The valley's forest was trickier to get through than Rion expected. The trees were bunched tightly together, making it hard to maneuver. Nevertheless, with Ezra leading the way, they were soon able to find an optimal path.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the village, the sun was just beginning to set, bathing the valley in warm hues of orange, pink, and purple.
At the town gate, Ezra slowed and took a deep breath. He turned back toward Rion and Maria. They nodded, and he nodded back, a smile on his face, before walking up to the gate.
The guard on duties eyes widened as he hurried over.
"Lad, it's you!"
He circled around Ezra, asking him all sorts of questions.
"What were you thinking, going through the mountains? Your mother has been worried sick!"
"I know, I know. It was rash," Ezra said. "But I got us some help." He pointed a thumb toward Rion and Maria.
"B-but, lad, these two are no older than you."
"True," Ezra said, "but you'd be surprised, trust me."
The guard looked at him uncertainly, then nodded and rested a hand on Ezra's shoulder. He studied Ezra's face, then smiled.
"Sorry for doubting you, lad. You're a brave boy—no, a brave man. Just like your father."
Tears swelled in Ezra's eyes, he loved that compliment most of all.
"T-thank you, Old Man." He sniffled.
The guard let out a hearty laugh.
"Haha! You're still a crybaby, I see." He continued to laugh a good while longer.
"Alright, lad, I won't keep you any longer. Hurry over to your mother."
"Will do!"
Ezra and the guard clasped hands before parting ways as the three entered Hearan proper.
As they walked through town, many people recognized Ezra, greeting him and asking questions. Everyone in the village, however, seemed exhausted, as if all their energy had been sapped away.
From the smoldering buildings still in the process of being restored, Rion could see why.
Eventually, they reached a section of the village that looked like a neighborhood, wooden houses packed beside one another, each with a number carved in front of its door. A faint yellow glow spilled from some of the windows.
They walked down the street until Ezra stopped in front of one house in particular. Beside the door was the number 632.
"This is it," Ezra said with a puff.
Slowly, he walked up to the door and knocked.
There was a brief silence, followed by the sound of hurried clattering from the other side of the door.
Immediately, the door swung open, smacking Ezra in the face.
"GAH!"
He doubled over, clutching his forehead.
Standing in the doorway was a rather short woman with onyx-black hair, brown eyes, and glasses. She looked down at Ezra as he looked up at her with a wry smile, still rubbing his forehead.
"I'm home, Ma."
Ezra's mother's lip began to quiver.
"You idiot! I told you not to leave!"
Ezra gave her a warm smile.
"You know I couldn't do nothing."
She gave Ezra a concerned look before falling to her knees and bursting into tears.
"My baby boy... I missed you so much!"
Ezra smiled, embraced his mother, and began crying just as loud.
"They don't look much alike, but it seems they have at least that in common," Maria said.
Rion nodded.
"Yeah."
A wide smile spread across his face.
The crybaby mother and son remained there for a while longer, holding each other tightly as the sun gently set below the valley.
(And thus, Lost Keep's adventure continues…)