They arrived at the town by noon that day, a nicer, larger place than the last. The streets were bustling with activity, and it made Helen feel brighter and happier about the place.
Lydia showed them a few of the shops, a smile visible on her usual serious and intense face. Helen felt safe around her, a strange sense of security with the warrior girl. But Richard was always by her side, a silent shadow following her bright presence.
She finally found some boots that were comfortable for her feet, even if it was still a strange sensation to have them covered. She wished she could have her toes freer, but knew of the dangers the mountains promised. She needed to be safer this time.
The town was something that seemed to make the rest of the group at ease, as well. It was filled to the brim with life and didn’t have people hiding in their houses with each pass of the children.
Even Luke looked better, his face filling more with color and his spirits higher. It was hard to believe he could barely stand just a day before.
Skylar seemed to have a calmer expression as well, and Helen smiled as she saw her hand clasped around Luke’s, their bond now openly displayed as if no one was watching them.
Helen found herself clinging to Richard as well, wrapping her arm around his whenever passing an alley before giving him a smile. His own smile would appear often as well, the happiest she’d ever seen him.
It was good to just be safe for once.
As Helen was looking at a store selling various native foods, Thomas appeared behind her and spoke, a rare occurrence from the silent boy.
“Helen,” he spoke softly, although his voice was not hoarse from his few words.
“Yes?”
“I need your help with something,” he practically whispered, his voice quiet.
“What is it?” Helen continued, before feeling Richard’s hand on her shoulder, the motion comforting her.
“There is a building on the outskirts of this town,” Thomas explained, “It holds a weapon, a weapon that belongs to an ancestor of my family.”
“And just why do we need this weapon?” Richard’s voice over Helen’s shoulder was thick with suspicion as he stared at their acquaintance.
Thomas, when faced with opposition, narrowed his eyes at Richard. “I told you, it’s a family heirloom. It is the reason I returned to this town in the first place. And I’m not leaving without it.”
Richard and Thomas glared at each other, growing more and more aggressive. If looks could kill, they’d both be dead.
“Anyways,” Helen nervously laughed, holding a hand up to each one of them, keeping the other from hurting each other. “Thomas, where was this building again?”
He gave Richard one last glare, but Thomas eventually backed away and began to walk in the direction he was indicating before.
“I don’t like him,” Richard muttered to Helen, his eyes narrowed as he glared at Thomas’ back again. “Why is he being so aggressive about this? If it’s just an heirloom, he shouldn’t care that much, right?”
“Relax, Richard,” she smiled at him, hoping to ease his temper, “He said this was very important to him, so of course, he’d be intent on getting it back.”
Richard still looked unconvinced, biting his lip as he stared at the ground.
“And besides,” Helen shrugged, “You weren’t the nicest when we first met, either.”
“I guess you’re right,” Richard sighed, “But I still don’t like him.”
…
Once they had reached the outskirts of the town, Helen could see the building Thomas had been talking about. It was a small shed that looked like it was as old if not older than the rest of the town.
“Helen,” Richard held a hand up like he wanted to talk, taking a breath to seemingly think of what to say.
“Do you…” he sighed, staring at the ground. “Nevermind.”
“What is it?”
“I-nothing,” Richard shook his head, his expression conflicted. “Don’t worry about it.”
She laced her fingers around his, offering a smile as she understood that he may not have the right words at the moment. “Don’t worry, you can tell me later.”
“This way,” Thomas’ voice came from a ways away from there, close to the entrance of the shed.
With their hands intertwined in an unbreakable embrace, Richard and Helen entered the shed...
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