He couldn’t remember when the last time he woke up to the warm rays of sunlight was – instead of the sounds of battle or the smell of smoke.

His eyelids stirred open, and he stretched on the soft bed, arching his back slightly before slowly sitting up. Bright blue light of the barrier filtered through the window, casting a gentle, yet mystical glow in the room. It was much brighter than it was last night, as it allowed sunlight to pass through, albeit dyed in blue.

Crawling out of bed was painful to say the least. Every muscle in his body ached as he dragged himself into the bath.

He savoured the warm water washing away the dirt and blood off of him. His muscles relaxed somewhat, doing away with the pain. He lingered there, allowing the sound of flowing water to dull his racing thoughts, and drown his worries, even if only temporarily.

After spending a little too much time under warm water, he finally stepped out of the bath, dried himself, and went out into his room to find a set of clean clothing.

After some rummaging through the clothes Aodan had placed into the cabinet, he decided on black trousers, and a white shirt with minimal lace around its sleeves. He fastened his belt, attaching the unused sword Aodan had given him, and threw a cloak over his shoulders. He was putting on his leather boots when a knock on his door sounded, startling him from his thoughts.

“Come in,” he said with a slightly elevated voice, and stood up as the door opened.

“Good to see you awake, sir,” Aodan bowed. “Lord Alistair asked you to join him for breakfast.”

Midhir nodded. “I’ll be right there.” He quickly tied his hair back with a black ribbon and stepped out after Aodan.

“I should thank you.” Alistair bowed deeply – too deeply for someone of his status.

“Please don’t do that,” Midhir barely kept himself from sighing. He wasn’t sure of how much Alistair knew. He didn’t want him to know – despite everything, he wanted to keep the life he had at Solus. It was selfish, he knew that, but just this once, for just a little while longer, he wanted to be selfish.

“You took on a great risk,” Alistair gestured toward him as he straightened his back. “And perhaps even paid a great price to keep Bareon safe. We are in your debt.”

No, they weren’t. “I did my task, as ordered by your father.” And by his mother. “I paid no price – at least none that Lonan thinks I have. Is that what worries you? Do you think he’s right?”

Alistair scowled. “I don’t know who to believe. Arwen is… acting oddly. Where is the timid and shy girl we met at Solus? Who is this person that claims to know everything about the Old Faith better than a historian who dedicated his life to uncovering Eldoria’s past?” He folded his arms, pacing his room. “On the other hand, Lonan.” He stated. “He isn’t as simple as he seems, is he?”

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Midhir shook his head. “He faced that serpent and survived its attack. He’s powerful, perhaps more so than any of us.” The man hadn’t even moved a single muscle to activate a resonance, yet something had protected him. “Perhaps even more powerful than Instructor Soraya.”

Alistair shrugged. “That’s what I’m talking about. I don’t know who to believe. Words are… difficult to believe when we’re facing threats from millennia past.” He raised his jaw. “Actions speak louder than words, Midhir. So… despite how odd and unbelievable all this is, I know I can trust you.”

A faint smile flashed across his lips. “Thanks, I suppose.” He pressed his lips together, but before he could speak, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Alistair said. The door opened immediately, and Aodan stepped inside, pushing a small food cart. “Please have a seat, my Lord, Sir Midhir,” he was quick to set the table and serve them before leaving just as fast.

They ate their breakfast in silence, watching the blue barrier over the city. Once their meal was finished, Aodan came in collected the plates and left.

“I don’t quite understand how he knows when he’s needed,” Alistair chuckled. “He’s always been like this, even with dad. He just appears out of nowhere exactly when he is needed, has exactly the items or information we need, and leaves as soon as his work is done.”

Midhir couldn’t help but laugh. “I heard that’s what the best butlers and servants do.” It was the same with his sister’s helper – that woman was scary accurate, and her intuition was almost otherworldly.

“Indeed.” Alistair’s smile slowly faded. His gaze met Midhir’s as his expression turned darker. “I trust you,” he repeated, “Both as a friend, and as a fellow warrior.” He paused for a moment. “But,” he took a deep breath before continuing. “I saw what you used to protect us.”

Midhir’s fists clenched under the table. His lips formed a thin line as his brows furrowed.

“That stake – I’ve seen it once before.” Alistair’s intense gaze was searching for answers. “I saw an enforcer use it before.” His hand resting on the table clenched into a fist. “You’re not an enforcer. So… I can’t help but wonder why you possess such a powerful and rare item.”

A moment of fragile silence covered the room.

“Does that break your trust?” Midhir finally asked. His wish wasn’t going to be possible, after all. It was just like his sister predicted.

“No.” Alistair shook his head. “But I’m curious. I asked Captain Rianne about the Induen House, and her response was… unpleasant.”

He wasn’t surprised at all. “The Induen House fell during the An’Larion disaster ten years ago.” He stood up, walked to the window and stood in front of it. “I don’t remember it much, to be honest. I was a small child, and very, very sick. I was the only one who survived the collapsing buildings, and the only one who was pulled out of those ruins before the mist covered the thirteenth district.” His hand reached for his earring, and the stake appeared between his fingers. He turned to face Alistair, who had also stood up.

“I remember enforcers,” He said with a grim smile. “I remember a woman, she pulled me out of there, took me back to the surface. Then I was sick for a very long time. Years. They gave me three of these.”

Alistair’s eyes opened wide. “Three?!” He exclaimed.

“Three,” he repeated. “ And-“

An urgent knock on the door startled them both. The door swung open almost immediately, and Aodan stepped inside. “Apologies, my Lord, but Lord Orlein isn’t available at the moment, and there are issues at the city gates. Your presence is needed – urgently.”