The morning light was a pale blue just before the dawn I kissed Julio and Jamie on their foreheads both had my dark red hair but only Julio had my pale green eyes Jamie had his dad's amber eyes.
I got dressed and looked at the sad huddled lump on my bed Callum the man I married hadn't been himself for about a year always drinking and sad.
If only he had told me about the debt sooner or asked for help instead of choosing alcohol maybe it wouldn't have gotten this bad.
I put on my old sword belt and Cleric robes then left through the front door the streets were filthy as always.
We have been living in the lower district for about three months now we couldn't afford the rent in the common district.
A few guys looked at me weird but quickly averted their gaze when they recognised that I was wearing a sword and Cleric robes.
I need to get enough money to move gods forbid if those types of people go near my boys I will cut their heads off myself.
Finally I reached the business district not many people were up this early but I didn't mind the tranquillity.
I walked into the adventurers guild and headed straight to the mission board where all sorts of quests were available.
[B rank quest: suitable for 4 silver plates, 2 gold plates or 1 platinum plate quest description- wyverns in the Duchy of Mirid the duke promises 5 gold for each heart.]
[C rank quest: a small goblin hoard is near Acatoe village suitable for 4 steel plates, 2 silver plates and above quest description- a hoard of approximately 30 goblins is near Acatoe village the guild will give 1 silver for two ears with a letter of authenticity from the village chief.]
The board had everything but I needed something simple I am probably a bit rusty in my heyday I did a few A rank quests with a big party and B rank quests with Callum and a few friends.
Then I saw it the perfect quest for me.
[D rank quest: suitable for 4 iron plates, 2 steal or 1 silver and above, quest description: the city guard have received complaints from farmers about two dire wolves killing cattle bring back the dire wolf carcasses to receive 5 silver pieces from the guild]
It looked easy and it payed well for a simple extermination quest so I took the quest off the board and brought it to the front desk.
But when I noticed who was at the desk I nearly cursed out loud it was my sister I knew she worked at the guild but I was not ready for a conversation with her however it was too late.
Her pale green eyes opened wide In shock her brown hair almost moving in response to her surprise then she spoke.
"Juliet what are you doing here did you come to say hi to your gorgeous little sister who you don't even sent letters to anymore? Huh? I wanna see my nephews!"
I sighed and spoke.
"Bella you know I prefer being called Julie by family we can talk about this once you get off work but please for the love of the gods shut up and register that I'm doing this quest"
Bella smirked and spoke.
"Tuesday lunch time in the common district nephews two hours no Callum"
I sighed and spoke.
"Monday afternoon in the business district nephews one hour with Callum"
Bella smiled and took the quest put a piece of paper infront of me and spoke.
"Deal now go do the quest"
I took the piece of paper and left.
It had all the details the dire wolves lair should be just near the edge of the eastern forest.
It took a fair bit of walking but I eventually made it there I couldn't see anything so I cast a spell.
"Morgan goddess of Light illuminate that I cannot see and those who lurk in the night"
I saw a lot more details of my surroundings now like paw prints and drag marks some would be mundane creatures but I managed to find dire wolf tracks.
It might have been five years but I am still able to at least track a dire wolf or two haha.
I hid and slowly followed their tracks then I found the lair I could tell they were two males which is rare but it didn't matter to me I drew my sword and attacked.
They noticed me but before they could do anything my sabre pierced the head of the dire wolf closest to me killing it instantly.
The other attacked but I rolled out of the way and slashed open its abdomen and just like that it was over.
I had a scratch on my arm but there was an easy fix to that I cast a simple healing spell.
"Morgan goddess of Light turn this hurt right"
The scratch disappeared and I picked up the dire wolves they were the size of a person and covered in blood but I still trained occasionally so I was still strong enough to carry them without a problem.
I returned to the adventurers guild and received my payment and I walked home all before lunch time.
I snuck in and drew a bath and washed myself then put on some temporary clothes washed my adventuring gear and put it back on.
The boy's were playing with their wooden toys together and when they saw me they ran towards me.
It made sense they hadn't spent more than half an hour without me their entire lives then Julio spoke.
"Mummy I thought you left us forever with dad"
Jaime was still crying and I spoke.
"Of course not! I would never do that without saying goodbye I just have a job now that your dad doesn't work"
We hugged for a bit then I asked a question.
"So what did you two eat for breakfast?"
Jaime spoke.
"Nothing dad hasn't woken up we kept begging but he didn't move or open his eyes"
I looked at Julio and he nodded I suddenly felt something inside me snap but I made them porridge and sat them at the table making sure everything was alright then I walked to my bed.
There as always was a sad lump underneath a blanket and I spoke loud and authoritative.
"Callum of Drevec you have five seconds to show me you're awake or I swear to Morgan you will regret just lying in bed doing nothing"
Instantly the blankets raised then fell down revealing a good looking young man with medium length golden and amber eyes his body covered in scars had no muscle nor fat.
He was missing his right arm from the elbow down and he was half naked and his red lips plastered on his pale face moved slowly creating sound.
"What? Are you here to nag me about debt or call me a lousy husband?"
I shook my head feeling the rage reach my head.
"No we have settled those arguments and I'm sure you insult yourself enough as you lay there all day this time I'm here to yell at you about BEING A FUCKING PARENT!"
I took a breathe and starting speaking.
"You go away on a quest for a year? Sure that's fine you are an adventurer and it paid well, you come back and admit you cheated on me? Fine I am an adult I can handle a little heartbreak.
You spend an entire year drinking sleeping and icing me out? Stupid but I can go back to work to pay our debt and feed everyone.
But not feeding your sons because you're too lazy to get your ass out of bed? That's where I draw the line! I know you are a light sleeper you heard them begging and did nothing?!"
Then Callum yelled at me.
"WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?"
He continued speaking.
"For once in your life close your mouth the boys are fine they are both old enough to tolerate a bit of hunger hell it might toughen the little runts up"
I asked a question.
"What did you call our boys?"
Fear was visible in Callum's eyes and I spoke again.
"I asked what did you just call our boys?"
Callum spoke in a begging tone.
"Please I'm sorry I didn't mean it I'm sor-"
I put my finger on his lips and spoke.
"I am not the one you should apologise to go get on you hand and knees and apologise to them or you are out of this house that I'm about to be the one paying for"
He looked hurt but got up and walked slowly to the table to where the boys were it was a small house with thin walls so they definitely heard everything I could even see the tears forming in their eyes.
Callum got down on his hand and knees and apologised.
"I am sorry for not feeding you and calling you runts"
Such a simple thing to say the boy's nodded and went back to eating while Callum got back into bed.
I sat on my side of the bed and spoke while rubbing his arm.
"Am I stupid for still loving you? Even now after everything I still love you and I hope one day you will love me again but I am telling you now if you don't look after our boys even my love won't be enough"
I felt him sobbing I kissed him on the top of his head which was under the covers and left to meet my sister.