The farmer came running toward them, crossbow still in hand but lowered. His wife and young son trailed behind safely. They found them among the sheep, cautious after seeing smoke. The farm family's eyes widened at the sight.
"You killed them?" asked the farmer, staring at the piles of wolf hides. His voice trembled with relief.
Raiyan smiled warmly. "You're safe now. Is everyone okay?" The farmer rushed up, hugging the wife and son tightly first. "Oh, you're heroes. My boy said they were gonna eat us, but you saved our lives. Blessed be!"
Ezel guided the grateful farmer aside. "You'll get your payment," he said. "Tell the guild we delivered. Fifty silver says to name the two of us – Ezel and Raiyan, in that order."
The farmer dashed into his cottage and returned with a small cloth purse. "Here," he said, nearly doubling over with gratitude. "I don't have all of it on me. I'll send the rest tomorrow." The purse was heavy – more gold than either had touched in a long time.
Raiyan lifted an eyebrow. "Only partial payment?"
"Compensation first," the farmer explained eagerly. "Rest when I can wrangle more coins. I promise."
Ezel nodded, accepting graciously. "Grateful. That's enough for now."
They parted with the family, hands shaken, thanks given a dozen times. As they walked back, the sun was setting behind them, coloring the sky orange and pink.
The day's battles had taken a bit from each of them. Raiyan wiped a thin smear of blood from his arm where the wolf had bitten near his elbow. It hurt, but not much – a reminder they had survived.
Niko prattled all the way back about which spells he wanted to learn and how cool they were. Ezel chuckled while Raiyan listened with a small, peaceful smile.
At the guild hall again, Raiyan received a quiet nod from the guildmaster when they returned the leather tags. The official weighing of evidence (the wolf heads) was more than enough.
The guildmaster tapped the brass scale, counting out fifty silver pieces onto the table. "Paid in full," he grinned. "Consider me impressed, kids."
With gold jingling in their pockets, the evening grew mellow as they dined at another inn. This one a bit nicer, since they could afford it. Mushroom stew, crusty bread, and strong ale filled their bellies.
Raiyan sat back with satisfaction. For once, the system did not intervene to give a summary or stat buff; but truthfully, he felt something else instead: camaraderie, warmth, and hope.
As candlelight danced across the tavern walls, Ezel raised his mug. "To surviving wolves and finding friends," he toasted. Niko, impulsively joining in, let out a giggle and clinked mugs wildly.
Raiyan stifled a laugh. "And to leaving Dalvia behind someday."
It was said softly enough that only Ezel caught it. He nodded. "Wena will be waiting."
Niko yawned in mid-sentence about magical elixirs. Ezel and Raiyan exchanged a knowing look. They likely had earned a good night's rest.
Later, Raiyan stepped outside to look at the stars once more. The night was clear, but the wild aurora had faded. The sky was like on Wena—a gentle glitter of familiar constellations.
The silence of the system still lingered, but in that moment it didn't trouble him. The world around him – this strange new life – was now filled with allies.
He closed his eyes and whispered into the night, as if talking to Aminah out there in the dark, "We made it another day. And with luck, more to come."
With that unspoken promise, Raiyan turned back inside to join his newfound friends. Whatever mysteries lay ahead, they would face them together – at least until they reached Wena. And for the first time since he woke up in the rubble, Raiyan truly felt alive.
Unfortunately, for him however; his misfortunes were near. Again.