Even I was starting to think that this was a bit much. The entirety of Axel had stopped to welcome me and at first I thought that after greeting everyone they'd all go back to work but it soon became lunch and now... well it was still going and the sun was a about to set. In total it had only been just over a month since I left and I was back much sooner than anyone expected. It was the longest period of time I had ever left Axel including my deaths or not, but to think everyone was so happy having me back really did fill me with warmth. As one of my parent's had said, 'it's because we thought you'd be gone for much longer'. Regardless for an impromptu party everyone was having a little too much fun. It was still winter and I had to wonder if our food reserves would last.
Taylor appeared beside me and sighed, "Your family are pretty umm... nice." I could feel her pain. A girl like Taylor had never come to Axel before. It wasn't just that she was pretty but it was the way she dressed and carried herself that stood out. People were curious to who she was and especially her relation to me.
"Sorry about that," I said with a smile. "They mean well."
"It's fine. I'm just not used to it," for a moment she looked incredibly tired. A pang of guilt welled inside me. Her expression vanished as quickly as it came and she smiled, "But really they can't all be your family right?"
"Not blood related at least but I consider most of them are. If you don't believe me watch this." I moved off the wall I had been leaning on and raised my voice, "Hey Mum."
A dozen heads turned, "Yes Rain?"
"What's up?"
"Did you need something?"
"I said call my sis!"
"Haha hic..." well someone was drunk.
I looked back at Taylor, "See? If I call Dad I'd get even more."
"I'm beginning to understand why you are how you are," Taylor laughed. "With how they carry on about you, it must be nice to be so loved." There it was again. Just for a brief second and then gone like it was nothing. "If I said I was your girlfriend I wonder how they would react."
"Please don't for both our sakes," I refused her suggestion immediately. If that happened I would really have no time to investigate. I'd be swamped by too many prying eyes. It was already bad enough.
"Don't worry, I won't," she punched my shoulder lightly. "Well I'm going to go and hear all your embarrassing stories now. I'm sure there are plenty." I could only shake my head as she left, there was no stopping her especially considering all the alcohol had loosened too many lips.
All in all it was nice to be home. The kids I considered my younger siblings were the most excited to see me back and for a while I listened to their stories and played with them. I talked about my experiences with my parents and many of them laughed. I also kept some things hidden, a lot of things hidden. The fact that I had killed another person. The terrors I had seen. The threat that still hadn't come. Between it all the party eventually died down and slowly one by one everyone departed home.
"Rain stay with me tonight," Mattias said his face bright red. "Your friends can come too. Plenty of space I have."
"No!" Nill who ran the inn barged between us, "Obviously he should stay at the inn. We have plenty of open rooms."
"Bah! You always have open rooms."
"That's your fault you old coot. No one ever comes to this backwater town."
"Like you could handle it if they did!"
"Bert and I were the ones who taught Rain how to cook so he should stay with us today."
"I was the one who taught him his common sense!" They were beginning to argue and their state of intoxication wasn't helping. "I'm the town Mayor, I'm pulling rank!"
"Hold it," I split them apart. "I'll stay with Mattias tonight and I'll come by for breakfast, how's that?"
"I can live with that," Nill huffed at Mattias and departed.
Together with Ardent and Taylor we were led to a large house close to the town centre. It doubled at the Mayor's office and home. Most my childhood I had lived here but every week or so I'd stay at another of my parent's homes.
"Please make yourself comfortable. I'm sure Rain can guide you," Mattias yawned. "I'll be retiring early." His eye caught onto Ardent's, "We'll have our chat later."
Ardent nodded, "I'm sure we will."
We were left alone in the living room. With only the three of us it felt so much calmer. I sunk into the couch and relaxed, Taylor and Ardent joined me.
"You have a wonderful family Rain," Ardent commented. "Especially that Margaret. She taught you apothecary correct? Her mind is very active and unique, I found myself talking to her most the time."
"Careful Ardent she looks young but she's nearing fifty now," I was serious.
Ardent chuckled, "I don't think age matters much but don't worry I have no intention to overstep my bounds." His smile faded and he became serious, "I received a reply from Ronalt."
"Go ahead," I edged closer to him.
"Like you said they found evidence of the demon's tunnelling. A battle broke out but Greytree's forces had the upper hand and the demons were quickly pushed back to the forest. Everyone is doing well."
I heaved a relieved breath. Knowing that things had gone well without me was a godsend.
"But if Rain was right about the attack then," Taylor looked at us both suggestively.
"Yes that is the problem," Ardent nodded. "The likelihood Axel will be attacked has increased exponentially. Ronalt has promised to send some trusted knights to move to Axel in the coming week or so. They are to not only protect the town but also to watch the border. As for the rest of our party, it may take some time. Though the battle was won, there is still much to resolve. However till then we should be making our own moves."
"I planned to do so regardless," I frowned in thought. The attack on Axel would happen within four days at the latest. We couldn't rely on Lara and the others to arrive before then. "Tomorrow we'll go investigate the surrounding area, hopefully we can find something."
"I truly hope we can stop your vision from happening Rain."
"As do I," I agreed wholeheartedly.
"Now I must rest. Your family were very keen to feed me and I may have over indulged," Ardent patted his belly. "May I know where my bed is?"
"Upstairs first door on your right. There's a bathroom just down the corridor. You should have everything you need."
"Thank you," he bowed and left the lounge.
It was just Taylor and I. We sat beside each other on the single couch. A small hearth sat in the wall to our left, the wood inside little more than embers. Above us crystals of light lit the room. Several shelves of books lined the wall and familiar knickknacks and paintings sat on top cupboards. We sat in silence neither of us moving. I was beginning to become overly conscious of her breathing. It was soft and from the corner of my eye I could see her chest rise and fall. Unlike when I had first met her, her shirt was now buttoned higher revealing less of her skin.
Suddenly she stood up, "I'm going to head to bed as well. Where-."
"Don't," my hand pulled at her sleeve and our eyes met. For a moment I almost let go but I held firm. "I- we need to talk."
"Sure," she sat down slowly and turned her body my way.
"I'm sorry," I threw it out in the open and bowed my head.
She seemed surprised, "For what?"
"Before, on the way to Axel yesterday I cut you off. You looked like you had something to say but I was so preoccupied I refused you."
"It was nothing," she began to stand again.
"It wasn't nothing Taylor," my words stopped her. "I know you've been struggling lately. In Greytree, here, you're not comfortable are you?"
"You were watching me?" her gaze stared down at me accusingly.
"You could say that," I met her eyes and held them. "I'm here to listen now."
"Fine, I'll admit it. I don't get it. All this happy town living, it's strange. It stresses me out, everyone is always smiling and at times I feel like I want to snap," she huffed and looked away from me. She was much less composed than when I talked to her in Greytree. Back then however there had been a wall between us. Right now it was feeling a bit too intimate even for me. "Today so many people wanted to talk to me it was unnerving."
"You can't handle that kind of attention can you?" I softened my voice.
She sighed, "Rain have you ever fallen in love with someone?"
It was this again. "Let me guess. When you steal someone's heart it's the most satisfying thing? The feelings that they give back to you are like nothing you can experience normally."
"Yes," her eyes widened, "Have we talked about this before?"
"No," I lied and told the truth. "It's something I've read."
"Well the attention I got from that, the pleasure.... The rush I felt when stealing. It just feels so small now." She shook her head, "Maybe it's because I haven't done it awhile."
"I'm not going to say that stealing isn't fun sometimes," I smiled. There were times I had played pranks on my parents and they were fond memories. "But you have us now right? Lara, Ardent, Ronalt, Marley, even Earnest. If you want some attention, I'll give it to you because I care about you."
"Ummm did you just?"
I realised what I had just said and could feel my temperature rising, "I mean as friends. You're an important friend and companion." I coughed and cleared my throat.
Taylor smiled and laughed. It was the same bright smile I had seen before, the one that made my heart beat. "Thank you Rain."
"N-no problem," I was still embarrassed.
Taylor stood up with a stretch, "I think I'll head off to bed. Though I might shower first. Care to join me?"
And with that small quip of hers I felt relived she was back to normal, "Sorry but it's a little small for two people."
"I don't mind getting closer to you," she winked.
I laughed and shooed her away, "I'm glad you're doing well. Now hurry up I need to clean myself as well." She walked away and I watched her leave... was it just me or was she swaying her hips more than usual? Knowing her it was probably a part of her ploy.
I eased myself further into the familiar couch. I had spent many hours in this room and I wanted to keep doing so. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. Now that I had seen Axel safe my despair was being replaced by sterner anger. I'd make whoever hurt my family pay. Killing them wouldn't be enough, they needed to suffer for what they did. For that reason I was happy Lara wasn't here.
After some time had passed I washed myself in the bathroom. I was wary that Taylor might be still inside and had double checked she wasn't lurking about. Clean and refreshed I headed to my room. It was just how I left it, although now there was a suspicious lump beneath the blankets of my bed.
The lump turned my way, "Oh Rain, what are you doing here?"
"This is my room," I struggled to keep a straight face as Taylor looked at me.
"Sorry, I should have guessed. Silly me," she apologised and slowly with purposeful movements began to remove herself from the bed. The blanket slipped down her from her neck revealing bare skin below it.
"Stop!" I skirted my gaze from her. "I'll sleep somewhere else. Don't mind it!" Before she could reply I had already turned around and closed the door behind me. That was close. I wasn't sure what she was wearing, if anything, beneath those blankets. She really loved messing with me but I was still a man. I might have done something I'd regret at that rate. Maybe it would have been better to leave her like she was, at least that way I'd have some peace of mind. I sighed and went to the other guest room to sleep, the last thing I wanted was for the same thing to happen with Ardent.