Terra's Homecoming

A FEW HOURS LATER:

The group are back on Virra's cart and have just got back to Mulvenscroll.

Not even five minutes in town, and a few guards stop the cart with one of then saying, "Miss Virra! Miss Terra! You're both back!"

"That we are, Oklin. Let the others know that the search is over." Terra responds.

"Yes, ma'am!"

The guards then rush off toward the barracks as the cart turns a corner to get onto the main street.

More and more guards begin noticing the cart, and share their pleased thoughts at seeing Terra back safe and sound. Terra gives thanks to them all for their well wishes and hard work searching for her, but quickly grows tired of it as she simply just wants to get back home.

She wouldn't have to wait long for her wish to come true as they begin the ascent of the large hill that precedes the Tarron Manor.

The cart gets over the peak of said hill, and continues forward for another few minutes before coming to a stop in front of the manor.

Guards immediately rush over, all happy to see Terra back safe and sound. However, through all the happy cheers, one guard says, "I don't mean to be the party pooper, but Miss Virra, you are in a world of shit. Master Holvaeth wasn't happy to hear that you ran off in the night."

"Well that'll just have to wait. We need to get Amilia inside, so if you'll excuse us." Virra says as she brings down the back of the cart. John then carefully moves Amilia to the end, allowing Kyuala to pick her friend up in a princess carry before the group head inside.

---

INSIDE THE MANOR:

The front doors open, and the group are once again swarmed. This time, it's the rest of the Tarron sisters who immediately head over to Terra, apart from Naura who just simply looks on from a few feet away.

"We're so glad you're okay!" Apollita says as she holds on tight to her younger sister.

"Thanks to all of you. The others told me about everything you did to find out where I was, so thank you all. That includes you as well, Naura."

"Hmm, yeah. It's whatever." Naura responds as she checks her nails while hiding a smile.

"What happened to Amilia? Is she okay?" Sydna asks as she looks over at Kyuala.

"She saved Terra from a bolt that was coated in a sleep toxin. We tried to wake her up with some smelling salts, but they didn't work, so, she has to sleep it off." Lani answers, shocking the group.

Sophia then asks, "So, who took you? Was it Kyarl?! Or was it bandits?!"

"Neither, I'm afraid. It was-"

"Terra! You're home!"

Everyone looks back, and that's when they see Holvaeth and Myssera walking up. Myssera then rushes over before wrapping her arms around her spitting image of a daughter.

"It's nice to see you too, Mother." Terra says, almost muffled by her mothers embrace.

Holvaeth then finally joins his wife in the huh, "Oh, my darling daughter. We're so glad to have you back home. I'm so sorry it took us so long."

Terra pulls away from her parents before saying, "Sorry it took you so long? Father, from what I have heard, you had nothing to do with my rescue. In fact, you weren't even looking in the right town."

"Terra, you have to understand-"

Holvaeth slightly raises his hand, causing his wife to stop. "No, she's right. There is no excuse. We failed you. We should've had more people looking here. We shouldn't have trusted such a farce lead in the first place, but we weren't thinking clearly. We didn't have the luxury of having a clear mind when our daughter was taken from our own home."

"Speaking of being taken. We should go somewhere private to discuss who the culprit was." Virra interjects.

Holvaeth then bows his head, "Yes, you are correct, Virra. Let us go to the throne room and discuss this further."

Kyuala then says, "I will join you all in a bit. I'm going to put Amilia in her bed. Bislea, could you look her over?"

"Of course." Bislea says as the two head toward the stairs as the rest head toward the throne room.

---

THE THRONE ROOM:

"Nartho Knagstun was behind all of this?!" Myssera asks in a mixed tone of shock and anger.

"Yes. He apparently had some sort of mental break after I left. He had people searching for me, and even had a deal with the group that had me captured at one point. He deluded himself into this fantasy that I would magically marry him if he turned into the villain and beat the supposed hero of the story that he created in his mind." Terra explains, leaving the rest of her family shocked.

Virra then takes over, "From what was gathered from the Knagstun house, Kyarl had his men report back to him about Terra and her friends ever since they stepped off the boat. From what we can assume, Nartho asked his father to have his men keep an eye out just in case Terra ever returned."

"Sneaking into Kyarl's manor was not a smart decision. What if you all had been caught?" Holvaeth asks with obviously disapproval in their decision.

John then looks at the monarch dead in the eye. "We had no choice. If we didn't, we wouldn't have found your daughter, and she might have been Nartho's slave by now."

Holvaeth looks away slightly as he realizes that disturbing thought almost became a reality if it wasn't for the group going with their dangerous plan.

"So, what happened to Nartho?" Sophia carefully asks.

Terra, John, Lani and Virra all look at one another, all knowing that they can't say what really happened. Terra then decides to take the lead by saying, "He is dead. We had no other choice."

The room quickly falls silent as everyone is in shock at what they've just heard, and they now realize what this could potentially mean.

Holvaeth then clears his throat, stopping the silence before speaking. "Myssera, could you and the girls give us the room?"

"Yes, darling. Let's go girls." Myssera responds as she, and the others head out of the throne room.

As the door closes, Holvaeth lets out a sigh before leaning forward in his chair. "Before you say any more, just tell me one thing. Did you really not have a choice?"

Without hesitation, Terra looks her father dead in the eyes and responds, "No. I did not."

Holvaeth looks at his daughter for a few seconds, seemingly examining her demeanour. The quiet examination lasts for a few seconds before Holvaeth just leans back. "Alright. Now, you all realize that we have a serious problem on our hands, right? Actually, describing it as just a 'serious problem' is a massive understatement."

"How so?" John asks.

"Well, you are technically an accessory to the murder of a nobleman's heir. That nobleman in particular just happens to be the head of the second most powerful house in all of Muprosyll. He also happens to be, and excuse my language for this, the biggest arsehole this continent had ever produced. This incident is the spark that could light the proverbial tinderbox. All that Kyarl need to do is convince just one person that this was done in malice, and a civil war between the noble families could break out."

"So, what?! We're supposed to just let Nartho enslave me just to keep the peace?!" Terra asks angrily.

Holvaeth slams his palms down on the arm rests of his throne. "I did not say that, but make no mistake daughter, you would be wise to watch your tone in my presence!"

Holvaeth's booming voice catches the trio off guard, John is stunned more than the others since this is the first time he has heard his voice being raised. Holvaeth then continues, "As I was saying. I would never expect you to just allow yourself to be enslaved to that horrendous man. I will also admit that I had poor judgement when I chose him to be the man you would be wed to. However, that very judgement, and your reaction towards it, is exactly what Kyarl needs to try and become the powerhouse of the continent. You may not have known him for as long as I have, but you know well of his hunger for power. I can't count the amount of times he has asked for more land, more stores, and even more ships. He is a dangerously ambitious man, even before this, but I have to admit, this may be the turning point in his favour."

"So, what? People die every day." Virra comments.

"That they do, but Kyarl and the others won't accept that for an answer. I know I wouldn't simply accept that one of you had just suddenly died without any information as to why or how. That is why I have an idea." Holvaeth then takes a breath before continuing, "Terra, you and your friends will have to leave soon."

"What?!" Terra, Virra, Lani and John all say in surprised unison.

"I know that this isn't what you wanted to hear, but-"

"But you're kicking me out!" Terra interrupts. "You've spent all this time wanting me to come home, and yet, just as I come back, you're kicking me out?!"

"If I recall correctly, you had no problems with leaving the first time." Holvaeth retorts, but shows regret for his words just mere moments later. "I apologize. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you were right." Terra responds, accepting the judgement from her father.

"Nevertheless, I should not have stooped that low. Now, let me explain. I shall send some guards to find Nartho's body, and have them bring it back. Of course, Kyarl will be devastated for his son and will ask how he died. I shall instruct my men to say that he was found by some bandits that the men dispatched of earlier. I highly anticipate that Kyarl would simply try to blame you and your friends, but we can simply deny these claims, not that the denial will appease Kyarl."

Virra then takes over, "If Kyarl does start throwing that out, we could turn the tables on him. We can ask him how Terra supposedly killed Nartho since for all we knew, Nartho was still supposed to be in Drownsvoyle."

"We can even question him on why Nartho suddenly decided to show up here, conveniently just after I was taken. That should surely sow some seeds of doubt in any mind that he manages to convince that I was the culprit. If Kyarl keeps going with his questions and accusations, we could question about if he knew that Nartho was on his way. If he admits to that, we can ask why Kyarl didn't send any of his men to escort him, or even ask Father to send some of his." Terra adds, finishing the trio's concocted plan.

Holvaeth looks between his two daughters, and he can't help but allow a beaming smile to appear upon his face. "My, my. You both have your mothers beauty, strength, grace and intelligence, and if I may say so, you both already have the wisdom that took me decades to acquire."

Terra and Virra both share a look before smiling themselves. If getting Terra back wasn't already a high point of the day, getting a compliment from their father is just the icing on the proverbial cake.

Meanwhile, John and Lani just stand to the side with a concerned expression on both of their faces. Holvaeth then sees this and asks, "What is wrong?"

"Uhh, nothing. Just remind me not to piss any of your family off." John quips, earning some chuckles from the three Tarron's in the room with them.

"Anyway, I should go and make the preparations with my men." Holvaeth then gets up from his chair and begins to walk to the door, but stops before opening said doors. "Oh, and don't worry. I'll give you a couple days of rest at least before you must leave again. I don't need to remind you about Erya's predicament."

With those final words, Holvaeth leaves the room, and the smiles quickly fade from the group as the fate of the youngest Tarron sister now looms once again in the minds of the four.

Eventually, Virra clears her throat and says, "Well, I am incredibly parched, so I'm going to get a lovely glass of wine, and take a nice hot bath before bed. So, I bid you all goodnight."

Virra then walks out of the throne room, and Terra follows up with, "A bath sounds like an amazing idea right now. I'm going to have one before getting to bed myself, but I'll check on Amilia first."

Terra then soon leaves the room following her words. John and Lani then follow suit with Lani saying, "First it was the Darkcross, then Imoga, then the pirates, and then Terra getting kidnapped. When are we going to get a break?"

John chuckles, "I dunno, but I don't think it'll be anytime soon."

---

LATER THAT NIGHT - UPSTAIRS:

John is resting on the bed when Kyuala walks in as she is drying her hair. "Wow. That bath really hit the spot. Just a shame that you didn't get in with me, beloved."

"I would've, but I figured that we deserve a little rest after the night we just had."

Kyuala then gets into the bed, snuggling close to John as she says, "So, you're saying that you'll just want to relax even when we enter the Everplane? Because I know of at least two women who won't be too happy about that. If you need a hint, I happen to be one of those women."

John chuckles, knowing that he won't get any of the rest that he hoped for tonight. He then decides to take advantage of the situation and grabs the back of Kyuala's neck before pulling her in, and thrusting his tongue into her mouth. Kyuala is shocked, but quickly follows suit, using her tongue to wrestle with his.

After around a minute or two of the heavy make out session, John pulls away from Kyuala who just looks at him with intense hungry eyes. "Ohhh, you are soooo getting it when we get into the Everplane."

"Well, better hope you can keep up, greenie."

Kyuala's eyes open wide after hearing John's pet name, and that fire just builds up even more. John can see said fire get even brighter within her eyes, and just laughs as he knows that revenge is absolutely coming his way when they fall asleep.

---

MEANWHILE:

Terra is laying in her bed, twisting and turning as she struggles to fall asleep. However, it's not your regular struggle to fall asleep, as Terra has this nagging feeling to always check her window every minute or so.

Terra flips her pillow over for what feels like the umpteenth time before just letting out an annoyed huff before throwing the covers off of her and sits up.

Terra brings her knees up to her chest, the feeling of anxiety over not knowing if someone is going to climb through her window again mixed with the feeling of being exhausted yet not feeling tired. It's driving her crazy, and she doesn't know what to do.

Eventually, Terra decides to get up and go on check on Amilia once again. She had already checked on Amilia before taking her bath, but since she can't fall asleep, she decides that it would be better use of her time than just sitting in her bed and practically going insane.

Terra puts on her robe and her slippers before heading out of her room and towards Amilia's. Terra then carefully opens the door and peeks her head in, where she sees that Amilia is still unconscious in her bed. Terra then decides to go inside and take a seat on the bed next to her friend.

"Hey, Amilia. I know you're asleep right now, but I figured I'd come in and check on you, again." Terra then lies down beside Amilia, resting her head on the second pillow. "That's not the only reason though. I'm just... I just feel scared. I feel like I can't even have my back to the window without having the feeling of someone staring at me. I can't even tell myself that it won't happen again because unfortunately for me, I'm not that good of a liar to convince myself."

Terra then takes a shuddered breath before continuing, "I was so scared. When I felt that man's hand cover my mouth before he started to drag me, I've never felt such fear before. I know it sounds ridiculous since we literally fought the undead, but it was a different type of fear from that, because I had no choice whether I lived or died. My fate was entirely in the hands of those bastards, and there wasn't a single thing I could do to regain that choice. Then, when I was tied up in that damp, dark dungeon, I couldn't think about what would happen if... if you all hadn't found me."

Tears begin to fall from Terra's eyes as she relives the horrible memories. "But when John opened that door, and lifted the blindfold from my eyes, I have never felt so much relief in my life. I never wanted to let him go, because I felt like if I did, then he would disappear, and it would've just been a dream. Then when I saw you and Kyuala, I felt that fear of being unable to do anything again. If Lani, John and Virra wasn't there, I don't know what I would've done."

Terra then begins to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Even through all of that stress and doubt, there's one other moment that stood out just as much as being saved. Now, I knew that all of you wouldn't give up, but when I heard that you were the driving force, I can't tell you how happy that made me feel. I know we weren't that close until the ship ride over here, but knowing that you and the others practically exhausted yourselves to save me gave me a feeling that I can't even describe. There was just this warmth within me, and I can't believe that anyone would do anything like that for me. I already thanked the others on the way here, but I couldn't properly thank you, so, when you wake up, I promise to give you the thanks that you deserve."

Terra then lets out a long yawn. "Wow. I think hearing my own voice has bored so much that I'm actually tired now." Terra then decides to get under the covers and get comfy. "Hope you don't mind me. I just know for a fact that if I walk to my room, I won't be tired anymore."

Terra then lets out one more yawn before saying, "Goodnight Amilia. I promise to be here when you wake up."