M: "Maybe," Rowen shrugged as he took the cup, "normally it would take at least five cups to get me going, but considering I haven't had coffee in over three years, maybe it numbed out my tolerance."

Rowen blew on the hot beverage and took a sip, smiling in satisfaction at the bitter aftertaste in his throat, "Oh where have you been, my love, I have missed you so much."

"Really Rowen," Mandoria said through the door, "you're calling the coffee your love, who am I to you then?"

"You'll always be number one in my heart Mandoria," Rowen chuckled at his husband's joke, "but coffee is a close second."

Mandoria just rolled his eyes and went back to cuddle Edel, so Rowen asked, "Wolfgang, did you happen to see your friend while you two were coming here?"

N: "Erna lives in a different part of the village," Wolfgang answered, "and we wouldn't take the same route here. Plus -," he eyes his father, "someone here wanted to come early."

"Oh, the Weismanns are coming too," Alaric sighed, and he faced his son, "you know, Wolfe, I never approved of you being with that woman."

"That woman is my girlfriend," the knight growled, "and I never asked for your approval." Not wanting to stay beside his father, the Prussian stood up and left, checking up on Johann.

When he was about to speak to Johann, he turned around when he heard the incoming galloping, and his face brightened up to see Erna, followed by her parents both on horseback. "Mama, Papa, head inside and wait for me," and the adults nodded, dismounted, and headed inside. They were initially shocked by the sight of Edel and Mandoria but ignored it for the time being.

When they were gone, Erna started to walk towards Johann, a mischievous look on her face as she began to unwrap the object in her arm."

"Kress, I think you should meet a friend," she smirked, and dramatically revealed a chicken, "Mr. Hähnchen."

Johann yelped and ran away from the knight, who in turn chased after him, running around in circles while carrying the chicken in her hand.

"Come on, Kress," she laughed, "he only wants to make a friend." The chicken clucked in approval, and he jumped out of her hands and ran after Johann.

"Get that damn chicken AWAY FROM ME." the Mandorian shrieked, running for his life. Wolfgang only laughed, amused by the sight of Johann chased by a chicken chased by Erna.

M: Mandoria was also laughing at the sight of Johann being chased by a chicken, the laughter drew Rowen outside and he too started laughing. The country decided to save his son and knelt down and started calling to the chicken, like a chicken.

The chicken stopped running and turned to Mandoria, cocking his head in confusion, so Mandoria kept "speaking" to it. The two went back and forth for a bit until the bird approached him and let him pick it up and pet it.

"Mandoria, you remembered how to talk to birds," Rowen said excitedly.

"I did," Mandoria asked, seeming to not have realized what he did. When Rowen nodded the country smiled at his achievement, "I guess I did, thank you Mr. Hähnchen."

The chicken clucked "You're welcome" and snuggled further into Mandoria's arms.

N: "And that chicken," Johann growled, pointing at the bird, "stays right where he is."

"Come on, Kress," Wolfgang laughed, "you're being such a chicken for being scared of a chicken." He chuckled even more before narrowly dodging a punch from the Mandorian.

"Don't you call me a chicken," he snapped, "I had enough of this," and he marched indoors, colliding with Mrs. Weismann.

"Johann," she gasped, placing her hands on his shoulders, "look at you, you've grown so much." Her smile slowly faded when she remembered, "I know it's late, but I'm sorry for your loss."

Johann only nodded, shrugging her hands off before entering the room and he saw a smirking Mr. Weismann, "so I'm assuming the shrieking outside was from you."

Heinrich only rolled his eyes and called everyone inside the house, handing Erna back her necklace. Once settled, he announced to everyone, "I'm sure you are wondering why we are called together, but we are planning ... to leave the Kingdom of Prussia ... for good."

"Prussia is going to have our heads," Wolfgang mumbled.

M: "It's true," Rowen said when he and Mandoria came inside, Mandoria still holding the chicken, "we've heard about everything you've all been through from Heinrich, and after being Prussia's prisoners for over three years and enduring his wrath first hand, we can't in good consciousness leave you here knowing that you all could be killed. Right now Saxon and his troops are taking us to the British Isles and we want you all to join us, there you will be protected from Prussia and start a new life without fear or pain."

"And since we are so close to the British family, our good words could get you homes and lives better than currently," Mandoria added, "my kingdom of 700,000 people was destroyed by your king, so I want to at least help his oppressed people have a better fate than mine did."

N: Erna and Wolfgang's parents looked at each other with concern, "A couple of things," Mr. Weismann asked, "You were trapped with King Prussia? For three years?!"

"Second," Mrs. Weismann asked, "what exactly do you mean that we will be killed?"

"And finally," Alaric questioned, "why do we want to leave? We do not live in fear in Saxony, and we have been given back the property that was lost during the battle."

"Because, Mr. Schwartz," Heinrich frowned, "the only reason you're alive is because we three have obeyed King Prussia's every ... single ... order."

"And the reason why you will be," Erna further explained, "is because as long we obey King Prussia, you won't die. The moment he realizes that we are doing any of this, we're all dead. We don't want to live in fear anymore."

"And there go our heads," Wolfgang grumbled.

Johann glanced over to Erna's father, "And as for your question, yes that did happen, and it was hell." His eyes flickering between the adults in the room, he asked, "Do you want to go?"

The parents fell silent, and the hesitation was worrying to Johann and the knights, until finally Erna's parents nodded. "we will go, for our daughter."

"And I have already agreed," Maria smiled.

"I'm not sure," Alaric spoke, brushing off some imaginary dirt, "I have plenty of wealth here, and-oh Gott not again." Maria had brought back the tray and slammed it across his face.

"THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU, ALARIC," Maria yelled, "THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN YOU! THINK ABOUT WOLFE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!"

"Scheisse, ok," the man said, rubbing his head, "I'll go. Let's just go and start packing.

"And while you're at your place, Alaric," Wald smirked," can you generously bring your horse and carts too?"

M: "Well, it's better than what we were thinking, " Rowen whispered to Mandoria in response to Wald's request, causing the other to chuckle quietly.

"Saxon, is there a particular timeframe you want everyone to be ready to go in," Mandoria asked, "I know the sooner we leave the less likely we'll get caught but I don't know what you might have in mind."

N: "I'll give you the entire day to get ready," Saxon answered, but as soon as the moon is in its highest position, we have to go."

"It would be easier to travel by night and less suspicious," Wald added, "especially when seven more people are joining."

"And I don't want a repeat of what happened to me in Mandoria," the entity grumbled, "it felt as if I was in a cycle that I couldn't leave. No funny business and be efficient."

"But what about me," Alaric asked, "if I leave, it will definitely not go unnoticed, compared to the others who barely leave a mark," there was a low mumble when he spoke, "And surely someone will investigate."

"Do you know what you have to do, Vater," Wolfgang spoke, "give away your land." His father looked at his son angry for such a suggestion, but he shrugged, "It's alright, he'll get over it. If he doesn't hand over the land, then I will"

"With that settled then," Maria spoke up, "now it's time for you to pack. The first ones here will get a pumpkin pie to eat."

"Finally," Alaric grumbled, standing up and making his way out of the house, followed by his son who weakly smiled. Once they were gone, the Weismanns also got up and bid them a temporary farewell.

"We haven't properly introduced," Mr. Weismann spoke to Rowen and Mandoria, "I'm Leon and this is my wife, Eva," his wife waved, "and we thank you both for taking good care of Johann."

M: "It's nice to meet you both," Rowen greeted, shaking their hands, Mandoria simply nodded since he was still holding the chicken, "My name is Rowen, the former captain of the Mandorian army and current husband of Mandoria. We were honored to take Johann in, he's a good son, I just wish we could have spared him from enduring our fate in Prussia's clutches."

"There was nothing we could have done, Rowen," Mandoria sighed, "we weren't prepared for his arrival, nor my defeat." The country then handed the chicken back to Erna, "he's a sweet little bird, I must say that I haven't been able to talk to birds for a very long time so I'm glad he helped me out."

N: "Danke," Erna grinned, petting the chicken's feathers, "look at you, helping out others. You're such a good boy." The chicken cackled happily as he rubbed his head against the knight. The family waved and headed out, mounted their horses, and rode away.

"Thank Gott that chicken's gone," Johann sighed in relief, "if I see it again, I'm going to kill it."

"I think you will most likely do is run away," Heinrich chuckled, "screaming like a little girl like you usually do." The Mandorian punched the knight's arm to shut him up, but the Prussian only laughed even more.

"Since we have the whole day to ourselves," Maria said, "why don't Heinz and I go and start packing while you put on the saddle and reins on Edel?" She spun around on her heels and called, "Heinz dear, come and help your Mutter," before walking upstairs.

"Coming," the son called back, "the stuff is outside next to the flower beds, in the storage box, you won't miss it." With that, he ran upstairs after his mother.

M: "Ok, if you guys need help let us know, we'll be happy to," Rowen called back, then turned to the country humans, "I don't think Edel has been saddled before so this should be very interesting."

"I'm also interested in what Maria had made for the saddle and reins," Mandoria added, "it's not like normal horse ones would fit even if they were his size, he has wings after all, and a bridle would prevent him from opening his mouth."

"Only one way to find out, let's go get them," Rowen said.

N: Johann nodded and followed them out, and sure enough the storage box was there. The man opened it up and pulled out the saddle and bridle, "hopefully this works."

Walking over to Edel, he spoke, "Alright, buddy. We are going to get this on you so try not to move around too much." When he had reached him, and the dragon had laid down, he properly studied the saddle. His hand brushed over the crossing pattern of the leather strips on the top, finely stitched together to form the seat. Feeling the thickness of the cantle and fender, he hummed in approval of the quality of the leather. The skirt length of the saddle was long, able to reach from the base of Edel's neck to the start of his tail, and also narrow to allow free movement of the wings, which he smiled at.

Placing the saddle on the dragon's back, he asked Edel to stand so he can work on strapping it on with the billets, the front one looping around his front legs and the back one wrapped around the base of his tail. The two straps were then strapped together along his belly, securing the saddle in place.

Holding the bridle in his hands, he looked up at Edel and sighed, "The best way to guide a horse is with its head, and the bridle does just that, although that means we have to shut your mouth." Glancing between the bridle and the dragon, he flashed back to when Edel had the muzzle, so he shook his head, "We will find a way to make one specifically for you, ok?"

M: Edel seemed to share Johann's train of thought because after sniffing it a bit he growled and backed up a step, not very inclined to wear it.

"It's ok buddy," Mandoria reassured him, patting his shoulder, "you don't have to wear it, but how about we test out the saddle, and make sure it's not uncomfortable for either of us."

Edel rumbled in agreement and lay down so Mandoria could get on, and once he was the dragon stood and started walking around to get a feel of his new attire.

"It's not bad." Mandoria said to the others, "Not as soft as Edel's fur but still comfortable, and since the saddle is so long any other passengers can comfortably ride as well. How about you Edel, is it comfortable?"

Edel purred as his answer, trotting around a little looking like he was having a good time.

N: "Looks like you guys are having fun," Saxon smiled, and he looked back at Wald, "Since we will be traveling for quite some time, why don't you get along with Edel."

The insurgent took a couple of steps back, "I'm fine where I am. After the whole tent incident, I'm not very inclined to form a friendly bond." He eyes the dragon but stumbled forward when the entity pushed him.

"He's friendly, overly friendly if you ask me, so you two will be fine," the entity spoke as he patted him on the shoulder, "plus I need to get an update on the perimeter." He waved to everyone before walking away, and he shouted back to Wald, "Have fun."

The insurgent grumbled, looking up at the dragon as he took a step back.

M: Mandoria smiled in amusement at Wald's nervousness around Edel, he decided to help him out with that, he patted Edel to let him down and walked over to Wald.

"It's ok Wald, he's nothing but a giant puppy and the worst thing that will happen to you is a bath." Mandoria reassured him, "Here, let me show you how to approach him."

Mandoria took a step towards Edel and bowed his head, when Edel bowed back he slowly walked forward with his hand outstretched. He turned his head away and Edel gently pushed his nose into his hand, purring at the contact.

"Now it's your turn," Mandoria said as he walked back to Wald and gently pushed him forward, "all you have to do is do what I did."

N: Wald slowly nodded and took a step forward. He found it slightly awkward to bow, but when he did he was surprised that Edel bowed too. Standing up straight, he gulped as he walked towards him, copying Mandoria's stance and holding out his hand.

When he was close enough, he turned away his head, "Don't, I don't know, gnaw at my hand ... b-bitte?" the insurgent whispered.

M: Edel tilted his head at the statement, slightly confused at the nervousness in his voice, he thought that the insurgent was just playing around the whole time and seemed upset that himself for misinterpreting his fear.

Edel gently pressed his nose into Wald's palm, closing his eyes and purring softly to show Wald there is nothing to be afraid of.

N: Wald initially stiffened when he felt Edel on his palm, about to pull away but when he heard the purring he paused. He turned to face Edel, seeing the dragon's eyes closed, and he relaxed a bit. Moving his hand to his fur, he stroked and petted him, amazed by its softness.

"Wow," he said quietly, continuing to pet him, "you're pretty cool, huh?"

M: Edel rumbled softly in his throat in thanks, Mandoria and Rowen smiling proudly that Edel was being so gentle. After a few minutes of letting Wald get used to him, the dragon eventually lay down and rolled over for a belly rub.

"He likes you," Rowen said, patting Edel, "with any animal it is a sign of trust when they expose their belly to you, because that's where they're most vulnerable."

N: Wald grinned and began to give Edel belly rubs, "Hah, you like that don't you?" He had to be careful of the dragon's tail from accidentally knocking him down, but otherwise, the insurgent was having fun.

"What's all this noise out here," Heinrich asked, carrying a bag on his back, and he smiled when he saw Wald and Edel, "so it seems that the two have gotten along."

"Wald was afraid but I think he has gotten over that now," Johann answered, and he tilted his head in confusion, "you're already done."

"Ja. I don't actually stay here but visit Saxony, most of my stuff is actually in the stronghold but it's alright," he placed his bag on the ground and continued, "I usually keep valuables here, stuff I don't want the other knights or King Prussia from finding."

"So why are you not helping your Mutter?"

The knight smiled, "she is reminiscing over the old stuff she is finding, constantly asking if I remember that one random leaf I brought into the house or something, and the process of packing is taking forever, so I left for her good."

M: "I can relate," Mandoria said with a smile, "every once in a while back home I would rearrange my office or bedroom and find things that remind me of good times, pictures my sons drew when they were children or toys that my wife gave little Derogan when you're a parent it's always the little things that bring the best memories."

Rowen sighed as he realized where Mandoria was going with this, he took his hand and gently squeezed it, "We'll find them, have faith," he then said to Johann, "That reminds me, don't forget to grab your Hunderl, wouldn't want him being left behind."

N: "Oh yeah," Johann said, and was about to rush in when Heinrich stopped him, in his hand the figurine.

"Now this is the second time that I've found Hunderl," the knight smirked, handing the dog over to the Mandorian, "you owe me."

"But-," Johann spoke, looking down at his figurine and deciding to not talk back, hugging Hunderl, "danke."

The Prussian nodded and walked over to Wald and Edel, "seems like you two are having fun?"

M: Edel shook his head in agreement, his hind leg kicking as he was getting scratches and just looking like he was in pure bliss.

"You should be careful all the same," Mandoria warned in good nature, "he will sit on people when he likes them, we call it his mother roosting, luckily, the only one he's ever actually adopted was England so you don't have to worry about being given baths or being fed."

When being fed was mentioned a low rumble could be heard coming from Edel's stomach, causing him to stand up again and look between Mandoria and the woodline, silently asking for permission to go hunting.

"You can go, buddy," the country said, "just make sure you stay hidden if you see humans, and don't wander too far."

With permission given, Edel gave him a big lick on his face and headed into the woods to catch his meal.

N: "Edel is like a large puppy," Wald laughed.

"Edel IS a large puppy," Johann corrected, "sitting on people, licking people's faces, belly rubs, probably not the sitting that much but that is the definition of a puppy."

"If he's going to get food," the insurgent said, "then I should probably alert Saxon and the soldiers that they might spot Edel running around." With that, he ran off to the camp.

Watching him move further away, Heinrich asked, "So, what are we going to do for the entire day?"

M: "Get more coffee," Rowen muttered, turning his mug upside down to show it was empty.

Mandoria chuckled at that and shook his head in amusement, he then spotted a hill nearby and said, "You know, I think I'm just going to sit outside and enjoy the sun, if you guys need me I'll be over on that hill over there."

"I guess it's just going to be a relaxing day then," Rowen stated as he watched Mandoria walk off, "I'm going to go see if Maria wants any help, you two can do whatever just don't wander out of the perimeter, and Johann, no pranks, you and your troublemaking will have to wait till we get to Britain."

With that, Rowen playfully ruffled Johann's hair and went back inside to get more coffee.

N: "Aww," Johann said playfully as he chuckled from the head rub, and when his fathers left he turned to Heinrich, "Come on, let's cause trouble."

"But I thought that Rowen said - hey what are you doing?" Heinrich spoke, looking with confusion at Johann as he watched the Mandorian run around the house. Chasing after him, he saw the man grinning at the trap door behind the house and he shook his head, "No Jo, don't think about it."

"Already did," he chuckled mischievously, opening up the trap door and descending the stairs into the basement. The knight sighed and followed him in, warning the other to not touch anything.

"I'm just going to my favorite spot," the Mandorian spoke, approaching a broken pipe, "you would think after all these years you would fix this."

Knocking on the pipe, it resonates through the system, the sound heard throughout the house. "Perfect," he whispered, and he brought his mouth to the pipe, and he put on a ghost-like voice.

"OoooOoooOoo~ beware of the phantom of Haas. BEWARE OF THE PHANTOM OF THE HAAS. We will ggget you, and everyone in this land. Oooooooo."

Heinrich had to hold in a laugh as Johann added, "and the ccoooofffffeeeeeeeee addictttttt, beware! Thy supplies will soon run outtt and thou will be left with noooooo enerrrgyyyyyyyy. OOOOOOOOOOOOooOoOooo."

M: Rowen was startled at first, but despite the distortion from the echoing, he could still recognize Johann's voice mixed in there and just shook his head. He walked over to the sink where it was the loudest and called into it, "Nice try boys, but considering I raised one of you since you were twelve, it's not that hard to recognize your voice, go do something else that doesn't involve breaking the plumbing."

N: Maria, although she too was startled, remembered that Johann used to do that, so she only chuckled when Rowen told them off.

"You're so damn loud, Hezyka," Johann shouted back through the pipes, making the woman laugh, "do you want me to go deaf or something?" In the background, they could hear Heinrich laughing and a small 'ja', so what followed was the sound of objects falling. Maria came over to the sink and yelled in, "Now the both of you better get out of the basement this instant, and while you're at it, Heinz, bring the crate with your Vater's stuff." There was a long pause before her son said that he will.

With that dealt with, she went back to work, thinking over what to pack. "It's not every day that you pack up and leave your homeland," she muttered to no one in particular, then he turned to Rowen, "I don't know if I should prioritize our valuables over the rest." She picked up a shirt, definitely too small for Heinrich, but she smiled softly at the deer embroidered over the left chest, "my husband stitched in the deer for Heinz after he made friends with a deer. There is no longer a use for it, but we still kept it anyway."

M: "That's a good idea," Rowen said, taking a few of the paintings on the walls down and putting them into a basket, "I'd say that in this particular case, it's best to pack the memories rather than the necessities because with our help you guys will be getting a home that already has those, or if BE is generous enough he may even let you and the others stay in his palace until you can get settled and find your own place. Either way, it's important to bring the things you hold dearest, for one, whatever you leave behind you can't come back to get lest you risk death, and two, no place is home without the things you have that make it a home."

Rowen took down the last picture but stopped to look at it, it was a crudely drawn picture of three people holding hands, they were each labeled "Me", "Mutter", and "Vater" in crayon. It made Rowen smile ruefully as he looked at it.

"You know, before I married Mandoria his sons used to draw things like this," he said to Maria, "Mandara would draw him, his brother, his father, and even me, which was always very sweet. Derogan would draw the same but instead of me, he would draw his mother, Zalia. Zalia passed during the birth of Mandara and the poor kid never really got over it, he was five, after all, it was just hard for him to grasp that she was gone."

N: "Those too sounded like sweet boys," Maria spoke as she walked up to Rowen and sighed, "Heinz used to draw us after my husband passed away. We don't know what exactly happened but we knew that he died while he was out hunting. Before his death, my boy used to be the most carefree child in the world, but after you can see that he wants to take on the role of his Vater, bearing the responsibilities on his shoulder that he was much too young for."

She took the painting, and observed it for a while before placing it into the basket, "he was around ten years old when Mr. Haas died, and the moment he was allowed to get his hands on a musket, he trained to shoot and hunt while I wasn't paying attention, and when I caught him, his reason was that he didn't want anything to happen to me after the death of his Vater ... and he was only thirteen when Prussia came.

Just as she finished, Heinrich came in with the crate, but close behind him was Johann carrying another crate much emptier than the Prussians. When Heinz handed over the crate to his mother, the Mandorian sat further away, digging into his crate, and pulling out a half-broken shepherd's staff.

"He found his stuff," the knight quietly explained, "the things I was able to salvage from his home."

M: Rowen's smile faded when Heinrich explained, a somber feeling hanging in the atmosphere, he went over to sit next to Johann as he was digging through the crate. There wasn't much, a few trinkets and nicknacks, a ripped dog collar, a singed wool scarf, and the staff.

"I guess not much survived the fire," Rowen said quietly, putting a reassuring arm around his son's shoulders, "but at least now you have a few things to help remember your home."

He glanced at the staff, how it was broken in half and partly charred, an idea popped into his head and he disappeared out the door, coming back with the bridle.

"Might as well put this thing to use, can I see the staff, please," he asked, when Johann handed him the staff he sat down and got to work taking apart the bridal so he could use the leather. "This is how we would fix spears or Tamordos when they were broken," he said.

After a few minutes, Rowen had finished wrapping the leather around the broken area of the staff and secured it with braided string and a ribbon tied into a bow.

"There, good as new," he said as he handed it back to Johann, secretly hoping that he liked it.

N: Johann looked down at the staff in his hands, not sure what to say as he ran a finger up to the hook, where he noticed a small bump. Turning it around, he softly smiled at the small flower engraved in the crook of the hook, "Hallo Mutter," he whispered to himself.

The Mandorian stood up with the staff in hand, smiling at the familiarity and how his mother used to hold it, and he came up to Rowen and hugged him, "Danke, Hezyka."

M: "You're welcome Finzenda," Rowen said as he hugged back, "I know I could never replace your parents, but I will do all I can to help you preserve their memory."

After a moment to embrace each other, Rowen let go and stood back up to keep helping to pack while the boys wandered around and entertained themselves.  Soon it became mid-afternoon, the house was packed up and Rowen was moving the last box outside to wait for the cart.

"Alright, that's the last one," he said as he set it down, he stretched out his back then turned to Maria, "Anything else you need help with?"

N: "I think that's all of it," Maria replied, checking the boxes to see if they have everything, "now the only thing left is the pumpkin pie. If you can cook, then you can help me out." She walked back in and headed to the kitchen, opened up one of the cupboards, and inside sat a very large pumpkin, and she smiled, "Perfect."

She taught the Mandorian the recipe, carving out the pumpkin, and putting it in a wood-burning stove so the inside would soften. While they were waiting, the woman asked, "Where's Edel and Mandoria? They have been away for quite a while."

M: "The last I saw them Mandoria was out enjoying the sun on the nearby hill and Edel was hunting, I think they're just hanging around, I'm not too worried," Rowen said, sipping his third coffee, "Edel's a big creature so when he's hunting it can take a little over half a day for him to get enough food."

After a moment Rowen frowned at how quiet it was and said, "What I am worried about is what the two troublemakers have gotten up to, it's way too quiet in here."