"Don't keep us waiting," Dr. Zi'vin said sharply and Fenrin rolled his eyes both at the doctor and Jayln's clasped hands. She and Matius were watching like happy parents as Fenrin took a slow but steady step. And then another. And another, until he was in front of Jayln and could place a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"I swear if you cry I will strangle you," he growled as her eyes watered.

"Nicely done, Fenrin," Matius interjected, giving him a friendly pat on the arm.

Again Fenrin growled, "It was just a short walk for god's sake. You two are ridiculous." Of course the first time he'd managed it, he'd fought off tears himself but that was when only Zi'vin was around.

"Well I think it's worth celebrating!" Jayln said, unaffected by Fenrin's words. She turned around and flipped open the bag she'd brought in retrieving a bottle of wine and four glasses.

Matius took two glasses and after Jayln filled them, offered one to Fenrin and one to Zi'vin. The doctor sniffed, "I don't drink. It's terrible for the body."

Fenrin laughed, taking both drinks, straight up downing the first. "More for us."

"Hmm," Dr. Zi'vin tutted and retrieved his red bag. "Well, I guess this means we are done for the day. I will see you tomorrow."

"See you, doc."

Zi'vin left and, after a few sips of wine, Jayln began glancing conspiratory looks at Matius until Fenrin raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it, you two?"

"Well, now that your recovery is—" Matius started but Jayln waved a hand.

"No, wait, I want to tell him." Matius raised his glass in acknowledgement and Jayln continued, "So, now that you're getting closer to recovery, I—well we—wanted to tell you our plan."

"Gods Jayln, spit it out." Fenrin rolled his eyes.

"We're going back to the valley!"

Fenrin didn't register the sound of the glass breaking, or the sharp pain in his hand, his mind was too busy reeling, a wave of unexpected emotion making his chest tighten. The valley.

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"Fenrin, are you alright?" Matius grabbed his hand and Jayln expertly picked out the glass shard embedded in his palm so Matius could heal it.

"Fenrin!"

He snapped back as Jayln called his name more urgently, her eyebrows furrowed. Fenrin looked down to where the gashes on his hand were sealing under the glow of Matius's magic.

"Maybe you should sit down," Jayln continued softer.

"Hmm, what? Oh, oh yeah." He walked mechanically over to his chair and sat down, staring at the floor between his feet.

The valley. That was where his happy moment was. That was where she was. Had been. It was a contradiction.

The valley opening where he'd stood by Jayln with hope in his heart, the green trees he'd stalked through looking for his next kill, the fort where...

"Fenrin, look at me." Matius's voice was sharp and Fenrin looked up, still a bit dazed. "There is nothing in that valley but trees and animals. It's entirely cleared of an Brimstone activity, I swear. Nothing can hurt you there."

The laugh rose from his chest with a rumble. "Hurt me? Niv is gone, it's not me I'm worried about."

Jayln and Matius exchanged looks again. Gods, he hated when they did that.

His frustration at their pity must've shown because Jayln put a hand on her hip, taking a more no-nonsense approach. "Listen, you can't stay in the Arch Mage's basement forever and I've got to find a place for my village. I've decided that place is the valley, now are you going to keep your promise and help me or not?"

Fenrin's lips curled back into a nasty grin. "Promise? I'm pretty sure we were done with promises a long time ago."

Matius seemed a bit taken aback and Fenrin took some grim satisfaction in that. But Jayln, much more used to Fenrin's attitude, didn't even flinch. "Well then, let's make a new one."

"What?"

"You heard me. You promise to help me get my village settled and I promise to make sure you recover and don't hurt anyone." Jayln spoke business-like, like the daughter of a mayor...

Fenrin opened his mouth and closed it. Jayln knew what he was thinking. "Not so different from our first promise, is it?"

"No, it's not." Fenrin's voice cracked a bit, he swallowed and added, "I'll be a pain in the ass you know."

"I'm well aware," she said with a grin before stepping to the side and wrapping her arm around Matius's. "Although this time I have you outnumbered." She stuck her tongue out and Fenrin sat back and laughed again.

"You didn't need any the first time. Sorry lover boy, you'll just be dead weight to her."

Matius blushed a bit but returned Fenrin's smile. "I can live with that."

"To the valley then."