Joe fled the room after and breathed a sigh of relief when he made it out of the room. Garnedell looked at him when he came out, grinning, and Joe huffed back at him. The two looked at each other, Garnedell with some shock before the two began giggling in humor. Joe’s laughter ended quite quickly, but Garnedell chuckled the whole time until Joe made his way down the stairs.

He came down to find the common room still mostly empty and realized that Garnedell was likely to still need some time so he headed out to find Chunlan to apologize to him and hopefully be able to convince him to come back.

When he did find Chunlan, Chunlan proved professional but quite cool until Joe apologized for Zilnek’s actions then explained what his punishment would be. Chunlan actually chuckled at Joe’s plans and quickly nodded, willing to return regularly for healing. When Joe bid him farewell, Chunlan returned it with a happy smile and a restored relationship, which Joe felt was rather a lucky success for him. He whistled to himself the whole way home as he returned to the inn.

By the time Joe returned to the inn, he found all three sitting at the table and enjoying their meal. Garnedell seemed happy enough, chatting easily with Kilniara. Zilnek was a bit more silent, but seemed to be in a much better mood, the three offering a hello when Joe came back. The conversation did grow a bit awkward when they realized Joe had just returned from speaking with Chunlan but then returned to easy camaraderie, although Zilnek fell completely into silence after that. Joe grew concerned, but saw Zilnek seemed to be thinking deeply and even smiled softly when Joe looked at him. Joe grinned back, nodding.

The day turned much better after that and they found Gwenvair waiting for them at the dungeon entrance, appearing very excited to see them all. She joined them eagerly as all waited in line before disappearing once again into the first floor of the dungeon.

* * *

Telnia, First in line for Matriarch of Clan Grugtrim, muttered as she sat in her carriage heading to the city of Coushar. Coushar was certainly an amazing city compared to a humble town, but to be sent by her father to some no name cultivator no matter how strong was a disappointment for her. She had no desire to be any part of some old man’s apprentices, nothing more than commoners, if the rumors tales were correct. Her father, however, commanded, and she must obey. Thus was the power of the Patriarch.

The carriage tumbled over dirt, rocks and holes which left Telnia ever more upset as the day continued. It only grew worse when her carriage was stopped in the early afternoon.

“Why are we stopping, driver!” Telnia yelled, her pique evident.

The driver replied quickly, “We have news, First in Line for Matriarch.”

Telnia sighed, knowing the news would take some time and she settled back into her seat while she waited for the news. Soon, they were on their way again and Telnia maintained patience for a few moments before she could no longer hold on when the bumps came harder and faster.

“What is the news!”

The driver replied quickly, “The guard will inform you miss. Please give him a moment.”

Telnia didn’t want a moment, and replied quite bluntly, “I’ll know now.”

It was only a few moments later that the carriage shook as a body stepped up to come to the window of the door. Telnia decided to offer the driver kindness by not punishing him and waited for the soldier to knock. When the knock came, she waited another moment and slid the curtains and the slats open.

“Yes?”

“First in Line for Matriarch Telnia, news has arrived of a monster tide arriving at the city of Coushar, even as close as half a ten-day. We will have to push to arrive before the monster tide.”

“Certainly.”

“We have your approval to arrive before the monster tide?”

“Being outside the city during the tide would be unwise?”

“We must retreat to the Patriarch’s citadel if we do not.”

Telnia grimaced but kept her face impassive as expected of a lady as she nodded, “That is unacceptable. We will push through to the city.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“We will put all effort into it, First in Line for Matriarch.”

Telnia waved him away, dismissing him.

* * *

The next five days passed quickly with Gwenvair joining them each day in the dungeon to fight through the morning before enjoying a lunch at one of the guild houses, a bath, and then they took the rest of the afternoon off. The boys, as usual, escaped into the city and Kilniara spent the afternoon with him.

However, the morning of the next day proved to add an interesting moment of drama when Chulnan returned to heal them after their practice. While Garnedell was expecting it and Kilniara seemed to know as well, Zilnek proved he did not know when he was surprised to see the man return. Joe had been watching him carefully when he noticed Chulnan’s return and frowned a bit to see Zilnek seemed to feel vindicated and pretty arrogant. Zilnek turned away and ignored him. Joe turned to look at Garnedell with a frown, worried, but Garnedell looked up at Joe with the biggest and smuggest smile Joe had likely ever seen. Joe quirked an eyebrow but Garnedell simply snapped his eyes in a glance towards Zilnek before his grin grew even greater. Joe struggled to hold in his laugh and decided to sit back and see the fireworks.

When Joe turned back to Chulnan, Chulnan had noticed Garnedell’s grin as well and was struggling to keep the grin off his own face. Huh… ok… something’s going on, but... Did they talk to each other? You know what, screw it…

“Did you guys talk to each other?” Joe asked quietly, a small whisper that Joe was certain the others could not hear.

Garnedell looked up at him and his grin grew. Chulnan’s struggle to hold back his grin broke and he joined Garnedell’s look of smug triumph. Joe struggled to hold his own grin in but simply nodded.

Chulnan healed Garnedell first and Garnedell proved to be excellent at maintaining his cool, his face placid and neutral by the time he turned. Joe took a bit to control himself before he turned.

The practice went as normal, with all three putting in excellent effort even beyond system stamina while Joe trained them and himself. When the practice came to an end, the other three exaggeratedly hobbled back to the breakfast table in pain. Joe rolled his eyes at their antics but said nothing. Chulnan chose to join them for breakfast once again, begging off healing the two Acokzau until after breakfast. Kilniara accepted it easily enough, and Zilnek nodded in understanding.

When breakfast was done, Chulnan healed Kilniara and when he was done, turned to leave.

“Then, my thanks to you. I will see you tomorrow.”

Zilnek seemed shocked, his eyes bugging out as he saw Chulnan leaving. Zilnek glanced towards his sister and Garnedell but saw them not replying at all. Zilnek turned to look at Joe. Joe nodded.

“Chulnan. Did you wish to heal Zilnek?”

Chulnan turned, “Hmm. I do not believe I will offer my services today.”

“Ah. OK,” Joe nodded and turned back to the table.

Zilnek stared up at him and Joe shrugged, “He can choose to heal who he wishes. What am I to do?”

Zilnek’s nostrils flared and understanding flooded through him. Joe watched with some concern but Zilnek quickly stood and then sagged at the weakness that stuttered through him. He quickly turned to walk up to Chulnan and spoke quietly. Joe wasn’t able to hear, but Chulnan nodded and listened on quietly. After Zilnek was done speaking, Chulnan nodded and replied, but did so loud enough for all the other three to hear.

“I apologize, Zilnek, great apprentice of Joe and soon to be great cultivator higher than the heavens and ruler of all. I believe I will decline the offer.”

Zilnek flushed a brilliant red, even as his scales fluttered across his entire body in a wave of embarrassment. Zilnek looked back at Joe, his eyes wide but also embarrassed before he turned back to Chulnan, this time speaking loudly enough to be heard.

“I… wish to offer my apologies, Master healer Chulnan. I was… I thought too greatly of myself.”

Chulnan stared at him a bit before smiling and sighing, shaking his head, “Apprentice. I accept your apology and am willing to heal once again. I return to your sight once again. Just… maybe wait until you’ve actually climbed higher than the heavens next time. I can’t find fault. You are very lucky with your master, but learn from him well. Do not simply live off the fame of your master. Find your own.”

Zilnek wilted under Chulnan’s statement, but then perked up at the end before finally standing tall and looking at him with grateful acknowledgement. When he was done, Zilnek actually bowed quite deeply.

“I thank you, Master healer Chulnan, for your kind return.”

The healer nodded, then chuckled before putting a hand out on Zilnek’s shoulder. Zilnek moaned and closed his eyes with a flutter as the healing surged through his body until it was done. Zilnek quickly offered another bow of thanks after that as Chulnan clapped him on the shoulder with a nod of his own before turning to leave. When Chulnan left, Zilnek turned back to the others, his shoulder’s dropping in shame and embarrassment as he turned. Joe noticed and made sure to keep a smile on his face and waited till Zilnek looked up again, wanting him to see how Joe reacted as well. Kilniara and Garnedell almost spoke up at that, and Joe cut them off but then quickly looked at Garnedell in worry. Crap… am I doing another dumb thing here??

Garnedell looked at him with a smile, shaking his head then nodding back to Zilnek. Joe breathed a sigh of relief and looked back. After a moment, Zilnek firmed himself and looked up. When he saw Joe and the other’s looking at him, the flinch of fear was almost too much but Zilnek quickly noticed their smiles and Joe let his smile grow.

“I’m… very proud of you, Zilnek. Very proud of you.”

Zilnek’s slumped shoulders quickly straightened at that and his sister and Garnedell both offered their own congratulations before beginning to laugh. Zilnek didn’t understand at first, but then began to growl but with good humor.

“You… did this on purpose!”

Kilniara began giggling even louder while Garnedell added his own laughter. Joe simply allowed his smile to grow as Zilnek came back to sit with them all. They all enjoyed the moment, Zilnek taking it quite well and the day proved to be another very good day.

* * *