The following morning the group hashed out a deal with the wanderer. There were contingencies put in place just in case there was a serious problem with the land, but ultimately the group was happy with the proposal.

  There was an amendment made, at Rowan and Lin’s insistence, that Mu wouldn’t be paying them for their stay. There was some light grumbling from Jieun on the matter, but she eventually agreed that it was unreasonable to be paid while receiving what basically amounted to free room and board despite the initial dilapidated state of the housing.

  They then spent a couple days travelling back to Darabaille, and Willow tried to make up for lost time and spent every spare moment she could with her family. Which Mu was surprisingly accommodating about.

  Eventually Willow’s family arrived at the small compound and surveyed their new home for the foreseeable future.

  The three buildings looked far worse in daylight, and the girl could see more signs of disrepair that she’d missed on her first visit to the Lennox compound.

  The roof of the main building was collapsed, and the one to the right of the entrance had a slant to it that didn’t look safe. Even the shack they’d stayed in previously looked like it could use some work, but thankfully there didn’t seem to be any structural issues with that particular building.

  “You weren’t joking about the amount of work we’ll have to put in.” Rowan said as he looked around from his place on Bough while stroking his beard. “You’re aware that the carpenter among us was Joaquin, right? Not saying we can’t do the repairs with some effort, but the quality won’t be the best.”

  Mu snorted. “As I said afore, I’ll be footin’ the bill for the major repairs. I know a guy who can do it quick, just hadn’t gotten around to it for one reason or another. The worst of it should be fixed up in a couple of days. After that it’ll be up to you lot to keep it maintained, and any new furnishings and whatnot are your responsibility to find.”

  “Well at least we can do what we like to make it feel more like home.” Jieun groused from the side, though there wasn’t much heat left in her words.

  The group explored and chatted for a bit before Mu called out that she was heading into the city to arrange for the repairs and run a few other errands she meant to the last time they were here.

  Willow liked the compound even if she was hesitant to call it her home. Then again, considering how soon she’d be leaving it, would it really be her home?

  The thoughts she’d been trying to ignore came flooding back.

  She would be leaving her family behind. Long stretches of time without seeing her sister, her father, her brother.

  She couldn’t pop over to see her aunt whenever she wanted.

  She wouldn’t get to taste her sister or aunt’s cooking.

  No one would stroke her hair or tell her stories.

  A large hand rested on her head. “Why’re you crying, sprout?”

  Willow stifled a sob as she hugged her Da, burying her face in his stomach and threatening his balance for a moment.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “I don’t want to go.” She cried into her father’s shirt.

  Rowan embraced his youngest child.

  “You won’t be wandering off just yet. We still have a couple more days together.” He rumbled softly. “And you know where we are so you can always visit.”

  Willow sniffled. “But I’ll miss everyone.”

  Rowan’s voice almost cracked, but he held strong. “We’ll miss you as well, sprout.”

  The two hugged for a few moments until her father remembered something.

  “Maple!” he called. “Fetch your sister’s gift for me, please.”

  “I thought we were saving that for the day she left?” Maple called back, but fetched a small bundle from the wagon anyways.

  Jieun, Lin, Bai, and Yew heard the commotion and noticed the youngest among them’s current state.

  “She needs it now.”

  The child perked up a little at the idea of receiving a present, even if she didn’t want to let go of her Da right now.

  Maple handed the bundle over to her father and Rowan untied and unfolded it before gently wrapping it around his daughter.

  “I may not be around to protect you soon, but here’s something to ward off the sun and shield you from the rain in my stead.”

  It was a slightly oversized cloak, hemmed in so it didn’t trail on the ground, but otherwise hanging loose on the child’s small frame. It was dyed a vibrant green and the type of fabric used was unfamiliar to her, but it definitely wasn’t the cotton of her now tattered dress.

  It was, however, very cozy, and likely the nicest thing she’d ever worn up to this point.

  Willow hugged her Da tighter, and gave a muffled thank you.

  He chuckled, misty eyed. “Don’t thank me, sprout. Your brother was the one who saw and picked it out, and your aunt Jieun was the one who hemmed it in for you. Should be able to take it to any tailor and get it let out when you inevitably start shooting up like your namesake.”

  The girl detached from her father and ran over to her brother, tackling him in a hug.

  “Thank you, Yew! It’s great.” She said between happy sobs.

  The young teen awkwardly patted her on the back as he accepted her thanks.

  “Glad you like it, gremlin. Remember us when you’re a big hero, yeah?”

  Willow nodded into her brother’s shoulder before breaking the embrace, wiping more tears from her face. Thankfully those seemed to be drying up as it was getting harder to be sad.

  She then walked over to her aunt, swishing her new cloak a bit as she went before stopping before the dark haired woman.

  Jieun held out her arms and Willow walked into her embrace.

  “Thanks for everything, Aunt Jieun. I’ll visit as much as I can.”

  Willow could hear the smile in her aunt’s voice and the melancholy in her qi. “You best do that, child. Though remember that you’re not leaving just yet. We still have some time together. Save your goodbyes for another day.”

  “I know. Just wanted to make sure I said it.”

  “Then I’ll say thank you for our time together as well. It’s been a joy watching you grow, and I hope to see you back here in front of me, no matter what life throws your way.”

  Her aunt bent down and fiddled with the cloak, making sure it sat right on her niece.

  “And always remember that you have a home and people who love you, all right? No matter the trials and tribulations, no matter how much you change. We’ll all be here for you.”

  The tears from earlier came back in force and Willow cried into her aunt’s skirt.

  “I’ll remember.” She said between sobs.

  The remainder of the day was spent with her family, and the following there was a small feast to celebrate finding a home and commemorate the journey the youngest among them would be going on.

  And a scant few days later Willow was off wandering with her mentor.

  Her home truly gone from her for a time, but the door always opened for her eventual return.