The Hall of Welcome receives Kynes and Bren beneath a pale afternoon sky. Its familiar wards stir softly around them, recognizing their return without demanding explanation.
Bren
Danna and Serik stayed in Daggerford with the evidence, love. The ledger-carrier has her chosen escorts, and Merrow has the judgment.
Inside, Rowan looks up from the common room table. Mara stands near the hearth, while Vetta and Nhal turn from a quiet conversation as the doors close behind Kynes and Bren.
Mara
You returned sooner than expected. That usually means either the danger ended cleanly or followed you home.
Bren
The first, for once. Ashhand is still at large, but her authority is void, her network exposed, and the witnesses remain free.
Rowan
Then sit down before anyone starts another report. The Hall has food, dry rooms, and no claimant waiting behind the next door.
The hearth crackles. Beyond the windows, Phandelver continues its ordinary evening, while the Hall settles around its returning family and leaves the next choice open.
“I sit with Bren beside the hearth, lean my head on bren's shoulder. " Slaan's not here, should I be worried?"”
Kynes sits beside Bren at the hearth and rests his head against her shoulder. Warmth gathers around them as the Hall’s wards hum softly in the walls.
Kynes
Slaan’s not here. Should I be worried?
Bren
No, love. Slaan chose to remain in the western rooms, helping Rowan sort the Hall’s stores and giving everyone space to welcome us home.
Bren shifts slightly so Kynes can settle more comfortably against her. Across the room, Mara’s quiet glance confirms that no alarm stirs through the Hall.
Bren
He is safe, and he knows where we are. If he needs us, he will come. If not, he is simply letting this evening be peaceful.
Mara
Slaan also left word that he would rather not interrupt the hearth unless summoned. A sensible decision, for once.
The familiar room settles into companionable quiet. Outside, Phandelver’s evening sounds drift beneath the wards, while the Hall holds its people without asking anything more of them.
The Hall of Welcome received them with lamplight, quiet voices, and the patient warmth of the hearth.
Bren
Ashhand is still somewhere beyond the roads. But her authority is broken, and the witnesses are free.
Rowan
Then eat. Rest. The Hall has room for both.
Kynes
And Slaan?
Mara
Safe in the western rooms, helping Rowan and giving us the privacy we earned.
Kynes settled beside Bren, letting the fire's warmth and her steady presence quiet what remained of the night.
The ruling stood, and the witnesses kept the boundaries they had chosen. Behind them, the broken Gray Glove matter could finally be left behind, though its emblem remained a possible road for another day. For now, Daggerford held its peace, and Kynes and Bren rested within it.