Vol. 2 Ch. 24: Solace (Draft)

Author's Note:

Recurring Characters:

Peter: The protagonist of this novel.

Mariah: Peter's mother. You can find her picture in Art collection.

Lidia: One of Mariah's friend, whom Matteo (Mariah's younger brother) used to have a crush on. She had been explored in the chapter "Dream and the past" in you're interested in her appearance when she was young.

Tessa: Lidia and Matteo's second child. We just met her in the last chapter.

Mira: Lidia and Matteo's first child. Tessa grumbled about how she got to learn dance while she had to stand guard at the entrance in the last chapter.

Elena: Mariah and Matteo's mother. She first appeared in the chapter "Dream and the past".
Gregor: Mariah and Matteo's father. He first appeared in the chapter "Dream and the past". He's a former adventurer.

Recap:

Peter smirked, taking a sip of water from his cup. “Well, now you’ve. If you don’t believe, you can ask Mom when we’re alone in a room.”

“Ask what?” a gruff voice called from the entrance.

…End of Author Notes...

...

Tessa leapt to her feet with a bright grin. “Grandpa!” she said, dashing across the diner toward the doorway.

Peter turned his head, his eyes following her figure as she stopped beside a tall, broad-shouldered man. Beside him was a teenage girl with long flowing black hair, just like Aunt Lidia.

“Did you make a new friend while I was away, sweetheart?” he asked, his gruff voice softening as he tousled her hair. He looked at Peter with interest.

Tessa giggled and clutched the man’s arm. “Nope... I mean—yes! That’s Peter! Aunt Mariah’s son. She’s here!”

The man’s brow lifted slightly at the name, and the girl beside him tilted her head, eyes narrowing with interest as she gave Peter a once-over.

While they were talking, Peter was examining the new arrivals. The man—clearly his grandfather—gave him a subtle pressure. The way he carried himself was similar to that of an old predator, and those eyes of his, Peter knew the look inside them. He had killed before, just like him.

His other cousin stood with a quiet confidence, her posture suggesting discipline. She regarded Peter with a subtle curiosity, her eyes calm and assessing.

As the trio made their way further into the diner, Peter used Inspect on him almost instinctively. He only encountered a thin barrier, which provided little resistance against his skill. It cracked under the pressure with little effort, but the moment it did, his grandfather’s foot faltered. It was a subtle misstep, barely more than a shift in balance, but Peter caught it just in time before it disappeared.

Their eyes met again, only for a second, and the man said nothing, walking with the same steady pace with no change in expression, but those eyes of his now held a little more surprise than earlier.

Peter forgot to look at the status presented before him, entirely focused on what he might say next. His fingers curled slightly against the edge of the table as he cursed himself inside his head.

“Hello, Peter,” The man said, stopping before him. His voice was calm and gentle, carrying none of the accusation that Peter readied himself for. “It’s nice to finally put a face on the name that I often read about in your mother’s letters.”

Peter nodded, standing up. “It’s good to meet you, too, Grandpa, and you, cousin.”

Gregor chuckled softly. “Mariah did a good job at raising you. Where is she?”

Peter gestured toward the door. “She’s back there with the others. We were told to wait here.”

“Is that so?” Gregor raised an eyebrow. “Let me go see what’s all this about. How could they leave my precious grandchildren all alone?”

He turned toward Mira, “You’re in charge. Get to know your cousin more. Don’t let Tess go out.”

Mira gave a half-smile, taking a seat along with Tessa at the table Peter was sitting at. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. We’ll be fine. Maybe we’ll play a board game after we catch up a little.”

Gregor gave her an appreciative nod before heading toward the backyard, his steps confident and unhurried.

Peter glanced at Mira, unsure how to start. He hadn’t expected his grandfather to be so… warm. It left him off balance.

“So,” Mira said, stretching her arms across the table, a playful glint in her eyes. “You’re the mystery cousin from the letters. Gotta say, you look cuter than I expected in that leather armour—just not as cute as my Tess… but you’re close.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Not even close.”

Peter smiled. “Should I feel honoured or just confused?”

From there, the conversation flowed more naturally. The initial awkwardness melted away as the three of them settled into a rhythm—sharing hobbies, trading likes and dislikes, and laughing over funny stories. Tessa eventually excused herself and returned a few minutes later from the room she shared with her older sister, carrying a well-worn board game under her arm.

They played at the table, laughing together, and calling out Tessa for cheating when she started to lose until the adults were done with their conversation and returned to the diner.

Peter followed Mariah toward their assigned room on the first floor, leaving his cousins and the rest of the adults behind to serve lunch to the guests staying at the Inn. According to her, Elena strictly instructed both of them to rest until the evening. Thus, for the first time in a long while, Peter slept peacefully.

…

Peter walked beside Mira, their footsteps quiet against the city street. Just ahead, Mariah and Lidia led the way, their silhouettes brushed in gold by the fading light. The sky blushed pink, the sun sinking low, casting long shadows behind them.

When they’d broken away from the other travellers, Peter and Mariah had to abandon most of their possessions. Two horses were unequipped to carry it all. Now, the only clothes they had were the ones on their body—travel-worn.

“Both of you can’t keep wearing them, Mariah,” Lidia said, her voice abolishing. “Look at the holes on his leather armour…makes him look like a dirt-poor adventurer. Yours aren’t looking any better.”

Peter blushed, looking sideways. Mira chuckled on the other side.

“My father might’ve let go of his clothing business,” Lidia said with a shrug, “but I still know his apprentice. A few sets won’t cost you much. And if you’re really counting every coin… there’s always second-hand.”

“Okay! Okay!” Mariah hissed. “I’m not arguing with you. Now! Would you please stop berating me on the streets? People have ears, Lidia.”

Peter let the conversation fade into the background, his eyes scanning the vicinity. The Guild Street stretched out before him, still quite rowdy despite being half an hour away from sunset. Adventurers in mismatched gear walked alongside them, some in pairs or groups and a few all alone.

It hadn’t been long since they left the Inn. Truly a pity that the adventurers’ guild was in the opposite direction from their destination. Peter wanted to see it up close.

He returned his attention to the present, watching hawkers call out from the roadside stall, their tables piled with everything from monster pelts to cheap, freshly cooked monster meat of unknown kind.

Behind them, the shops buzzed with life, sounds of blacksmiths hammering at hot metal, pub doors swinging open to bursts of laughter and clinking mugs. They passed an alchemist’s shop, the scent of herbs and something acrid wafting through the open window. Further down, a few adventurers exited an enchanter's shops, satisfied with the glowing lines on their weapons, which flickered with mana even to the naked eye.

Peter’s gaze lingered on a pair of guards patrolling the street along with a knight-like figure, wearing a cloak depicting the symbol of Avaris.

“Wow. A holy knight?” he said, turning to his cousin. “Didn’t know cities had them walking around with the regular guards… must be nice.”

Mira shook her head, her brow slightly furrowed as she glanced at the knight. “They don’t,” she said quietly. “Probably here because of the festival.”

“The Solace, right?” Peter asked. “We never had it back in the village.”

“Makes sense,” Mira said with a nod. “Smaller places usually can’t afford to do it properly. It’s easier to just offer a quiet thanks to the goddess.”

“What’s it about?” Peter asked.

Mira glanced toward the knight in the distance, then turned back to Peter. “It’s a festival of rest. Long ago, when the goddess was still human like us, there was a terrible drought—some say it was caused by a magical disaster, others blame a battle between high-level monsters.”

“For nine days and nights, Avaris worked without pause. On the tenth day, her efforts bore fruit, and the drought finally ended. That was when she rested—for the first time.”

Her voice softened, a solemn expression settling on her face. “Every year, people fast for the same nine days and nights. The fast ends on the Day of Solace—only after offerings are made to the goddess using food from the new harvest. Then comes the celebration. The whole of Rosefall comes alive.”

“It’s a sight to see. Each year, people travel from all around to participate in it,” she said, her lips curled upwards. “You’ll love it. I promise you.”

“Actually,” Lidia added, drawing Peter’s attention, “Mira’s performing this year. She’s one of the dancers.”

“Mom!” Mira blurted, cheeks flushing.

“Really? That’s wonderful,” Mariah said, reaching over to ruffle her hair. “I tried once, but they turned me down.”

“Well…” Lidia smirked. “You were never exactly graceful. I still remember when you broke that poor boy’s leg during the practice trials.”

“That wasn’t my fault,” Mariah said with a huff, shaking her head.

A warm, easy silence settled over them until Lidia spoke again—her tone softer.

“Regardless, I’m just glad you both made it here safely.”

“Lidia…”

“I’m sorry about what happened to Joseph,” she said, her voice quiet, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips.

Peter lowered his gaze, the mention of his father tightening something in his chest.

“He would’ve wanted you both to keep going,” Lidia said gently. “To live. To find joy where you can.” She reached out and touched her arm. “You’re here now. With us. That matters.”

“Just you wait,” She said. “You’ll have your memories back soon enough.”

Mariah gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. “I hope so. I’ll visit the cathedral tomorrow. Hopefully, the cleric there will have a cure for it.”

“They’ll,” Lidia said, her tone sounding reassuring. “Once you do get better, consider staying with us.”

Mariah turned to look into her eyes.

“Yes,” Lidia nodded. “We can use some extra hands who are both loyal and hard working. Who’s better than family?”

Mariah spared a glance a Peter. “I’ll think about it.” She said softly.

“Alright,” Lidia sighed. She looked to the side. “We’re here.”

They stepped into the clothing store, the scent of linen and old wood hanging in the air. Racks of garments lined the walls, some crisp and neatly folded, others faded, but clean, sorted in careful stacks. Lidia greeted the owner with familiarity and explained the reason for their visit.

After some time browsing and a few rounds of arguing between Lidia and the owner, both Mariah and Peter had a set of new clothes each, and three more sets of second-hand wear, all tucked under their arms. The fabric was a bit worn, but serviceable, the kind Peter’s friends used to wear in his early childhood.

Peter never had to wear second-hand clothes until now, and based on his mother’s expression, neither did she. Now, they had no choice but to be stingy with how they spent their money, as healing services weren’t cheap.

…

“Mariah!” A knock sounded, firm and familiar. “Can we talk for a bit?” Gregor’s voice came from the hallway.

All eyes shifted to the door.

Mariah rose from her seat, fixing her hair in a quick motion. “Just a second, dad,” she called, stepping toward the door. The handle clicked as she pulled it open.

Peter stayed where he was, sitting on his bed. It hadn’t been long since she returned from the diner, helping as a server during the dinner hours.

Mariah stepped aside, allowing Gregor to enter. She closed the door behind him before quietly crossing the room, dragging the only chair in the room closer to the bed. She set it down and gestured toward it with an open palm. “Please, Dad,” she said softly. “Sit.”

Gregor gave a small nod, a smirk on his lips that turned into a soft chuckle as he crossed the room. He lowered himself onto the chair with a quiet sigh.

“Still not used to seeing my daughter all grown up and a mother now.” He said. “One day, you just decided to depart on an adventure over an argument, leaving only a single letter behind…and now, here you stand—same but different—along with a child.”

…End of chapter…
Possibly another chapter coming today, just for Code supporters.