Arrival

Upon arrival Von, could see an old man sitting in a wood log next to the farm entrance. Long silver white beard, baggy tired eyes and shabby old farmer clothes, he had his hands resting in his belly, while he looked with a content smile towards Jochen and Summer. He quickly stood up grabbed a cane nearby and gave a loud laugh

"Martha!!" he shouted looking back at the farmhouse "Our son is back home" as he approached quickly towards him, his hand shook slightly as he held the cane but he moved forward nonetheless, nothing stopping him from hugging the son that had been long gone.

As he hugged his father tightly, his head on the crook of his neck, Jochen breathed "Dad", his smile was impossible to miss, Summer just stood there beaming with happiness a small tear decorating her cheek,

"You must be my son's lovely future wife" Jochen's father said as he stepped away from Jochen's embrace and hugged Summer as well. Martha, Jochen's mother stepped outside the house running, screeching as she jumped into Jochen's arms, which he loved as he started laughing and spinning around.

"Look at my boy" Martha said gasping, "You look so big, I still remembered you as the young man who left for the army but look at you now, all manned up" she patted her son's shoulder and hugged him once more, this time crying "I'm so happy you're fine and well, I feared the worst when you left"

"Im fine mom" Jochen chuckled as a warm smile adorned his face, his eyes now glowed, he had everything, his wife, father, mother, a house, life couldn't be better.

"But I have him to thank" He turned around and looked towards Von. Von could tell, those eyes, that look; that was the look of admiration and respect and he had earned it. "Mom, Dad, this is Von, my fellow squad mate, friend and savior"

Martha immediately went and hugged Von almost as tightly as his own son which he took gladly and hugged her back, "He's being dramatic" he tried playing down the events as not to scare Jochen's parents, Von now watched Jochen's mother, in way better shape than his father didn't seem that old, she had wrinkles sure but her smile and eyes were glowing, she gave an aura of motherly love that he hadn't felt ever since he left home, since he left his mother. Her greyish yet still slightly brown hair went down to her shoulders but was now kept in a bun, her farmer clothes were more colorful than that of her husbands, all in all she seemed great.

"Eckart, are you just going to stand there or are you going to salute our guest?" Martha looked questioningly towards her husband, he slowly approached Von, he was slightly shorter than him but he was more imposing, he was the kind of man that would stand out from the rest, he stopped just in front of Von, he looked him up and down, then straight towards his eyes. Von looked back, they analyzed mutually for a second and then Eckart offered one hand which Von took,

"Thank you, for watching over my son" Eckart said in a far more deep raspy voice, it was a short phrase, but the look and the warmness of the hand, Von felt the strength of it, Eckart didn't seem like the kind of man who would say that, but he did and that stuck with Von

"Thank you for having a son worth saving" Von said with a small smile.

Suddenly, Eckart burst laughing, which was funny because he laughed in short snorts which made everyone laugh "Thanks the gods I did" he continued laughing a short while, and then Martha intervened "Well are you coming in? I've prepared dinner already"

As they approached the farmhouse, it's size was apparent, it wasn't big like the big merchants or the clan castles, but it was bigger than Von's little house back at Golden lake valley, both beautiful yet both different. The house had a stone frame with a wooden rooftop which allowed for both summer and winter weathers, the porch had a small stairway that led to the entrance and the place had several windows allowing a lot of sunlight in.

They entered and were welcome by the warmth of the lit fireplace, which provided a warm light inside what seemed like the dining room, candles lit the table which had several wooden bowls with spoons and forks next to each of them, finally the floor was of the table was covered with a fur carpet of what seemed like sheep wool.

Jochen began to take of his leather boots which received a confused look from Von, Summer chuckled and began doing the same "We take off the boots so we don't bring all the dirt in" she explained, Von made an 'oh' expression and did the same, leaving the short sword he had taken from the thieves, he was now barefooted and walked towards the table.

Martha, who had gone to what Von assumed was the kitchen, came back with a big metal pot which she placed in the middle of the table. Von was seated next to Jochen, Martha and Summer in front and of course Eckart at the end of the table.

The smell suddenly hit him and pure pleasure and wonder overcame him as the fragrant and delicious scent of the food made him realize how hungry he was. Martha grabbed a big long spoon and began pouring the contents of the pot on each bowl, as Von was technically the only guest he was served first and he saw that it was a beef stew with potatoes, carrots, onions and what seemed to be some spices, he hadn't since this many ingredients before, Jochen's family were sure living nicely.

"Jochen I've never asked before but," Von began as he stopped eating for a second, "What's your last name?", everyone looked at Von curiously, like he had just asked something that was supposed to be obvious, Jochen started laughing "Damn you're right" he continued now chuckling "Hofmann, Jochen Hofmann"

"You didn't know?" Summer began laughing as well, her golden blonde hair adorning her shoulders, and eventually everyone laughed in unison.

"You Von? What's your last name?" Martha asked out of curiosity as he clasped her hands and placed them on her lips, leaning a tad bit closer to the table.

"Behertz," Von said simply as he shoved another filled up spoon in his mouth, as he grabbed a piece of bread, Eckart chuckled and looked at Von, but his eyes showed the exact opposite of laughter or fun "A lot like Richerz huh?", the mood changed in an instant, Summer's face changed and she looked down, Martha gasped lightly and looked at her husband.

Jochen looked straight at his father and his face changed from one of calmness and happiness to a sudden anger "What are you saying father?",

"Nothing, just saying, that surname reminds me of the Richerz" Eckart replied nonchalantly as he waved his hand around trying to dismiss the tension he just brought upon everyone

"It's fine Jochen" Von said as he raised his hand to calm his friend "They are similar afterall"

Jochen who had slightly stood up had now sat down once more, he looked towards Von and he bowed his head in apology "Mr. Hofmann, were you there? were you in the Fall?" Von asked out of curiosity

"I was" Eckart replied, his face now blank almost empty "The gods know I was, why?"

"Is it true?" Von phrased another question as he leaned closer

"Which part?" Eckart replied once more.