CH 162: Home?
The next couple of days passed with a blur, they flowed together for Claire. She spent more time with Ricky and the rest of the boys as they kept her company through the days. At night, it was either a series of quickies or staying up late to satiate their lust.
Claire could feel the wear on her body as the final day of driving started. Her eyes were red, and she could feel herself dozing off. There were too many days in a row of driving, and it was getting to her. By midday, she was teaching the older boys how to direct the horses. Anything to pass the time and keep herself awake.
She just needed to make it home. Back to her parents and her bed. It was what kept her going at this point. She wanted to see her mothers and then pass out for as long as possible.
Her head was nodding again by the time she recognized the landscape. She perked up upon seeing landmarks she used to play by. Beside her, Ricky stirred. He’d been asleep against her shoulder and jolted upright.
He looked around, expecting an attack. Claire grabbed his hand and calmed him down. “Sorry, we’re close.”
“Oh,” Ricky said, exhaling slowly. He rested his head against Claire and groggily whispered, “Wake me up when we’re in town…”
Claire laughed softly and let him rest. It wouldn’t be very long until they could see the village. She could feel the warm feeling of nostalgia and joy at the thought of being back. It’d been nearly two and a half months since they left.
Claire expected her mom to be waiting by the gate. Eve was even worse with separation than she was. She had a slight ache in her chest thinking about her mothers and them having to accept her leaving. She’d have to make it up to them somehow.
Her eyes caught on another landmark she recognized. The tallest tree in the area, one she climbed as a kid. She was flooded with memories of her childhood, adding to her excitement.
It only took her twenty more minutes for the fields of her family farm to come into view. The fields that led into the meadow that surrounded the town. All of it hit her with the warm, welcoming feeling of home.
Though something new caught her eye.
A building stood near the center of town. It looked to be a fully constructed church, one that wasn’t there before. She tilted her head as they approached, confused as to why it was built.
She was so focused on the building that she didn’t even register her name being called. They passed through the village gate as Claire’s mother bounded towards them. A fiery flash of red hair broke Claire’s concentration.
“Claire!!” Eve yelled as she sprinted towards the caravan.
Claire focused on her mother, a bright smile forming on her face. Ricky stirred once more, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, only to be startled by Eve jumping on the carriage. Claire’s mother had leaped into a moving carriage to hug her daughter.
“Claire, thank the gods,” Eve said on the verge of tears. “I was so worried about you! I had this bad feeling ever since you left, and it never went away.”
Claire squirmed in her mother’s arms, muffled in her smothering warmth. “Hi, Mom,” was all she could manage.
Ricky stared wide-eyed at the woman. She looked like an older version of Claire, the resemblance was uncanny. His mouth was open, but no words came out.
“I’m so glad you’re home,” Eve said while sniffling. She rubbed her forehead against her daughter and tightened her grip. “We’ve been expecting you since that man arrived in town.”
Claire finally broke free, using her newfound strength to ease her mother into a more normal hug. One where she could actually speak. “Man? What man?”
“I don’t know his name, he’s only been out of their room once,” Eve said, wiping her tears. “He’s got blond hair and a knight accompanying him.”
“Was he a dancer?” Claire asked. She pulled out of the hug and wiped away her mother’s tears. “Did he affect you or the others?”
“I don’t know, Jane’s the one who told me about him,” Eve stammered. “His knight has been the one we talked to. He’s staying at Bree’s tavern. He asked for you by name.”
Claire exhaled softly. She’d worry about it later. She hugged her mother again, this time softer. “I’ll figure it out later. Just glad to see you Mom.”
Eve kissed Claire’s cheek before finally noticing the boy clinging to Claire’s shirt. Her eyes widened, “And who might this be?”
Claire whispered to her mom, “A boy we rescued. There are more within the two extra carriages…”
“Hi, I’m Ricky,” the boy said sheepishly.
Eve pulled away from Claire and studied the boy. She could see the scarring from the restraints on his neck. She gave Claire a worried look. “Rescued them from what?”
“Traffickers,” Claire said, her voice low. “A band of human traffickers had these boys held captive.”
“Gods, he looks barely even 15…” Eve mumbled.
“Ryley was younger,” Claire replied. “And a few of them are only ten.”
“Oh, Bennos,” Eve mumbled. She shifted to the other side of Claire and hugged the boy. “You’ve been through so much.”
Claire patted her mom’s back, hearing her crying. Ricky hugged her back, on the verge of tears himself. Eve didn’t let go even after the carriage stopped. It was only when Claire tugged on her shoulder that she stopped.
Claire helped both Eve and Ricky to the ground. They turned to find Elizabeth, Jess, and Elizabeth’s wife, Sloane. Claire was most surprised to see Sloane, who was rarely well enough to leave her bed, much less stand outside the manor. She leaned heavily against Elizabeth for support.
“Claire,” Elizabeth called out. “We have much to discuss.”
“Can it wait?” Claire asked hesitantly. “I want to help with them…”
She exchanged a worried glance with her wife. The two whispered for a moment until Elizabeth spoke. “It can wait. Let’s get these kids inside and situated.”
“Thank you,” Claire said, glancing back at her mom and Ricky. The boy was clinging to Eve. She looked to the other carriages as the boys funneled out.
Jess ran up next, her expression transforming from joy to shock as she took in the line of rescued boys. She barely reacted when her daughters hugged her. She could only stare in shock upon seeing the sheer number of kids that funneled out.
“H-how many?” She blinked rapidly.
“Twenty-one.” Jasmine answered for them, “Ages from 10 to 15.”
Jess shuddered upon hearing the last part. She looked around at all of the boys, their clothes barely hiding the scars they had. She took a deep breath, glancing down at her daughters. She opened her arms to them, and they embraced.
“I’m glad you’re both back. And safe,” She said with tears in her eyes.
“We’re glad too,” the twins said in unison.
Jess exhaled and wiped away her tears. “We’ll have to double up some of the rooms, but we can house them.”
Claire’s shoulders relaxed. That was one issue figured out. She could focus on the other. “Your guest. Is his name Toni?”
Jasmine, Ana, and Elsie’s eyes all snapped to Claire. They were shocked to hear that name. Before they could even ask, Jess replied. “Yeah, he’s here with a knight. How did you know his name?”
Claire gulped. “Mom described him. We met him almost two months ago.”
Jess looked to her daughters, their reaction was just as shocked as hers. “He arrived yesterday, asking for you, Claire.”
Claire took a deep breath, thinking back on the skill she had just been rewarded. For now, she didn’t have to worry about another God’s influence. It was her Goddess preparing her to meet Toni again.
“He’s a friend,” Jasmine jumped. “We weren’t expecting him so quickly.”
“He has Lady Efreit’s seal,” Elizabeth said. “Did you make a deal with her to take in these kids?”
Jasmine shook her head. “No, we were planning on reaching out from here.”
“Then why is he here now?” Elizabeth pressed. Sloane pulled on her arm, giving her a concerned look.
Jasmine glanced at Claire, who was still processing the information. While Jasmine was questioning if she had even mentioned where they were from to Alice or Toni, Claire was still thinking about her new skill. Would it protect her from Anka’s blessing? Or would she be stunned like last time?
The mayor let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead. She was visibly stressed from both their arrival and Toni’s. “We’ll sort that out later. For now, let’s get them inside.”