The road ahead had grown rougher, and as Kellan and his companions slowly closed in on Pelun, the village's outline became clearer. What should have been a bustling community was now a mostly desolate place. The remnants of burned-down huts and cottages stood as silent witnesses to the devastation that had swept through the region. The air was thick with the lingering smell of charred wood and ash.
The group pressed on, passing through the village. As they neared the central square, they noticed some activity near the old well. A few villagers, either survivors or refugees from other places, were working together, building new huts. The sound of hammers striking wood and the murmur of quiet conversations filled the air, bringing a small sense of life back to the ruined village.
Kellan guided his companions toward the well, curiosity piqued by the sight of people working together. Kellan's eyes were drawn to one figure in particular. A man, topless and covered in sweat glistened on his muscled frame as he hoisted a log up to a man perched atop a half-built hut, helping to bind the structure for the roof.
"Eamon!" Kellan called out, his voice carrying across the square.
The man paused, turning to see who had called his name. A broad smile spread across his face as he recognized Kellan. "Kellan, by the gods!" he exclaimed, dropping the log and rushing over to embrace his friend. The two men clasped arms, pulling each other into a tight hug.
"It's been too long, my friend," Kellan said, clapping Eamon on the back.
"Six months, at least," Eamon replied, stepping back to take a good look at Kellan. "You look well, though. What brings you to this forsaken place?"
"I could ask you the same," Kellan said, grinning. "But let's not get into that here."
The two friends walked a short distance away from the group, finding a quieter spot near the edge of the village. The sound of construction faded as they sat on a fallen tree, the weight of their conversation settling in.
"What happened, Eamon?" Kellan asked, his tone serious. "Why did you leave the fort without saying anything? Last I heard, you were as committed as anyone to the fight."
Eamon sighed, running a hand through his short hair. "I needed to get away, Kellan. The last war... it was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I've seen death before, but this... this was different. More than I could handle. I've seen enough death, Kellan. More than enough. When the fighting ended, I realized I didn't want to be a part of it anymore. I needed to find a place to rest."
Kellan nodded, understanding the unspoken words. The horrors of war had left their mark on both of them. "I get it," he said quietly. "But why here? Why Pelun? You once said you'd never return here, that the memories haunted you."
"I didn't plan to," Eamon admitted. "I just thought I'd bid a proper farewell to this place, but then... I found these refugees in the mountains on my way here. They had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. I remembered Pelun and thought it might be a place they could rebuild, and start fresh. I know this place better than anywhere else, and it felt right to return. So, we came here, and I decided to help."
Kellan listened intently, sensing the resolve in his friend's voice. "Thank the gods you did, or I might not have found you."
Eamon smiled, but his expression soon grew serious. "And what about you? What brings a knight like you to these woods? You're not just passing through, are you?"
Kellan smiled back, his expression softening. "No, I'm not. I've been granted land near Emberfall. It's mine to rebuild, to make something out of. But I need people, resources, and allies to make it happen. That's why I'm here, looking for anyone who might be willing to join me. And to be honest, I was hoping to find you."
Eamon considered Kellan's words, his brow furrowing in thought. "Thank you, my friend. But these people need me. I can't leave them alone."
Kellan nodded, understanding his friend's commitment. "I get it, Eamon. But what if you brought them with you? Emberfall could be a fresh start for all of you. We could build something together."
Eamon looked back at the villagers, watching as they toiled away at their work. He then turned to Kellan, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Alright, man. Let me talk to them."
Kellan smiled, and with a playful tone, said, "By the way, look who I have with me." He gestured towards Gareth, Alden, and Finn, who had been standing nearby, observing the reunion.
Eamon's eyes widened in surprise and joy as he recognized the trio. "Gareth! Alden! Finn!" he exclaimed, moving to greet each of them with a hearty handshake and a hug. "It's damn good to see you all!"
Gareth grinned, clapping Eamon on the shoulder. "Glad to see you're still in one piece."
Alden nodded, his expression warm. Finn to his side added with a smile, "Feels like old times."
Eamon looked around at his friends, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. "It sure does. We've got a lot to catch up on."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village, the group gathered around a small fire. The meal was simple, a thin porridge made from what little rations they had, but the company made it a meal worth savoring. While they were eating, Eamon suddenly paused, his spoon hovering over his bowl. He looked at Kellan. "Where's Tony?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "He didn't come with you guys?"