"Are you sure you know where this village is? You've been there before?" Lucius asked curiously, his wary eyes scanning the surroundings.

Soren nodded his head eagerly; he was told by Caspian and Oak that they had taken the lost child back to its mother in this very village. The pair had spent the day playing with the other village children and helping out with chores before going back to the faeries, and the rest is history. Only Soren hoped this was the right decision he ever made.

"Do you think they'll accept magic there?' Lucius asked with a frown, his eyes distant. 'I've been away for so long, and magic... it's changed. It's not the same as it was when I left." He trailed off, rubbing his brow.

Soren is feeling a little worried about what Lucius just said. "I'm not sure, Lucius. I'm not from there, but I do know that some people in the village are open to magic and others are not. We'll have to see how it goes. Maybe we can find a way to help them understand that not all magic is bad and that some people, like you and me, can use it for good. And who knows, maybe they'll be able to help us find our place in the world too." and that there are different types of magic, just like there are different types of people. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, right?" He smiled reassuringly at his newfound friend.

"From what Caspian told me, they found the lost infant they were tasked to find by a tree near the village," Soren thought to himself. "I hope the village has changed since then and has become more accepting of magic and those who practice it." As they continued their journey, the forest began to thin, and the sounds of life beyond the trees grew louder. Soon, they spotted the first signs of civilization: a small wooden fence surrounding a field of crops.

"This could be it!" Soren exclaimed, pointing ahead to a small cluster of buildings nestled among the trees. "It must be the village." They quickened their pace, emerging from the forest and entering the village proper. The buildings were made of wood and thatched roofs, with smoke curling up from chimneys here and there. A dirt path wound its way through the center, lined with small shops and homes. Children played in the street, chasing one another and laughing.

"He told me he played with the village children before doing chores to help out; he spent the time with these people along with Oak," Soren thought to himself, remembering what Caspian had told him about the village. "I hope they remember him and his kindness."

Soren hoped to find the woman that Caspian had told him about and ask if she remembered Lucius. As they walked down the main street, Lucius seemed to become more and more nervous. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Soren asked him, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "If it's too much, we can always find another place to go."

Lucius shakes his head, taking a deep breath before he answers, "No, I want to do this. I want to face them, and if they don't accept me, then I'll find a place where I belong." His voice wavers slightly, but there's determination in it as well. They continue down the main street, passing by a bakery, a blacksmith, and a small general store. The sun begins to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the village.

"They have unknowingly encountered two wolf-shifters before; there's a chance they will accept you for being a magic user." Soren pointed it out, trying to cheer him up. "We'll find out soon enough; just stay close to me." They continued their way through the village, eventually reaching a small house with a well-tended garden in front of it. A stout woman with graying hair was busy hanging laundry on a clothesline.

"That must be her," Soren whispered, nudging Lucius toward the woman with the graying hair. "Go ahead; I'll be right here if you need me." Lucius nodded, taking a deep breath before approaching the woman. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said, trying to steady his voice. "My name is Lucius. I was wondering if you might remember me. I used to live here a long time ago." The woman's face lit up at the mention of his name, and she set down the clothespin she'd been holding.

"I had a husband named Lucius, but he disappeared a long time ago. You look just like him. What brings you back to our village?" The woman asked with a hopeful tone in her voice. Lucius hesitated for a moment, glancing at Soren before looking back at the woman. "I- I'm not sure if you remember me telling you this, ma'am, but I am different now. I have powers that I didn't have before. Magic powers. I've been on a journey to find my place in the world, and I hoped that maybe this is where I belonged," he explains nervously. He was beyond nervous.

The woman's face softened as she listened to his story, taking in the details of his journey. "Oh, Lucius," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I remember you talking about your powers. We were all so frightened of you back then. We didn't understand what you were going through." She paused for a moment, thinking back. "But you were always so kind to us, always helping out with chores and playing with the children. You never hurt anyone." She reached out and took his hand in hers. "We would love to have you back, Lucius. This has always been your home, and you are most welcome here," she cooed, her expression softening as she spoke.

She deeply missed Lucius more than she could ever imagine; she had never spent more time with him, and she thought that he would like to meet his son for the first time since he left the village. "I'd like to introduce you to someone; he's your son," she said, blushing lightly as she motioned for the boy to come forward. The boy, who looked just like his father, came forward a little hesitantly. "This is Soren; he's been traveling with me, and he's become like a brother to me." The woman spoke, her voice filled with pride.

"It's about time you made a friend! You always have been so aloof back then." The woman teased him playfully. "I'm glad you found each other." She smiled at them both before continuing. "Now then, I'm sure you both have stories to share. Why don't we go inside and get some tea? You can tell us all about your adventures!" she happily exclaims, a sunny smile on her face.

Lucius turned his head to see Soren standing there with the biggest smile he had ever seen. "Lucius, I'm so glad you found your way back to her. She really is a wonderful woman, and the village is lucky to have her. I'm honored to have been by your side on this journey." He said it, his voice filled with sincerity.

"She'll love you to join us for dinner tonight; then you should go back to be with your friends during their trials; they need you more than me now." Lucius said it with a smile. "I'm glad I found you too, Soren. You've been an amazing friend, and I'm grateful for everything you've done. I'll miss you, but I know you'll do great things." He hugged Soren tightly, feeling the warmth and familiarity of their bond.

"You are always welcome here anytime, and if you have the chance, can you tell the two strangers who brought my boy back to the village that I say thank you? It would mean a lot to me; my wife never caught their names." Lucius said, smiling at the woman as he handed her back the clothespin. The woman looked touched by his words and nodded, promising to do as he asked.

"I'll join you guys for a while, then I'll need to check on Caspian, Oak, and Aurora; they are going to do their trials with the spirits to prove their worth. I already have done my trial with you." Soren smiled at them both. "I'm sure they'll do just fine; they're strong and resilient, just like you." Lucius said, giving Soren a proud look. "I'm sure they will too." Soren nodded in agreement before turning his attention back to the woman.

"I'll join you guys for a bit before I have to leave again." Soren said, glancing at the village in the distance. "I hope everything works out for you here, Lucius. You deserve to find peace and happiness." The woman smiled warmly at them both, feeling a sense of hope and renewal in the air.