Chapter Forty

 

Stern had been slightly relieved that night when Cammie didn’t try to show an outfit to him. He wasn’t sure he was ready for that, though, if he was being honest with himself, he wanted to see her in one. Trish and Cyra both wore the outfits he’d picked for them, and he’d been right— they were breathtaking. Cyra thanked him for choosing a demure one for her, while Trish posed to accentuate her more salacious piece.

 

The next day, they started their training routine, which consisted of stretching, running, sparring, and then specialty courses. They met back up in the early evening for dinner, most often with Emma there to join them. Some nights Vulk begged off, as he was having dinner with Emma at her place. He was always back in time for training, though.

 

The last day of the two weeks was rapidly coming closer. Everyone felt the tension in the air, but only Stern, Trish, and Cyra knew what was coming. Cammie was happy her brother was still going to run with them, but sad that he wasn’t going to stay with Emma, who doted on him. Vulk was similarly torn— he deeply wanted to stay with Emma, but couldn’t turn his back on his old vow.

 

~*~*~

 

Stern hoped that things would go smoothly today, but only time would tell. The shifting of bodies against his had him smiling at his two lovers. Trish started to stir, and Stern kissed her head, which woke her.

 

“Good morning, my attentive lover,” Trish murmured happily.

 

“Easy to be attentive to you,” Stern replied, kissing her head again. “I want you to feel as loved as possible.”

 

“Hmm, yes,” Cyra murmured, waking up.

 

“That goes for you, too,” Stern added, kissing the tip of her long bunny ear by his face.

 

Cyra shifted to hold him tighter, her face pressed to his chest. “Thank you. I never knew I could be so happy until you both showed me how.”

 

“And you make us happy every day in return,” Trish smiled.

 

“Should we get up?” Cyra asked.

 

“Yeah,” Stern sighed, not really wanting to.

 

“Today is almost our last day,” Trish said. “Is it going to be today?”

 

“Unless something delayed them,” Stern said. “I left instructions at the Walkers’ guildhall.”

 

“I hope it’s the right thing to do,” Cyra murmured, her worry spiking.

 

“It will be,” Trish said softly, reaching over to stroke Cyra’s ear.

 

“I’m a little worried, too, honestly,” Stern admitted.

 

“Vulk will be free to choose his own path,” Trish said. “That’s for the best.”

 

“It’ll be sad, but good,” Cyra sniffled. “Will Cammie leave us, too?”

 

“That’s the big question,” Stern exhaled. “I think Vulk will stop. Cammie, though…”

 

“We’ll find out tonight. No giving anything away to them,” Trish said.

 

“It’s been tough, as it is,” Stern said.

 

“I felt bad,” Cyra said. “I wanted to tell Cammie. It felt like lying to her.”

 

“It’s not lying. It’s setting up a surprise,” Trish said. “Come on, we need to get started with today if we want tonight to come.”

 

“That’s not true,” Stern chuckled. “Tonight will be here, regardless, but your point is made. We do need to continue with our plans.”

 

~*~*~

 

Once sparring was done, it was time for their specialty training. Stern had felt the jumbled emotions from both Cammie and Vulk all day. Both were clearly fighting with the idea of continuing to be Walkers. When everyone went their own ways, Stern didn’t go to train— he canceled his extra training and left the dojo.

 

It didn’t take him long to get home and clean up. Once he was in his best suit, he immediately set out again. His first stop was a high-end restaurant to make reservations. The receptionist had been shocked when she saw him, but was quick to conduct business when he flashed some money. With that done, Stern set out again to arrange transportation for his friends and lovers to the establishment. Once he had secured a carriage, he breathed a little easier.

 

The Deep Mug was calming down after the lunch rush. Emma was surprised to see him when he entered the tavern. “Stern? Is something wrong?”

 

“Calm yourself,” Stern said. “Everything’s fine. I’m arranging a surprise for tonight. Can you wear your best dress and meet at our current residence at the normal time?”

 

“Oh? Uh, yes…” Emma said slowly.

 

“Thank you,” Stern said. “We haven’t caused your family too many problems, we hope.”

 

“My cousin has been taking my missed shifts,” Emma said. “He’s been happy to have the work…”

 

“But that will end soon,” Stern said, finishing her sentence.

 

“Yes.” That single word held all of her sadness that Vulk would be leaving.

 

“I understand,” Stern said. “See you tonight.”

 

“Yes. I need to go talk with Father.”

 

Stern gave her a smile before he left.

 

The Walkers’ hall was starting to get busy as the afternoon wore on. Stern got a lot of attention as he entered the building, but when he saw a familiar face, he chuckled and waved to the man.

 

“Stern,” Frank called out to him. “Come on over.”

 

Approaching the table, Stern was happy to see Frank’s whole group, plus an extra. “Frank, thank you. Thank your entire crew.”

 

“We got a request from higher up,” Frank chuckled. “Calling in favors, hmm?”

 

“Ma’am,” Stern said, addressing the woman who looked out of place at the table. “I’m… Stern. Your daughter and son are part of my crew.”

 

Eyes going wide, the dwarven woman stared at him. “So it’s been that long? I’d been hoping they were wrong.”

 

“It’s been that long, ma’am,” Stern said apologetically. “I had plans to surprise them at dinner tonight. Would you be okay with that?”

 

She wiped at the tears that had started to leak from her eyes. “You made it possible for me to be reborn. If this is the price, I’ll gladly pay it. These folks have refused my meager offer of payment.”

 

“As I said, we had a quest and were already compensated. Handsomely, at that,” Frank said. “Stern’s family doesn’t skimp. I wonder if you’ll be seeing them soon?”

 

“Probably.”

 

“Good, because I’d rather not have another round of questions about how you’re doing,” Frank said.

 

“I’ve already sent them a letter, so they shouldn’t grill you.”

 

“Goddess willing.”

 

“Dinner?” Cammie’s mother asked. “Where?”

 

“Sorry, ma’am, and excuse me, I’ve never been told your name.”

 

“Urika,” she said. She still wiped at her tears, but she was getting control of herself.

 

“A local place that has the best food in the city,” Stern told her. “We do need to see you in a dress for that. If you’re willing, I’ll be your escort to see you attired, and then we’ll head right over to the dinner.”

 

Standing up quickly, Urika bowed her head to Frank’s crew. “My thanks again. You might have been paid, but you will still have my gratitude.”

 

“Bringing others out is a joy,” Frank said. “Go see your family. Treasure each other, because all the gold in the world is dross compared to their love.”

 

Stern felt the undercurrent of emotion from Frank and nodded. “Very true.”

 

Stern held out his arm, and Urika took it as they walked toward the door. She gave him an appraising look as Stern flagged down a carriage. “You know my son and daughter…”

 

“Vulk and Cammie. Yes, ma’am.”

 

“How are they?”

 

“Well, it gets complicated,” Stern said softly. “Physically, they’re both fine.”

 

“But?” Urika pressed.

 

A carriage pulled up, saving Stern from answering right away. Helping Urika in, he told the driver the destinations, paid the woman, and then climbed in.

 

“Well, Urika, Cammie has held up fairly well, I believe. She’s a good trap finder, a friend, and a valued crewmate.”

 

“And my boy?”

 

“Vulk is where things are a bit rough,” Stern said. “He’s had anger issues and a drinking problem. Your not coming out was a big part of that. It’s because the two of you argued just before your last run.”

 

Urika let out a shuddering breath. “Sweet child...” she sniffled. “He’s a good boy, he really is. It was just his time to act out.”

 

“I’m not saying anything against you, ma’am, but he drank to forget his anger at himself. We got him to ease off that recently, though.”

 

“Bless you,” Urika smiled, though her eyes were still bright with tears.

 

“More to the point,” Stern said, “Vulk’s found a lovely young woman here in the city that he’s fond of.”

 

Urika blinked slowly. “He has?”

 

“And the young woman in question is smitten with him.”

 

A soft smile came to Urika’s lips. “Oh… do they love each other?”

 

“They do. Vulk has been debating stopping being a Walker because of his love for Emma. Emma didn’t want him to regret not continuing on to save you.”

 

Urika’s mouth opened and closed for a few moments. “You… for them?”

 

“Crew is family,” Stern said gently. “Vulk and I didn’t start off great, but we found common ground. Cammie is a dear friend. I could help make things simpler for them, and my family is all about saving souls. It was easy to do what comes naturally to me.”

 

“They have no idea?”

 

“That you’re here? No, ma’am. That I love to save souls? Yes. They’ve helped bring others out.”

 

Swallowing hard, Urika wiped at her tears again. “Goddess… you truly are a blessing to my family.”

 

“As they are to me.”

 

Silence fell as the carriage rolled down the street. After a minute, Urika asked a question she was curious about, “My daughter… is she… special to you?”

 

“As a friend, yes, ma’am. I have two lovers already that are also part of the crew.”

 

“So you really did this because of friendship and not to win her heart?”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Urika wiped her face and gave him a smile. “Goddess bless you, Stern.”

 

“She has, ma’am. I am loved and have dear friends. That’s all the blessing I need.”