The return road felt different.
Not because the landscape had changed — the same forests, the same winding dirt path, the same distant mountains painted purple by dusk.
But because the people walking it had.
Team Argent moved with an ease they hadn’t had on the outbound trip.
Ronan’s steps were relaxed, his vigilance steady but not tense.
Kael hummed and whistled at random intervals.
Lira walked closer to Eis, expression open and peaceful.
And Eis herself… felt lighter.
The road back felt shorter, even though it wasn’t.
Thanks to the bathhouse and the cleaning scrolls, no one felt miserable.
Kael sniffed dramatically at the air.
“Smell that? That’s the smell of not smelling bad.”
Lira slapped his arm.
“You’re welcome.”
Ronan walked ahead, but Eis caught the slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
It was peaceful.
The caravan workers were cheerful too, now that the worst was behind them.
One even approached Eis at midday.
“Miss Eis—about the ambush,” he said quietly. “I just wanted to say… thank you.”
Eis tilted her head.
“I only did what was necessary.”
“No,” he insisted softly. “You saved us.”
Eis bowed her head politely.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
He walked away looking relieved.
Kael leaned sideways, whispering:
“You know you’re going to get popular.”
Eis blinked.
“…Why?”
“Because you’re terrifying in battle,” Lira said.
“And adorable outside of it,” Kael added.
Ronan, walking ahead, raised a hand slightly.
“That’s enough, Kael.”
Kael grinned.
“See? Even Ronan thinks so.”
“…No.”
But Ronan’s voice was too flat to be a true denial.
The weather stayed kind — bright skies, cool breeze, soft shadows.
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At one point Kael challenged Eis.
“Race me to that hill.”
Eis blinked.
“…Why?”
“Because you’re fast and I hate it.”
Lira sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Kael, don’t—”
But he was already sprinting.
Eis tilted her head, then ran after him.
She passed him within seconds.
Kael gasped dramatically.
“WHAT— HOW— YOU’RE FLOATING.”
Eis blinked.
“…I am not floating.”
“You ARE.”
When she reached the top, Ronan arrived shortly after, unbothered by their antics.
“Good practice,” he said calmly.
Kael wheezed.
“Ronan. Back. Me. Up.”
“No,” Ronan said.
Lira reached them, out of breath and glaring.
“You two are children.”
Eis smiled softly.
When camp was made, they sat under a sky full of stars.
Lira stared upward.
“It’s beautiful out here.”
Kael nodded.
“No city lights. Just sky. And bugs.”
Eis looked up too.
“…I like it.”
Ronan poked the fire.
“It’s peaceful.”
Kael nudged Eis.
“You ever wish escort jobs were always like this?”
Eis thought for a moment.
“…With all of you, yes.”
The group froze.
Lira recovered first, expression softening.
“…Eis.”
Kael grinned widely.
“Careful, we’ll get attached.”
Ronan said nothing — but Eis saw the warmth in his eyes reflected in the firelight.
By midday, the rooftops of Lumaire appeared on the horizon.
The tall white stone walls.
The bustling smoke from chimneys.
The vibrant hum of city life.
Kael threw his arms up.
“HOME!”
Lira sighed with relief.
“I cannot wait to sleep in my own bed.”
Ronan nodded.
“Report to file, payment processing, then rest.”
Eis looked at the city quietly.
Her heart tightened.
Not with uncertainty.
But with something far gentler.
She didn’t know when it had happened…
…but Lumaire now felt familiar.
Warm.
Comforting.
Like home.
As they passed through the city gates, the guards nodded to Team Argent with respect.
“Good trip, Argent?”
“No casualties?”
“Welcome back!”
Kael waved dramatically.
“Of course! We’re incredible.”
Lira groaned.
“Please stop.”
Eis walked beside them, listening to the lively streets, the merchants, the laughter, the distant clatter of magic workshops.
Ronan glanced at her.
“Good to be back?”
Eis nodded softly.
“Yes.”
And they entered the heart of the city together.
