"Here it is...He's added on since the last time I was here." Amadeo eyes the two story manor with its fine stone construction, decorative eaves, and spires atop the four corners like the home or office of some official. "Downsized the kitchen and increased the rest of the space on the first floor."

"He lives big." Anna comments. "Too big. How many people live here?"

"To my knowledge, it's just him. His wife left a while back, took their kids with her. They say it was too much for her, being married to a man whose only true love was his own greed. He doesn't even have servants to do anything for him; he drove them all out when his family left."

"How horrible. I couldn't stand to be so alone, in a house that big with just my thoughts and my money for company."

"Well, you've got us, so I think you'll be just fine." Amadeo nudges the elf softly, and she grins brightly with a nod.

He steps up and grasps the bat-shaped knocker, beating against the door with it. There's a long pause, and as he goes to use the knocker again, the door opens with a soft creek. No one stands by to have opened it, and Amaeo looks at Anna before shrugging. "Be on your guard."

They enter the elegant foyer, stepping onto a soft rug and looking about. From a doorway enters the well dressed figure of Nelos Ondra, human face mixing with pointed elven ears, short blonde hair paired to deep brown eyes with dark circles under them. "Young Master Ravenwood. Such a pleasure to see you back home. I don't think anyone was expecting you so soon, though."

"I wasn't expecting to return so soon." Amadeo bows, Anna following suit. "But I received word that my dad was injured in an altercation with some idiots who thought an orc being in his fifties meant he could be easily taken down. Surely you've heard about it, Mister Ondra."

"I believe I did. Terrible shame, that. Won't you come in, have a drink? We can talk about those wicked men and the punishment they will justly receive to your heart's content." The half elf gestures to the doorway he then steps back through.

"I don't like this." Anna whispers. "Let's just give our demands and leave."

"We'll leave soon. Can't be too rude, seeing as he let us in and all." Amadeo pats her head and follows Ondra.

The pair finds themselves in an office, books lining shelves along one wall. Opposite the door is a pair of chairs in front of a desk, which Ondra sits behind. "Please. Sit." He removes a crystal bottle and a few glasses from a drawer, pouring a honey colored liquid into the glasses and sitting back. "Who's your friend?"

"Anna. Pleasure to meet you." The elf holds out a hand to her half-blood counterpart, who does not return the favor.

"The pleasure's all mine, Miss Anna. Either of you care for a drink?"

As Amadeo sits, he scans the room cautiously. Despite the strange feeling of being watched, he sees nothing around that would assist his reasoning. Anna nudges him and he clears his throat. "No whiskey for me, thank you. This isn't a social call."

"Oh? What a shame." The half elf takes the first glass and downs it in one gulp, a bit of fire flickering in his eyes. "What brings you to my abode, then, Amadeo?"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"A long time ago, you wanted our land for yourself. Dad tells me it's failing lately. And if ours is bad off, everyone else isn't doing so hot either. The ghost is growing stronger."

"Yes, the ghost you claim to have seen. I still think you came across a drunkard who took a swing at you with his broken bottle, but if you insist on these delusions-"

"They're not delusions, Mister Ondra." Amadeo glares for a moment, his eyes flaring with that arcane gleam before taking a deep breath and running a hand through his hair. "Regardless, our farming community is collapsing around us. Rather than trying to buy up land and drive people from their homes, you should be trying to help us make the place more fertile so we can survive together."

"And you think I want to help your family survive? After they-"

"Their cause was just. It was you who was in the wrong at that moment. But that's in the past. I'm asking you to stand with us against those who would see this town destroyed."

"The ghost again? Amadeo, if you must keep up these fantasies, it's no wonder your father chose your pea-brained sister as an heir. What choice did he have when you've gone off the deep end?"

Amadeo's eyebrow twitches, his scar scrunching up for just a brief moment. "Perhaps you're right. But pea-brained as she may be, at least my house isn't devoid of love and the warmth of family."

The fire in Ondra's eyes flares up, though he makes no physical gestures to indicate his displeasure. He begins to speak again, and Amadeo holds up a hand. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for...I ask again. Will you help us raise this town out of the mire of death and gloom we've been stuck in? With your wealth, rather than owning Misery, the people could be grateful for all you did to bring everyone together. You'd be hailed as a hero. And maybe, just maybe, you could learn to smile again, sir."

"Smile? What makes you think I don't smile?"

"Ever since they left. I remember when I was a boy, Valora and Rhys could pull you from your money to play with hardly an effort. And Mrs. Ondra used to make the finest pies this side of Zorhana. But now, all you do is sit, and plot, and scheme to take everything away from everyone else. Then one day, someone else will take everything from you, and so on. Your children are grown up now. They didn't understand then, but they'll want to now. They'll come and try to find out what happened, why their mother took them from you. And that will be your chance to repair the damage that was done." Amadeo rises, extending a hand. "Please, Nelos Ondra. Leave my family alone. Help us rebuild this place from the ground up. And maybe get some rest."

The half-elf stares blankly at the wizard, his eyes searching for some trace of deceit. "If it helps-" Amadeo adds. "-I can get my master to teach me a spell to contact them. It's been a decade, but the spell will let them know it's me. It may not work, but I can at least try to ask them to come back."

The fire in Ondra seems to dim. For a moment, he relaxes back in his chair, and Amadeo can almost swear he sees a softness in his eyes, hands dancing across the air beside him as though patting some invisible head. Finally, Ondra stands, taking Amadeo's hand. "If you can swear to me that you'll reach out to my family, I can swear that yours will go unharmed for now. As for the town...I'll have to think about it."

"Thank you, sir. I'll get started right away." They shake hands, Anna looking between the two of them in silence before standing.

As the wizard and the elf begin to make their exit, Ondra calls out to them. "About that ghost...Come see me when you've held up your end."

Amadeo looks back, locking eyes with the half-elf and nodding slowly. "I'll be sure to do that. Have a good day, Mister Ondra."

"You as well, Young Master Ravenwood and friend."

The pair exit the house, and Anna shivers. "You sure he's gonna keep his word?"

"One can only hope. Head back to the house. I'll get with my master and see if he can teach me a few things. May take a few hours."

"Be safe, Amadeo." Anna squeezes his shoulder, a concerned look crossing her face.

"You too." He pats her head and smiles. When they reach the turn in the road, he continues on.

Anna watches him for a bit before his figure vanishes into the fog. Then she walks onward to the Ravenwood household, shivering once more. "Feels like I'm being watched." She mumbles, not noticing the form slipping through the fog behind her.