The morning after the festival had a lingering cheer to it. Bright flags still fluttered in the village square, and vendors were beginning to clean up the last of their stalls. Liora, with Aria's small hand tucked into hers and Tessa walking alongside them, strolled through the cobbled paths of the quieter residential side of the village.
Today wasn't for battles or quests.
Today was for finding a home.
"Do you think we'll find one with a fireplace?" Aria asked, eyes wide as she looked at each house they passed.
Tessa chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Or maybe one with a tiny garden?"
Liora smiled at both of them. She had already spoken to a few locals over the week, innkeepers, stall owners, and even the guild staff. A few homes had become available. Nothing fancy, but warm.
Their first stop was a cottage tucked between two larger homes. It had a creaky gate and a sloped roof of aged red tiles. The landlady, an elderly woman with kind eyes, let them look inside.
Two bedrooms. A narrow kitchen. A hearth with soot still in the chimney. Dust clung to the corners, but the floor was solid, the windows not cracked. Aria immediately ran into the smaller room and spun in place.
"This could be my room!"
Liora watched her, eyes softening.
"It's close to the guild," Tessa said, peering through a window. "And the market's not far either. Quiet street. Feels safe."
The landlady offered a reasonable rate. Not cheap, but doable, especially if the wolf job paid well.
They promised to return with their decision soon.
As the sun lowered behind the hills, casting long golden rays across the village, the three of them returned to the inn. Liora laid out the supplies, polished swords, oiled leather armor, fresh bandages, food rations, and the quest slip from the guild.
Tessa helped double-check everything, careful with the gear while Liora sharpened her blade. Aria sat nearby with a tiny wooden sword Marna had gifted her after seeing her pretend-spar with a broom.
"Do you really think there'll be a pack of wolves?" Tessa asked quietly.
"Probably just a handful," Liora replied. "Maybe sniffing for livestock. The farmers need to know they're being protected. And it's good training for us to work together."
Aria frowned slightly. "You'll come back before dinner, right?"
Liora knelt beside her. "I'll always come back. We'll be careful, and we'll be home before dark."
Aria hugged her tightly, then went off to bed early under Marna's care, used to these evening goodbyes now.
At first light the next morning, a light mist hovered above the ground. Liora and Tessa stood at the village gates, packs secured and blades sheathed. The farmlands spread beyond the rising fog, dotted with haystacks and grazing cattle in the distance.
Tessa adjusted her gloves. "Ready when you are."
Liora nodded, scanning the open field ahead. "Let's get moving. We'll scout the far fences first, wolves like quiet corners."
They stepped beyond the gates, boots crunching on the dewy grass. Behind them, the village slowly woke, unaware of the small quest that would quietly test the strength of a growing bond between a former lone adventurer, a new ally, and the little girl waiting at home.