Chapter 362: Coming Home

"I want to stay."

Marzana spoke before Regis could ask whether she had finished packing. She stood beside the courtyard wall, with Aeola and Raxon behind her, watching the people carrying supplies towards the Ancient Tree.

"There are still people arriving from the villages. Some of them don’t even know where their families are." Her fingers tightened around her sleeve. "And Flona..."

Regis followed her gaze. Fresh cloth covered several of the tree’s wounds, though its damaged branches remained bare.

"Have you told the Pope?"

She nodded. "He said there are things I can help with once I’ve rested."

"We’re staying too," Aeola added, her tails shifting behind her. "Someone needs to make sure she actually does that."

Raxon nodded firmly, earning a helpless look from Marzana.

Regis smiled a little. "Then write to us. Even if it’s just to complain about them."

"I heard that," Aeola muttered.

"That was the point."

Marzana’s lips curved before she stepped forward and carefully hugged him. Regis returned it, feeling her grip tighten against his back.

"Thank you," She whispered.

He knew she meant more than their conversation, and for a moment, he struggled to answer.

"Take care of yourself."

"You too."

By the time they separated, Killian was calling for him from beside the wagons.

Their departure had taken several more days to arrange. Reports from Harmonia had confirmed Regis’s account, and Hagios had finally agreed that their recovery could continue at home. The Pope provided transport and an escort, while Anna took down everything Regis remembered about the cave.

Tinateria and its fragment remained in his ring. There would be another conversation about the Temple of Craft when arrangements could be made.

For now, he had people waiting to leave with him.

After thanking Hagios and the two executors, Regis returned to Flona for one last visit. She listened when he told her they were leaving that morning, then made him describe where Harmonia was.

He did his best. Neither of them found his explanation particularly impressive.

"You don’t know?"

"I know how to get there..."

"That’s different."

"Yes, I’m beginning to realize that."

She smiled at his troubled expression, though her fingers remained curled around his until he had to withdraw.

Outside, Pandora helped him climb into the wagon. Across the courtyard, the dragon had finally settled onto the reinforced bed of another, its silver scales carrying a black sheen beneath the sunlight.

Its tail still hung over the side.

Killian approached carefully, lifted it onto the bedding, and stepped back. A moment later, the tail slid down again.

"..."

Regis turned away before his companion could catch him smiling.

Soon, the wagons began moving. Marzana stood between Aeola and Raxon, raising her hand as they passed through the cleared street.

Regis waved until the turn hid them from view.

***

The journey back took longer.

Their escort chose a broader route through the mountains, avoiding the narrow ledges they had crossed on their way to Edenelia. Whenever the road became too rough, they stopped to let the wounded rest.

Regis spent much of that time asleep. On the days his leg hurt less, he walked beside the wagons until Pandora noticed him slowing down.

The dragon proved less willing to follow anyone’s schedule. Sometimes it refused to leave its bedding; at other times, it climbed down and stopped in the middle of the road to examine something none of them could see.

Nevertheless, the days passed without another battle.

When Harmonia’s walls finally appeared in the distance, Regis leaned forward in his seat.

"We’re here..."

Beside him, Morgana lifted her head. Rumi caught her hand, and the two watched the approaching gates without speaking.

Aurelia had sent word ahead. Arrangements had been made for the dragon in a spacious Midas storeyard near the city’s outskirts, where she and Killian remained to help it settle while Auryn and Patti went to see their parents.

The others continued towards Gilded Row.

Through the wagon’s open side, Regis watched people step aside to let them pass. A dwarf argued over the price of a bundle of cloth. Two children ran past a food stall, chased by a woman holding a wooden spoon.

He had expected to feel something when he saw the familiar streets again.

Instead, he found himself staring.

’They’re still selling those...’

The same skewers. The same stall with its crooked sign.

"Regis!"

He turned towards the shout.

Greg stood outside their house, still wearing an apron dusted with flour. Lea was already hurrying down the steps, followed by several familiar faces.

Pandora barely had time to help Regis down before Lea reached him. Her hands lifted towards his shoulders, then stopped as she noticed how carefully he was standing.

"Where can I hug you?"

The question startled a laugh out of him.

"Anywhere that doesn’t hurt."

"That’s very fucking helpful."

She embraced him carefully anyway. Greg joined them a moment later, his hand firm against Regis’s back.

"You took your time," He said.

"Sorry..."

"Idiot. That wasn’t a complaint."

Behind them, Vanessa had climbed down.

Someone called her name, and she was soon surrounded by friends reaching for her hands. Perto stood beside the wagon until Greg went to him, pulling him into an embrace without waiting for him to speak.

Regis looked past Lea’s shoulder. People kept emerging from the house, some still wearing their work clothes. They greeted Morgana and Rumi too, making room for them on the steps.

One girl looked towards the road, her gaze lingering on the last wagon before she lowered her head.

Regis pressed his lips together.

They had received the news. Still, he could see them looking.

***

By evening, the house had grown quieter.

Food had been brought over, beds prepared, and the returning survivors persuaded to rest. Killian and Aurelia had come back after the dragon settled, both looking as though they wanted nothing more than to lie down.

Pandora checked Regis’s leg before allowing Greg and Lea to steal him for a little while.

"We’re only going to the sitting room," Lea assured her.

"I know."

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"Brother forgets when he’s tired."

"I’m right here..." Regis protested.

"And we heard you," Greg replied, taking the cushion Pandora offered.

Now, with his leg supported and a cup warming his hands, Regis finally had the chance to look properly at the two sitting opposite him.

Lea leaned against Greg’s shoulder while breaking a pastry in half. She passed the larger piece to him without looking, and he accepted it just as naturally.

Regis’s eyes moved between them.

"Wait..."

Lea looked up. "What?"

"You two?"

Greg nearly dropped his pastry.

For a moment, Lea simply stared at Regis. Then her cheeks reddened, though she made no effort to move away.

"What about us?"

Regis’s mouth slowly opened. "You’re together?"

"Yes," Greg answered before Lea could say anything else.

The certainty in his voice made her glance towards him. Her expression softened, and Regis found himself smiling before he realised it.

"Since when?"

"A little while ago," Greg replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

"And nobody told me?"

"You were somewhat difficult to reach," Lea said.

"Ah... right."

She nudged the plate towards him. "Besides, we wanted to tell you properly."

Regis smiled as he put his cup down and took a pastry. "Well, I’m happy for you."

The two grew quiet at his words.

"What?" He asked, looking between them. "Did you think I’d object?"

"No," Greg said quickly.

Lea tilted her head, a familiar look of mischief returning to her face. "I thought you might cry over losing your chance."

"With you?" Regis could not help but chuckle.

"Watch your mouth."

"Haha... Greg, you’re a brave man."

"I’ve been told."

Lea elbowed him, but Greg only laughed and caught her hand.

Regis watched their fingers settle together. He remembered Greg stepping between Lea and the things that upset her, pretending he had done nothing worth noticing.

’So it finally happened...’

For a while, they talked about the bakery. Lea complained about customers arriving just before closing, while Greg accused her of encouraging them by keeping the ovens warm.

Regis listened, occasionally joining their arguments. He finished his pastry and reached for another.

"These are good."

"Of course they are. I made them." Lea said proudly.

Greg murmured from the side, "I helped."

"You only carried the tray..."

"Very carefully. Please appreciate my efforts."

Regis chuckled. "You should’ve brought these when everyone was—"

He stopped with the pastry halfway to his mouth.

Lea’s smile weakened.

Regis lowered his hand. "Sorry. I meant..."

He looked towards the plate, trying to remember what he had intended to say.

There had been a time when gathering everyone required little more than calling them downstairs. Someone would complain about being dragged away from practice. Someone else would arrive late and try to take food from the nearest plate.

He could almost hear them.

"Regis?"

"I’m fine." He set the pastry down. "Just tired."

Greg leaned forward, but Regis kept his eyes on the table.

"They would’ve liked these."

The words came out quietly. Lea’s fingers tightened around Greg’s.

"We can make them again," She said in a comforting voice.

Regis nodded, though his throat had begun to hurt.

"I thought we’d all come back."