The wind whispered through the trees as Cedric and his companions made their way back toward Tamsin's village. The sky had cleared, but the air was cool, carrying the scent of rain that had fallen in the night. The village lay ahead, peaceful despite the chaos they had just left behind in the ruins.
The children they had rescued followed close behind, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Tamsin walked near them, her face soft with kindness as she reassured them, though Cedric could see the weight of the day's events still hanging over her.
Lira, ever watchful, kept to the front of the group, her hand never far from her sword. Maeve and Kellen, by contrast, were joking softly to each other, though the tension from the escape had yet to fully dissipate.
As they neared the village gates, the remaining villagers rushed out to meet them, their faces lighting up with hope and joy as they saw the children safe and sound.
"You did it," Ralith, the village elder, said as they approached. His voice shook with emotion as he knelt before the children, tears brimming in his eyes. "You brought them back."
Tamsin moved forward, placing a comforting hand on the elder's shoulder. "We did. And thanks to them," she nodded toward Cedric and the others, "we were able to stop the bandits."
Ralith looked up, his gratitude clear. "Thank you… all of you. I don't know how we can ever repay you."
Cedric felt a warmth spread through him at the sight of the villagers' relief, but he shook his head. "We don't need anything in return. Just knowing they're safe is enough."
---
That night, the villagers insisted on hosting a small feast in honor of Cedric and his companions. The village square, simple and humble, had been transformed with makeshift tables and lanterns that flickered warmly in the evening air. Plates of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and sweet pastries filled the tables, and the sound of soft music played by a few of the villagers added a sense of celebration to the night.
Cedric sat with his companions at the central table, the firelight casting soft shadows across their faces. Maeve, as usual, was the loudest, regaling the villagers with exaggerated tales of their exploits.
"And then," she said, leaning forward dramatically, "I threw the biggest vial I had, and boom! Half the ruins collapsed. It was glorious!"
Kellen smirked, raising his mug. "You sure you didn't almost collapse the rest of us along with it?"
Maeve waved him off. "Details, details."
Cedric chuckled, feeling more at ease than he had in a long time. The weight of responsibility still rested on his shoulders, but here, surrounded by people he was starting to consider family, it felt lighter.
Lira sat quietly, as always, though there was a softness in her expression that Cedric hadn't seen before. She wasn't one to indulge in celebrations, but Cedric could tell she appreciated the moment of peace, however brief it might be.
Tamsin, sitting beside Cedric, smiled as she watched the villagers laughing and dancing. "It's been a long time since we've had a reason to celebrate."
Cedric glanced at her, sensing the quiet strength beneath her gentle demeanor. "You were incredible back there, Tamsin. You saved us when we were out of options."
Tamsin blushed slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't know if it would work. I've never used my magic like that before. I've always been a healer… nothing more."
"You're more than that," Cedric said firmly. "You have the power to protect people, just like the rest of us."
Tamsin's smile faltered, her eyes distant for a moment. "Maybe. But I don't know if I want to fight. I've seen too much pain already."
Cedric understood. He, too, had struggled with the idea of using his magic for anything other than creation. But the world they lived in didn't always allow for peace. Sometimes, the only way to protect those you cared about was to fight.
"You don't have to be like the rest of us," Cedric said gently. "Your strength lies in healing, in helping people. That's just as important as anything we do."
Tamsin met his gaze, her eyes filled with quiet gratitude. "Thank you, Cedric. That means a lot."