A Second Home, Scene v2

Made a few necessary adjustments. No actual change to the scene really, just a small addition of a character. Main change is marked in a different color.

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It was not until sunset when the soldiers had finally reached their destination. A group of Republic soldiers stood at the entrance to the town to greet them.

“Devin! It’s been a long time. Glad to see you made it,” said the large soldier standing in front with a booming voice. His armor had the markings of a Lokem commander.

“As are we, Garrick. As are we,” replied Devin with an exhausted smile. He extended his greeting to the soldier beside Garrick. “Elena, I swear it seems you never age a bit. You still look as young as the day I met you.”

“You say that every time we see each other,” she chuckled.

The caravan entered the fortified walls of the border town of Koln. The soldiers handed the wagons over to the Republic. The exhausted soldiers were covered in mud and their uniforms disheveled along with their hair. Garrick let out a boisterous laugh. “Seems you’ve had quite the march. Come, we’ve arranged a stay for all of you at the towns finest—What is this, Devin? You actually brought that damned furlicker with you?”

“By order of the Silver Guard. It’s not as though I enjoy the complications she brings me.” Devin looked at all the turned heads and low whispers of onlookers. “I apologize for any problems it’ll cause, but please bear with it.”

Garrick sighed heavily. “Alright. But if so much as starts anything, she’s walking home.”

“Fair enough.”

Garrick wrapped an arm around Devin and began leading him further into town. The soldiers followed closely behind them, chattering amongst themselves and observing the busy market place. Kismet watched everyone stare at her nervously and point fingers, mumbling to one another.

“So tell me, how was the road? It seems you were caught up in the storm,” asked Garrick.

“It definitely could’ve been better. The past two days were rather miserable, but we did run into an old friend,” replied Devin.

“Hazalin,” muttered Garrick sourly. “Let me guess. He wanted the food.”

Devin nodded. “But only three. He never was a greedy guy.”

“But you made it with all of them. How’d you get out of it?” chimed in Elena.

Devin gave a sly smile, his words filled with a fatherly pride. “We were originally with twelve wagons, but Raze had the back three filled with boxed rocks instead of food. It seems she predicted this would happen. Lucky for us, Hazalin used a strategy that prevented him from being able to check the wagons.”

Garrick roared with laughter. He shook Devin with amusement. “Oh how I would’ve loved to see the look on his face. I must say that’s quite some woman you raised there. She’s really proving herself to be General Atraea’s daughter. The both of you must be proud.”

Devin couldn’t help but smile. Every moment he spent or thought about Raze, he couldn’t help but feel remorse. But it was also Raze who saved him from wallowing in a pit of depression. Raze had become his light in the darkness…his pride and glory.

“Who wouldn’t be? She’s a living prodigy.”

“Hah! I guess I can’t argue with that.” The group reached a very large inn four stories in height, six rooms wide and two rooms deep. The only place in Rokan that compared was Heaven’s Perch. “I’m sure you’re all exhausted, so I won’t take any more of your time. The cargo should be loaded and ready to go by noon tomorrow, so feel free to rest in. You’ll be staying here, at A Second Home. We reserved the entire first floor for you. There’s a dozen rooms, each with two beds, so you’ll have to pair up.”

The owner greeted them with a smile. The small rim of grey hair left on his balding scalp accentuated the small wrinkles of age that were beginning to form on his face. “General Devin. It is an honor to host your stay here in Koln. I’m Owen Peterson, the owner of A Second Home. I hope you’ll find our inn suitable to your standards.”

Devin gave him a reassuring smile. He gazed at the large sign, decorated with a delicate floral pattern. “It certainly looks exceptional. Easily one of the nicest inn’s I’ve seen.”

“Your words are most kind. Please, come in.” Owen opened the doors and gestured the soldiers in. He snapped his head to Garrick when Kismet passed by. “Commander, you never told me they had a Catheran with them.”

“I apologize Owen. I didn’t expect it, myself. Please, just bear with it.”

“She’s going to end up scaring all my customers away. And people will hear that I housed a Catheran for the night!”

Garrick patted the innkeeper’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, but there’s no other option. Who knows what would happen if she roamed the streets on her own. It could cause a panic. If anyone ever questions the idea, just tell them it was by my order.”

Owen stared at Kismet and let out a long, drawn-out sigh, cursing his luck.



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