The Returned
It had been just over a week since Rickter and Telion last heard from the group down south, after Patrick having found their remaining stuff and using the twin of the Journeybook left there.
According to the Atinoran, things had gotten hairy after Talon whisked the group back to Kalzasi. Resulting in the capture of two of their people from the rescue ops, while the rest had to flee and leave behind anyone else who couldn't return to the airship on time.
All in all, it was a situation that troubled Rickter greatly, mostly because these were the grave repercussions of his actions back in Wintergarten. He about damned himself to hell for his chagrin, and the war-driven chaos that propelled his mind at the time.
Needless to say, their return trip to Kalzasi had been left with silence on both fronts, until today, when The Wind Runner herself finally arrived within the Skyharbour docks this very morning. The pack and the mother of the Barnell boys arrived at the entrance to it, waiting for those who returned to meet with them out in the streets of Cloudhaven. Minutes after they got there the remaining members of their rescue op came walking out, a few numbers shorter than where they were once Rickter rejoined their company.
The Barnell boys were the first to exit the harbor before everyone else, both Dominik and Connor were quick to look at her in surprise, before they all joined together for an earnest hug. Patrick soon followed with Rickter's father and uncle coming out after him, as Otis and Erikson looked to the wolf with relief in their eyes. Rickter could tell that both were glad to be back home in Kalzasi, though, clearly not on the best of terms given the circumstances that followed. Patrick, after having sharing in the familial hug with his close ones, soon took note of the wolf's presence with Telion and Hannah.
Rather immediately his expression soured as he dropped the luggage hanging at his shoulders. His brothers thought to try and console him, reason with the bartender before he went out and acted rashly. That did not seem to matter though, even if they stayed his hand from punching, Patrick lunged to grip at Rickter's collar with fury in his eyes. In his very heart even. "What kind of shit was that, huh?!"
"Patrick!!" His family called out to him, and the ladies at his back were ready to move, but a gesture of Rickter's hand told them to stay where they were. He knew Patrick's frustration more than anything, probably better than even Patrick himself. Therefore as Rickter looked at his friend firm in the eyes, the wolf grabbed Patrick at the wrists to ensure the Atinoran did not pull away so quickly.
"Listen to me, Patrick! I know how angry you are. I understand the faults in our actions and I swear, to you and your family, that I will not stop nor rest easy. Not until we've rescued the ones that were left behind!"
"They weren't just left behind! They were taken! How are you gonna fix that?!" The bartender threw his hands forward to push Rickter away, releasing the wolf from his grip as Rickter barely even staggered from the force. He did not hold on either, not when he knew it would only enrage Patrick further. As it stood the man needed to work out his feelings, and if shutting the wolf out in the heat of the moment was what he needed, then Rickter would not contest that any further than he already had.
"Brother!" Dominik reached out as Patrick started to storm off, his head low and shoulders tense as he didn't dare to look back. Both his brothers and Elinora watched with greater concern, before the youngest sibling looked at them both with a somber grin.
"I'll go after him, maybe I can cool him off a bit." Connor offered as the oldest sibling and their mother nodded in agreement, leaving the rest gathered there to discuss the situation as the youngest Barnell trotted off after his brother.
"What happened after we were sent away?" Telion inquired as she moved to draw closer to Elinora, providing the mother with what comfort she could share when she asked the question.
"We went out on a patrol together," Dominik answered quickly, "we hoped to cover more ground by working in two separate groups."
"And by the time we found out the Reconciliators were onto us, they had already apprehended Albert and Burton in the process." Erikson weighed in with a fold of his arms, his eyes falling on Dominik with sympathy as he regaled the story. "We had little choice but to leave after that, if the operation had been compromised, they would've tailed the rest of us to the airship. We had no means of reaching the others either, not Iselya or her companion, nor that Dante fellow you brought with you Rickter."
If Rickter had his Lycan ears right now, they would've significantly drooped in response to the explanation. It was all his doing. He caused them to separate because of what he did, and that fact alone made it difficult to avoid punishing himself for it. "Alright, so shit went tits up back in Grandal." Hannah interjected as she joined in on the conversation, mindful of the people in passing who noted the group's stressful interactions. "Clearly you're plan is to get them back, Rick, how exactly should we go about doing that?"
"Airspace above Grandal is going to be heavily scrutinized, it's already too risky to just fly back and land on the outskirts like before." Erikson remarked with a thoughtful look to his brother, Otis quickly nodding in agreement as the mother of the Barnells weighed in after the fact.
"And the Order is not going to be easy to infiltrate either. Despite your best intentions, Rickter, I'm afraid the idea of rescue is almost impossible at this rate." Those facts alone were enough to fluster him further, even so, Rickter maintained his composure with at least but an exasperated sigh at best.
"Almost impossible, she said." His beloved pointed out with a mindful look in her eyes. "It's not without reason to say we can come up with some sort of idea or plan. We just need to consider the options we have, figure out the best way to get back into Gel'grandal, and then get our friends out in a timely manner that benefits everyone."
"In that case," Otis took his turn to speak next, "we'd be better off resuming this at the family house. We'd be better having four walls and a roof over our head, and once everyone is rested and unpacked, we can determine the best course of action from there."
"Have you settled in there yet, Rickter?" Erikson checked as he and Otis focused on the wolf, whose expression grew somber in response to the inquiry.
"Not quite yet..." He knew Telion and the twins had been staying there after his departure in Glade, and when they returned he did not wish to impose on Otis' own wife in doing so. Therefore, he had deemed it best to remain in his own abode until his father and uncle finally did return.
"I see." Erikson started, though, Otis didn't hesitate to approach the wolf and rest a hand firmly on his arm.
"Son. That house is as much as your home as it is ours." He stated that as if it were a fact, when in reality, Rickter had never had anything to do with such a place in his life. "Please, if not for us, then for your children, gather your belongings from your old home. There is plenty of room for you and your own, and together, we'll work to resolve the situation as best as we can."
It was utterly strange and bizarre to hear his own father say those words, and, while Rickter wanted to flat-out deny the notion entirely; there was something about it that stirred his heart a little. The fact Telion drew close to hold him from the side did not help either, as he could tell she was politely encouraging him to think on the idea at the very least. There wasn't a single thing wrong with his old abode, and it had been his place for years before he'd ever met any of these people. But perhaps Rickter was just being slow to change, and maybe, getting situated in a larger home would benefit more than just him.
It'd benefit his family as his father put it so eloquently. "Alright then..." The confirmation drew a warm smile out of the old man before him, and even Erikson seemed rather pleased with the decision the wolf had made. "We'll... we'll reapproach this once things get settled then." Rickter then looked to Domink and Elinora, his expression sincerely apologetic to the pair when he addressed them next. "I'm so sorry. I swear to both of you, and to the others, we'll do everything we can do get your husband and son back."
"I'm certain you will," Elinora shared with a hopeful smile, "and you won't be alone in trying either." To that Rickter nodded appreciatively, for he'd need all the help and insight he could get regarding this matter. If he wanted any chance of bringing back home loved ones successfully, then he'd have to play his cards right and guarantee their safe return in the long run.
Searing 64th, 123rd Year, A.o.S.
According to the Atinoran, things had gotten hairy after Talon whisked the group back to Kalzasi. Resulting in the capture of two of their people from the rescue ops, while the rest had to flee and leave behind anyone else who couldn't return to the airship on time.
All in all, it was a situation that troubled Rickter greatly, mostly because these were the grave repercussions of his actions back in Wintergarten. He about damned himself to hell for his chagrin, and the war-driven chaos that propelled his mind at the time.
Needless to say, their return trip to Kalzasi had been left with silence on both fronts, until today, when The Wind Runner herself finally arrived within the Skyharbour docks this very morning. The pack and the mother of the Barnell boys arrived at the entrance to it, waiting for those who returned to meet with them out in the streets of Cloudhaven. Minutes after they got there the remaining members of their rescue op came walking out, a few numbers shorter than where they were once Rickter rejoined their company.
The Barnell boys were the first to exit the harbor before everyone else, both Dominik and Connor were quick to look at her in surprise, before they all joined together for an earnest hug. Patrick soon followed with Rickter's father and uncle coming out after him, as Otis and Erikson looked to the wolf with relief in their eyes. Rickter could tell that both were glad to be back home in Kalzasi, though, clearly not on the best of terms given the circumstances that followed. Patrick, after having sharing in the familial hug with his close ones, soon took note of the wolf's presence with Telion and Hannah.
Rather immediately his expression soured as he dropped the luggage hanging at his shoulders. His brothers thought to try and console him, reason with the bartender before he went out and acted rashly. That did not seem to matter though, even if they stayed his hand from punching, Patrick lunged to grip at Rickter's collar with fury in his eyes. In his very heart even. "What kind of shit was that, huh?!"
"Patrick!!" His family called out to him, and the ladies at his back were ready to move, but a gesture of Rickter's hand told them to stay where they were. He knew Patrick's frustration more than anything, probably better than even Patrick himself. Therefore as Rickter looked at his friend firm in the eyes, the wolf grabbed Patrick at the wrists to ensure the Atinoran did not pull away so quickly.
"Listen to me, Patrick! I know how angry you are. I understand the faults in our actions and I swear, to you and your family, that I will not stop nor rest easy. Not until we've rescued the ones that were left behind!"
"They weren't just left behind! They were taken! How are you gonna fix that?!" The bartender threw his hands forward to push Rickter away, releasing the wolf from his grip as Rickter barely even staggered from the force. He did not hold on either, not when he knew it would only enrage Patrick further. As it stood the man needed to work out his feelings, and if shutting the wolf out in the heat of the moment was what he needed, then Rickter would not contest that any further than he already had.
"Brother!" Dominik reached out as Patrick started to storm off, his head low and shoulders tense as he didn't dare to look back. Both his brothers and Elinora watched with greater concern, before the youngest sibling looked at them both with a somber grin.
"I'll go after him, maybe I can cool him off a bit." Connor offered as the oldest sibling and their mother nodded in agreement, leaving the rest gathered there to discuss the situation as the youngest Barnell trotted off after his brother.
"What happened after we were sent away?" Telion inquired as she moved to draw closer to Elinora, providing the mother with what comfort she could share when she asked the question.
"We went out on a patrol together," Dominik answered quickly, "we hoped to cover more ground by working in two separate groups."
"And by the time we found out the Reconciliators were onto us, they had already apprehended Albert and Burton in the process." Erikson weighed in with a fold of his arms, his eyes falling on Dominik with sympathy as he regaled the story. "We had little choice but to leave after that, if the operation had been compromised, they would've tailed the rest of us to the airship. We had no means of reaching the others either, not Iselya or her companion, nor that Dante fellow you brought with you Rickter."
If Rickter had his Lycan ears right now, they would've significantly drooped in response to the explanation. It was all his doing. He caused them to separate because of what he did, and that fact alone made it difficult to avoid punishing himself for it. "Alright, so shit went tits up back in Grandal." Hannah interjected as she joined in on the conversation, mindful of the people in passing who noted the group's stressful interactions. "Clearly you're plan is to get them back, Rick, how exactly should we go about doing that?"
"Airspace above Grandal is going to be heavily scrutinized, it's already too risky to just fly back and land on the outskirts like before." Erikson remarked with a thoughtful look to his brother, Otis quickly nodding in agreement as the mother of the Barnells weighed in after the fact.
"And the Order is not going to be easy to infiltrate either. Despite your best intentions, Rickter, I'm afraid the idea of rescue is almost impossible at this rate." Those facts alone were enough to fluster him further, even so, Rickter maintained his composure with at least but an exasperated sigh at best.
"Almost impossible, she said." His beloved pointed out with a mindful look in her eyes. "It's not without reason to say we can come up with some sort of idea or plan. We just need to consider the options we have, figure out the best way to get back into Gel'grandal, and then get our friends out in a timely manner that benefits everyone."
"In that case," Otis took his turn to speak next, "we'd be better off resuming this at the family house. We'd be better having four walls and a roof over our head, and once everyone is rested and unpacked, we can determine the best course of action from there."
"Have you settled in there yet, Rickter?" Erikson checked as he and Otis focused on the wolf, whose expression grew somber in response to the inquiry.
"Not quite yet..." He knew Telion and the twins had been staying there after his departure in Glade, and when they returned he did not wish to impose on Otis' own wife in doing so. Therefore, he had deemed it best to remain in his own abode until his father and uncle finally did return.
"I see." Erikson started, though, Otis didn't hesitate to approach the wolf and rest a hand firmly on his arm.
"Son. That house is as much as your home as it is ours." He stated that as if it were a fact, when in reality, Rickter had never had anything to do with such a place in his life. "Please, if not for us, then for your children, gather your belongings from your old home. There is plenty of room for you and your own, and together, we'll work to resolve the situation as best as we can."
It was utterly strange and bizarre to hear his own father say those words, and, while Rickter wanted to flat-out deny the notion entirely; there was something about it that stirred his heart a little. The fact Telion drew close to hold him from the side did not help either, as he could tell she was politely encouraging him to think on the idea at the very least. There wasn't a single thing wrong with his old abode, and it had been his place for years before he'd ever met any of these people. But perhaps Rickter was just being slow to change, and maybe, getting situated in a larger home would benefit more than just him.
It'd benefit his family as his father put it so eloquently. "Alright then..." The confirmation drew a warm smile out of the old man before him, and even Erikson seemed rather pleased with the decision the wolf had made. "We'll... we'll reapproach this once things get settled then." Rickter then looked to Domink and Elinora, his expression sincerely apologetic to the pair when he addressed them next. "I'm so sorry. I swear to both of you, and to the others, we'll do everything we can do get your husband and son back."
"I'm certain you will," Elinora shared with a hopeful smile, "and you won't be alone in trying either." To that Rickter nodded appreciatively, for he'd need all the help and insight he could get regarding this matter. If he wanted any chance of bringing back home loved ones successfully, then he'd have to play his cards right and guarantee their safe return in the long run.
"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."
"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"
