.
There wasn't much to do in Axel once it became dark. The inn had a bar to drink but it was rarely used past 10. Worst still if I ever wanted to drown out my sorrows with alcohol my entire family would know. It really was the epitome of a small country town. Everyone knew everyone else and having guests was an excitement that could last for days. As a kid, if people like Lara and the others had come I would have been beset with joy, following them around secretly to see what they'd do. Those childhood dreams of adventure, exploring the world, fighting monsters and saving people. After having done all those now, I couldn't say if it was worth it or not.
Instead of heading home to sleep I found myself at the outskirts of Axel to where the carriage had been parked. Pina slept beside it as if it were her precious belonging to be protected. Her head twitched as I came closer.
"Sorry did I wake you?" I rubbed her head as she turned to look at me with glazed tired eyes. She let out a chirp and settled down again. Maybe I had missed it, but before I knew it I had taken a set of bedding and blankets form the carriage and laid it across the roof. Despite the winter night, beneath the sheets I was perfectly warm and comfortable. I stared up into the stars that vividly shone down. At some point I fell asleep.