Dungeon of Niflheim

“Do you need a hand?” Frost offered his hand towards Douglas; the man wasn’t fully recovered yet. Sitting up in his bed and chatting for the past few hours must have taken a lot of stamina.

“That would help thanks.” Douglas didn’t feel ashamed in the slightest, not willing to risk his health anymore, he grabbed Frost’s extended hand and was pulled up and out of bed, straight to his feet.

“Huuuuuu” Douglas released a deep breath as his balance was a bit shaky. Frost quickly moved in and supported him with his shoulder.

Finding a comfortable position, Frost helped to support Douglas’s weight as they walked towards the dining room. As they passed many of the guards offered to assist Douglas but were waved off by Douglas saying that Frost was doing fine.

When the two men finally arrived in the dining room everyone else was already there and waiting.

“Master” Nanna and Loki both shouted and ran over when they caught sight of Frost whereas Cassandra and Maya just smiled and waved. Luna had returned to the manor at some point and was sitting next to Cassandra so the only one missing was Leo, but it wasn’t likely that he’d make in time for dinner.

Cassandra stood up and walked over, she placed a hand on Frost’s shoulder before speaking.

“Thank you Frost, I’ll take him from here.” Assisting Douglas was her obligation and pride, in sickness and in health as they say. Frost acquiesced to her request, slowly removing himself from Douglas and allowing Cassandra to take his place. She only had to walk towards Douglas’s chair, not much difficulty in that, but it’s the thought that counts. Douglas wasn’t one to argue, he’d grown quite attached to being assisted by his wife in such situations, it also had a few unique benefits. His wife always smelled like fresh flowers and feeling her body against his own always filled his heart with warmth.

.....

Frost now no longer holding up Douglas was free to attend to Nanna and Loki, which he was more than happy to do. Whether it was due to the magic connection they shared thanks to the slave tattoo or something else, he felt quite taken with them. Treating them as though they were family, he cared greatly about their well being and when they smiled, he felt happy. It was a strange feeling given that they’d only known each other for a few days but he didn’t feel it was awkward or imposing. It reminded him of his bonds with his summoned monsters back in the dungeon albeit much stronger.

He stroked their heads before grasping their hands and walking over to their assigned seats, he’d keep them entertained until the food arrived. Frost simply asked about how their time with Cassandra went and the two of them couldn’t stop talking, full of praises and wonder. Their actions caused Cassandra’s heart to throb, she leaned in closer to her now healthier husband, resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes turning slightly moist. She wasn’t exactly a young woman anymore, but she was determined, hopefully Douglas would agree and now that Leo would be taking over their duties, they’d have much more time to spend with a young child if need be.

Douglas was clueless about his wife’s aspirations, for the moment he simply enjoyed her being close. Nanna and Loki did elicit happy feelings within him as well, but it mainly brought up memories of Leo and Luna when they were young as well as Jaina, Bastion’s little girl also......

Douglas frowned and felt a pang in his heart, he remembered his younger brother Adam, the young boy who looked up to him with worship, innocent and kind. There was a fairly large age gap between Adam and Douglas perhaps that was how it started; ‘did I perhaps not make enough time for him? Or did I neglect my duty in raising him after our parents passed?’ These thoughts filled Douglas’s mind before they were quickly erased.

‘No, I did not make him into what he was.’ Adam’s actions regardless of whether or not he didn’t pay enough attention to him when they were younger would not condone such transgressions.

Douglas’s frown deepened before he eventually relaxed.

‘He’s dead, so that’s the end.’ He chose to forget, his brother would be a faded memory, nothing more. He’d leave Leo to clean up his mess, Douglas didn’t have the emotional strength or currently the physical to do it himself. He grabbed his wife’s hand in his and gazed down at her with love before passionately kissing her, bringing a blush to Cassandra’s face.

A few servants entered the room shortly after. One of them walked over to Douglas’s ear and told him of the current situation in the kitchen, informing him of what they could provide for dinner.

In the past couple days Cassandra ordered for the staff to restock the kitchen supplies and anything else they required to bring the manor back to life. With her rainy day funds as well as some of the recovered money from Adam’s vault, the kitchen was completely stocked full, their reserves rivalling that of the Phoenix fledgling restaurant. With Douglas regaining his health and Leo preparing to take over the household they’d need to be entertaining far more guests than before.

The servant was asking Douglas on what to prepare when.

“Everything! Prepare a little of everything Mandar. Fish, meat, veg, rice, soup I want the whole shebang. We’ll be sending off our honoured guests tomorrow so make this a feast to remember!” Douglas announced with vigour, his voice was deep and noble. Mandar was shocked by his master’s outburst, one that he hadn’t heard in many years. He smiled before bowing.

“As you wish master.” He promptly made his exit along with the other servants, the kitchen was going to need extra hands to fulfil such an order.

Cassandra looked up at her husband lovingly, he was acting like his old self, it brought a gentle smile to her lips as well as making her feel famished, a feast sounded great. Nanna and Loki didn’t really understand what was going on but hearing the word feast caused their eyes to glisten and their mouths to start salivating. Although they were treated to a great many snacks and treats while Frost was talking with Douglas, their stomachs seemed bottomless as though they hadn’t eaten in weeks, which wasn’t exactly far off.

Douglas feeling strength in his body and a little of his former self turned towards one of his loyal guards.

“Damascus send word to my son, see if he can return for the feast oh also ask Ryuu, Bastion and Jaina if they’d like to join. We should spend this night with friends and family hahahaha!” Douglas gave his declaration; this was to be a celebration. He didn’t demand them to come even though he technically could given his title, just requested. He knew the amount of work to be done so he wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t attend.

“Yes master” Damascus smiled as he bowed before leaving with speed to relay his master’s orders. He’d been smiling a lot more since Frost and Leo returned from the operation. It’d be very hard to link the stoic and cold guard that was on duty several days ago with the man he was now. In fact, those who knew him for a while knew that this was his true personality, full of warmth. The blanket of depression that covered the Lord’s mansion was being removed one person at a time.

Frost and the rest waited in the dining room patiently, willing to wait for their friends at the expense of their rumbling bellies. Thankfully they heard some good news, Leo was already rushing back to join them for dinner. Ryuu would be unable to return but Bastion and Jaina were able. Although Frost and Maya didn’t exactly have a good opinion of Jaina they weren’t going to let that ruin the feast, the more the merrier.

“I’m back, father, mother, Frost-senpai.” Leo reported his arrival with a happy expression. The bags under his eyes and overall downcast look was now gone. Thanks to Frost’s suggestion, work was flowing much smoother, he even had time to relax and join his family in a feast. It was a shame that Ryuu couldn’t return with him but unfortunately there was no one to replace him skills wise, so he drew the short straw.

Douglas beckoned his son over and gave him a big hug, before allowing him to take his usual seat to his right. In a few months however it’d be Leo in the master seat with Luna on his left.

Bastion and his daughter Jaina arrived a few minutes later. Bastion was full of smiles and ran over to his long-time friend and swept him up in a bear hug, something he hadn’t been able to do in a long time.

“Hehehehe since this a celebration I brought a little something special.” Bastion removed an intricate bottle of alcohol from his spatial ring. This was a dwarven specialty wine, super strong and very rare, Bastion brewed this baby himself and usually he’d never be willing to share such a commodity but tonight was special. His actions caused a significant reaction in Maya, she sniffed the air with fervour, her eyes opened wide, and she slithered from her seat to Bastion’s side, her eyes glued to the bottle of alcohol.

“Woah!” Her slick movements spooked Bastion who attempted to jump back in reflex but was unable to move. Maya had her hands wrapped around the bottle anchoring him in place. Unless he let go, he wouldn’t be able to move. Frost merely sighed at the sight and shook his head wondering what he was going to do with such a woman.

Jaina unlike when Frost and Maya first encountered her was looking nervous and far less arrogant. She moved over to Frost with skittish steps before bowing deeply towards him.

“Please forgive me sir Frost for my actions the other day, I was wrong and should have never acted so unprofessional.” She spoke out while keeping her head down. A couple days ago her Father found out about her behaviour towards Frost and Maya as well as some other adventurers, he was in one word furious. She was summoned to his office wherein her gave her such a tongue lashing that she broke down into tears but at the same time she felt happy. Her father hadn’t admonished her since her mother passed. That night both father and daughter seemed to recover from their pain. Bastion no longer coddled his daughter and Jaina’s attitude took a 180 which brought joy to all the older adventurers who watched her grow up. Now however she needed to apologise to Frost and Maya in person. Not only were they both far stronger than her, Frost saved her cousins and fought alongside her father to bring down Baron Adam.

She was sincere with her apology and wouldn’t rise until Frost allowed her to. Frost’s eyes opened wide in surprise, not expecting such an action given the impression Jaina had made. He looked over to her father, this was clearly due to him. Maya too managed to wrench her gaze from the bottle of alcohol too look at the young bowing dwarf. To be honest both Frost and Maya had put the incident behind them and didn’t really require any form of apology but....

Bastion was looking at Frost in a way that made it hard for him to refuse.

“Haaaaaaa very well Jaina I forgive you, thank you for being so upfront, please, stand up.” Frost accepted her apology, forgiving her. He then moved to help her up, this situation was spoiling the festive mood. Jaina stood up with Frost’s help and thanked him for his kindness before moving towards Maya and repeating the exact same thing but with a more fearful attitude, she’d learned that Maya was likely even more powerful than her father, yet she provoked her, trying to taunt her into a fight. The very thought sent a cold shudder down her spine.

Maya also accepted her apology bringing a close to the dour atmosphere and once again bringing back the festivities. Bastion giving her the first glass of wine certainly helped tide things over.