Given the recent trial and execution of one of their own, Dem expected the feast to feel strained or forced. Instead, it was anything but. The clan laughed, sang, and drank in celebration of the lives the Sentry force had saved. They'd taken a hit, yes — but Frostridge resilience was nothing to scoff at.
Dem sat between Telo and Sark with a strong mead in hand and a mountain of meat he could have stretched over four or five days. Across from him were Reyka, her cousin Shiera, and Rave.
Every so often, Telo would lean close, pointing someone out and whispering conspiratorially to ask what their beastkin was. Shiera was a lynx; Rave, a mink.
By the third tankard, Telo and Sark had launched into a debate over which would win in a fight: a fox or a king snake.
Dem laughed, watching them gesture wildly — neither taking it seriously, both unafraid to commit to ridiculous claims. "Pretty sure neither of those can leap ten meters into the air," he said.
Telo and Sark traded incredulous looks and immediately went back to arguing.
A foot nudged Dem under the table. Reyka gave him a sly wink and slipped smoothly into the conversation.
"Fairly certain winter wolves eat both foxes and king snakes," she said, all innocence.
"What?" Telo and Sark chorused.
Reyka took a delicate sip of her drink. "Tell them, Commander."
Dem considered it like a judge settling a harvest-fair contest. Neither Telo's fox nor Sark's white-variant kingsnake would last more than a few seconds against a winter wolf. "I'm going with the wolf on this one."
The table stilled as Taigon approached. The Frostridge clan leader moved through the benches, clapping shoulders and congratulating Sentry force members for a job well done. He stopped beside Dem and handed him a rolled parchment.
"Pigeon came for you, Dem."
Dem unrolled it, scanning it before letting out a soft laugh. "It's from Ai. Nothing important."
The letter read:
Dem,
Where is my dasai? I'm going to buy you a faster horse when you get home so these Sentry missions don't take so long. Noko misses you. I suppose we all do. You missed my 17th birth celebration. I showed everyone the gift you gave me. I think we can all agree on who has the best dasai. Yada and Gram said to make sure you're getting enough sleep. Maybe you can bring a gift for Noko when you return. I don't need anything… unless you really want to give me a present. Return soon!
Ai Swiftwind
Dem called a halt to Sentry participation shortly before midnight. The whole force walked back to camp together, some singing, others laughing. With most gear already packed, the compound was little more than bedrolls and saddles. After a full night, the Sentry left Frostridge to maintain the watch and finally got a proper rest.
By dawn they were already riding hard. As was their custom, the journey mixed running, hunting, and mounted travel — the Sentry force strengthening themselves even as they kept pace with a reputation already beginning to spread.
With clear skies and abundant game, they rode into the Swiftwind winter base by mid-morning of the third day. Familiar faces greeted them with smiles and waves.
"Let's get back to our routine, Chief." Dem nodded toward the Swiftwind Clan Leader waiting in the area designated for the Sentry. "We'll resume guarding the river crossing and the roving perimeter while Swiftwind keeps watch on the livestock."
Telo nodded as Dem dismounted and walked his horse in. "Pitch camp! Return the horses to the remuda after checking for injuries or thrown shoes. The guard roster will be posted by noon. Nothing else today — training resumes tomorrow. Swiftwind clan members have the night off to visit family."
Dem greeted Revan with a forearm grip. "How are things in camp?"
"Plenty of game," Revan reported. "Some families managed a winter crop, and we're starting to make coin from travelers and caravans using the crossing."
"Where's the Huntmaster? I thought he'd meet us."
"He's on a hunt. A herd of wild pigs pushed into the western forest. They've gone to thin out the boars."
"I see." Telo had mentioned that earlier — standard practice was to leave only one male per group. Too many, and they would wipe out the available food sources.
"Welcome back, Dem." Revan clapped him on the back. "I'm sure your family is already looking for you."
After catching up on camp news, Dem headed for his family's tent. Word of the Sentry's return had already swept through the clan, so he wasn't surprised to find his family lounging out front.
Noko rushed forward and nearly tackled him. "Dosu! Welcome back!"
Dem grinned and hugged her tight. "It's good to be home."
Ai tapped her foot impatiently before grabbing him in her own fierce hug. "You look good! Has Telo been causing trouble?"
"Of course." Dem glanced at the pot bubbling on the cookfire. "Why don't you boil some water? I brought back a few nice things for us to try."
Ai's eyes lit up. "Something to eat, dasai?"
"Yep." Dem hugged Yada and Gram, then pulled a chair from his storage ring.
During his time in the Fourth Prince's room, he'd taken everything not nailed down — fine clothes, serving dishes, cutlery, stacks of books. But Burak's storage ring was the true haul. Inside were jewels, several thousand gold coins, bolts of silk, paintings, rare wines and liquors, and an atlas detailing the provinces of the world. Dem suspected it came from the Beastkin Empire, as it listed every province, including Duscanti — his father's territory.
Dem set out a teapot, serving tray, and several cups — each worth more than any tribal would dare pay. "I had the chance to stop in Thaigmaal on our last mission."
Ai clucked her tongue. "Were you goofing around in the city instead of coming home?"
"A bit," Dem admitted with a grin. "I spoke with that healer we met on the bridge to the Rat King's Tomb — Ciara."
Ai drew herself up in exaggerated scandal. "Chasing forward women while on Sentry duty?"
Dem rolled his eyes. "Don't ruin my good reputation, dasai. Anyway, across from the Mage Academy is this huge outdoor teahouse. Students hang out there, gossiping and pretending to study."
"Like the Gathering?" Ai asked.
"Yeah, only they wear capes and these silly-looking berets." Dem reached into his storage ring and pulled out the one he'd swiped from the Fourth Prince's room — bright red silk and entirely too fancy.
Noko laughed. "I've seen hats like that on the Blue Isle."
The family went quiet. It was the first time she'd ever mentioned home on her own.
"Were they students?" Dem asked gently.
"I think so. They carried packs with books. On nice days they'd sit by the central fountain and read." Noko's eyes shifted to the pot. "It's boiling."
Dem set the beret on her head. "Keep it. Kinda suits you."
"It does?" she asked.
Dem nodded while the rest of the family shook their heads in unison.
"It's hideous," Ai said flatly.
They gathered close as Dem spooned tea leaves into the kettle and added hot water. He let it steep while arranging cups on the tray and pulling out another plate.
"Cookies?" Yada guessed.
"Yep." Dem handed one to each of them before pouring the orange silk tea. "Good on their own, but fantastic dipped."
"…Mmm." Yada closed her eyes, savoring the creamy citrus flavor. When she dipped the simmons, her eyes shot open. "Dem! Do you have more of this?"
Dem laughed and nodded. He'd brought several orders of simmons and multiple packs of tea, along with instructions from the teahouse.
They settled in, catching up and sharing little stories as they drank tea and ate cookies off serverware finer than what most nobles owned.
After an hour, the shaman approached, her white paint bright in the noon sun. "Whatever that is, it smells wonderful."
Dem poured her a cup and offered a simmons.
"Oh…" Her eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Where did you find this?"
"Teahouse in Thaigmaal," Ai answered before Dem could.
"And these cookies?" the shaman asked.
"Simmons," Noko said. "Also from the teahouse."
"You two mind if I talk?" Dem asked dryly. "What they said."
A little later, Dem brought out the books and study materials Ciara had sent for Noko. The shaman flipped through pages of notes and diagrams.
"Recognize these?" she asked, holding up a small faceted stone.
"No idea," Dem admitted.
"Focus stones," she said. "I can put together a lesson plan for Noko — if she wants to learn."
Noko nodded, snatching the last simmons from the tray.
"Hey, dasai!" Ai wagged a finger.
"Sorry, dosu." Noko blushed, broke the cookie in half, and offered Ai the larger piece.
"Any word from the travelers?" Dem asked.
Gram shook her head. "Nothing. I see Elspeth hauling water from the river every morning."
"I'll stop in and see them tomorrow."