Kellan stood before the grand oak doors of Lord Arlyn's chamber, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. The victory had granted him more than just land; it offered him a chance at a new life. As the doors creaked open, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Lord Arlyn seated at his desk, surrounded by maps and scrolls.
"Come in, Kellan," Lord Arlyn beckoned, his voice as steady and commanding as ever. Kellan stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"My Lord," Kellan began, "I request your permission to leave and tend to the land you've graciously granted me."
Lord Arlyn, seated with a solemn expression, nodded. "Permission granted, Kellan. You have served well. Take with you some soldiers and gather some villagers to manage your land. May it prosper under your care."
"And remember, you are allowed to have a garrison of 10 men max."
With gratitude, Kellan bowed again and left the hall, heading toward his quarters to pack up his belongings. His mind raced with thoughts of the future, of rebuilding Emberfall, of honoring the memory of his fallen comrades.
Lord Arlyn has given permission to hire soldiers to accompany him. As he packed, he began to think of who he would bring along. He knew he would need strong and reliable companions for this new journey.
Once ready, he made his way to the forge, where he sought out his old mentor, Bram, and his fellow blacksmiths to bid farewell. After saying his goodbyes, Kellan moved on to the barracks where he had spent so many nights alongside his fellow recruits. The smell of sweat and leather filled the air, and the familiar sounds of sparring and laughter echoed through the hallways. Kellan found three of his old friends, Gareth, Alden, and Finn, men who had fought beside him in the most trying times.
"I'm leaving for Emberfall," Kellan announced, after exchanging greetings. "I've been granted land there, and I could use good men like you to help me build it."
The three soldiers, all battered from the recent battles, greeted Kellan warmly. The three exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from surprise to excitement. They had all faced the horrors of war together, and the idea of starting anew appealed to them. Rather than a border fort a not so important village appealed to them more. Where they could relax and maybe settle down for good.
Gareth, the sturdy spear-wielder, grinned. "Count me in. I've always wanted to live in the mountains."
Alden, the sharp-eyed archer, nodded thoughtfully. "I'm with you, Kellan."
Finn, ever cheerful, clapped Kellan on the shoulder. "You know I'm in. Someone's got to keep things lively, right?"
With his three companions on board, Kellan's group was starting to take shape. But there was one more person he wanted by his side, Eamon, his closest friend from his time in Arkhaven. Kellan headed to the scout camp to find him, but when he arrived, Eamon was nowhere to be seen.
As he searched the camp, Kellan stopped one of the scouts. "I'm looking for Eamon," he said, glancing around. "Have you seen him?"
"Eamon... He left a few hours ago," the scout informed him. "He's gone back to his village. Said something about needing to be with his family."
Kellan felt a twinge of disappointment and confusion. Eamon, like Kellan, had lost his entire family last year in the Galdor invasion. Why would he return to an empty home when there was a chance to start anew? Kellan couldn't fully grasp his friend's decision, but he respected it. Even so, a part of him couldn't let it go. Determined to understand, Kellan resolved to take a detour on his journey. Before heading to Emberfall, he would visit Eamon's village, Pelun, to speak with his friend one last time.
The sun was setting as Kellan gathered his small group at the fort's gates. The journey ahead would be long and arduous, but as he looked at the determined faces around him, he knew they were ready. With a final glance at Fort Arkhaven, Kellan turned his back on his past and set out on the path to his future.