Daniel didn't understand what this was.

There was no hidden malice. There was no ulterior motives. Marrin didn't even do this to be granted a boon. There was no debt exchanged between them. There was not even the factors of expansion discussed.

Daniel put his hand on Marrin's shoulder. If he was a great Lord, he would have spoken grand words to enamor the Law of Fae and those watching.

But he was just a person now. Power seemed immaterial to a moment such as this.

"Stand up. Please."

"Mentor. I can't even give you favor. Let me go with you."

"I don't deserve this. Please stand up." He knelt down, and then gripping Marrin's elbow, they rose together. Marrin allowed himself to be drawn up would be more arcuate.

"Thank you." Marrin said.

And the Law of Fae...looked the other way. There was no immense pressure of such gratitude, which would have crushed the new Harbor Name of Branch. Or perhaps the favor was being projected into the future, like casting a line for fish that one may catch, but it is not certain. That settled nicely on the Harbor Name of Branch. There was no heaviness of having a favor owed by someone else. But the name was firmed by the acknowledgement.

"I'm not much for talking like those Lordlings, but I'm clever and I have plans. Lots of plans. Just wait. See what I can create in just a little bit of time." Marrin said, very seriously. "I will build something that will continue your mission. That will be able to help those in need, regardless of who they are. This way, it can help you too."

What could he even say to that? "I'm honored." the words rang true to the Law of Fae.

So many Fae, upon realizing that they had a great inherence of power, would have done whatever they could to stabilize their powerbase and reap the rewards of their new position. Marrin had not done that. Ultimately, Daniel had given Marrin critical aid, but to have it repaid and promised to be repaid even more in the future? What could Servant Branch say to such undeserved sentiment? "I look forward to seeing the fruit of your work. Do as you wish. I am cheering for you."

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Talia arrived from her ruining manor, face almost as red as the night sky. "I look ridiculous." Talia muttered, not looking anyone in the eyes.

"Here we leave you." Daniel said.

Esra offered him a raised fist. Daniel sighed, but Esra had helped him greatly this night. He mirrored the gesture and bumped his fist against Esra's. "Hey, where is my lightning in a bottling?" The Mage had the audacity to say. Or perhaps the lack of common sense. Or perhaps he still didn't realize that Daniel was greatly reduced in power.

"You were late!" Daniel said, in fake outrage. "You said you'd meet me at the Stable at 9:00. I was there, but there was no Esra!"

"Drat. I knew I should have broken out from the O'Tells, fancy China tea cups or not. Eww." He shuttered in memory.

"I'll get some for you as soon as I can." Daniel said, feeling guilt at his almost deception.

Esra sighed. "I'll take Stormcrow and get his shoulder checked. I know you are worried about it."

Talia pulled out a ribbon. It's edges where singed and melted, but there was old calligraphy inscribed upon it. "I hereby promote you, Marrin, to lead, Commander of the Ash Court’s Enforcer shall you be. May you always stand by the King's side, Provider of safety, our trusted guide."

"Won't the current Commander mind?"

"I, as the now retired Ash Court Enforcer Commander, assure you that I do not mind. Trust me. I am just glad I don't need to write all the monthly reports by myself now."

Daniel tried not to show his...distaste to the sentiment. The Enforcers were ultimately tied to the power of the King. The Courts had their own priority. To have the Leader of a Court also performing the role of the Enforcer Commander was almost irreverent and profane. He decided to be relieved that such situations were no more in the Ash Court.

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"I...don't know how to write all the words." Marrin said, revealing a great embarrassment. "There wasn't time for things like a...formal education."

Talia smiled brightly. "Excellent! There is always a little g game when you teach someone to read and write! We can make this work. As long as you are willing to try, that's all I need."

They left. There was nothing more to say. Esra and Marrin went one way, and Daniel and Talia left another. The clock tower echoed 10:45.

Daniel wanted to rush to get to his destination. But instead he continued on his way, humming softly. Running would have alleviated his anxiety but only worsened his situation.

Together, the Old Lordling and the Former Lordling traversed through the streets of the Citadel. Daniel saw the Stable, and frowned when he saw a light left on in a window. It was closer to midnight than most preferred. Why was there a light out there?

Burdened with the knowledge that gaining such understanding was unlikely, he turned his collar to the wind and continued. They had left the rougher sections of the Citadel now, and were venturing into more and more populated areas. Strangely, the seemingly bold Old Lordling had returned to her very nervous disposition she had after she discovered a Middling under her. Then again, it made sense. She had her very small window of expertise. And Daniel had just bargained with her to step straight out of it and into a realm she had not ventured in many years.

The heavy skirt bounced against legs, and she almost tripped. She gripped the shirt with clutched hands and frowned.

"You seemed very happy to get the dress when I asked." Daniel said. "But now you don't seem to like it."

"I thought you'd wear the dress. Like a disguise." the dress was lovely, if extremely outdated. Talia unfortunately didn't fit it well. She was too modest in some areas, and it was too tight across the shoulder. It barely fit her. It wouldn't have fit Daniel's almost- too- broad shoulders. Worse, the sheer nature of the middle would have revealed Daniel's very defined torso, muscles standing out too much. It was very unattractive. Not that flabby was popular, but the image of a proper Fae of any position in society was one of proper height and slender build. There was no way Daniel could have used the dress as a disguise.

"I had considered such things, but I thought it best to keep to the same motif that I have been using. Besides, this will allow you to appear in the Game without our connection being blatant. If collecting soap bars was essential, this will be much greater."

She frowned, but sighed. "I suppose it is not the dress that bothers me. I may see some...old friends."

"Where you in a Circle?" Daniel asked, curious.

"Those weren't very popular when I was young. Also, the Ash Court was already declining, so there wasn't enough Authority to send me anyway."

"Lady, if I may ask, what illustrious year were you brought into this world?"

"You ask a question like that, after you ate all my teacakes." she grumbled, looking more like herself. "I'm not that old. Barely three hundred and fifty, I think."

She had the power of a Lordling behind her, as well as being the master of the Court. She could probably continue as she had for a long time.

"That is a long life, lady." he said.

"I am too stubborn to fold. Besides, I made promises to my friends that I would never break. I can't let them down."

"Perhaps I know them. I understand you haven't paid much attention to the politics for a long time."

They had to quiet down, as they came past a sleeping cactus, the dry desert sands spilling across the track.

Talia took some discarded spines, and offered one to Daniel. "If you want a game to turn silly, this is a great weapon. Have someone sit on it, and a lot of pressure gets released." she whispered.

Daniel almost took it, but reached and selected some from the ground instead. On the ground, it was a found treasure at best or garbage at worst. Handed from one Fae to another, that may constitute a gift.

After they silently sped from the sleeping plant, she answered his question. "I knew the lordling for the Northern Wind Court. Boorish boring lad." Her criticism seemed playful.

"He is the Lord and Master of it now. Short tempered, but that's to be expected considering the troubles he faces due to the trolls."

"Do you know Isolde? Very sweet little girl. She had some connection to a Senator, and her family has holdings in the middle terrain."

"Isolde, the Warrior Queen of the Black Trench? About my height with brown eyes?"

"That peaceful pacifist picked up a sword?" She held up her two hands holding a mock blade.

Daniel waved his hands through her mock blade and then held his own hand in gripping a facsimile of a different weapon. "No, a spear. Unmatched in the middle provinces."

"Oh, she was a coward. That makes sense." Talia smiled, and she seemed younger now, like she was recalling on happier times. "How about Alden?"

Daniel blinked.

"Do you have more information? Alden is not an uncommon name."

"Alden. He used to be the Heirling of the Red Sword. Of all of our peers, he was always the best. The kindest. The sharpest wit."

"You know Alden?" Daniel said, suddenly falling back to his training to keep his pace the same and his tone just perfectly light. If Matheus had seen Daniel, he would have known that Daniel was no longer at ease. But Talia did not know Daniel, and did not notice the way his body tightened.

"He was...a very special person to me." she blushed slightly, and looked away. "He lent me something. Promised he'd come back for it someday."

Alden was dead.

He had been dead for a long time.