Two weeks later.

After being called away from work early for “something important,” Garik rushes through the town towards his loved ones’ tavern.

“I’m here! Is something wrong?” Garik shouts as he bursts through the front door of the establishment, still an hour from opening, with a worried face.

He is surprised to see not only the owners of the tavern, but his aunt and Venice as well.

“Hello Garik,” Venice greets him with a bright smile. She is wearing the same outfit as when they first met and appears to be holding something behind her back.

“Hi everyone! Uh, what are you all doing here?” As he gets closer the group shifts to block his view of the table behind them.

“I’ve been talking with everyone, and I came up with an idea for you. I know you said I didn’t owe you anything, so consider this a gift from a new friend.”

Venice and the others back away to reveal what they had been hiding. On the table lies a backpack filled with adventurers’ gear and supplies, but the biggest surprise is an obsidian-colored halberd lying across it.

The half-orc’s eyes grow wide. “All of this is for me?”

Venice nods. “When you talked with my parents, Mother said that there are places where everyone gets along. It was then I had the idea that you should go on a trip and visit them.”

Valter chimes in, “She told us her plan, and we thought you would make a great adventurer.” “We know how excited you get when they come into the tavern, so we had that part added on,” Aritha adds.

“The weapon was my idea,” Garik’s aunt declares proudly, “You should take a closer look at it.” Garik picks up the halberd, which already feels comfortable in his hands. He looks at the blade and notices the engraving of his tribe’s symbol on it. “I’ve already sent a letter to your mom and dad to let them know. I’m sure they’ll love the idea.”

“And here is a letter from my parents. I don’t know what it says, but from what I heard, they like you a lot.”

Garik takes the envelope with tears in his eyes. “You guys are the best!” He hugs each one of them, and puts the letter away to read later.

Stepping away from the group for a minute. Garik thinks about all of the events that led to this. Lifting his head in a prayer to all of the tribe members who are no longer of this world. 

This is how I’ll do it! I’m going to find a way to solve the problems between us and Varden and make sure our family will be here forever!