Quick Visit (Part 2)

Frosty didn't have a chance to become impatient, since our little stop at Apium was really short. Once we were ready, Frosty lifted into the sky once again, then flew towards Sedon. "We'll get there today, but I'm not going to wait outside Sedon for you. Just tell me when you want me to pick you up", he asked.

"How about in four days? If we could return home on the fourth day, that would be great", I replied. Frosty agreed to my proposal, then remained quiet. That amount of time wasn't much for sure, but I didn't want to miss the project whatsoever. Besides, a few days was enough to catch up with Dawn, sell our things and even get new stock.

"By the way, I'll be a bit busy with that project, even if I can't help them much. After we sell these items, do buy more. I'll slowly place Formations on them, whenever I'm free. There's no rush, right?", I said to Tara. "Sure. Let's see how these items sell, then we can judge what sort of items to buy for the next sale", she replied.

Frosty was fast indeed. We arrived at Sedon before the evening, which was a feat in itself. "Hehe, once that quick travel Formation is completed, I'll be able to get here in an instance. Anyway, thank you for taking us here. We will see each other in a few days", I bid him farewell. Frosty left with a shake of his head, while we continued towards the city walls.

From afar, the city didn't seem to change much. The same walls decorated its surroundings, and the same sight greeted us inside. "The city didn't change much, although I'm sure the Grand Stage and my course looks awesome", I said. "Hehe, we'll have a chance to have a look. Before that, let's hope Dawn is at home", Tara replied.

Unfortunately, Dawn wasn't at home, but her mother made us come in anyway. We didn't see each other for a long time, and she had loads of questions for me. "You had so many adventures, just like your father. I'm happy you've returned in one piece. As for Dawn, she should be back tomorrow. I'll let her know once she's back. Or perhaps, do you want to stay over?", aunt Ceri proposed.

I was about to refuse, since we could easily rent something or stay at my uncle's place. Though I didn't want to miss Dawn. "If it's not a problem, we'll stay for a few days. Please let us know if you need anything", I replied. "Don't worry yourself child, your company is plenty enough". She then treated us to some food, before we left to meet up with others.

For one, Tara had to take care of her own business, and then sell our items. We split at one point to take care of different things at once. "You can wait for me at Ama's place, or come by my uncle Crow's and aunt Lira's place. Whichever is better for you. I'll be using the main roads, so we shouldn't pass each other by, in case both of us are on the move", I proposed. Tara agreed and went her separate way.

Both my uncle and aunt were at home. Drak was there too, but there was someone else inside the house as well. Another Shade, who looked to be around the same age as Drak. "That's a surprise. We planned on actually visiting you guys soon, but since you are already here, you might as well share the details of your journey now", aunt Lira said.

I couldn't really focus much on my aunt and uncle, because of that little Shade playing with Drak. 'Did they secretly have two sons or something?... Maybe they adopted another one?', I asked myself. "Really, Anna? You'd think we'd keep something like that a secret or something? That's Hart, Drak's friend", uncle explained.

"Well, you never know. I'm used to seeing him all alone. That's actually great, friends are good", just as I finished saying that, Drak finally realised someone came for a visit. He was so engrossed in playing with Hart, he pretty much didn't realise it was me. "Sister Anna! You are finally back!", he exclaimed then rushed to hug me. "Hehe, yes I'm. You grew up, you got taller", I said.

Drak took pride from me pointing out his development, but then quickly gazed at his friend. "This is my friend, Hart. Sister Anna is the one who built the course!", he introduced us. Hart seemed a bit shy at first, but opened up really quickly once he realised I didn't bite. "Sister, sister! Tell us about your adventures in the Endrosian Empire", Drak exclaimed. "Sure… Where should I start?... How about from the wedding and my family?", I proposed. No one objected to my proposal, therefore I narrated some of the events.

"Heh, to think that father of yours would actually agree to such training. Though, I can see your naivety is gone. The look in your eyes is that of a warrior. You did well, Anna", my uncle praised. "Moreover, you've learned a lot. The experience you gained during that journey, will surely aid you in your future. I like the fact that you actually taught some kids a few things. Giving an opportunity to others is something all your uncles and aunts would approve. After all, we all got opportunities and chances, a lot of them came from your father", aunt Lira added.

"Knock.. Knock", "Ah! Tara, do come in", my aunt invited. "Man, you are taking your time", she complained to me. "What? They wanted to hear some stories. You pestered me for details too, so don't complain", I argued back. While our little conversation unravelled, Drak interrupted us. "Sister, tell us more! What else happened inside the Great Forest? Where did you go? What happened to those Elysians?".

"As you can see, I have loads on my hands right now. We can visit the other places tomorrow, there's no rush. Sit down, and relax", I said. "Sure, it's getting late anyway". With that settled, I continued my story, while Drak and Hart sat there listening attentively. Once I revealed the fur around my neck wasn't an accessory, but an animal, the two kids went mad.

"This is a marten? Wow, she looks like a ball of fur!", Drak exclaimed. "Arf…", Curly complained to me. She preferred peace and quiet, rather than attention from strangers. "Be nice, they are like our family", I replied. Curly left my neck in defeat, then walked up to the kids. She knew they'd pet her to death, but she decided to play nice.

"What a cute creature indeed. I'd like one for myself", aunt Lira said, then shot a glance at my uncle. "Now seriously… I can't go there, you know? Even if I had a permission, how would I get that animal? I don't even know where they live", he replied with a sigh. "I didn't say anything…", she simply dismissed my uncle's answer. "Who knows, maybe on my next trip, we'll find a nice boy marten for Curly, hehe. That way, the North will have access to more martens and so on. There's of course the possibility of me getting another one, two or three". Curly didn't appreciate such a comment, even though I was half joking.

Aunt Lira was a bit too obvious about Curly, and the pine martens in overall. She wanted one for sure, I could easily tell by the look on her face. Though uncle wasn't wrong either. Certain races simply couldn't leave the North. Not without a special permission from Hatmandor. There were no trials for them, they simply couldn't leave due to the design of the barrier. Another point he made was their location. He's never been there, how would he know where to look?

"You could do that for me? Thank you, Anna. You're much better than my useless husband…", she replied. 'No seriously, uncle isn't at fault here… Perhaps they argued about something before I came for a visit? Besides, I've never promised anything!', "Anyway, it's getting late already, and we promised to stay over at aunt Ceri's place. I'll visit you guys tomorrow perhaps. We can talk some more… Curly, if you are still alive, let's go. Or if you want, you can stay over for the night", I teased her.

Curly didn't like that idea one bit. She quickly ran up my leg, then took her usual place around my neck. Aunt Lira really wanted a marten, her eyes sparkling as if she and martens were meant for each other. "Goodnight uncle, and you too auntie. Drak, Hart, I'll come by tomorrow. There's more stories, and you can tell me some of yours too, alright?", I proposed. "Of course, and bring Curly with you!", Drak exclaimed.

"Hey, if you're going to get more martens, I'd like one as well", Tara said after we left. "Seriously? These aren't some sort of pets I'm breeding. Me and Curly met by an accident, or coincidence if you will... I can give you a wolf", I replied. "... They aren't as cute though…", she complained. "Hey, everything's cute when it's little. I have fourteen wolves, and loads of them are females. You seriously think the males will not make moves on them? They are animals", I explained.

"So, you are offering me a baby wolf?", she asked. "Well, if they have babies, why not? I mean, I have fourteen wolves… Fourteen! I don't need more! I'll gladly give them away, if there are any babies. I don't want to have like thirty wolves on my head to take care of, you know?", I replied. "Alright, I'll think about it. Once you have baby wolves, tell me and I'll have a look". She at least agreed to have a look, which was half of the success.

I knew that sooner or later, one of the females would get pregnant. That was inevitable... Well, except if my father did something to them or forbid them. 'That doesn't sound right, he even made Turry have some babies. I'm sure these wolves will get pregnant one day or another'. There was no way I'd take care of thirty or forty wolves, these guys had to go away. Away to different homes and people, who appreciate them much more. I liked animals, but taking care of such numbers was simply tiring.