Homestead Survival

<20 September 2024, MOLBRAK CAVERN, A>
[Theo and Julia]
The next morning, Theo and Julia rose ready to get home. Luckily, they knew the way home would be far easier than the trip here had been. But they had agreed to meet Harbek's mother. When they got to the lobby of the inn, they were the last ones there. Harbek, Kreldar, Ordus, Joshua, and Fred were all waiting.

Harbek stood and activated his skill.

>Local Message: Universal Translation Active

"Well, if ye're ready, then Lord and Lady Sorrin," Harbek said, and at Theo's nod, guided them out of the inn. They were led to a large dwelling on the edge of the city, farthest from the entrance to the cavern. Harbek walked up and opened the door. Letting them all inside. "Mother, we're here."

"Take'em into the dinin' room Harbek." Chairwoman Arnha Runevein called from a different room. She stuck her head out of the room. "Welcome, everyone. Breakfast will be ready in a moment."

Harbek led them all into a room that had a long table with benches. He took a seat, and they all joined him. On the table was an array of food. Moments later, Arnha came in with a large platter of sizzling meat. "Alright, Harbek, is yer skill goin' to last the meal?"

Harbek shook his head as he was already eating. Arnha nodded, pulling a pocket watch out and tapping it. A thrum of power washed over the area.

>Local Message: Universal Translation Deactivated
>Local Message: Universal Translation Active

"Borrowed that from Founder Molbrak so we could have a chat," Arnha said.

"Thank you for inviting us." Julia said with a smile, "All Harbek told us was that you had something you wanted to give us."

"I do." Arnha said, gesturing for everyone to dig into the food, "But first, let's eat, and then we can talk."

The meal was delicious. Arnha was a good cook. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food. When the meal was over, Harbek got up and started taking dirty dishes away. Ordus got up and started helping him. Arnha nodded, "Now then, onto what I have for ye'."

Arnha stood up and moved over to a shelf where she picked up a set of matched bracelets. "These are for ye' both; they are from me as Arnha Runevein, not as Chairwoman of the Council."

Theo took one and Julia took the other; each was a pitch black metal that seemed to absorb light, and each had a shimmering white gem in the middle. They both identified the bracelet.

"You made these?" Julia asked, slipping the bracelet over her wrist opposite the bracelet she wore.

"I did," Arnha said with a nod, "I hope they're to your likin'."

"They are lovely," Julia said.

"They are very nice, thank you," Theo said, placing the bracelet on his right wrist.

"Ye' helped remove my most adamant opponent and protected my son," Arnha said, "the former Chairwoman would've staged an accident for me and Harbek if she thought it would have benefited her. So... Thank ye'."

Theo, Julia, Ordus, Kreldar, Harbek, Joshua, Fred, and Arnha spent the remainder of the morning chatting before Joshua rose to his feet, "Well, I will head out. I miss my daughter."

"We should go too," Theo said, standing.

"Of course," Arnha said, "I appreciate ye' indulgin' me long as you have. Can I provide any help in gettin' ye' home?"

"We have a way to get home; we just need to get outside the city," Joshua said quickly, casting a glance at Theo and Julia, who kept silent.

Arnha nodded, "Of course, please follow me."

She led them through the back alleys of the city and soon found themselves at the foot of the ramp that led back to the surface. "Very well, have a good day, and we look forward to workin' with ye', and I look forward to our continued friendship."

With that, Arnha tapped the pocket watch she had been carrying and turned to leave.

>Local Message: Universal Translation Deactivated

Harbek waved and turned to catch up with his mother. Theo looked at everyone. "Alright, let's go."

They spent the next few hours walking up the ramp and down the road to cross the bridge, getting a ways into the woods before Joshua nodded. "Apologies, Theo and Julia, but letting someone know you have a proverbial get out of jail free ticket that works from anywhere is not what I would call the best strategy. Now we should be fine to recall to the lantern."

"That's a good call," Julia said with furrowed eyebrows, "we are going to have to learn some of this from you, Joshua."

"Agreed," Theo said, "but for now, Julia temporary Ward runes if you would, and everyone else goes before me. If we are going to play it cautious, might as well see it through."

Julia nodded, dropping a multilayer ring of temporary Ward runes around them all, and then they began to travel back one at a time. After a few moments, Theo was alone, and he looked around, then nodded, before triggering the recall ability of the lantern.

With a flash of light, Theo was back on the Overlook.

<GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>

Theo then saw a concerned group of adults standing next to Sylvi and Sarah, and Sarah holding a strange skull tightly to her chest while crying out with nearly tearful eyes, "No! Skully is my friend!"