“What?” Arielle was confounded. “You can’t be serious, I’m meant to have you around for the rest of my life?”

Evol moved in a way that looked like the spirit was trying to shrug but that was a generous interpretation. “I’m sorry, we really don’t know anything more. The general gist of why Lenore sealed us away is still clear, but the details are hazy after centuries of being sealed away.”

Krad added helpfully, “In time, they might return to us.”

“So what was the idea behind sealing you then?” Arielle asked but then looked over her shoulder and studied the party trailing behind her. She focused on Aymon. Elves were known for their enhanced senses, which include hearing. “Actually, why don’t you wait to tell me later. That way the elf doesn’t have to pretend he’s not eavesdropping.” At this, Aymon, who had been making it a point to study the scenery intently flinched.

Looking forward again she sighed, “Man, Pa is going to cuff my ears for getting into such trouble in a single afternoon. And then when he’s finished, Ma will get the switch and do my hands in.”

“Will they really be that tough? Your parents seem cruel…” said Evol.

“No, they’re good people. I do love them. They never mean it, you know, they don’t put everything into it if you get what I’m saying. I think they do it because they worry, thinking things…well like this will happen if they don’t at least try to discipline me.”

“Seemed they weren’t very effective then, maybe they should’ve committed to the punishments more,” observed Krad.

Maybe they should’ve, mused Arielle with a certain level of sadness. Right now, she was imagining tomorrow she’d wake up before the sun and get to the fields with Pa as normal. Arielle also knew that 5 sets of eyes on her back meant that it was highly unlikely that would be the case.

Getting down into the village square, Arielle pointed out Clyde and Eveline’s homes to Ainir. Their presence was already drawing the stares of all the villagers, and Arielle did her best not to look suspicious or guilty. She had done nothing wrong. At least, she didn’t think she had. She was still unclear on this whole breaking of the crest.

Walking home, Arielle was curious what explanation Ainir was going to give to Clyde and Eveline’s respective parents for why their children were unconscious and being carried by a giant. Perhaps she could use it on her parents.

Standing outside her humble home, Arielle took a moment to gather herself. Home wasn’t much, with one room for her parents, Arielle slept in the general living area that was their kitchen, dining and her bedroom combined. She liked it that way though. In the winter, she had the fireplace right next to her to keep her warm, and every night she got to fall asleep to the smell of her mother’s cooking, which always lingered long enough for it to waft its way into her dreams.

The exterior needed a fresh coat of paint, but they kept the windowsills full of fresh herbs, and the goats they kept made sure the grass was always well kept. Her Ma’s only frivolous pursuit were the decorative flowers that lined their entrance way. A wonderful sight for all the senses, Arielle smiled fondly as she walked by them, her hands trailing the peonies on her right while admiring the camelias on the left.

Creaking the door open, Arielle poked her head inside and saw her Pa at the table whittling a little trinket while her Ma worked on dinner. “Hey Ma, hey Pa.” They gave her glance, her Pa nodding in acknowledgement, before returning to what they were doing, unsuspecting of the chaos she brought with her.

Opening the door fully she said, “So, we have some guests…” Behind her, all five of the party came to stand behind her, looming over her like a personal dark cloud.

Her Ma put down the pot she’d been rinsing out and asked, “Arielle Maribel Alarie, what in The Saint’s name did you do?"