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Chapter 59

Family - Part 2

Country Gravel Road outside Mel'Andrea

Three Hours Later...

Dusk...

Mick Drove the Audi down the isolated country road, now only about 2 kilometers from Mel'Andrea. Symon was in the passenger seat, while Silva sat in the back. All were adorned in their winter outfits: Mick wearing his winter pants, a long sleeved shirt, and his winter jacket, Symon wearing his winter shirt and pants with a parka, and Silva wearing his pants, vest, winter chaps, and his hooded fleece-trim cloak. Despite the snow falling outside, the car was warm and comfortable thanks to the heated seats, as well as the climate controls.

Mick took a quick glance at his transporter computer, the GPS displayed on the screen. "Okay, we should be there any minute now..."

"Yes. The main gates should be just around this bend." Silva said.

Sure enough, the village of Mel'Andrea came into view after the Audi rounded a wide, blind curve. As Mick saw the village, he smiled, impressed. The building style of the walls and buildings reminded Mick of not just Terran Mexican architecture, but also Oriental and Dark-Age European, all rolled into one. The town was surrounded by a tall wall, with several gates of entry on three sides where the roads met up, next to a river where a water-wheeled dam took advantage of the current for a grain mill.

Mick stopped at the closed gates, putting the Audi into neutral. "...So, what should I do? I know I can't just ram the gates down."

"Just beep the horn a few times. Someone will come to let us in." Silva answered.

Mick beeped the Audi's horn lightly two times. A few seconds later, a guard emerged from a door near the main gate, walking up to the Audi's driver-side window: A tall, muscular, red-colored, short-furred bull with a baseball cap over his head, covering the base of his horns, a long, black, mullet-like hairdo coming out the back with the sides shaved. He wore a cloak, a fur vest, with armored armbands and long pants. What surprised Mick is that he didn't wear shoes! But after taking a quick glance at his feet as he walked, he saw why: His feet, which were gigantic hooves, were surrounded by long, feathered fur that stopped at the beginning of his hooves, running down from his ankles. He also had long feathered fur around his wrists as well.

Mick rolled down the window when the bull was next to the car. The bull spoke, to Mick's surprise, in a friendly demeanor. "I am Braford, Captain of the guard of Mel'Andrea. Please state your business."

"My name is Mick Daniels, and this is my father, Symon." Mick said. "We encountered one of your citizens, Silva Dhaelos a month ago, and have come to bring him home." Mick motioned to Silva in the backseat.

Braford looked in the back, his eyes widening a bit as he smiled. "Silva! Dude, it's good to see you again! Where have you been?"

"It's a long story, Braford." Silva said with a friendly smile and tone. "I'll have to tell you later, right now I need to go see Iroy and Ofret, as well as Nimara. They're most likely worried sick."

"No problem. I'll have the gate open in a snap. Welcome home, bro!" Braford said. He ran back into the door he walked out of. A few seconds later, Mick heard a bunch of old gears and pulleys squeak and grind. Then, the gate opened.

Mick drove the car into the town, careful as to not go too fast. He limited the Audi's speed to 10 Kph, keeping an eye out as to not run anyone over as the Audi pulled into the busy town square. "So, where is your house, Silva?"

"Go down Telvanni Street. It's over there." Silva pointed to a side street on the left.

Mick turned the car onto the street, following Silva's direction. After passing several adobe houses, Silva pointed out one on the right. "There. That one. You can park out front on the side of the road, the street is more than big enough."

Mick stopped in front of the Dhaelos house, putting the car in park, and applying the hand brake. He locked down the ignition, then pressed the button that retracted the transporter computer screen into the dash, and shut off the car.

Everyone got out, and walked up the steps to the house as Mick set the car's double-alarm with four beeps. Silva knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A woman asked from behind the door.

Silva braced himself. "It's me, mama. It's Silva."

The door was quickly opened. Standing in the doorway was a slender, middle-age lioness in a long beige dress with a purple shawl over her shoulders. She had chocolate-brown fur, her long black hair braided into a ponytail over her shoulder that went down to her waist. Mick figured that was Iroy.

"Silva!" Iroy exclaimed, pulling the young wolf into a tight hug. "Oh, Silva my son! I've been so worried!"

"I'm sorry that I worried you, mama-" Silva began, but was cut off when Iroy gave his body a hard squeeze, pushing the air out of his lungs as the wolf's eyes went wide for a few seconds before the lioness let go. She then stood tall, looming over Silva with an irritated look as the wolf caught his breath.

"Me tenias preocupado jovencito! How many times have I told you not to sneak out of the gates at night?!" Iroy scolded as she shook a finger at Silva, her motherly instincts taking over. "Nino, you know better! We had the whole guard looking for you all month! They were getting ready to call off the search in one more week if they didn't find you! What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry, mama. I should have told you before I rushed off." Silva apologized. "A courier came to town and gave me a letter about Galen-"

"Galen?!" Iroy gasped, going into full family-drama overdrive. "Who was this courier?! Did he give you a name?"

"The courier didn't tell me who he was, but the letter had a name, stating the sender: Cailus Foxmoore. He wanted me to meet him at the watering hole near the river. When I got there, I was jumped and knocked out..."

"Jumped?!" Iroy exclaimed. "Jumped by who? Who are the pendejos who tried to hurt you?!"

"I can answer that, Mrs. Dhaelos." Mick answered. "My name is Mick Daniels, this is my father, Symon. We found Silva a few kilometers away from the Half-Moon inn, being dragged down the road by a bunch of thugs with black clothes and hoods over their heads. Silva was unconscious, and they... Stripped him of his belongings, as well as his clothing. We saw them dragging Silva when we were driving home that night. I couldn't stand by and let them do... Whatever they intended to do, so I pulled up around them and blocked the road so they couldn't get away. Me and dad drew our firearms, yelling for them to let go of Silva and get on the ground. They did release Silva, but they got away, running off the road and into the vegetation. The last I saw of them, they were running into the forest."

"Running into the forest!? Ay, dios!" Iroy looked like she was ready to faint.

"Yes." Symon added in. "I got to Silva, and after finding he was alive, we took him back to our home, nursing him back to health. He woke up late the next day, and told us who he was. As for the rest, can we please finish this inside? It's kinda nippy out here, so to speak?"

Iroy then realized that they were all standing out in the cold snow. "Oh! Ay-yi-yi, I'm sorry! It's freezing cold out here. Please, entra a la casa." She wavedfor everyoneto go inside.

Mick, Symon, and Silva followed her in. After going through the entry way and removing their boots, they stepped into a large, spacious living room. The adobe walls were adorned with aztec-style rugs, as well as the floors. A couch sat along one wall, with several cushioned chairs opposite of it, a coffee table seated between them with end tables along the sides of the couch. Several lit candles were on the end tables and coffee table. One wall was taken up by a large fireplace, the hearth ablaze with a warm fire, with a window on the wall perpendicular to the hearth. Two hallways led into a kitchen and a bedroom area, with a staircase leading up to more bedrooms upstairs.

"Ofret! Nimara! Silva is home!" Iroy called out. Mick then heard several pans drop in the kitchen, along with what he assumed were a few shattering plates.

"Silva is home?!" A young, feminine voice called from up the stairs. Mick heard swift footsteps above, going for the staircase.

"Silva is home?!" A masculine, middle-aged voice shouted, displaying abundant irritation. "Chico! Siéntate en el sofá y no te muevas hasta que entre!" Ofret barked, telling Silva to "Sit his ass down on the sofa, and not move until he got there."

Silva felt a large sweat drop run down the back of his head, sitting down on the sofa as Ofret instructed. "Oh boy... Padre is no muy feliz..."

"It's understandable. You've been off the grid for about a month, Silva." Mick said as he sat down on the sofa next to Silva on the left, while Symon sat in one of the chairs across, Iroy doing the same. A few seconds later, Mick saw a younger lioness in a lavender dress, adorned with indigo embroidery at the edges come down the stairs. She had the same color of hair as Iroy, only a deeper, more vibrant shade of color, with tan body fur like Galen's. Mick didn't need to be told: That was Nimara, without a doubt.

"Silva!" Nimara skipped over to the couch, plopping down on Silva's right. "Hermanito, it's good to see that you are okay..." Nimara hugged Silva with a sisterly nuzzle before pulling away. "But you are in a lot of trouble right now, el hermano menor!"

"The word 'Trouble' only scratches the surface in this case!" The voice from the kitchen said as it got closer. Stepping into the living room was a lion with a jet-black mane, his body fur a shade slightly lighter than Iroy's, with spectacles over his eyes, his height slightly less than Galen's, but a bit taller than Silva. He wore a worker's vest, with cloth pants and anklet socks with cloth, finger-less gloves. Mick knew that was Ofret. "¿Dónde diablos estabas? ¿Tienes idea de lo que hemos estado pasando, joven? Where were you, and what in Ohblon's name happened?!" The elder lion roared before settling down. "By Khaj's silken robes, someone better talk to me~!" Ofret's last five words rang with edgy annoyance as he waited for answers.

Mick went over what they told Iroy and continued from there. "...After the thugs ran off, we took Silva back to where we are staying: My godfather's house. We nursed him back to health, and after he woke up, we got talking. After Silva told me his full name, it rang a bell for me, my godfather and my father, as we are honorary members of a band of obscure warriors, who deal with threats that come from the shadows, not just to protect Mel'Andrea, but all the kingdoms, and even the worlds of the Sky Folk: They are known as the Firebird Guardians. As for why Silva's name hit a chord, it sounded familiar to a new recruit of the Firebird Knights I met recently, who I think is related to you and Silva. He went by the name 'Galen' I believe..."

Ofret's eyes widened as he heard Galen's name, his knees shaking. "Galen... You mean, Galen's become a protector? A member of this noble order?"

"Yes." Symon answered. "He has told me bits and pieces about a few recent conquests with some close friends of his, Uniko and Zhal. After I contacted Galen, asking about Silva, he and his friends sent letters to us, to give to Silva, and to you."

Ofret collapsed into his easy chair, doing his best to absorb this sudden bombshell of information. Tears then came to his eyes, as he buried his face in his hands. "...By Ohblon's fur, that brings me much relief. Ever since Galen disappeared, with Uniko and Zhal vanishing shortly after... We've all been trying to figure out what happened to him. May we please see these letters? Senor and Senorita Sha-Lem will want to know as well."

Silva got out three folded letters from his vest pocket, giving them to Ofret. Each letter was marked with the writer's respective name. Ofret unfolded Galen's letter first, and started to read out loud:

"Dear Padre,

I apologize for not writing you sooner, for I have been busy with many conquests with Uniko and Zhal as of late. We have all joined a band of warriors known as the Firebird Guardians, who not only protect all the kingdoms of our world, but also the kingdoms and worlds of the Sky Folk as well. The Guardians have been very busy with a dangerous threat, and we have only found this little time to write back to our loved ones.

Mick and Symon Daniels contacted me recently, telling me about how they found and saved Silva. I gave them my thanks, as well as sending a courier to deliver these letters for him to bring back to you. I talked to Silva via courtesy of Mick, using an interstellar cellular telephone, a technology brought to us by the Sky Folk. I was glad to hear that lil' nino was not hurt, and is okay. But I also scolded him for not thinking his actions through. Don't worry, he promised me he won't just run off again unless there is an emergency, and he needs to get to Mick's residence.

Also, I have made arrangements with the leader of the Firebird Guardians to visit Silva at Mick's residence, his godfather's house. I will be staying there every other Saturday for a week from now on. Uniko and Zhal will come with me as well, and all of us will visit with Silva.

Mick has agreed to take Silva back and forth from Mel'Andrea and his godfather's residence every other week. However, the leader of the Guardians has only given Mick permission to take Silva only, and no one else for security reasons. I apologize that you cannot go with him, and that I cannot be there in person, but right now we are tracking a dark band of miscreants on Vhaldaria. They have been mainly focusing their activities in Kestrel, but I cannot say too much in this letter, for if it would fall into enemy hands, our advantage would be lost. Mick has agreed to take any letters you or the family want to write to me, and send them to me using a secure source.

I hope you and mama are doing well, along with Nimara? I trust hermanita is not getting into trouble, and is behaving? Oh, well... A brother can dream, I guess.

Remember, that I love all of you, and have not forgotten about any of you in my absence. Stay safe, and may Ohblon guide your steps.

Your beloved son,

Galen Dhaelos

Frontline Agent of the Firebird Guardians."

Ofret gave a large sigh of relief after he finished Galen's letter, tears of joy flowing from his eyes. Iroy wiped her tears away with a hankerchef, and Nimara wiped her tears away with her hand, all of them smiling and sniffling in happy relief. After a short pause, Ofret opened Uniko's letter, and started to read again.

"Heyo, Ofret!

It's me, your favorite bartender! Well, I was, anyway... I'm sorry I ran off so suddenly like that in search of your older son with Zhal, but I just couldn't let it go... I needed to know Galen's fate myself, see it with my own eyes. He is more than a friend to me. Even though we are not related by blood, I consider Galen, Zhal, and Silva my brothers, and I always will. I'm sorry if that crosses a line with you or Iroy, or the Sha-Lem clan, but to be blunt: If you people don't like it, well... Too damn bad. Suck it up and deal with it, because I've made up my mind, and that's how it's going to be."

The entire Dhaelos family let out a hearty laugh when Ofret read those last three sentences. Ofret then continued.

"Anyway, I can't talk too much about the assignment me, Galen, and Zhalhave been on. Just know that we are doing our best to keep you and everyone else in Kestrel safe. I'm not trying to worry you with this, so don't be paranoid or on edge. Just keep an eye out for anything strange or suspicious that's out of the ordinary. After Silva told Galen, Zhal, and me about the letter he received from this Cailus creep, I have a hunch that he and his goons have operations that are close to home.

I Hope Nimara is doing okay. Is she still practicing those Vantusi dance moves I taught her? I kept telling her, if she shows off those moves at a local festival or event, she will be the center of attention, and may even find herself a nice, attractive man that will sweep her off her feet. Just make sure he treats her right. If he doesn't, well... Just be warned, I taught Nimara some martial arts me, Galen, and Zhal know, so if she bloodies some dude's nose, they brought it on themselves, and you will have every right to deliver a beat-down of your own on them in the name of your daughter. Tell her I said hi, and give her a hug and kiss for me as well.

Keep moving forward.

-Uniko Miwel

Firebird Guardians - Scout and Procurement Specialist."

Everyone gave kind grins, chuckling at the letter's comedic yet direct wording. Ofret then went on to read Zhal's letter.

"To Ofret Goram and Iroy Dhaelos, and my parents in the Sha-Lem Clan...

I apologize for my sudden departure, as well as my lengthy sabbatical. Uniko told me about his plans to find out what happened to Galen before he left, and I was not going to let him go on this harrowing, dangerous journey alone.

Though after finding out Galen's fate, as well as the events that occurred after, I must make another apology. For I do not know when I will ever be able to return. If I can return at all. Joining the Firebird Guardians was not an easy choice, and the duties we need to attend to take up much of our time and demand our full attention and focus. Being in the service of the Guardians is not just a choice: it is a commitment, a lifestyle.

Since we have chosen to live that lifestyle, the date of our return remains unknown, so our absence may be indefinite. I am sorry if this brings you sadness, but after finding out of the evil afoot not just in Kestrel, but across Vhaldaria and beyond, we could not just sit by and do nothing. The threats we protect you, and everyone else from pale in comparison to anything we have ever faced before.

Please tell my parents and elders that they don't need to worry about me. The Firebird Guardians have excellent healers and mages, several of which are partnered up with me, Uniko, and Galen. I am sorry that I cannot continue to teach at the Dojo, but rest assured: I continue to bring honor upon us all.

Sincerely with honor,

Sensei Zhal Shal-Lem

Agent and Combat Training Instructor for the Firebird Guardians."

Ofret closed the letters, folding them back up neatly and putting them back into their envelopes. "It's good to hear that my son has found his calling. Thank you both, for delivering this news to us."

"No problem." Mick said. "It's the least we could do-"

Suddenly, there was a loud pounding on the front door. "Mrs. Dhaelos! Ofret! Nimara! Are you home?! I heard Silva returned!"

Silva rolled his eyes, recognizing the voice calling from the front door. "It's Luso... I'll get it."

Silva went over to the front door, and answered it, letting Luso in. Luso was a gray and black marble colored fox, dressed in loose pants and a tunic, his body covered by a winter cloak that went around his shoulders. As Silva led Luso in, he greeted him. "Luso! How are you doing? I'm sorry I worried you when I ran off-"

"Worried me?! That's an understatement!" Luso snapped, waving a finger in front of Silva scoldingly, even though Silva was a good foot taller than him. "You had everyone freaked out, and I would not be surprised if this little stroll of yours gave me an ulcer!"

"Luso, calm down and try to understand." Silva said with patience. "I received a letter from a courier about-"

"About Galen. I know." Luso said, cutting Silva off. "As for how I know, my skills at rune reading have greatly improved. That, and I also got a much better-quality rune set."

Silva nodded. "So, how are your magic studies going?"

"Good, so far. But not good enough for my taste." Luso sighed. "Don't get me wrong. With the tutors from Kestrel, I have rapidly improved. Mage Darion says I'm his best student, but I'm still not good enough for myself. Even with my new skill, and greater power and understanding of my chi, mana, and magicka, I still cannot use my power to find out what happened to your brother, or where he is for that matter."

"Locate?" Mick asked. "So, you use some sort of divination or foresight magic, I assume?"

Luso raised an eyebrow, looking at Mick. "Yes, quite. I'm surprised that you are even interested in magic. Usually, Sky Folk such as yourselves dismiss the concept entirely, viewing it as nothing but hokey-religious hocus pocus. It's nice to meet someone who actually understands."

Mick nodded. "I've recently started reading up on the subject matter, after having a personal experience with magic. I find it very fascinating."

"Indeed." Luso said. "Though you seem to have me at a disadvantage, mister..."

"Mick Vidan Daniels." Mick said.

"Luso Derunes." Luso shook Mick's hand. "A pleasure."

"Likewise." Mick said.

"So, Silva." Ofret spoke up. "Since today is Saturday, I assume Galen is still at Mick's residence for the week?"

Silva nodded. "Yes. He's staying here for a week, at Mick's residence outside of town."

"Well, in that case, you had better be back off with Mick and Symon." Ofret said. "Spend some time with your brother, while he is here."

Luso's jaw dropped. "What?! Galen is here?! Where?!?! Silva, this better not be some sort of sick joke!!" The young marbled fox grabbed Silva by the vest, shaking the wolf as if he was ready to throttle him.

"He's here." Silva said, prying Luso's hands off his vest. "Don't worry, Luso. He's alright. Galen's just found his calling, that's all. Sorry, I cannot take you with us to see him."

Luso looked like someone had ripped the happiness out of his soul. "...Because he's part of that Firebird order. That's another thing I found out recently. I'm sorry. I just miss him a lot... Mel'Andrea isn't the same for me without Galen around."

Silva rubbed Luso on the head gently. "I know. Just take comfort in the fact that he is alright."

"Okay." Luso said. "At least he's alive... I'll see myself out."

Luso walked out the door, as Silva went upstairs to pack a few things for his visit. After making sure no one was watching, Luso looked at Mick's Audi. He remembered a vague answer that his runes gave him recently, on how he could find Galen: The foxes with the black, horseless stagecoach hold the key.

Luso was no idiot, despite his lack of certain social skills. The Sky Folk's vehicles known as "cars" were basically horseless stagecoaches, and Mick's car was no exception. He needed to find a way to stow aboard, undetected. He already had a plan. He uttered a small spell that turned him into a black mist, and seeped into the car, settling in the trunk as he reformed himself.

Luso settled in, wrapping his cloak around his body. He hoped when he saw Galen again, that he could make things right after all these years. The only reason he pulled so many magical pranks on Galen was so he could try and get into the lion's pants and be like all those many men and women he took to his bed and slept with. Luso just didn't know how to ask and was honestly afraid to. That was why he tried so many of his different love potions and spells on Galen, which sadly ended up backfiring in some way or another due to his lack of skill back then.

Though right now, Luso wasn't worried about love spells or potions. If anything was going to harm Galen, he would make sure to protect him from it. He heard Mick, Symon, and Silva get into the car a few moments later. The car then started up, and Lusofelt the vehicle move as they started to drive.