Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained 
Frost 90th, 122nd Year, A.o.S.
Five months ago, a private expedition started to rescue a couple of men of considerable worth, depending on how one might've weighed their value. In the hands of the Inquisition it seemed like a nigh impossible feat, but they were family to a member of Rickter's own pack, as well as loyal soldiers dedicated to the Order. Whether everyone would be coming back or not, those left behind in Kalzasi would have no clue, until, a sudden message finally came through the mirror within the office of Nami No Ie.
Having remained inanimate for the duration of this venture it was like a beacon had lit up the dark, albeit, the Traversion spell used to generate the image proved strained and weak. The Eclipse simply did not help with this, however, those that had departed on the Windrunner had found a way... and they were coming home at last. Their estimated time of arrival had been today, and they came with a bit more substantial amount of cargo than they originally planned. That was fine. So long as those who were meant to be on board and part of that cargo were in it.
Thus everyone gathered at the Skyharbour to await the arrival of the Windrunner as the cloudjumper came into view, the jettison engines which kept sputtering at certain intervals. It was clear that the ship and magical technology that kept it afloat were quite challenged in comparison to its usual behavior patterns, however, the bulky vessel managed to steer into the alcove of the docking bay, with groans and sputters filling the air as the airship gradually eased into place with a near lofty thump in tow. "Oof! That thing has seen better days." Connor rapted with a wince to the airship as he rested his hands at his hips.
"If I had to guess, I'd say that the Eclipse threw a wrench in their escape plans for a bit." Patrick reasoned without looking away from the vessel, the final whirl of the magic propulsors dying out to signal the shutdown of the Windrunner's systems.
"Nobody could've anticipated a worldwide event stifling magic everywhere anyhow, the important thing is that they're finally back home." A fact that was not lost on anyone but a distinctive reminder from Rickter's own beloved, the excitement rising from everyone gathered though remained palpable within the loft of the skyharbour. Literally all those that were left behind when their last meeting had been held together, Rickter's family and Patrick's family, had come together in this moment to see their loved ones finally return home.
And so the bulkhead door on the deck clicked loudly several times, the structure swinging ajar moments after to allow those within to step out. Crew members of the vessel soon came pouring out, meeting with their own families that had been notified of their return as well. Soon after though, the main group that the wolf hoped to see finally stepped through, aiding those who needed help down from the vessel as they scaled ladders to reach the portside dock. There were crew members and... goblins? Rickter never knew Otis had employed goblins prior to this trip. The realization led him to narrow his gaze for a moment, before he really scrutinized the rest of the faces that came into view.
Otis and Erikson led the few Dawnmartyrs that had gone with them, with the five goblins sauntering in a cluster near the Windrunner's captain. Behind them though, a woman with dirty blonde hair who donned Grandal attire walked alongside a pair of men. "They're here!" Lady Elinora gasped with excited awe as the Barnell brothers all chimed in alongside her.
"Well shit, she's here too..." Patrick murmured with a low sigh before Rickter's father and uncle stood before the group.
"We finally made it back." Otis greeted them somewhat warmly, as the Maze family drew close to surround and hold him right away. It made sense, of course, Rickter could see the amount of love and worry Selene and their children had for the captain. And of course, Erikson was not left outside of their group hug either.
"I take it things went awry at the right time?" Rickter inquired as he noticed the lack of a few faces, since not all Dawnmartyrs nor Trevor seemed to be accounted for.
"Things quickly went awry the moment the sun became Eclipsed." Erikson remarked with a thoughtful gaze to the wolf, his expression softening to a near somber state before he looked toward the Barnells in turn. "But at the very least, we've brought a couple more soldiers home."
Allowing the pair to step through the small gathering, Albert who looked incredibly worse for wear hobbled forward, with Burton and the woman Patrick held reservations toward helping walk him. Elinora looked to be on the verge of tears as she bolted forward, and sure enough, the dear embrace of the parents led their grown children to follow suit and hug the two returned tightly. "Such a touching moment." Telion admitted warmly to Rickter and Erikson.
"Beautiful even." Hannah agreed as she seemed to hold back tears of her own. Rickter looked upon the reunited family with a soft smile, but a sadness lurked beneath his eyes as he pondered what happened. What had gone down during their venture in Gel'Grandal? Where was Trevor? Who were these additional people that had come home with them?
"I already know you have questions," Erikson noted as he drew close to the wolf, an arm reaching over his shoulders to pat Rickter and draw him in close from the side. "we'll talk more when we're back at the house. Better that we keep things between us that way."
"Understood." Rickter murmured in response before his blue eyes moved from his uncle to the family before him. A lot was going to be taken into account within the next hour or so, for now though, it was simply best to take in the bittersweet moment of the reunion between mother, father, and brothers who all shared laughter and tears together.
Having remained inanimate for the duration of this venture it was like a beacon had lit up the dark, albeit, the Traversion spell used to generate the image proved strained and weak. The Eclipse simply did not help with this, however, those that had departed on the Windrunner had found a way... and they were coming home at last. Their estimated time of arrival had been today, and they came with a bit more substantial amount of cargo than they originally planned. That was fine. So long as those who were meant to be on board and part of that cargo were in it.
Thus everyone gathered at the Skyharbour to await the arrival of the Windrunner as the cloudjumper came into view, the jettison engines which kept sputtering at certain intervals. It was clear that the ship and magical technology that kept it afloat were quite challenged in comparison to its usual behavior patterns, however, the bulky vessel managed to steer into the alcove of the docking bay, with groans and sputters filling the air as the airship gradually eased into place with a near lofty thump in tow. "Oof! That thing has seen better days." Connor rapted with a wince to the airship as he rested his hands at his hips.
"If I had to guess, I'd say that the Eclipse threw a wrench in their escape plans for a bit." Patrick reasoned without looking away from the vessel, the final whirl of the magic propulsors dying out to signal the shutdown of the Windrunner's systems.
"Nobody could've anticipated a worldwide event stifling magic everywhere anyhow, the important thing is that they're finally back home." A fact that was not lost on anyone but a distinctive reminder from Rickter's own beloved, the excitement rising from everyone gathered though remained palpable within the loft of the skyharbour. Literally all those that were left behind when their last meeting had been held together, Rickter's family and Patrick's family, had come together in this moment to see their loved ones finally return home.
And so the bulkhead door on the deck clicked loudly several times, the structure swinging ajar moments after to allow those within to step out. Crew members of the vessel soon came pouring out, meeting with their own families that had been notified of their return as well. Soon after though, the main group that the wolf hoped to see finally stepped through, aiding those who needed help down from the vessel as they scaled ladders to reach the portside dock. There were crew members and... goblins? Rickter never knew Otis had employed goblins prior to this trip. The realization led him to narrow his gaze for a moment, before he really scrutinized the rest of the faces that came into view.
Otis and Erikson led the few Dawnmartyrs that had gone with them, with the five goblins sauntering in a cluster near the Windrunner's captain. Behind them though, a woman with dirty blonde hair who donned Grandal attire walked alongside a pair of men. "They're here!" Lady Elinora gasped with excited awe as the Barnell brothers all chimed in alongside her.
"Well shit, she's here too..." Patrick murmured with a low sigh before Rickter's father and uncle stood before the group.
"We finally made it back." Otis greeted them somewhat warmly, as the Maze family drew close to surround and hold him right away. It made sense, of course, Rickter could see the amount of love and worry Selene and their children had for the captain. And of course, Erikson was not left outside of their group hug either.
"I take it things went awry at the right time?" Rickter inquired as he noticed the lack of a few faces, since not all Dawnmartyrs nor Trevor seemed to be accounted for.
"Things quickly went awry the moment the sun became Eclipsed." Erikson remarked with a thoughtful gaze to the wolf, his expression softening to a near somber state before he looked toward the Barnells in turn. "But at the very least, we've brought a couple more soldiers home."
Allowing the pair to step through the small gathering, Albert who looked incredibly worse for wear hobbled forward, with Burton and the woman Patrick held reservations toward helping walk him. Elinora looked to be on the verge of tears as she bolted forward, and sure enough, the dear embrace of the parents led their grown children to follow suit and hug the two returned tightly. "Such a touching moment." Telion admitted warmly to Rickter and Erikson.
"Beautiful even." Hannah agreed as she seemed to hold back tears of her own. Rickter looked upon the reunited family with a soft smile, but a sadness lurked beneath his eyes as he pondered what happened. What had gone down during their venture in Gel'Grandal? Where was Trevor? Who were these additional people that had come home with them?
"I already know you have questions," Erikson noted as he drew close to the wolf, an arm reaching over his shoulders to pat Rickter and draw him in close from the side. "we'll talk more when we're back at the house. Better that we keep things between us that way."
"Understood." Rickter murmured in response before his blue eyes moved from his uncle to the family before him. A lot was going to be taken into account within the next hour or so, for now though, it was simply best to take in the bittersweet moment of the reunion between mother, father, and brothers who all shared laughter and tears together.
"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."
