Jude’s parents had been feeling very torn about what to do. They had started a life in Bramble and really had enjoyed these last twelve years of working with their hands to not just spill the blood of monsters, but to grow food, slow down their pace of life and live more simply. Jude had been the perfect reason to change their pace, especially after they had lost their teammate Steven.
Lawrence and Leanne Summers had decided that they were going to lease out their farm to John's family, the Hales. They had been hemming and hawing at what to do now that Jude was at the Acacia Academy and their whole reason for laying down roots in the little town of Bramble had grown up.
“Are you ready dear?” Lawrence asked his wife as he cinched the straps of his travel pack and looked down at himself.
He stood tall with his sword sheathed at his side with his flexible leather armor on. He was just under 6 feet tall and had a wiry build. He had black hair and light brown eyes, almost hazel, but not quite. He had not worn this armor in ages and it still fit him like a glove, but felt a bit foreign.
“Yes Lawrence, I’m just making sure I have everything.” Leanne said as she grabbed the rest of their Health and Mana potions from the bookshelf. “Take that pack off, I need to make sure you put all of the food and clothes I set aside inside.” She said in a joking tone, but she was serious.
She stood in front of him wearing thick cloth pants with a white linen shirt. She had her blond hair pulled up into a pony tail and had thick scraps of metal fastened all over her body. From her shoulders to her shoes, there was not a place that didn’t have some sort of metal shard. The metal looked like a loose mosaic and somehow looked both beautiful and intimidating.
It had been a long time since they had left this home they had made and she had to be sure they had everything they needed.
“Aww honey, I packed everything you said, you put it all on the table and I put it all on the bag…” Lawrence said with a small grimace.
“I still remember when you said you packed it all and we were in the middle of the woods and I asked you if you needed help setting up our tent. When there was no tent to set up, I asked you why there was no tent to set up after I meticulously had it wrapped and set next to your pack for our trip and you said, "what?”
“I said I didn’t see it.” Lawrence said with his gaze falling to his toes, still remembering how badly it felt to let her down on their first trip as Monster Hunters with the Hunter’s Association.
“Ah, that’s right, you didn’t see it.” She said in a now joking tone, “so you wouldn’t mind if I double checked, now would you?”
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“Of course not honey.” he said with a wry smile, “check away!”
Luckily, Lawrence had indeed packed everything set aside, but Leanne had found a couple pieces of scrap metal that she had meant to pack, so she threw that into her own smaller pack and the two semi-retired Monster Hunters were off to the city of Hawthorn, the nearest Hunter Association besides the one in capital.
The trip to Hawthorn was a pleasant one as there was no need to rush, there was really no agenda at all. They both talked about the rolling prairie fields and farmland around them as they walked on the small road.
“What do you want to do about a third?” Leanne asked as she looked over at her husband.
”A third what?” Lawrence asked with some confusion.
”A third teammate… or should we just try and find smaller jobs that we can just operate as a team of 2?”
”Well, I think let’s just see if there is even anybody that would be compatible with our abilities and strengths before we make any decisions. It has been over twelve years and having a new person to join us really could mark a new chapter for us.” He said.
A silence lingered until the city came into view. Leanne coughed breaking the silence and wryly asked, “shall we?” offering her hand to her husband as they walked near the looming gate and guards of Hawthorn.
“What’s your business?” The guard asked.
”Monster Hunters.” Lawrence said, showing his bronze Hunter Association token, a metal card the size of his palm.
The guard nodded, “very well, entry fee is waived for bronze ranked Hunters, come in.”
The couple made their way into the city and quickly found themselves at the entry of the Monster Hunter’s Association.
Upon entering, it was somewhat busy. There was a well appointed tavern area in the front right of the building, with job boards and desks on the left. The back of the building housed offices and training areas.
Another guard beckoned for their tokens, which they showed and made their way to the tavern side of the building.
A serving woman came by shortly after they sat, “haven’t seen you two around before, new around here?” She asked.
“I guess you could say that. We have been on a bit of a break, but it is far past time we got back to what this world needs, more muscle against the Twisted Realms.” Leanne said.
”Welcome back then, glad to have you. What can I get ya?” She asked them.
“Water for us both and whatever is easiest for food.” Lawrence said and his wife scowled at him.
”What if we don’t even like what is the ‘easiest for them to make’. You know I like to hear my options.” She said with a pout.
“Fried chicken and potatoes today, not much to not like.” The young serving lady said with a wink before heading towards what must have been the small kitchen behind the bar counter.
The food did come out great and it hit the spot after their travel to the city, albeit a short journey, they hadn’t eaten breakfast before they left.
”Are you ready to go talk with an official about our situation?” Lawrence asked
Leanne nodded, they paid for their food and walked over to the other side of the building. They were in a short queue behind two others before their turn to talk to the association official behind the desk.
”How can I help you?” An older bespectacled man asked.
”We’d like to find a third for our team and take a look at jobs, it is high time that we get back to hunting monsters.” Leanne said with her husband proudly nodding beside her.”
They were finally getting back into the action and carnage they had been insulated from. Their season of rest was over and it was time to get back to the never ending battle waged against Telos from the Twisted Realms.
