Chapter 139: Journey home

The morning arrived sooner than Anaria expected. Before the settlement was fully awake, Rylan and Kai had checked the supplies and secured the bundles for the journey. Kenai made sure Ana was warm and comfortable before carrying her outside. The air was cool, and a thin layer of mist rested between the shelters.

Anaria stepped out with her small bag over her shoulder. Her leg moved easily beneath her, and she no longer needed the splint that had once slowed every step. She paused to look around the settlement one last time. The shelters stood quiet, though a few villagers were already awake and preparing for the day.

"We should leave before the sun gets too high," Rylan said as he tightened the last strap around a bundle.

Anaria nodded. "Then let’s get going."

They had not gone far before people began gathering along the path. Some had come to see them off despite having already said their goodbyes the previous evening. A few carried small bundles of food for the road, while others simply stood waiting with their children.

Anaria stopped to thank them. She did not want to make the departure longer than necessary, but she could not leave without acknowledging their kindness.

"Take care of yourselves," she told the villagers. "And remember what we discussed. Keep the water area clean, and look after the shelters."

"We will," one of the elders promised. "You have nothing to worry about here."

The children stood closer to the front. Several of them looked as though they were still hoping she might change her mind and stay another day. The little girl who had asked whether Anaria would forget them held tightly to her mother’s hand.

Anaria walked over to her. "You will keep playing with the others, won’t you?"

The girl nodded, though her mouth turned down at the corners. "I will."

"And you will help keep the play area tidy?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then when I come back, I want to hear that you have all taken good care of it."

The girl gave a small smile. Anaria touched her head gently before stepping away. Other children waved, and one boy called out that she had to visit again. She promised she would try.

When the goodbyes were finally over, the family started down the path. Anaria looked back once and raised her hand. The villagers waved until the trees and bends in the path hid them from view.

For a while, they walked without speaking much. The path ran between trees and patches of open ground, with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves following them. Rylan led the way, keeping an eye on the path ahead. Kai walked nearby, carrying part of the supplies, while Kenai held Ana when the uneven ground made carrying her more convenient.

Anaria kept a steady pace. Every so often, she looked down at her leg, still pleased by how naturally she could walk. She did not make a show of it. She was simply glad that the injury no longer controlled her movements.

After some time, the path narrowed between a cluster of trees. Rylan slowed to check the ground before guiding them through. A few roots crossed the trail, and the earth was damp in places from the previous night’s moisture.

"Watch your step here," he said.

"I see them," Anaria replied, lifting her foot over a root.

Kai moved one of the heavier bundles to his other shoulder. "We can stop farther ahead if anyone needs a rest."

"Let’s keep going a little longer," Anaria said. "We have only just started."

They continued until the trees thinned and the path opened onto a patch of level ground beside a stream. The water was clear enough to see small stones beneath its surface. The place offered shade, room to sit, and a suitable spot to rest before continuing.

Rylan looked around before setting down his bundle. "We can eat here."

No one objected. They had brought enough food for the journey, and walking on an empty stomach would only make the trip harder. Kai placed the supplies on a dry patch beneath a tree, while Kenai found a comfortable place to sit with Ana.

Anaria unpacked a cloth bundle containing roasted meat, dried fruit, and a few pieces of cooked root. There was also a small container of water they had filled before leaving. They shared the food between them, making sure Ana had something suitable to eat.

Anaria settled on a flat stone and stretched her legs out in front of her. "This is much better than eating while walking."

"You were the one who wanted to keep going," Rylan reminded her, sitting nearby.

"And I was right. We made good progress before stopping."

He gave her a brief look but did not argue. Anaria tore off a piece of meat and ate slowly, enjoying the chance to rest. The food was simple, but it was enough to satisfy her hunger.

Kenai helped Ana eat a little of the soft root. She accepted a few bites before becoming more interested in the small wooden toy tied to the side of their bundle. Her fingers reached for it, and Kenai untied it and placed it in her hands.

"She has been holding that since we left," Anaria said.

"She likes it," Kenai replied, watching Ana turn the toy over in her hands.

"Then we should keep it somewhere she can reach when we stop."

Kenai nodded and set it beside her while he finished eating. Ana tapped the toy against his arm, and he gently moved it away before she could drop it into the stream.

The meal gave them time to talk about the rest of the journey. Rylan estimated they could reach a familiar stretch of land before the light began to fade, provided they did not take too many long breaks. They would decide later whether to stop for the night or continue farther, depending on how everyone felt.

"We do not need to hurry," Kenai said. "There is no reason to exhaust ourselves trying to arrive a little earlier."

"I agree," Anaria said. "We should travel safely. We can stop again if we need to."

Kai gathered the empty food wrapping and folded the cloth neatly. He checked the water container and made sure the remaining food was packed securely. Once everyone had finished, they took a few more minutes to rest before getting up.

Anaria walked to the stream and washed her hands. She stayed away from the edge, where the stones were slick, then returned to the others. The break had eased the stiffness in her shoulders, and she felt ready to continue.

They packed the supplies and left the clearing as they had found it, carrying away the food scraps and leaving nothing scattered on the ground. Rylan took the lead again, choosing the firmer part of the trail. The others followed at a comfortable pace.

As the day went on, the trees gave way to open stretches of land and then gathered around the path again. They passed a patch of wild plants, a shallow dip where rainwater had collected, and a fallen branch that forced them to walk around it. Nothing interrupted their progress for long.

Once, Ana began to fuss from Kenai’s arms. He stopped and adjusted the cloth around her, giving her a little water before continuing. Anaria walked beside them for a short distance, talking softly to Ana until the child settled again. Then she moved back towards Rylan, who was checking the path ahead.

The journey was ordinary, and Anaria was content with that. There were no sudden dangers, no urgent calls for help, and no reason to turn aside. They had spent enough time dealing with trouble. For now, she only wanted to reach home with her family and settle back into their usual lives.

Later, they stopped briefly to drink water and adjust the bundles. The sun had climbed higher, and the warmth made the walk more tiring, but they were making steady progress. Anaria ate a piece of dried fruit while Rylan checked their direction. Kai tightened a loose strap, and Kenai kept Ana shaded.

"Ready?" Rylan asked when they were packed again.

Anaria rose from the stone where she had been sitting and brushed the dust from her clothes. "Ready."

They returned to the path together, leaving the stream and its quiet clearing behind. Wolfrine was still ahead of them, but each step brought them closer to home.

The afternoon passed without anything unexpected happening. They followed the trail around a rocky slope and crossed a narrow stretch where the ground had become soft from recent rain. Rylan went first to check that the footing was safe, then waited while the others crossed. Anaria took her time over the slippery patch, choosing each step carefully rather than risking another injury.

On the other side, they found a place where the trees offered shade from the sun. They did not stop for a full meal this time, but Kai passed around the remaining dried fruit and everyone drank some water. Kenai shifted Ana against his chest when she grew sleepy, and the child soon rested her head on his shoulder.

Anaria sat beside the supplies for a moment, looking along the path ahead. She wondered what awaited them in Wolfrine, but she did not dwell on it. There would be time to deal with their responsibilities after they arrived. For now, the journey was peaceful, and she was happy to be travelling with her family.

When they were ready, they gathered their belongings once more. Rylan checked the trail, Kai lifted the last bundle, and Kenai adjusted Ana in his arms. Anaria stood and joined them without needing assistance.

"Let’s continue," she said.

They moved forward together, keeping a steady pace as the afternoon slowly wore on.