"Sir, I'm sorry I tripped you earlier today. I don't have any money to pay you back for the damages. But I know it's important to properly fix what I have broken. Can I be of service somehow to make up what I owe."

Gerof looked at me as if asking, 'is this kid for real', 'isn't this one of the kids you were looking for', 'this one is yours' and lastly 'what do you want me to do?'

I scratched my head. I was totally at a loss, but my son seemed set on it. "How about you let him work at your shop for a few hours one of these days?"

"Sure, I guess I have some boxes you can move around."

After that... we returned home to where my wife had prepared a small bath in the living room.

She peeled away the bloody clothes to reveal the flawlessly healed skin, and washed him.

I pulled off my armor and collapsed in a chair at the empty dinner table.

Zorlo sat next to me and placed a cup of water in front of me. I gratefully accepted it.

We sat and watched my wife wash the naked three year old while Iliza prepped some fresh pajamas.

"That's some kid you raised, dad." Zorlo sipped his drink.

"You're wrong. She raised him, I only put a roof over their head." I answered. While looking at my wife and son.

"I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit." Zorlo remarked.

"You really mean that?"

"I do. I spent a lot of time up there, and I got to say that it's a really nice roof." Zorlo laughed.

"Bastard." I elbowed him playfully. "Stop smiling so much it's creeping me out."

"How can I not? I mean look at him. I can scarcely believe the same child who was scared about revealing his third tail is the same that slayed Rollo single handedly. And just when I think I've got him figured out he apologizes for putting a girl in danger. The same girl that made him run away in fright."

"I know what you mean. It's mind boggling. I mean I've faced against Rollo more times than I care to count but he runs into the forest one night and suddenly Rollo is gone. Do you think it's that Gaia spirit?" I ponder.

"I can't say. As far as I'm aware he hasn't mentioned her again since that day."

I laugh a random thought. "That kid will make one hell of an Adventurer."

"He'd make one hell of a king."

I look at Zorlo with weary expression, "I just got my son back. Please let me keep him for tonight." I beg. I don't want to think about the day he'll be taken away from us.

"Fine, but we will need to talk soon." He leans in and whispers. "Tensions with the Sudaven kingdom have been rising. It will only be a few more years before war breaks out."

"Then let us have these years. For her sake." I look at my wife. She couldn't love Sebas anymore if she were his birth mother. The day Sebas leaves is going to leave a big hole in all of our hearts.

"I understand, dad. For tonight, forget that I mentioned it and go enjoy your family. We have a few years left."

"Thank you Zorlo." I finish my drink as my wife is dressing Sebas. 

I approach them, and kiss my wife.

"Thank you for bringing him back to me." She kisses me again.

Sebas, yawns and rubs his eyes. He doesn't look like he just slayed a king of the forest. "Mama, papa, can I sleep with you tonight?"

I smile and pick him up. "Of course."

As a family, we turn in for the night. 

Sebas curled into Amelia and before I had even pulled the covers over us he was asleep. I pet my wife's face and she looked at me with complicated tears in her eyes.

"It's all right, mama." I kissed my wife on the forehead. "We're all home, and everyone is safe."

Tears poured from her eyes as all her welled up emotion burst from her. "Yes, welcome home." She couldn't speak due to her flooding emotions, but mouthed 'thank you' at me again before she near smoothed the fragile boy between us.

Amelia is an amazing, beautiful, brilliant woman. I can't think of any other person (adventurer, noble, or otherwise) that I'd rather share my life with.

Truth be told, she is, and will always be, my greatest companion, and my grandest adventure.

And Sebas, well he is definitely the most exciting lovely thing we've ever shared.

Our little Sebas.

Our son.