A farewell party's hangover stings so much more, the sun is a little hotter, a little brighter, screaming at me to just go back inside and forget about leaving.
Aneki brought her stuff into town at some point, heaped on a little wagon. Said she pulled it herself, Aneki is just awesome like that. Her pet…servant…goblin got some looks but no one yelled to string him up, nobody wanted to fight the big hero, although a few had that hungry look.
We're supposed to leave early, but breakfast comes first, Lyria looks like she's going to cry all morning bringing out piles of food. It smells great…I'm going to miss it a lot, can't let a single bite go to waste today.
Everyone knows we are leaving, Miss Rina and the kids even came, I hope it wasn't too much trouble. Everyone is joking and laughing…I'm trying to smile but…It's hard to look at them.
Merrik sits down next to me and passes me some rolled-up papers.
"Made ya some notes for when you're in the big city, and there's a map, OH! And a letter in case you get in trouble. Kaellen is somewhere in town. If you see him, let him know what happened…and…"
Slouching down a little, he leans close.
"Don't die out there Gōki, when you're ready to come back there's a spot for you here."
We shake hands and I smack him on the arm.
"Don't assume I'll carry bags for cheap again, and you better hope Aneki can read better than me or these notes are firestarters."
He laughs it off, heading back to his office with a wave.
The kids have been all over the room, Eyebrows and Lanky hugged me and got snot all over my jacket, telling me all about how they will protect the town while I'm gone. Told 'em they could start by helping get Miss Rina back home. She was smiling but being bruised and bandaged all the time looks uncomfortable. When I walked them over and helped her up she smiled.
"Gōki, if you put me out of a job by not getting hurt…I won't mind, so stay safe."
The boys got next to her and she shuffled out the door, looks like she's going to lose her best customer…that's alright.
Trav has some sausages for me and a list of recipes I can't read, the lady I rescued gave me a whole basket of some kinda little breads, my table is getting packed with all sorts of crap…carrying it is going to be a pain…
Lyria disappeared into the back after serving breakfast, Faela is here but I haven't seen Lirien and she just keeps telling me he'll be here. The guys from the mill were nice enough to help me box and load all my little gifts onto the wagon, and said 'it's your big day so take it easy'.
It's packed…We're outside…He's not here…the big moment where we all wave and say goodbye, where everyone poses together and we take the picture, Faela doesn't seem bothered, no…I'll check the boxes again…or make sure the coat is clean…
"Gōki!"
Finally…we can get goin–
Lirien steps out of the tavern all dressed up, he's dressed in the clothes he wore when we were camping with everyone and a big wide hat. Walking with his staff and a chunky pack pulled over his good shoulder. Lyria is behind him carrying a little box.
"I…"
He sucks in his lips and looks at me seriously.
"I've decided to go with you, I can't be here anymore…I…I'm not ready to say goodbye!"
He strides past everyone and heaves his pack into the wagon, turning back to look at me.
"I'm a shit mage…so I got you something to make up for the trouble."
Lyria opens the box, it's a long metal glove, the knuckles…it's my dad's belt buckle. I scoop it out and slide it on, it fits perfectly, every finger is so smooth and clean I can see my face, and the plates cover right up to…Where Lirien's arm stops.
Lyria leans close and gives me a hug.
"You…You both have to come back…-snffff- and you have to tell me everything about it"
These two…they don't make anything easy for me, but it's a quality hug…so I'll forgive it.
"hu—uh…OK! Let's get going before it gets late, if I'm gonna bring back any tales worth telling then we better get started."
It's all smiles and waves, I've said my goodbyes…and they aren't getting easier. Faela gets a thumbs up, one big shout for the road, and gotta move before Aneki leaves me in the dust.
Goodbye, everyone…