FHC B2 Chapter 27: Farewell, Keeper (Patreon)

Alice raced through the tunnel exit carrying a large bundle of something scrunched into her arm. As she neared, she rushed at Rock-splitter. The titan stood his ground with a raised eyebrow, and Devon began to reach an arm out, only for Alice to stop and launch the bundle at the titan.

The bundle turned out to be a large bedsheet from Hanse's bedroom. It draped to the floor but looked like a long skirt against Rock-splitter's body. He stared and peeked out from the side of the cloth.

"Other Little Wolf?" he gestured toward the blanket. "What is this? And why have you given it to me?"

Alice huffed and glanced back toward the tunnel. "Please drape it over your lower regions. We have two scared women and a child."

Rock-splitter frowned and leaned forward. "And why would I need this… cloth?"

I scratched the back of my head as the titan's shiny cheeks filled my vision. "If you wouldn't mind, as one last favor to me, you can take it off after we're through the portal."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and then sighed. "Very well. Always with the strange rituals and need for cover."

As he wrapped the blanket around his waist, he glared at the fabric but nonetheless tied a knot and secured the makeshift skirt.

Alice looked relieved, and I smelled the humans approaching. Turning away from the tunnel, I waved at Alice, and she stopped to stare at my new axe.

I gave her a double thumbs-up. "Quick thinking."

She didn't return my gesture, but she nodded, and I smiled. As Volk led first, Mrs. Ashton and her daughter followed next, followed by the fourth woman, still dressed in half-torn rags.

The sight of her made me drop my smile. Images flashed of the dying bandits, but one look at the welts on the woman's body was enough to silence the twisted feeling in my gut.

Hopefully Nyenna has clothes that fit her back at the caravan. She could use the comfort.

Volk eyed the titan with barely disguised apprehension. He kept his mouth pressed into a thin line and bravely approached.

"It is good to see that you are alive, Cain," he swallowed and straightened his back. "I saw your bravery before the rocks fell. Thank you."

I glanced toward Rock-splitter, who silently observed the humans. "It's no problem. I managed to acquire us means to reconnect with the caravan."

Volk glanced at the titan and promptly looked away, bowing. "That is good to hear. Do you require anything to start?"

Rock-splitter shook his head, and Volk backed off. "Just listen to the Grimms and do as I instructed, human."

Volk saluted and stepped around the women to stand guard in front of Haldeena, who practically shook in her boots. Her eyes were plastered on Rock-splitter's tall frame, and not even Alice could get her to look away.

I stepped toward Devon and noticed the twitch in his hand that he hid behind his cloak. Dropping my voice to a whisper, I motioned toward the woman in rags. "Any information?"

"Small trade caravan before us, she doesn't know how long, but they butchered the men and kept her and another woman alive," he answered, his voice cold.

"And the other woman?"

"Used and tossed off the mountain."

Glancing at the woman, I repressed a snarl. "Name?"

He turned and met mine, but only briefly. "Odenn. She's fearful of men and doubles so for the monsters in human skin. Keep your distance; let the noble handle it."

"Understood," I sighed. Turning to Rock-splitter, his gaze flicked away from Odenn cowering in the back. I tried to smile. "I think we're ready."

"Very well, Little Wolf. Come. The ley line is stronger over there," he replied, pointing to the far-right wall.

The others turned at Rock-splitter's words. It took some coaxing, but Haldeena grabbed Alice's hand and followed with Volk leading the other two.

Rock-splitter led us to the wall, and like before, he raised his club. Devon had his eyes glued to the titan as he smashed his club down and created a pillar of earth to rise from the stone. A second pillar joined and formed the familiar archway.

The motes of light left from his swing stretched and created a portal that pulsed with power, much stronger than the previous iteration. He stepped back and nodded.

"Hurry through; there is only so much strength I have left," he instructed.

I stepped back and let Alice go first with Haldeena. Volk marched to the portal but paused and saluted the titan before motioning toward the women. Neyenna had her arm gripped by Odenn. Neyenna smiled comfortingly and slowly moved to and through the portal. Volk rushed in, and Devon stepped up.

"Thank you, Keeper," he said before his cloak faded into the portal's light.

I approached and stopped. Turning, I bowed to the titan. "I don't know if we'll ever meet again, but thank you. Try not to get captured again in your sleep."

Rock-splitter's face split, and he heaved with laughter. "I will try my best, Little Wolf. Now go. If our fate is destined to cross again, we will meet."

Exhaling, I jumped through and let my cloak embrace me as the world began to stretch.

Space bent, and I landed on my feet as I came to my senses amidst a stone tunnel. Looking up, I found Alice helping the nobles as both the mother and daughter continued to hurl. Surprisingly, Odenn looked fine, a little pale, but okay.

I frowned. "Where's Volk?"

Devon pointed behind me, and I turned around in time to see chunks splatter the wall. I backed up as Volk reached down and ripped off a piece of his shirt. He used it to wipe his mouth clean and tossed the rag onto the ground.

"I'm… here," he said with a shaky voice. He exhaled, and I offered him my water flask. He accepted and washed out his mouth before exhaling a second time. "Thank you, Grimm. My apologies."

Accepting the flask and storing it on my belt, I subtly raised a hand and sent a small bead of flames shooting into the rag, torching it. "No problem."

"Let's continue. There's a breeze coming from down the hall, and I smell fresh grass," Devon ordered.

Devon spared a last-second glance at Odenn before turning around and beginning to march down the tunnel. Alice followed after ensuring Haldeena could walk. I let Volk go ahead, taking up the rear.

If the captain minded being the one protected, he didn't show it. If anything, he looked relieved to be in the middle, next to his charges.

The tunnel was short; it took a little over six minutes to see the light spilling through a narrow opening. By then, I started to smell the fresh grass Devon mentioned earlier, and the breeze smelled almost pleasant.

As I exited the tunnel and pushed past the wall of bright daylight, the sounds of birds trilling greeted my ears. It was a bright, open sky, and the sun looked just about ready to start its journey.

"Pretty," Haldeena whispered.

Very, kid.

The tunnel exited into a colorful meadow filled with flowers of all shapes and hues. Some were pink, others ruby red, and more than a few sported a mix of multi-colored patterns along their petals.

It looked nice, but it was war on my nose, and I felt a headache forming. Glancing over, I saw Alice reacting the same while Devon grunted.

"Is something wrong?" Haldeena asked.

Alice shook her head. "No, nothing's wrong. It's just a lot of new smells."

"But they smell good?" she continued.

"It's their super-sense of smell, dear. Remember, Mr. Devon has supernatural senses," Haldeena explained.

Alice nodded. "Yeah, it's just a lot to take in right now. Don't worry, we'll adjust soon."

I was pulled away from the cute interaction by the sound of sobbing. To my right, Odenn sat atop crushed flowers, and her chest heaved up and down. She cried into balled fists as petals landed atop her shoulders.

Haldeena began to say something, but her mother placed a hand to her lips and shook her head. The child shrank into herself and looked away.

The crying didn't stop until she passed an hour later. Volk stepped up and gently carried her in his arms while we moved out of the field of flowers and down the mountain. Nobody commented about the woman, and even Haldeena contained herself to asking questions about magic.

The road was nearby, and the entrance to the pass was only a ten-minute walk away. Devon made the call to make camp next to the road and wait. The caravan, even at full speed, wouldn't arrive for a half day.

Devon disappeared and came back with enough rabbits for everyone to eat. Despite the mother's apprehension about the roasted rabbit skewer, Haldeena sank her fangs into the meat with enough gusto she nearly choked.

Alice had a smile on her face up to the child passing out on her mother's lap.

An hour after that, Odenn woke up, and Alice silently handed her a skewer that was set aside and her flask.

We kept silent even as tears streamed down her face while she ate.