I watched as Tessa sprinted down the sun-drenched path, her joyful shout echoing through the quiet settlement.
The noise caught the attention of the locals immediately.
A group of young girls, clearly her childhood friends dropped their woven baskets near the well and practically tackled her into a massive, giggling group hug.
Older folks tending to their porches or hanging laundry looked up, their weathered faces breaking into warm, familiar smiles.
"Oh, Miss Tessa, you're back!"
Then, their eyes shifted past the girls and landed on me.
The casual, friendly atmosphere instantly shifted into one of deep, earnest respect.
It hadn't been that long since I first stumbled into Oakmere and helped them fend off that beast wave, but in a small border town, shedding blood to protect their homes earned you a permanent place in their ranks.
"Welcome back, young master," an elder nodded respectfully, tipping his straw hat as I approached.
