Ontin was not looking forward to the deal that was about to transpire, but he really needed to get that girl healed.

Flyte had said that her name was Hilda. At the moment, her brother was carrying her as she wasn't yet conscious. Ithikar was also travelling with the group. He would be invaluable in the matter that laid ahead, but Ontin didn't want to think about that yet.

Ontin didn't have the time to walk all the way to his destination, so he opened a gate instead, as his status as an altruin allowed him to.

As he led Ithikar through the gate, carrying Hilda, he thought about one burning question. How did Flyte meet Grall? Ontin didn't think there had been an opportunity for him to escape Nareal, those who did could be counted on his fingers. A better question was: how did Grall stay hidden for all these years? He was too influential to not be recognized over the three centuries that passed since Nareal had been destroyed.

"Hello Ontin," Frenick said as the group crossed the gate. "Why are you here?"

"I was wanting to have this girl healed," Ontin said. "And you are the only one who can do it without turning her into some kind of plant."

"Tell me then," Frenick began. "Why should I?"

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"Other than your overwhelming generosity...," Ontin held his statement there, looking for Frenick's sympathy. Nothing showed. "I have a bargaining chip."

Ontin gestured to Ithikar.

"He's more useful to you than the girl is to me," Ontin said. "She's not even in my army."

Frenick waved his companion's paladin over to him. "That's fair." Frenick's eyes gained a dark look. "You do seem to like saving random people more than saving your friends."

"I would save everyone if I could, but some things are unavoidable," Ontin said. He missed Trelifar, but he had no opportunity to help him.

Frenick touched Hilda with his lance, and as it glowed, she was healed. "I just don't understand Ontin, why don't you yield to us?"

"There's not enough time to replace me. Terrible things are beginning to happen, and my power over speeds will be crucial."

"Well," Frenick said, unconvinced. "You seem to have all the time in the world."

"Yes," Ontin said. "I do, but it gets lonely being the only one with time."

"I can't see how you could waste your gifts over loneliness," Frenick said to Ontin.

"I'll see you later Frenick," Ontin said. "And maybe someday you will see."

"Wait," Frenick called out quietly. "Is this at least the first time this conversation has happened?"

Ontin looked back, a little hurt. "It is. You don't have to worry about that, Frenick. I don't do this to take advantage of anybody, only to save those who couldn't have been otherwise. If you declined, I would have offered more, and that would be that."

"If you say so," Frenick said. "Just don't forget about what all you've done. I know you have more than enough time to."

Ontin nodded before turning back and opening a new gate back to his camp.

Walking through the gate, Ontin and Hilda left Frenick's abode.