Project: TheirWorld - Chapter 039 - Part 1

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Loose Ends

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TheirWorld

Logging in, Guin opened her eyes to daylight streaming in from a window next to her bed. She sat up and stretched. Today, she told herself. Today she would do her best to finish what it was she had to do in order to graduate. She hoped.

“Guin? Are you up?” Her mother poked her head into the alcove where the beds where. “There is some food on the table for you, and Pastor Jormund stopped by a little earlier looking for you.”

“Pastor Jormund?” Guin repeated, getting up and going out to the table where some bread, fruit, and cheese waited for her.

Her mother nodded as she poured her a cup of hot tea. “He said something about the Master Hunter and Mrs. Noin. An odd group of people for you to be seeing…”

Guin nibbled on her bread and cheese. “I’ve been keeping Mrs. Noin company as per the request of the pastor. Dawl is her grandson,” she said.

“Hnn,” went her mother. “Is that so? Will you be gone all day again today?”

“Probably.” Guin stuffed the rest of her snack in her mouth and shoved an apple in her pack. “I might be back a little later, but don’t wait up.”

“Please take care of yourself,” her mother said, and kissed her on the forehead. Guin gave her a smile and directed Liorex to give her a speed buff she left the house. Casting [Fox Form], she shot out into town, taking several shortcuts to get to Alta Noin’s cottage.

Jormund was sitting out in front of the little house, quietly caring for his spear. As she approached, he lifted his eyes. “Oh!” he said. “Welcome back. You’ve rested well?”

Guin shifted out of her fox form. “Yes. You?”

“As well as can be expected. I’ve had a little friend following me around,” he nodded toward the roof of the cottage, where, to Guin’s surprise, Wise was nestled in the attic window. “It would appear that the Dragon King is keeping eyes on us.”

“Interesting…” Guin muttered, wondering why the Dragon King would have bothered. It seemed even stranger as it appeared Wise had no intention of hiding from them. “You really think that’s what it is?”

Jormund gave her a confused face. “I’m not sure why else she would be around.”

“True…”

“Dawl is inside,” he told her. “It seems that he’s found those who the fox spirit had asked us to. I wish I had been able to help more, but I admit. I am proud of him. Maybe now, after all this, he can finally forgive himself.”

Guin looked at him. “What about you?” she asked.

“Me?”

“Have you forgiven yourself?”

The pastor’s eyes fell. “... My sins are far worse than his,” he said. “I need… Time, I think, more than anything else. Time, and… to be honest with myself.”

She walked over and pat him on the shoulder and he gave her a soft smile. He had lost much. But maybe now he can look forward.

Leaving him to his thoughts and his spear, Guin went inside. The now familiar house filled her with warmth, and the smile of the delicate elderly woman always made her feel at home.

“Welcome back, Guin!” Alta Noin led her inside with her warm voice. “Come, sit. Euen is waiting for you, and the tea is already warm!” Accepting her hospitality graciously, Guin went in and greeted Dawl, who was standing by the fire already, in her usual manner.

While Mrs Noin went about settling Guin down, Dawl chuckled and told her to stop fussing - which was, as usual, greeted with a scowl and a scoulding.

Guin loved it, ever so much.

“This boy, always telling me not to fuss!” said a frustrated Alta Noin. “What else is an old woman supposed to do? Sit like a statue? My.”

“Forgive me, grandmother. I have no doubts in your ability,” Dawl laughed. “But let poor Guin sit!” Mrs Noin kept muttering things as she went about her business. “Grandfather always used to say he was never the one in charge,” Dawl mused.

“It’s wonderful, though,” Guin said.

“It is, isn’t it?” the Master Hunter laughed.

“Jormund said that you’ve found the ones that set those traps?”

Dawl’s face changed as he sighed. “Indeed,” he said. “I can do nothing else now, but beg forgiveness. Those who were involved here members of my very own guild.” Dawl clenched his fists tight as he looked into flames. “I have failed to teach them the proper way. I do not deserve the title of ‘Master’.”

“You can make up for it in the future,” Guin reassured him. “As long as there is a future for the forest, and Bade - you can change their paths.”

Though the expression on his face told her he wasn’t convinced of her words, he said, “I can only hope that such words are true. Here,” he said. “Hold out your arm, and I’ll share the quest details with you.”

Guin reached out and they touched wrists briefly. The update screens for and came up. Guin went through them and sent them away.

“You did find them, then,” she mumbled. “Alara and Saurin Barns?”

“They were young ones,” Dawl nodded. “Siblings, trying to make some extra money of the furs, but had yet to be fully trained as hunters. I am ashamed with my failings as a teacher…”

“Save your apologies for the Dragon King,” Guin told him. She didn't blame him; she even felt a little bad for the siblings. Who know what would happen to them after they informed the Dragon King of their sins. Then again, she thought. They killed TIk-Tak. Absently, Guin pet the little fox head on the shoulder of her cloak. “For now,” she started, as Mrs. Noin brought her a cup of tea and sat by the fireplace with them. “You’ve done well. We can return to the Dragon King with pride!”

Dawl nodded. “Miss Guin, if there is anything I can do for you - anything at all - please, let me know. I am sure Jormund will say the same. We are in your debt.”

“Thank you! Ah - Actually, while we are talking about that, I was wondering if you had anything that I could purchase from you with my tokens…”