Chapter Text
“This way, kids!” Ribesca called. Tana and Inez, the two children in her care, smiled and followed closely behind. And their bodyguard, bladed bow on his back, scanned the shadows along the path to Wishvale for any potential danger.
“Are you sure moving out of Victors Hollow is good for the kids?” He asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ribesca turned around, patting Tana and Inez’s heads. “We’ve been over this, Kersjes. It’s too dangerous there, especially after what happened with you and your boss. Besides, today’s visit is just to see how far Wishvale’s come since that terrible fire. And you wanted to tag along, too!”
“I just figured you–”
Kersjes went silent and stepped in front of the group.
“Do you hear something, Kersjes?” Ribesca whispered, hugging the kids tightly.
Twigs snapped and light chittering filled the forest path. Kersjes drew his bow and pulled back an arrow. The hunter let go of his bowstring, letting the arrow fly into a set of bushes. Kersjes reached for another arrow, and three marmots leapt out of the shrubs.
“Larger than they should be,” Kersjes muttered. “Stay behind me, kids.”
Before Kersjes could fire another arrow, three flashes of steel flew through the air, causing three squeals to match. All the marmots fell dead, a small knife sticking out each of their necks. Kersjes walked over to the monsters’ corpses, inspecting the blade handles. He’d recognize those knives anywhere.
“Is everyone okay?” A blonde-haired hunter yelled, approaching Ribesca and the kids. Kersjes stood up, spotting another man behind him, clad in black with an unmistakable scar across his face.
“We are,” Ribesca sighed. “Thank you so much, mister…”
“My name is Phenn, a member of Wishvale’s watch. I’m glad we saw you before anything happened. And really, you should be thanking–”
“Celsus,” Kersjes interjected. “The only man I know who could throw knives as easily as one breathes.”
Ribesca and Phenn’s eyes widened. “You two know each other?” They said in unison, earning a giggle from Tana and Inez.
“Been quite a while, Kersjes. I’m glad to see you’re doing well,” Celsus smiled, plucking his daggers and wiping the blood off with a handkerchief.
“Go on, kids. Say thank you to the nice man,” Ribesca said, lightly nudging the kids forward.
They walked up to Celsus and smiled. “Thank you, mister!” Tana said, tugging on the former thief’s pants.
“You were so cool, mister Celsus! Just like mister Kersjes!” Inez cheered.
“Heh, thanks kid,” Celsus ruffled Inez’s hair. He looked up to meet Kersjes’ slight smile, which he quickly rid himself of as soon as they locked eyes. “So, what brings you all the way out here?”
“We were going to visit Wishvale and see if we like it. Kersjes here offered to come along so he could protect us from any danger,” Ribesca explained.
“I was hired, you mean,” Kersjes corrected rather quickly.
“In that case,” Phenn said, turning to Celsus, “why don’t you show them the rest of the way, Celsus? I can handle the rest of the day’s shift myself.”
“If you’re sure,” Celsus shrugged. “Follow me.” He walked in front of the group, with Kersjes picking up the pace to join him.
“So, this is where you’ve been, old friend. Good to see you again,” Kersjes said, patting Celsus’ shoulder.
“Yep. Just doing my job. I’m surprised to see you doing guard duty for some kids and their mom.”
“They’re from the orphanage, actually. They practically begged me to tag along. Damn kids…” Kersjes sighed.
“Sure, sure,” Celsus chuckled. “Hey, whatever happened to my old place in the Old Quarter? Someone take it for themselves yet?”
“Nope. I’ve been keeping an eye on it. If you want it back, it’s yours. Might have some silvermoon greatwolf fur in it, though.”
Celsus furrowed his brows and stared at Kersjes. “Should I even ask?”
“I can tell you later, if you’d like. Long story.”
As the forest path opened up, leaves fluttered onto Wishvale’s new guests. People of all walks of life milled about, chatting with each other with faces full of smiles. Kersjes crossed his arms and smirked, seeing an arena across the river that reminded him of Victors Hollow. At the start of the bridge, a brown-haired girl with an apron spotted Wishvale’s visitors and trotted over.
“Hi, Celsus! Weren’t you supposed to be with the watch today?”
“I was,” Celsus nodded, “but Phenn wanted me to guide these people here instead. They’re visitors from Victors Hollow.”
“Wow! You all must have come a long way. Oh, but where are my manners? My name’s Stia, and I’m the carpenter of this lovely town. I hope you enjoy your stay!” Stia greeted with more energy than Kersjes could handle. And he thought the kids were too much sometimes…
Tana and Inez spun around, taking in Wishvale’s homely beauty. “Whoa, did you build all of this, miss Stia?” Inez asked.
“Well, I had help from my friends and some of the people. I wouldn’t be able to restore Wishvale by myself, you know. Goodness knows I can barely carry a beam of wood by myself.”
Ribesca stepped forward, shaking Stia’s hand. “This place looks wonderful. I was hoping to move Tana, Inez, and I here if we liked it. If you’re not too busy, miss Stia, could you show us around?”
“Of course! I’d be happy to give you a tour, miss…uh…” Stia nodded.
“Ribesca. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. Would you like to come along, Kersjes?”
The hunter-for-hire shook his head. “Nah. I’ve got some catching up to do with Celsus here.”
The kids followed Stia and Ribesca, waving to Celsus and Kersjes.
“So… any good places to drink in this town?” Kersjes asked, watching Tana and Inez walk off.
“Hah, that was quick. You never missed an opportunity to grab a drink with me, did you? I’ll lead you to the tavern.”
Celsus brought over a flagon of mead, handed it to Kersjes, and sat down with a glass of white grape wine.
“White wine, huh? Thought you liked the harder stuff,” Kersjes scoffed, taking a sip of his mead.
“Things change. And the sun hasn’t even set yet. I’m supposed to man the church later, and Laurana wouldn’t be too happy if I came in drunk. Besides, Wishvale’s got a good deal with Valore, and we end up with quite a lot of white grape wine.”
“You mean this place is under Bargello? Certainly don’t look the part.”
“It’s more the other way around. My boss earned Bargello’s trust after we killed the Covetous Witch.”
Kersjes sat down his mead and laughed. “You lot took down the witch? I thought you wanted nothin’ to do with her!”
“Again, things change,” Celsus smiled. “I did what I was hired to do. Speaking of which, how’s your work with the Garcio Consortium been going?”
“Oh, those bastards?” Kersjes huffed. “Cut ties with ‘em after a…personal dispute.”
“It’s not like you to let your emotions get in the way of a job.”
“Yeah, well that greedy lout got the kids mixed up in grown-up business. Couldn’t let Garcio kill ‘em like that, is all,” Kersjes explained, partially covering his mouth with his mug. “Only cowards with no sense of honor would murder kids.”
Celsus felt his breath hitch at his old friend’s words.
“Uh, Celsus?” Kersjes said, noticing the ice forming between them.
The former thief snapped out of his blank stare, quickly bringing his glass to his lips and taking a sip. “Sorry. You’re right, of course. God doesn’t look favorably upon those who harm the innocent.”
Silence took over the conversation as both men drained their cups. Eventually, Kersjes snuck a glance over to Celsus, eyeing the dangling pendant he was wearing. A symbol of the Order of the Sacred Flame?
“What’s with that necklace? And the outfit, for that matter? You a holy man now?"
“Not by trade. I just decided to learn god’s teachings after I left my old life.” Celsus stared at his now empty glass, sighing softly. “Figured it would offer me a chance to repent for my past.”
Celsus then stood up, grabbed the open bottle of white grape wine from the bar, refilled the glass, and downed it in one go. “I know I disappeared for a long time. If you come with me to the Victors Hollow Trail tomorrow morning, I’ll tell you why,” he said, still facing away from Kersjes.
The hunter raised an eyebrow, staring at Celsus’ back. “…Sure. But for now, can you grab me another–”
The tavern door slammed open. Both men snapped their heads toward the entrance.
“Celsus!” Stia cried, tears running down her face. “The kids you and your friend came with are in trouble!”