Home, Sweet Home

The trip to Tamaran takes all morning, but the time goes fast as you and Blackfire tell stories to the other girls about the majestic mountains, the wide open fields, and the purple trees with their red-violet leaves. Nuh jokes about how she could probably blend right in with those if she were naked, and you all share a good laugh.
Upon arriving at Tamaran, the ship lands in one of those open fields, a few miles from the cities you and Blackfire grew up in.

"Wow..." Onyx says in wonder. "You were right, the fields are really big!"

Onyx, Foxy, and Nuh all marvel at the purple mountains in the distance.

"Ok, ok, enough sight-seeing," you tell them. "We're going to go into town."

"Really?" Blackfire says. "I thought we were going to the cemetaries?"

"We are, but after I see how my family is doing."

You lead the way on foot, and the four girls follow after. It takes some time, but it is easier to not be noticed on foot than while flying carrying the girls.

You remember the old route back home. Turn left at the town square, go right at the end of the street, and it's the third house on the left.

You enter through the open doorway and find your father sitting at the table, waiting for food. He looks at you for a moment, then his green eyes open wide, and he practically jumps out of his seat.

"Saffire! My son! You have returned!" He grabs you in his arms before you could say anything, and gives you a powerful hug. "It has been so long since we saw you! My my, you have grown! You are almost as tall as I am!"

Your father turns to see Blackfire and the girls standing in the doorway. They were apparently too shy to come in.

"And you have brought friends! Female friends!" He counts them. "FOUR female friends?! Well, son, it seems you have been blessed by X'Hal after all!" He laughs and pats you on the back. He then notices the aach-cha on your upper arm. "Where did you get that?"

"I gave it to him," Blackfire speaks up. "A few days ago."

"Wait," your father says. "Aren't you Blackfire, the Exiled Princess?!" You father puts up his fists, and prepares to attack.

"Yes, father, she is!" you tell him, getting between them. "But she isn't here to start trouble. She came here, with me, because I wanted to see..." You pause, because the tears have already started forming somewhere in your eyes. "I came back to see Spitfire's grave."

Your father looks at you, and then at her. He relaxs, but only a little.

"She... gave you her aach-cha?"

"Yes, father, because we love each other, and that is what you do when you love someone that much, isn't it? Or have your forgotten that exiled or not, we are still Tamaranian, just like you?"
Your father stares into your eyes for a moment. Then he sits down in his chair again, and smiles.

"X'Hal truly has blessed you," he says. "He gave you the charm to make friends with four beautiful girls, and the ability to find good in the heart of a bad person."

Blackfire's face reddens, but you pat her shoulder, and smile.

"Well, perhaps you would like to join us?" your father exclaims. "We were about to have a meal!"

You nod your head, and the four girls join you and your father at the table. With a pot of steaming stew, your mother exits the kitchen.

"Oh, my son!" she loudly exclaims. "You have returned!" She puts the pot down on the table, and hugs you where you sit. "Forestfire," she scolds your father, "why didn't you call me out sooner?"

"I didn't want you to leave the pot boiling past its limit!" you father defended. "Besides, Bonfire," he says, "you get to see him now, don't you?"

Your mother sits down at the table. Your father calmly explains who Blackfire is, and again says how blessed you are, then you all eat your fill of the bubbling Tamaranian stew. Onyx, Nuh, and Foxy have far less than you or Blackfire do.