Year 89

  *The sound of Springs showers on the cloth cover of the cart as the party reaches the edge of Glimmerfell, the sands in the distance are dry. Looking like the tides of the sea themself. Emma opens her eyes as a bump rocks the cart. She peeks out the front to see Pts and Spt steering the cart. The night sky was lit up by the blue moon.*

  Pts: Feeling homesick?

  Emma: Not really. I miss my people, but some of them are gone for good. Sorry, didn’t mean to bring down the mood. I just woke up.

  *Spt hands the reins to Emma, and Pts lets go as Emma takes over steering.*

  Spt: *Tired* Okay, well, I’m going to sleep then.

  Pts: If Lily pulled us, we wouldn’t need to worry about steering.

  Emma: Yeah, but she would need more breaks herself. I do miss her ability to change size, though. Made traveling a lot easier when I was by myself.

  Pts: Well, why not run home and meet up to cure Sunflower?

  Emma: *Confused* I’ve told you before. Lily can’t anymore.

  Pts: Huh? But when the Monster house died, she grew up and carried you out of the rubble.

  *Emma looks confused, then reaches out to Lily, waking her from her slumber among the others.*

  Emma(TL): Pts said you can sizeshift again?

  Lily: *Yawn* Yeah. It was after I woke up during that last fight. Not the bandits, but before we left the Brairpatch. I didn’t think about it much.

  Emma: Hey, Pts. whens the next stop?

  Pts: Spt and I decided to push to the town ahead. I know you wanted to avoid it, but we thought it would be good to grab a few last-minute supplies.

  Emma: *Grits teeth* Okay.

  *As dawn breaks, the rest of the party wakes up. Rodrick and Canda look at Emma in confusion.*

  Rodrick: We all agreed to avoid this for your sake. What’s up?

  Emma: I’m going to head home for a moment. I’ve already talked to Pts about it, and I’ll meet you guys back at your Uncels.

  Pts: And since we’ll save on supplies, we can maybe unload some other supplies.

  Rodrick: Well, how about we celebrate today? You’ve been rushing us through each town on the way back.

  Emma: *Smiles* I can agree to that.

  *The party gets a room in the same tavern where Emma was kidnapped after the war against the Seers. Halfway through the day, Emma and Canda head out to get more snacks when a crash comes from the other side of the tavern.*

  Dwarf: Pay up, Night Warden! Or maybe the guards would like to know you’re here?

  *Emma swiftly turns her head to see a cloaked figure. She walks over to the table and stands over the dwarf. He looks u,p irritated.*

  Dwarf: *Dwarvish* Fuck off! Who the hell do you think you are?

  Emma: *Dwarvish* *Eye’s glow as she speaks* Night Warden.

  *The Dwarf freezes in fear.*

  Dwarf: *Looks at the cloaked elf* You’re lucky this time.

  *The cloaked elf goes to speak in a familiar voice.*

  Cloaked: I didn’t need your help.

  *The cloaked elf starts to stand up, Emma uses magic to push them back in their seat as Emma sits across from her.*

  Emma: You see, the problem is I’ve heard you’ve been dragging my title th…

  *The cloak falls back. A single orange eye looks up at Emma.*

  Keya: Emma? Is…. is it really you?

  Emma: KEYA?!

  *The sisters embrace. Canda walks over with a plate of food.*

  Canda: Soooo. Who’s Keya?

  *Emma looks at her sister.*

  Emma: She’s my sister.

  Both elves: I thought you were dead?!

  Canda: I’m gonna get these to the room, there's one at the bar for you to bring when you can. Or should I get someone else?

  Emma: *Sniff* No, I can get it. Keya. Come please. Eat with us. We’re celebrating so much more now.

  Keya: *Nods* Of course.

  *Canda walks away, and Keya stops Emma before they head in.*

  Keya: Emma. Have you heard from anyone else?

  Emma: *Looks down* No. Honestly, I thought everyone was dead. I left Grandma with Elwin in the Elven sanctuary in southern Valoria.

  Keya: I got captured, and Lazarus helped me escape, although I’m not sure why, but I can’t reach him anymore. *Looks into Emma's eyes.* If you hadn’t taught him how to copy my appearance like Lily does with you, I don’t think I’d be here.

  Emma *Nods* Well. *Looks forward.* I’m sure he’s fine. You wouldn’t be doing so well otherwise. *Smiles*

  *Keya nods, and the two enter the room. Emma and Keya share their stories of how they got to this point in time. And as the sunsets, Emma says her goodbyes.*

  Emma: Keya. Come with us. Lily and I are going to… Actually, I think you’d rather enjoy the surprise.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Keya: *Grins* I don’t know. After everything, I don’t know. *Shakes head*

  Emma: Okay, I’ll reword it.

  *Keya wakes up to the panting of Lily, Emma looks over her shoulder, and smiles.*

  Emma: Sorry, sis. I tried giving you a choice. But your niece would never forgive me.

  *Keya rolls her eyes and smiles, still unable to move from the toxin Emma used. By nnightfallthey reach the Oasis, Haythum points his weapon at Lily out of concern.*

  Emma: I’m back.

  Haythum: Emma? What’s that you’re riding?

  *Emma and Keya hop down, and Lily shrinks down. Keya lifts her, letting her rest in her arms.*

  Emma: Haythum, meet my Sister. Keya.

  Haythum: *Confused* It’s my pleasure?

  Emma: I’m just stopping by before I head back to Lycaris. How’s the alliance going?

  Haythum: Okay, well, Griff just okayed another group of citizens who are in the exchange program. But he’s still filling out their forms.

  Emma: That means he’s in a good mood. Come on, Keya, let's go meet the mayor.

  Keya: The mayor?! Wont he be busy? Emma, can you explain at least a little?

  *Emma gives very subtle hints as she brings Keya to the Warden's Den. Reaching the mayor's office, Emma knocks on the door.*

  Griffin: Not now, Haythum! And if it’s you, Arthur, I said we’d play after I finalize the paperwork tonight!

  *Emma opens the door, and Keya panics, attempting to stop her sister.*

  Griffin: I said. Emma! What are you doing back so soon?

  *Griffin walks over and hugs Emma; they kiss, and Keya looks too stunned for words. As Emma laughs, Griffin looks at the two, confused as well.*

  Keya: You’re an ass, you know that, right?

  Emma: *Laughing* I know. I know. Griffin. *Wipes away tear* This is Keya.

  Griffin: Keya? *thinks* Oh! Your sister?! *Emma nods* How did you two find each other? I thought you were getting that flower or whatever for Leon.

  Emma: I’ll explain it at dinner. When does Kimmy get here?

  Griffin: *raises brow* Right around nightfall.

  Emma: Okay, don’t tell her we’re here. I’m gonna go surprise Arthur.

  *As they walk into the mudroom, Keya stops Emma.*

  Keya: Can we slow down a bit? I’m still trying to keep up, but.

  *Arthur bursts through the door excitedly.*

  Arthur: Auntie! *Hugs Emma.*

  Emma: Hi buddy. Can you go inside real quick?

  Arthur: Kay!

  Keya: Auntie? Did you adopt another kid, Emma?!

  Emma: It’s different. He’s my master's son.

  Keya: Wait. You mean. That. Master?

  Emma: Yeah, like I said,d it’s a long story. If you’ll accept my request we talked about before, then I’ll tell you.

  Keya: I don’t know Emma. And seeing that you have a family now… I feel like I’d just be getting in the way.

  Emma: If the alternative is knowing you’re out there being a Poacher isnt going to make me feel any better. *Raises hands to pause Keya from interrupting.* Look, I know you were trying to defend yourself, but that's not how the Gnomes saw it. They know you, not the Night Warden. I don’t need to lose you again.

  Keya: *looks down* I’ll. I’ll think about it.

  Emma: That’s all I ask.

  *Passing through the door, they’re both knocked down by Zipzip. Arthur follows insuit attempting to calm him down as he sniffs and licks at Emma’s face, then pauses before licking Keya’s face.*

  Keya: Gah. You smell like Bubba.

  Arthur: He should. He sleeps with me every night.

  Emma: *Clears throat* Every night?

  Arthur: Griff said it was okay while you were gone. Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell, I just remembered.

  Emma: *Judging* Uh-huh.

  *Emma struggles with a smile to avoid scolding him before Elizabeth calls for Arthur. She stops at the top of the stairs in view of everybody.*

  Elizabeth: Oh, welcome home, Emma. and?

  Emma: Arthur, Elizabeth, this is my Sister. Keya.

  *Arthur's eyes open as wide as they can as he smiles.*

  Elizabeth: *Curtsies*It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Keya.

  Arthur: I GOT TWO AUNTIES!!

  *Arthur shakes Zipzips' face in excitement before running off*

  Keya: What did he mean by he sleeps with Bubba?

  Emma: That’s Arthur’s nickname.

  Keya: *Sad* Oh.

  Emma: *Looks down* Keya. Do you still like sweets?

  Keya: *Confused* Of course!

  Emma: *Looks to Elizabeth* Can you ask Arthur to make some?

  Elizabeth: He’s not much for baking. What would you like me to ask for?

  Emma: Really? But he’s such a great cook.

  Elizabeth: *Arthur's voice* “I’m a chef, not a baker.” I could make some cookies with him, but he doesn’t measure, so I’d have to aid him.

  *Emma looks to Keya.*

  Keya: Hmm? Yeah, that’s fine.

  *Elizabeth leaves the two, and Emma brings Keya to the spare room.*

  Keya: You really have it all, don’t you? *Smiles*

  Emma: Almost. I want to find proof of Dad and Isabelle.

  *Keya reaches into her pack and pulls out a pair of gloves.*

  Keya: I can help with that a little. *turns around* One of the seers claimed these were from her. They told me it was all that was left of the Battle with an Archon.

  Emma: *Pauses and looks down before slowly shaking her head.* That was the one who was directly over me. Archon was their name.

  Keya: *Nods slowly* Wait! That’s why they lost you. They said that with Archon gone, they can’t track you anymore.

  Emma: Huh? I thought… It doesn’t matter. The important thing is that it means we might be safer than I thought.

  *As nightfalls Griffin runs into the dining room. Where the others have been waiting.*

  Griffin Sorry, Flint was being stubborn.

  Emma: Where’s Kimmy?

  Griffin: I saw her on my way down. They should be here soon.

  Kimmy: Arthur! I found those sweets I told you about.

  *Kimmy leaps and screams as she notices her Mother.*

  Kimmy: Hi, Mom! Uhh, I thought.

  Emma: …*Glares* Where is he?

  *Haze slowly walks around the corner. Peaking out guiltily.*

  Haze: I’m sorry, Emma… Wait. Isn’t that your Sister?

  Kimmy: Aunt Keya?

  *Kimmy runs over and hugs her.*

  Kimmy: Mom said you were dead.

  Keya: *Smiles* Wall, I started to think she was dead.

  Kimmy: Where have you been?

  Emma: Masquerading as the Night Warden. Now. With everyone here. Keya hasn’t agreed, but I’ve asked her to join me to look for the Aurora Glen.

  Kimmy: Oh! Can I come?

  *Emma looks at Haze*

  Emma: We don’t want to risk the Seers finding us…

  Keya: Tell you what. I’ll join, but Kimmy has to join us. And Emma’s boy toy.

  Griffin: Ignoring the insult, I can’t. As the Mayor of the Oasis.

  Emma: Well. We’ve talked about traveling before. And Rodrick said his Uncle would be willing to take in the Oasis if it were run by a non-elf.

  Griffin: *Scoffs* Still. What about the house?

  Emma: *Turns to Elizabeth.* Is there any way to make a space for them?

  Elizabeth: Unfortunately, no. But I could store everything. We would have to move it one by one,e of course.

  Griffin: Well, let Leon know, he’ll have to convince the masses. They still want me to “Atone.”

  Emma: *Looks at Kimmy* If you two can help, I’ll be back next year. Sunflower should be better by then as well.

  Kimmy: I guess my going with you to see her is too much?

  Emma: Well, Lily can only carry up to two.

  Kimmy: She can grow up again?

  *Emma nods as she takes a bite of food, as Arthur and Elizabeth place food before everyone. Dennis Exhales and Griffin look over his shoulder at him.*

  Griffin: I think Dennis was kind of looking forward to flying you out again.

  Emma: Or maybe pleased? He’d have to carry both Keya and myself.

  *The family enjoys their food as they all discuss the future together.*

  Kimmy: So, is this what Elves spend their dinner times doing normally?

  Keya: No, we forbade travel talk at the dinner table. Was the only way to keep your mom from leaving on an adventure every morning.

  Emma: That happened once. Wait…

  Keya: *Smiles* Four times. I told you I’m counting those “Shopping trips” To “Check” On the other neighboring cities and towns.

  Emma: Isabelle did it too! You two would go to the ferry town to get sweets every spring.

  *The sisters smile at one another before bursting into laughter.*