Chapter 4
Morning sunlight spilled across Stonehollow's western gate as Adrian adjusted the straps of his travelling pack for what felt like the tenth time.
He wasn't nervous.
At least...
That was what he kept telling himself.
The leather sat comfortably across his shoulders, carrying little more than spare clothes, preserved food, a bedroll, several maps, and enough coffee to survive what Elena confidently described as "at least three minor diplomatic incidents."
Adrian had decided not to ask how she measured diplomatic incidents.
Some mysteries were healthier remaining mysteries.
The western gate stood open before them.
Beyond it...
The road disappeared into rolling green hills bathed in the warm light of early morning.
For the first time since arriving in Eryndor...
Adrian was leaving Stonehollow not as an adventurer searching for work.
Not as a newcomer trying to survive.
Not even as a guild member.
He left as its Mayor.
That realization felt strangely heavier than his pack.
Behind him, familiar voices echoed across the gatehouse.
"Ye packed enough food?"
Borin's booming voice carried easily across the courtyard as the dwarf marched toward them carrying what appeared to be an entire smoked ham balanced casually across one shoulder.
"I did," Adrian answered.
Borin looked unconvinced.
"Hm."
Without another word, he opened Adrian's pack.
Adrian blinked.
"...Borin."
The dwarf ignored him completely.
"Hm."
He frowned deeper.
"Hm."
"What are you doing?"
"Fixing it."
Before Adrian could protest, Borin unceremoniously shoved the enormous smoked ham into the backpack.
Then another loaf of bread.
Then a wrapped wheel of cheese.
Then three packets of dried venison.
The pack somehow became significantly heavier.
"There."
Borin nodded proudly.
"Now ye've packed enough."
Adrian attempted lifting the bag.
"...I think you've packed enough for a military campaign."
"Aye."
The dwarf smiled.
"Travelin' burns calories."
"It also burns my spine."
Kael approached from the gatehouse, suppressing what looked suspiciously like amusement.
"I considered stopping him."
"You didn't."
"I enjoy watching."
"Traitor."
"I've been called worse."
Even Elena's lips twitched slightly.
She quietly tightened the strap securing her own travel cloak before glancing toward the open road.
"The caravan should arrive soon."
Almost as she finished speaking...
The distant sound of wagon wheels rolled gently across the valley.
A merchant caravan slowly appeared over the nearest hill.
Three large wagons.
Two smaller carts.
Nearly twenty travellers.
Some wore armour.
Others travelled as families.
Children peeked excitedly over wagon sides while traders laughed among themselves, completely unaware they were approaching the Mayor of Stonehollow.
The lead merchant raised one hand cheerfully.
"Morning!"
Borin answered before Adrian could.
"Ye late!"
The merchant laughed loudly.
"We're exactly on time!"
"For humans maybe!"
Adrian sighed.
"I forgot dwarves measured time differently."
"They don't," Kael replied.
"Borin simply believes everyone else is wrong."
"I usually amn't."
"...That's not a word."
"It is now."
Laughter spread naturally among the group.
The mood remained light.
Comfortable.
Exactly what Adrian had hoped this journey would begin with.
He turned back toward Stonehollow one last time.
Morning sunlight reflected warmly from newly repaired rooftops.
Children chased one another through the streets.
Builders already worked atop fresh scaffolding.
Smoke drifted peacefully from dozens of chimneys.
It looked...
Alive.
No longer merely surviving.
Growing.
The sight filled Adrian with quiet pride.
Not because he had rebuilt Stonehollow.
Because everyone had.
He had simply helped them remember they could.
Beside him, Elena noticed where he was looking.
"You'll be back."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"I know."
"It'll still be here."
He smiled.
"I know."
Kael stepped forward then, extending one forearm.
No speeches.
No ceremony.
Just the greeting of soldiers.
Adrian clasped it firmly.
"Keep them safe."
Kael's expression never changed.
"I intend to."
Then, almost as an afterthought...
"You do the same."
Adrian laughed softly.
"I'll try."
"You usually don't."
"...Fair."
Borin stepped forward next.
Instead of offering a handshake...
He wrapped Adrian in a crushing hug powerful enough to lift him clear off the ground.
The air vanished from Adrian's lungs.
"Borin..."
The dwarf laughed.
"Don't die."
"I wasn't planning on it."
"Good."
He finally set Adrian back on his feet.
"'Cause paperwork's annoyin'."
Adrian blinked.
"I thought you'd say you'd miss me."
"I will."
Borin grinned broadly.
"But paperwork's still annoyin'."
Even Kael chuckled.
Adrian shook his head.
"I've got remarkable friends."
"Aye."
Borin folded his arms.
"Ye do."
Adrian looked west once more.
The road waited.
Beyond it...
New kingdoms.
New people.
Ancient forests.
And somewhere far ahead...
A theatre that had never closed its doors.