Chapter 189 - Farewell

The festive energy of the new year had faded from the mine and its people, replaced by the usual hum of everyday life.

The citizens, especially the dwarves, had returned to their forges and the markets, moving forward with their lives as they always did.

Sonder stood by the enormous, heavy gates at the mine's entrance.

Her gaze lingered on the towering statues flanking the entrance, the same ones she had marveled at when she first arrived. The details of their carvings captured her imagination again, and she couldn't help but wonder how long it must have taken the dwarves to craft such monumental works of art.

"Ready?" Vell's voice broke through her thoughts.

She turned to look at him. His dark robe shifted slightly in the cold breeze, and his sharp red eyes carried their usual intensity yet a softness.

"Almost," she replied, glancing back into the mine and its tunnels one last time.

Lunt Senior and Junior stood nearby. The older dwarf's face bore his usual stoic expression, but there was a glimmer of sadness in his eyes that he couldn't quite hide.

"I suppose this is goodbye," Lunt Senior said gruffly, though his tone held warmth. He extended a calloused hand toward Vell.

"For now," Vell replied, gripping the dwarf's hand firmly. "The world has a way of surprising us. Who knows? We might find ourselves back here sooner than we think."

Lunt Senior nodded, his grip steady. "You're always welcome in my home. Both of you." He turned his gaze to Sonder, his expression softening. "And you, lass. Stay out of trouble, will you? And try to keep him," he added, nodding toward Vell, "from causing any, too."

"I'll try," Sonder said, smiling faintly.

Behind his grandfather, Lunt Junior shifted awkwardly, his hands fidgeting at his sides. "You're really leaving, huh?"

"We are," Vell said simply.

"Don't mind him," Lunt Senior said with a chuckle, clapping the boy on the back. "He's sulking because he didn't see a grand wizard perform some flashy magic tricks."

Lunt Junior flushed but stepped forward, holding out a small bundle wrapped in cloth.

"Here," he said, offering it to Sonder. "It's nothing fancy, but..."

Curious, Sonder unwrapped the bundle to reveal two fine gold rings, their surfaces gleaming in the morning sunlight. They complemented the gold bands she had received from Lady Limerence perfectly.

"They're beautiful," she said softly, genuinely touched. "Thank you, Lunt."

He scratched the back of his neck, his face reddening. "Just... I thought I'd try my hand at jewel-crafting. There was a bit of luxorite left over, so I figured..."

The group stood in silence for a moment, the weight of parting settling over them.

"Well," Lunt Senior said finally, his voice firm. "You've got a journey ahead of you. Best not to linger."

Sonder nodded and stepped forward to embrace the older dwarf briefly. "Goodbye. Take care of yourself."

"You too, lass," he said, his gruff voice softening with an edge of embarrassment.

She turned to Lunt Junior and gave him a warm hug as well.

"Take care," she said.

"You too," he replied, his voice quieter than usual.

With that, Vell and Sonder turned toward the gates, their footsteps echoing on the stones as they walked away from the place that had been their home, however briefly.