Chapter 58: From Cheers to Cinders
Five days after their arrival in Knob’s Hill, morning sun rises like a blessing, warm and golden, spilling across the fields as the team prepare to depart.
Villagers press in from every direction, offering gifts, cheers, and tearful thanks. Some even reach for Pip’s hands as though touching him might grant a miracle.
Pip stands at the center of it all, glowing softly, beeping politely, and issuing waves of peaceful gratitude with his new empathetic aura. Half the village swoons. Several elders faint. One girl proposes on the spot.
Vuvi, calm amidst the chaos, kneels beside the team’s pile of bags, checking and double-checking straps, weights, provisions, and enchanted locks.
"Rations, check. Alchemical grenades, check. Portable shower unit for Pip’s frequent oiling, check. Emergency chocolate for Penelo..."
Penelo dances past, arms full of pastries, flowers in her hair, cheeks puffed with compliments and homemade jam rolls. "I’m good on the chocolate!"
Veena stands at the edge of the crowd, poring over a parchment map. She traces their planned path with a fingertip. "We’ll curve northwest along the Fertile Belt. Three villages to visit before the road leads us to the base of the mountains. From there... the Dwarven Kingdom."
As if summoned by the name of distant lands, a familiar voice calls out from the throng.
"Wait!"
The crowd parts like rippling water as a tall, statuesque figure steps forward. Broad-shouldered, scarred, and bashful. Sera, the swordwoman, clutches her scabbard nervously.
"Um. Hi."