Chapter 21 - 20
Lumberling traveled back to the village where he and Uncle Drake once stayed. It had been almost a year since they’d seen each other, and he was eager to reconnect—not just with Drake, but with other human beings. There was a strange mix of excitement and nervousness in his chest, the kind one might feel before reuniting with old friends after a long vacation.
After a few days of travel, the village finally came into view. Not much had changed. A few villagers worked the fields as usual, living their simple lives. Some noticed him as he approached, whispering behind hands and throwing puzzled glances his way. One child even hid behind his mother, looking at him like he was a monster.
’Do they not recognize me? Well, whatever’, Lumberling thought, shrugging it off. He headed straight for the place where he remembered Uncle Drake had lived.
"Stop right there! That’s not a place you can just enter."
The voice came from behind. Lumberling turned, and a familiar face confirmed what his ears had already told him.
"Village Chief! How have you been?"
He moved forward on instinct, arms open for a hug—but Chief Eldric took a step back, raising a hand to stop him.
"Hold it. Come one step closer and I won’t tolerate it."
"Huh? You don’t recognize me? It’s me—Lumberling."
"Lumberling? You’re that kid?"
"Yes, the one and only. I came back to check on Uncle Drake."