Amrin, Adalyn and Elynara sat quietly in the carriage as it rolled along the well worn dirt path, the occasional stone causing them to lurch and jostle from side to side. Amrin stared out of the window, as did Adalyn. Elynara was looking at her hands which lay across her lap, the look of anxiety and worry filled her face.

                “What’s wrong Ely?” he said.

The sudden question caused her to jump slightly in response.

                “Oh…nothing, master. I’m fine.” She forced a smile, which was all too obvious to Amrin, even after all these years.

                “Ely, please. You know you’ve never been able to hide things from me.”

                “I…I’m just worried.”

                “About?”

                “About whether you’ve truly forgiven me. I...”

                “Have you not been truthful about what you’ve told me?” he interrupted her.

                “I have! I swear to you!”

                “Then you have nothing to worry about. I believe you, Ely. If I didn’t, or if you weren’t perfectly honest, the renewal pact would have failed, right?”

                “T-that’s true. I’m just…so sorry…” she began to tear up.

Adalyn had been paying attention silently to the exchange and quickly grabbed one of her hands and began to pat it gently to try and ease her pain. “I looked everywhere for you. I missed you so much! I was so sad, and angry…and alone. Everyone had left me, you had left me, I was scared I didn’t know what to do!”

Amrin couldn’t help but think how foolish he had been. He had always carried on in his mind about how he was the only one that was betrayed, the only one to have gotten hurt by what had happened. It never occurred to him even once that there would be someone from his family that would always be faithful and loyal to him. He quickly leaned forward, and gently taking both of his hands, held Elynara’s cheeks and lifted her head to look at her clearly.

                “I am so sorry. It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be the only one to be abandoned.” Her eyes glittered from the tears and from the brilliant golden color of her irises. “I am so glad I found you first. I think we’ve both been alone long enough.”

                “Mm…mm!” she couldn’t speak, but nodded fervently. With her free hand she quickly grasped Amrin’s and squeezed hard, leaning into it trying to keep the feeling as much as possible.

He wiped the tears away as they fell from her eyes and smiled at her. He couldn’t believe how much she had grown, how much she had matured.

                “Now, stop crying, hmm? Tears don’t become your beauty. And you certainly have become so beautiful, Ely.”

                “Thank you.” She managed to say without crying.

He released her face, much to her dismay, and they both sat into their seats once more as the carriage continued along the path towards the Academy.

                “T…there’s something I need to talk to you two about.” His tone was now serious, after the highly emotional exchange that they just experienced, it felt out of place.  The two women sat in silence and waited for him to continue.

                “I plan on going to Infernus Pass by myself.”

                “What?! Master, no!” the worry in her voice was immense.

                “Amrin you can’t be serious. From what Lenaris said it doesn’t sound like a place anyone should go to at all, let alone by themselves.” She cringed at the thought of the place and what kind of monsters it could hold.

                “I wouldn’t do it or bring it up if there wasn’t a good reason for it.”

                “Then I would like to hear the reasoning, please.” Elynara requested gently.

Amrin let out a sigh, he didn’t want to say anything since he didn’t know exactly what it was or even if it was anything at all. Maybe it had always been like this, but perhaps being unable to move or interact with the world in any way for so long changed his perceptions of how feelings, well, felt. He thought it over carefully, and what and how he would say it.

                “I didn’t want to say anything, in fact I’m still not sure I should…”

                “Please, if it is anything I can help with I will do everything in my power. I was helpless once before, I swear never to be so again!” she clenched her fist and placed it against her chest, which Amrin couldn’t help but notice it bringing attention to just how well she had really grown, and quickly looked away.

                “Well that’s just it. I don’t know if there’s anything anyone can do, or if there’s anything actually wrong.” He leaned his head back, hitting it against the wall of the carriage harder than he anticipated. He immediately leaned forward and rubbed the back of his head. “I…I don’t even know how to explain it!”

                “Is it about finding the others?” Adalyn asked.

                “No, it’s about me. I feel…angry. All the time! And it’s like that anger is taking over or something.”

                “Isn’t that normal though?” Adalyn said matter-of-factly.

Amrin looked at Adalyn with a confused expression.

                “What I mean is, you’re only just now able to move freely after being locked up for so long, and you’re, well, angry. You were betrayed by your closest friends for reasons you don’t know, anyone would be angry wouldn’t they?”

She had a point. Always so clever she was. Amrin couldn’t help but smile in response.

                “Yeah, I guess you’re right. But…" he paused and thought for a moment. "Never mind, I’m just overthinking things I’m sure.”

                “So does that mean you will allow me to accompany you?” Elynara asked.

                “I don’t know if that would be a good idea. I mean, don’t you have responsibilities here?”

                “Nothing that cannot be taken care of by my subordinates.”

                “I see.”

He thought about a way to let her down easy, it’s not that he wouldn’t appreciate the company, but without truly knowing what caused the darkness that accompanied the anger, he didn’t want to put anyone in any undue risk. It was then he had a great idea, flimsy, but great.

                “But…what if Braddock is able to find any information on Gin? Would it not be best for you to be here to receive that information?”

Elynara frowned, but she knew he wasn’t wrong.

                “I…I suppose that’s true. But…I would still rather you not go alone if at all possible. It’s never a bad idea to have someone watching your back. Especially in a dangerous place such as Infernus Pass.”

                “Well I’m not asking any of the knights if that’s what you’re getting at.” He grimaced.

                “No, I have someone in mind if you would like for me to introduce her.”

                “Her?”

                “Yes, she is one of my personal guard. In fact, you’ve already met her once before, but I don’t believe you’ve had the pleasure of being formally introduced.”

He tilted his head and furrowed his brow in contemplation. He couldn’t remember meeting anyone that would also be…and then he realized who she was and immediately frowned.

                “You mean the one that escorted me to the Academy?”

                “Yes, that’s correct.”

                “Is there no one else you can think of?”

                “Why do you ask?” she looked puzzled.

                “No reason…” he looked out of the window at nothing in particular.

The carriage carried on along the dirt road for a little while longer until it came to a gentle halt. Without waiting for the driver to leave his seat and open the door, Amrin swung it open and jumped out. They must have been gone for a while since there was now quite a few people mingling in the area surrounding the main building. As soon as Amrin exited the carriage he noticed all the stares, although couldn’t figure out why they would be staring so intently. Shrugging at it, he ignored the feeling for now and took a step to the side.

                “My, my. If it isn’t the mysterious handsome gentleman I saw with Little Adalyn before.”

The voice was familiar, it wasn’t hard to forget a voice that carried with it a tone of superiority and haughtiness. Turning his head to the side he saw Sandra, accompanied as usual by her entourage plus one more. Sebastian.

                “Sebastian?” Amrin called out.

                “Hey Amrin, I was wondering if I was going to be able to see you again! I trust everything worked out? I would hope so since you’re here and not…well, behind bars.” He chuckled and walked closer to the carriage to talk easier with him, Sandra followed, as well as her two followers.

                “Yeah, all good on that end I think.”

As they carried on the conversation, Adalyn stepped out of the carriage, unlike Amrin who just jumped out carelessly, she used the steps to exit carefully, coming to stand by his side. She immediately notices Sebastian, smiles and waves. And then notices Sandra right behind him.

                “Ah, speak of the devil!” her voice shrilled. “Care to introduce us to your new boyfriend here, Adalyn?” she crossed her arms just underneath her full large breasts, which she did often when there was a man in the scenario, most likely to draw attention to them in a not so subtle fashion. Adalyn couldn’t help but want to puke.

                “B-boyfriend?” she stuttered, much to her dismay.

                “Why yes. Unless…oh dear, is he still up for grabs perhaps? Well, maybe I shall throw in my lot for the position?” she slowly sauntered close to Amrin and grabs hold of his arm.

Taking his hand into both of hers she places his arm between her breasts and comes in close.

                 “I would love to get to know you a bit more…personally.” She said in the most seductive voice she could muster.

Amrin wasn’t above having a little bit of attention directed his way, but this was a bit much considering the location and people present.

                “S-Sandra!” Adalyn tried to sound strong, but the fear of running into any trouble with her family weighed in on that.

                “What? You said he wasn’t yours, so I’m staking my claim! Besides, I’m sure he’ll be perfectly happy with me.” She said while using her arms to press her breasts together around Amrin's arm.

He couldn’t help but think that even with the clothing that looked rather rigid and thick, they were certainly soft. But no sooner than he began to enjoy the sensation that he heard a gasp from a few people around the carriage and mumbling from the people farther away.

                “And what may I ask, is the meaning of this?” the voice was low and direct, but also carried a definite hint of anger.

Sandra not paying attention to what was going on and still attempting to use her feminine wiles on Amrin didn’t bother to turn around.

                “Didn’t I say already, I’m going to make him mine.” She turned her head and was greeted with the look of anger and dissatisfaction upon Elynara’s face.

                “Is that so?” she responded.

The color in Sandra’s face instantly disappeared and she was stunned into silence.

                “Mas….Amrin? Is what she says true?” the look in her eyes made all the warning bells in his head go off at the same time. He quickly shook his hand out of Sandra’s and moved away a few paces.

                “Uh, no Ely. This is…she was just being friendly!”

                “Hmm? Is that so? Then I shall leave you to it!” she clenched her jaw and walked up the steps leading into the main hall, her body was completely rigid and the color of her cheeks were flushed red, but there was no embarrassment to be had. She was angry.

Amrin has seen that body language before. he knew he would again have to try and calm Ely down, the same way he did when her and Gindel got into a fight. He was hoping that her maturity would also have given her a bit more patience, but he thought wrong. He quickly caught up to her and began to plead his case. They were far enough away that the group couldn’t make out the conversation.

                “Oh, Adalyn dear. I believe it would be time for you to attend at least the afternoon classes.” Elynara turned and addressed her. Bowed and turned to head into the building. Amrin still trying to soothe her anger.

                “Wow that was…are they?” Sebastian said and turned to Adalyn.

                “What? Oh…I don’t really know.” She turned to see Sandra, still white as a ghost and eyes wide open. “Sandra?”

She shook herself out of her stupor and realized just what had happened. She had seen enough jealous women to know what mistake she found herself in.

                “Oh no…oh, no, no, no.” she placed her hands on either side of her head and began to mumble. “You! This is your fault!” she said and pointed at Adalyn.

                “What? What is?”

                “You pretended he was yours so I would take him from you, but you knew that he was already taken by someone! And the headmistress no less!”

Adalyn couldn’t understand the thought process that came and went to make Sandra think that it was her fault. But it further proved to her that Sandra really did hate her and was out to make her suffer one way or another.

                “That’s pretty farfetched don’t you think Sandra?” Sebastian butted in.

                “No, she planned this!”

                “But I’m pretty sure she only met him a few days ago.”

                “What does that have to do with anything?!” she was getting annoyed that Sebastian wasn’t following her reasoning like everyone else tended to do.

                “Well I’m sure that they didn’t have enough time to plot something so…extravagant, as to get you into trouble with the Headmistress. And besides, wasn’t it you that came on so strongly to Amrin? No one forced you to do that.”

                “B-but…she was…he held her…Argh!” the scream filled the courtyard of the Academy, bringing a number of confused stares her direction. She knew she was beaten and stormed off passed Sebastian and into the main hall, her minions not too far behind.

                “Thank you. Thank you so much.” Adalyn said in an exasperated tone.

                “Nah, don’t worry about it. I’ve spent the morning with her to know that she’s way too used to getting her way and overthinks things and makes it out to always be about her.” He shrugged it off.

                “H-how did you figure all of that out in a morning?”

                “My baby sister is exactly the same way. Clear a wide path if she wants something, or there’ll be hell to pay.” He started laughing. Adalyn was relieved and chuckled along with him.  “Well anyway, its lunch break, you have anything to eat yet? I was about to head to the cafeteria and see what they have. Wanna join me?”

                “Sure, I would love to.”

He held out his right arm and in a sarcastic fashion leaned forward.

                “My Lady? If you would do me the pleasure?” his made his voice out to be deeper and more snobbish than normal. Adalyn let out a surprised laugh and decided to play along.

                “Oh, my kind sir! You do me great honor! I shall indeed accompany you!” she curtsied and wrapped her arm around his and they both began to laugh as they headed into the main hall.

*****

No amount of consoling on the way up the stairs seemed to be working on her, and it was making him worry slightly if she was going to be mad at him for the rest of the day.  The two of them passed various students and other faculty on the way up the stairs to Elynara's office, and were subjected to quite a number of stares and hushed conversation, but Amrin ignored it. He decided he would just follow her to the office in silence for now. They both made it up to the top floor and entered her office.

He quickly took a seat on the same couch he had used earlier that day and let out a long sigh.  It had only been half of the day and he was already exhausted. He couldn’t remember the last time he had so many things happen in such a short amount of time.

                “So are you going to ignore me the rest of the day now?”

She didn’t say a word and sat at her desk and opened a drawer. Pulling out a stone about the size of a child’s fist, whose color and shape looked slightly familiar, she placed it on the desk and tapped it gently with one finger.  The gem glowed to life.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

                “Kaia?”

The gem lay dull for a few seconds and Amrin was wondering what she was doing.

                “Yes, My Lady?” a voice emanated from the red gem, surprising him and making his eyes go wide.

                “If you could please make your way to my office? There is a matter in which I wish to discuss with you.”

                “Right away!”

Elynara took the gem and then placed it back into the drawer she took it from and looked directly at Amrin.

                “Ely…I really don’t know what that girl was up to, I promise…”

                “Hm?” she responded as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

                “Oh, Sandra? I’m not worried. She’s always like that. I’ve had reports from a number of the other girls about her…behavior with the male students. B-besides…I know you would never settle for someone like her. You deserve someone much more beautiful, smart and accomplished…” she started to blush slightly.

                “Mm, yeah I much prefer more subtle women. A nice smart and renowned blonde haired fae perhaps?”

Her pointed ears twitched, and due to their length it was obvious, as he said this and she looked directly at him, and noticed that he had a smirk. She knew immediately that he was aware of what she was getting at, and started to poke fun at her.

                “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?” her cheeks puffed out slightly and her ears lowered in response.

                “I’m sorry Ely, I couldn’t help it.” He began to chuckle. Then the smile faded. “Besides, I have too much I need to get done before I even think about finding love, no matter who it is…” his voice felt empty and sad. She could do nothing but feel his pain and share in it.

Silence befell the room, even though he had forgiven her and even renewed the pact, there was still no easy solution to being away from someone for so long that you no longer know who they really are or how to talk with them. Within a few moments there came a knock on the door. The sudden noise startled Elynara and made Amrin turn his head unconsciously to see where the noise came from.

                “Yes. Enter.” Elynara beckoned.

It was then the familiar dark gray and gold decorated full plate armor wearing knight entered the room. She still had her helmet on, giving her the intimidating appearance he remembered the first time she drew her sword at him. She came to stand just inside the door and closed it behind her, then knelt to one knee. The metal of the armor clicked and chattered with her movements.  He couldn’t help but notice a flash of color from her eyes come his way before she did so.

                “I am here at your command, Your Grace.”

                “Yes, thank you. There is a certain matter that I wish you to assist me with. If you feel up to the task.” She said, in her unusual to him but normal to everyone else, voice.

                “Ask and it shall be done!” no questions or concerns over what the matter was. Amrin admired that type of loyalty. He couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret and sadness with the scene.

                “Your dedication is, as always, admirable. The Guild is in need of a rare and nigh impossible to obtain item.  I wish for you to travel to Infernus Pass to help retrieve it.”

                “As you wish. The item in question I am to look for?”

                “It is an ore called Adamantine. Are you familiar with it?”

                “Yes, Your Grace…I am sorry to say that I am not familiar with, mining, nor is my element suited for such conditions. But I will without hesitation do as you ask.” She said cautiously.

                “That is fine. Your concern is not the actual act of obtaining the ore, but to protect the one that will.”

                “Of course. And the one I am to protect?”

                “Oh, you have had the pleasure of his acquaintance once before.” Kaia looks up confused and notices Elynara gesturing to the person sitting on the couch. “Now if you could please remove your helmet, and greet my guest, and your companion on this mission, properly?” her voice made it obvious that it wasn’t a request.

Kaia stood up, the armor once again clicking with her movements. She placed a hand on either side of the helm and slowly lifted it up. Before it came off of her head, long black and blue hair fell from inside. At that moment Amrin could smell hints of jasmine and lavender as her hair fell to her lower back. He unconsciously took a deep breath in to savor the wonderful scent, it was calming. As the helm finally left her head, she tucked it under her left arm. It was then Amrin was taken aback at the person under the protective metal case.

Since it was the first time they had been freed from the confines of the helm in a long while, the pointed and delicate ears flicked to the sides constantly. The fur on them was the same blue black color as her hair and they looked soft to the touch. Along her cheekbones were covered in the same soft looking fur that covered her ears. The eyes that shot him a glare were bright orange with long a pitch black vertical slit pupil. She was a feline demi-human. And he couldn’t believe at how much he thought she was amazing to look at. He sat there on the couch open mouthed and wide eyed, completely speechless.

                “Why do you insist on staring at me? Do I disgust your eyes so much that you cannot look away?” she said, he voice filled with anger and a tinge of sadness.

                “W-what? No! No, my god you are gorgeous…” he said without thinking about it.

She flinched her head back ever so slightly and her ears began to move erratically once more, he also noticed that her eyes narrowed.

                “I-I do not appreciate being made the object of ridicule.”

                “Kaia…” Elynara’s voice made her head quickly snap away from Amrin and to her master. “If there is one thing that Amrin is, it is not a liar, nor one to mock others at their expense.” She clutched a sheet of paper tightly, the edges of it shaking as she held it in the air.

                “S-so…if he says that you are..g-gorgeous…” the paper began to shake even more and they both noticed that Elynara was beginning to crumple it a little. “Then what he says is not a lie…” the last part of the sentence was forced out with as much effort she could muster and unwillingness to have yet another person take Amrin’s attention.

                “Of…of course. My Lady.” She bowed her head, the ears began twitching, but much slower this time. Amrin couldn’t take his eyes off of them.

It’s not that he had never seen demi-humans before, in fact he saw their initial rise as a people thousands and thousands of years ago. But they were more bestial in both nature and appearance. It seems that in the time he spent in human cities and being imprisoned, they have evolved into beautiful creatures. Still holding their animalistic features to some extent, their imposing demeanor and quite possibly their uncanny fighting, hunting and tracking ability. He didn’t notice, but he had yet to take his eyes off of her, and instead of being wide eyed and open mouthed, he had a smirk that didn’t make him look any better to Kaia.

                “P-please stop staring at me…” she shifted her stance slightly and her eyes cringed almost imperceptibly, she was now getting uncomfortable.

                “Oh, I’m so sorry. I just…I haven’t seen your race in so very long, you have certainly changed. You are stunning.”

Sure she was beautiful, but Amrin wasn’t paying attention to whether her physical appearance was attractive or whether she had sex appeal, he was taken aback and admiring just how much they have evolved since he last saw them. He was impressed, and that was what he was stunned by. It would have been no different if she were male. The fact remained, the demi-human races have come a very long way.

                “But, why would you assume I find you hideous?” he asked in a serious tone.

                “Master, the demi-humans are considered…inferior to the greater races. They are outcast and treated with contempt.”

                “M-master?” Kaia repeats, confused. She then looks to Amrin with her brow furrowed.

He had his eyes closed and hand over his mouth after Elynara’s blunder. He opened one eye and cast a look towards Ely. She immediately knew she had made a mistake once again and lowered her head in embarrassment.

Amrin was not a fan of being in awkward situations or situations that required explanation of something that shouldn’t be necessary. Even if he was Elynara’s master, it didn't change the fact that he didn't think himself superior or better, he was just a guest and didn’t have any intention of flaunting his status or power. There was no point.

                “Well, if we’re to be traveling together and trusting our lives to each other, it would only make sense not to have any secrets, right?” he turned to Elynara once more and frowned and shook his head side to side, but not in anger but more that he was put into an awkward position once more.

                “Secrets? Master?” she narrowed her eyes, the bright orange and black looked as if they could pierce right through the two of them as she looked between Amrin and Elynara in turn.

                “Yes, I am Elynara, Ely…Elena’s, master.” He turned to Elynara fully and put his hands in the air. “Ok, what should I call you anyway?”

Elynara wasn’t expecting the sudden change in direction so she was taken by surprise.

                “I-I don’t know. To be honest with you master, you can call me any name you wish if it please you.”

                “No…that’s not…just, no. You are not a slave, regardless of what term the pact uses. I wish to know what you would like to be called.” He was serious, and she hesitated.

                “I like when you call me Ely…no one calls me that but you.” She managed to speak out loud enough for him to hear it, her cheeks fully red in embarrassment.

                “Ely it is then.” He said with a smile, then turned back to Kaia. “Ely and I are master and servant in a pact that was made, a very long time ago.”

The look on her face made it obvious she didn’t believe him, and would need more than just a simple explanation to do so.

                “And the reason I have not heard of such an event or made aware of someone whom my master serves, not also being in need of my service?”

He didn’t quite know how to answer that without telling her everything. Even though he said they shouldn’t keep secrets, he only meant secrets that concern their mission to obtain Adamantine. He looked at Elynara once more, and without saying a word she nodded to him.

                “Well it seems she trusts you, and since I trust Ely, I'll trust you as well. You may want to sit.” He gestured to the opposite couch.

Taking the offer to sit, she places the helm gently on the cushion to the side of her and sits, her posture was perfect. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the armor, or she was that refined, either way he was impressed at the image. He then took the time to explain everything. Once in a while he paused to make sure she didn’t have any questions, but she insisted that he finish his story in its entirety.

The only parts he didn’t really mention was the fact that he was able to control more elements than just prime elements, as well as being able to fully utilize all those elements at his will. It seems like that’s harder to believe than him being immortal and ancient, for some reason.

When he was finished telling Kaia everything he could think of that tied Elynara and him together the sun was beginning to set, he didn’t want to rush the explanation so he was as careful as possible to tell her only what she should know. When he felt he had said enough, he looked to Elynara to see if he had missed anything.

                “And that is the man you are to accompany to Infernus Pass.” She finally said. It seemed he covered everything she deemed important enough for Kaia to know for now.

                “So do you have questions now?” he asked Kaia.

She looked at him directly in the eyes and didn’t blink. He didn’t know quite what to make of it, but he stared back, captivated by the brilliant orange.

                “I do not. It would be my honor to accompany one such as yourself to Infernus Pass.” She bowed her head.

The sudden change in manners and behavior took him by surprise and kind of made him feel guilty.

                “Its fine, you don’t have to treat me any differently than you have been. Well, I suppose I would like to be able to talk with you a bit more than you did before though. It would be a boring trip without much conversation.”

                “I-I will try.”

                “Perfect.” He stood up and stretched. “Oh, yeah I was wondering…did your people lose their tails? I’d really like to see it.”

He asked innocently, but over the centuries, the demi-human race’s tails were a sign of their emotions and feelings, as well as an indication of their willingness to find a mate. Kaia had made it a point to conceal her tail in a portion of her armor, a small rounded bulge at her lower back that she curled her tail into. Her tail wanted to wriggle in every direction possible, and do so, so much that it caused her no undue amount of discomfort, embarrassment and excitement for a reason she didn’t understand.  

                “N-no. We still have our tails. I just…choose to keep it protected and hidden in case of combat…”

The words came out clumsily and Elynara couldn’t help but wonder why she was lying. She was told that it was to prevent animosity and ridicule from the humans in the Academy and the city. But she didn’t feel it was necessary to push the issue and ignored it. She was sure she had her reasons.

                “I see.” He nodded his head in agreement. “That makes sense I guess.”

                “Well today has been a very long and hectic day, and I’m pretty hungry. Anyone care to join me for dinner? I know a nice little place in the city.” He said while pointing to the door with his thumb.

                “My apologies master, but I’m afraid I have some end of day tasks that must be completed. Perhaps Kaia would like to join you?” she asked curiously.

                “I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you Lord Amrin.” She said as she stood up to bow.

                “Hey, didn’t I say to treat me no different than before? No formalities, ok? Just call me Amrin. Please.” He smiled and beseeched her.

                “A-as you say, Amrin. If we are to leave for Infernus Pass, there are some things I will need to get in order.  On what day are we to depart?”

He didn’t really think about that, so it was good that Kaia brought it up. He looked to Elynara and shrugged his shoulders.

                “I uh…I don’t know. Ely?”

                “I believe it takes two to three days’ time to reach the city closest to Infernus Pass, and after that it is another day’s trek to the lands themselves. So if we are to get this registration expedited, I believe it would be best to leave as soon as possible. Tomorrow afternoon at the latest I would suggest.”

                “So a round trip, assuming we can find the ore the same day we arrive will still take almost a fortnight...if we’re lucky.”

He slouched and sighed heavily. “Alright, get what you need for the journey tomorrow, we’ll leave first thing in the morning. I’ll meet you here.”

                “Where are you going to have dinner, in case we need to find you?” Elynara asked.

                “Oh, I’ll be heading to Adalyn’s tavern in the city. Gonna tell her thanks again, as well as her father.”

                “Very well, I shall see you at the gate tomorrow to see you off then, Master. Have a pleasant night.”

He smiled and headed to the door to exit. Before he left the door he turned around and looked straight at Elynara.

                “I’m glad I found you Ely. And I’m glad you are still the same sweet and wonderful young woman I knew all those years ago.” He closed the door, Elynara’s face was filled with joy and her eyes sparkling from tears of happiness.