James pauses upon reaching him and asks, “What was that for?”

“They wanted to know when you showed up,” he replies with a smile.

When he glances to Dave, James says, “This is my friend Dave. He doesn’t speak the language yet.”

Devin gives Dave a nod who nods in return.

Getting the horses moving again, they make their way down the lane to the house. Indicating the construction going on, James says, “I’m having a new house built as well as a few other buildings.”

“Doing well then?” Dave asks.

Sighing, James replies, “Yes, actually.” Almost everyone has come out to see what’s going on, they’re all anxious to find out what went on over at Ceryn’s.

A quiet muttering can be heard as they approach, many casting glances to Dave riding beside him. As he comes close, James says, “This is Dave, a friend from where I come from.” At that, he can see several of them react in surprise, the ones who know the full tale of his past. “He doesn’t speak the language yet, but I want each of you to treat him well.”

To Caleb, Illan says, “Take their horses.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies and steps up to take their reins as they dismount.

“Ezra has dinner ready for you,” Roland tells him. “When you have a minute, we need to go over a few things.” As James gives him a questioning look, he adds, “Nothing pressing.”

“Okay,” he says and then to Dave he asks, “Hungry?”

“You bet,” he replies.

Leading him through the front door, James takes him through to the kitchen where Ezra has two plates set out, each overflowing with food. Someone must’ve forewarned her about Dave, maybe saw them coming down the lane from the road.

As he sits down to eat, he can hear Illan from the other room telling everyone to go about their business and to leave him alone with his friend. Miko, Jiron and Roland join him at the table. After a brief round of introductions, he gives them a brief rundown of what Dave told him.