"Thomas Crest. That's a Hordelander name, isn't it?" Reginald asked. They had decided to have brunch and were walking to the square that held Jonal's shop.

"It is. Although I usually just go by Tom." The tall man replied.

"Not many humans around with names like that. Very few humans near the Hordelands, actually. Are you from Lisandia then?"

"You know your geography." Tom said, beaming. "I was born on Lisandia, but my family moved to the mainlands when I was young. Father was a court wizard for the council, but after I was born he decided to move somewhere a little safer.”

“I mean, it definitely sounds like the Hordelands are pretty dangerous, what with all the monsters.” Triss added. “Nert told me a little about them. He never mentioned people living there though.”

“Strictly speaking, no one does live in the Hordelands. Or, more precisely, no humans live there.” Reginald said. “The closest humans are in Lisandia, which is an island about a mile off the coast. There is a small settlement there. Mostly it’s inhabited by fisherman and a research contingent from the wizards council.”

“So your father was a court wizard for the wizards council?” Triss asked, turning to Tom.

“Yes and no.” Tom said with a chuckle. “He was the court wizard for the ruling council on Lisandia. But anywhere that needs a wizard must apply to the council to have one sent, so I suppose in a way he was working for the council.”

“You work directly for the council as well?” Reginald asked. “Or are you an independent?”

“I’m more of an independent. I work in research. Herbal magical combinations.”

“Ah. Healing focus?”

“Of course! It’s really quite a fascinating field of study!”

“Wait.” Said Triss. “You study healing magic? And you’re a wizard? You didn’t tell me you were a wizard.” She turned to Reginald. “And I thought that healing wasn’t possible with magic?”

Tom and Reginald both chuckled, but Reginald was the first to speak. “It’s not possible to heal directly with magic. Tom here is studying the healing effects of different plants.”

“Actually, my research is focused on the combination of fourth level runic links and cellular pathways charged with polyphasic formulations.”

“what?” Triss asked.

“He’s trying to use herbal formulas to allow magic links to flow along the bodies pathways to boost healing.” Reginald explained.

“…what?”

“I’m trying to make magical healing possible using herbs.” Said Tom. “It’s kind of the holy grail of magical research.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you just say so then.”

“I did.”

Triss raised an eyebrow at Tom. “I’ve already got one snarky companion. I don’t need two.”

“I’m sorry, the holy what?” Reginald asked.

Triss began to answer, but Tom quickly spoke over her. “Just an common expression from home.” He smiled. “Oh, look, I think we’re here.”

A few minutes later they were all sitting at the restaurant, steaming plates of eggs and vegetables in front of each. Triss had figured out what foods were mostly palatable by now. Reginald had tried to order something that Triss knew was a sort of octopus creature that was served still alive. She had vetoed that, so he had let her order for him.

“So I thought that magic couldn’t heal?” Triss asked as she finished her meal. “You think herbs will change that?”

“It’s a little more complex than that. It’s not that magic doesn’t heal, it’s that we don’t know how to make it heal on command.” Tom explained. “For example, anyone who uses magic on a regular basis will heal faster than someone who doesn’t. And they’ll age slower. I probably look to be early thirties, but I’m actually in my late sixties.”

“Wow, really?” Triss said. “Wait, Reginald, how old would that make Percy?”

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“Oh, probably about a hundred and twenty.” Reginald said, dismissively. “You know Percy doesn’t use that much magic.” He said as he kicked Triss under the table.

“Who’s Percy?” Tom asked.

“Just an old servant I have at my small home near the forest.” Reginald lied smoothly. “He’s excellent with small spells, but to someone like Triss that’s of course quite impressive.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Tom looked at Triss. “I’d struggle to think of a place where you wouldn’t be exposed to a reasonable amount of magic on a daily basis. Why, I’ve seen several people here already who are almost learned enough to be apprentices.”

Triss stopped rubbing her leg and sat up before answering. “Oh, you know. Ol da was a simple man, never got to town much. Ye know?”

“I suppose. Why are you talking in that accent?”

“Uhhh. Wait. Is that Jonal calling me?” Triss said as she spotted the older man limping into the square, headed for his shop. “Sorry, gotta run!” She hurriedly got to her feet and jog-limped across the square.

Reginald and Tom watched her the whole way across the square. “Strange girl.” Said Tom, not turning around.

“You have no idea.”

“Who’s paying for her meal? She left before the bill.”

Reginald chuckled. “She is. I already arranged to have the bill for all three meals sent to Jonal’s shop later.”

“That doesn’t seem like a nice thing for a friend to do.” Tom frowned.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine. Anyways. It was a pleasure to meet you, Tom. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours.” Reginald said. He patted Tom on the shoulder as he passed, walking over to Jonal’s shop to collect a new pack of supplies.

**

Thomas Crest watched the draconic walk away. He was still quite surprised to see one here, as their kind very rarely left the Hordelands. Usually only for one reason, too. He wonder idly what the short lizard creature had done to be banished.

He waited an appropriate amount of time before getting up and leaving, confirming the billing arrangements with the restaurant owner before going. It wouldn’t do to be chased out of town this quickly. Especially since he had found his quarry.

A grin spread across his face. He had suspected that Triss would be the one quite early on, since she acted slightly different when compared to the other young women her age. But he’d been fooled before. Women could be difficult to understand at times. They’d forced him to change towns several times with their wild accusations.

Triss, though, was definitely the one. He’d accidentally used an old earth saying, and she had known what it was. That damn lizard was probably suspicious though. Something would definitely need to be done about him. But what?

His grin sharpened as the answer came to him. Not a complete plan, of course. That always took time to get right. For now, he had the first few steps. He hurried out of town to the small house he was renting. There was no shortage of available houses outside the walls, but all the houses inside were full. The town residents had told him wild and fantastic tales of an army of Hordeland beasts rampaging though the streets, with a wizard at their head. Thomas didn’t believe them at first, until he saw the horrific claw marks scratched six inches deep into the stone around the council hall door.

The council would be his next stop, of course. He picked up speed, walking even quicker as his excitement grew. He reached the house and threw open the door. “I’m home!” He called.

His companion said nothing, as usual.

“Yes, yes. A few extra minutes. Triss was late for brunch.” He started sifting through a large leather pack sitting on a faded wooden table. He pulled out a few vials, pots and small cloth pouches. He dug around the bottom of the pack for a few more minutes, muttering curses under his breath. He finally stopped, then pulled out a small metal tin. He took off the lid and blew out some dust.

“She had to do some extra work or something. It’s fine. Its not a bid deal.”

The skull said nothing.

“Oh, for frigs sake!” He snapped irritably. “You say that about every girl!”

He started mixing a concoction together, combining everything with a mortar and pestle. “Frig isn’t a swear word.” He corrected while pouring a few drops of an oily substance in a drop at a time. He pulled out a glass wand and began to stir vigorously. He poured the yellow-green liquid into the metal tin. The liquid swirled in the tin for a few seconds, then suddenly hardened into a waxy paste. Thomas to a small pinch and rubbed it between his finger and thumb, then smiled.

He snapped on the lid and placed the tin in his pocket. Then he meticulously cleaned up the mess and put every back in the pack. “Later.” He told the skull. “I don’t know! A reasonable time?” He shook his head. “I’m not eight anymore. I’ve managed in this world for over fifty years. I’ll be fine.” He kissed the top of the skull. “Love you.”

He straightened his clothing. He wasn’t a fan of wearing the tunic and pants favoured by most farmers and fishermen, but he knew it was best to keep some amount of anonymity. Though since the elders knew he was a wizard it was only a matter of time before word spread. It was always best to be up front with the elders he found. It was the polite thing to do. The fact that they were likely to hesitate before causing him issues was an added bonus.

He headed up the path back towards town. He wanted to hurry, but at this point a little more control was best. He made his way into town, down the streets and towards the council hall.

“Elder Nert!” He called when he saw the wizened old man sitting on the step of the council hall. “How are you today.”

“Eh?” Nert looked at the sky. “More of a blue, I’d say. Not expecting rain anyways.” The elderly elder patted his knee. “Never fails to let me know ahead of time.”

Thomas blinked, trying unsuccessfully to process the statement. “Why are we talking about the weather?”

“Just bad weather I’m afraid.” The old man patted his knee again. “It doesn’t tell me if the weathers going to be good.”

“O..k. Listen, Nert. I have a gift for you.” Thomas hurriedly pulled the tin out of his pocket, pulling off the lid and showing it to the old man before the conversation could be derailed further.

“Is that….” The old mans eyes grew wide. He held out a finger questioningly towards the yellow substance. Thomas nodded, and Nert took a small amount on the tip of his finger. He brought it up to his nose and sniffed. His face contorted, one eye closed and the other blinking as he fought to regain control of his expressions. “Whooowee!” He cried. “That’s some strong liniment!”

Thomas smiled, put the lid on the tin and pressed it into the old man’s hand. “A Gift!” He said loudly.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t.” Nert said as the tin disappeared into his robes.

“Let’s talk a walk.” Thomas said, slowly and loudly. “I wanted to ask you a few questions.”

Thomas helped Nert to his feet, and they made their way inside. “Tell me, Nert.” Thomas began. “Do you know much about a Draconic named Reginald?”

*********************

It was nearly noon by the time Reginald left. Triss gave him another hug before he left, but decided to stay back and help Jonal in the shop rather than walking back to the castle. “He’s a bit behind in the organization. I really need the get the inventory done too.” She said apologetically.

“I think I could spare you, if you’d like to go Triss.” Jonal said unhelpfully. Triss glared at him. She was partly annoyed at his statement, and partly annoyed that she couldn’t kick his leg to shut him up, as he was missing the only one in range. Fortunately Jonal recognized the glare, and corrected himself. “I mean, as long as you don’t mind working late to do inventory? Probably best you stay, now that I think about it.”

Reginald simply nodded, bowed slightly to Jonal, and left. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re as smooth as sandpaper Jonal?” Triss asked.

“Not in those exact words, no.”

Triss sighed, then went to the back room and began organizing various odds and ends. After a few minutes, Jonal came back to fetch her. The restaurant owner was waiting outside with a bill for her, a bill that was much more than she would have expected. Her brow furrowed in confusion, but she took the bill from the owner and paid it. As the owner left, Triss noticed some extra writing on the back of the bill. In large black letters was written I.W.F.A.D.W.

Triss laughed out loud as she went back to work.