Noria led Lorem and their partners as they made their way to Haldria. The tanner was easily found humming away as she worked on stretching a piece of hide.

“Haldria,” Noria said rather curtly.

The tanner jumped and quickly whipped around, but upon seeing who it was she became rather excited. “Noria! Lorem!” She kneeled down to the dragons. “Tzarin and Azelea!” She gave each one scritches.

Despite Haldria’s demeanor, Noria wasn’t buying it. “What’s this about a gift?” she asked the tanner pointedly.

“Oh! Right…” Haldria stood up even as the dragons began to whimper. “Did Lorem not tell you?”

All eyes went to the man in question who somehow managed to seem rather small at the moment.

“No, he didn’t…” Noria said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Ah! Well, it’s probably better that way. Give me one second and I’ll go get it for you.” Haldria rushed into her tent.

“Look…” Lorem started but immediately trailed off as Noria narrowed her eyes even further.

“What?” she asked.

He sighed, resigning himself to his fate. “Okay, listen… Haldria did tell me, but I thought I’d keep it hidden from you. I wanted to be the one to present it.”

She ever so slightly raised an eyebrow. “And what is it exactly?”

“It’s–”

“Here we go!” Haldria shouted, stepping out from her tent. She was holding something up… Something red.

“Tada!” The tanner held up the object and let it unfurl.

A dress. A red dress. A red, leather dress.

Haldria continued as she brought it over to them to get a better look. “Originally, I wanted to present it to you as a wedding gift. But, after the, uh…attack, I decided not to wait.”

Noria couldn’t help but to stare down at the dress, taking in all its uncomfortable details. It was made out of thin leather and dyed a deep maroon color. If that were all, it wouldn’t have been so bad.

But it wasn’t.

Her cheeks blushed as she noticed the deep cut the dress had that exposed way too much skin around the chest area. And the skirt part of the dress looked to barely come down to her knees.

She didn’t make it to the sleeveless arms before recoiling away. The thought of her wearing something so… So scathing was too much to bear.

“Absolutely not!” She shouted, pushing the dress further away. “I could never wear something like that!”

Haldria looked confused as she looked down at the dress. “Really? I think it looks wonderful…” She sounded almost hurt.

But it was Lorem’s reaction to her words that made her pause. His expression faltered by a hair. No one else would have caught it, but Noria knew Lorem better than anyone. He was disappointed.

“I’m sorry Haldria, but I think we will have to turn down the gift,” he said, maintaining his appearance.

“Oh…” The tanner’s expression fell further.

Noria looked away in shame. Despite his disappointment, he said nothing about it and that made her feel terrible.

He thought I would like it… She thought I would like it… Noria looked to Azelea, she could tell her partner was depressed as well.

Gods help me… “Wait.”

The other woman looked up at her.

“I… I overreacted.” She straightened herself up. “I’ve never worn something…like that–” she pointed to the dress “–before and I didn’t think before opening my mouth.”

Haldria shook her head. “It’s okay, Noria. I understand, I kinda just ran with the idea without asking you…”

“No, no it's not. You made me a gift and I acted like a fool. At the very least, I’d like to try it on– B-before making a decision!” She nearly choked on the last bit of her words.

The tanner’s eyes lit up. “Really?! You’ll try it? Oh perfect! It took so long to get your exact measurements!”

Wait a second… “My measurements? When did you get those?”

“I had some help!” She proudly gestured to Azelea, still too excited to realize what she was doing. “While she can’t project her voice yet, the two of us managed to come up with our own way of communicating! Anyway, with that…”

Noria turned her ire towards her partner.

Azelea let out a low whimper as she lowered her head. She knew she was in trouble.

“…I asked her to bring me some of your clothing and based my measurements off of them!”

“I see,” Noria said, her voice ice-cold. “How about I try the dress on now?” she asked, absolutely done with all this.

“Huh? Oh yeah… Right… Here, come with me! I’ll help you change!”

Before she could respond the tanner had grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her towards the tent.

They disappeared inside, but not before Haldria gave a wink to Lorem. “No peeking!”

As the tent flap closed behind them, Noria blinked. The light within was dim and only being lit by a single anemic looking lantern.

With the little light there was, it was enough for her to see just how barren the tent was. Haldria had a small bed, made up of raw lumber and a terribly thin mat that acted as her mattress. Next to it was a rough looking trunk made with the same lumber.

There were other little things in the tent, including a very quaint looking table and chair. Actually, that singular chair was what caught Noria’s attention the most.

Just one… The thought only made Noria feel even worse for originally rejecting the dress. She knew Haldria didn’t have very many guests, let alone friends…

“Alright, now let’s get you out of those clothes! Come on, strip down! All the way!” the tanner said rather excitedly.

“W-wait, what do you mean by ‘all the way?’” The moment Noria asked that, she immediately regretted it.

Haldria wore a devilish grin. “I mean, all the way.”

Closing her eyes, Noria suppressed a groan and began to strip. It’s for them… It’s for them… It’s for them…

“T-there…” she said, doing her best to cover herself. “Give me the dress–”

“Relax Noria, it’s not my first time seeing a woman naked. Besides, the only one who would dare to peek would be Lorem and I get the feeling he’s already seen you naked plenty of times.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

That did not help her confidence.

“Come here, I’ll help get the dress on…” The tanner held the dress out for her.

Noria hesitantly took it and gulped. This was the moment she was dreading. Still, she had made her decision and would not back out now…

Time passed as Haldria worked on tightening and adjusting the few straps that held the dress on. And, as she worked, she struck up another conversation.

“Say, have you gone and spoken with Gil yet?”

“Hmm– Ow… What about?” Noria said, wincing as one of the straps was pulled a little too tight and pinched her.

Haldria stopped for a moment and gave her a look. “About… You know, uh… Your father?” She whispered the last part as if afraid someone would over hear.

“Oh.” Noria perked up at that, only now remembering their prior conversation about him. “I haven’t… But, what brought that up?”

The tanner frowned and looked away. “Because, I think Gil needs it. He’s been doing better since the ceremony last night, but…”

“But?”

“But I went to check on him the night Calinna died. I heard him crying and begging for forgiveness. I heard him muttering about all his regrets. One that came up a lot was about you and your father.”

Both women grew silent as that detail came to light. But Noria wasn’t sure if she was ready to face whatever Gil had to say.

Actually… “How come he hasn’t come to me?” she asked.

“He’s afraid, I think. However, I believe it’ll help him if he talks to you.”

Noria took a deep breath. “And what if I don’t want to know? Will you still ask me to go and speak with him?”

The tanner shook her head no. “I won’t force, but I think it's been long enough. You should probably know.”

They fell silent once more as Haldria finished adjusting the dress…

“There, I think we’re done,” she said, stepping away from Noria. “Give me a spin and let me see my handiwork.”

Noria obliged, if a little hesitantly. The dress was pulled tight enough to be as if form fitted to her.

“H-how does it look?” she asked, but the devilish smile appeared once again on the tanner’s face.

“Oh, it doesn’t matter what I think… But let’s see how your soon-to-be husband thinks.” Haldria went to the tent flap and threw it open.

“Lorem! Your beautiful fiance is ready!” she shouted, causing Noria to once again flush with embarrassment.

A few moments later, Lorem stepped up but Noria had subconsciously moved into the shadows.

“Oh no you don’t…” Haldria said, reaching for her arm. She grabbed it and gently pulled her in front of Lorem.

“W-what do you think…?” Noria asked, losing what little confidence she had left. She was practically shivering as she looked up to him.

Lorem’s expression turned from his permanent smile to one of pure shock as his jaw dropped. It made her want to just rip the dress off of–

Suddenly, and without warning, he grasped her hand firmly. A fire of pure desire burned intensely in his eyes.

“Noria, we need to go. Now.”

----------------------------------------

As the day wound down and evening approached, Felix became ever more conscious about the night. For with it, he would learn about his past self, his old self, his dead self…

Nervous? Zira asked him concernedly.

He gave her a meek smile. Of course, but I won’t shy away from it.

The two of them were alone for now. They had helped with what they could with the elves but eventually that was taken care of. Now, he and Zira had nothing else to do save for a bit of training and relaxing.

And as for Eri and Kyrith? Those two were busy getting a lecture on ‘proper’ etiquette by Oralyn. It would have been a humorous sight to watch, if not for the death stares that came his way from both women when he had tried.

At least Kyrith looked like he was having fun with it… He let the thought trail off, however. Him and Zira were in their familiar glade, not far from where the dwarves and gnomes were currently setting up. Soon, they would have to head back.

Closing his eyes, he peered into this new bond. It was both the same and yet different to the one he and Zira had previously shared. The new one had ‘replaced’ the old, but his connection with Zira was stronger now more than ever.

In fact, he was surprised to find his connection with Eri and Kyrith to be as strong. He figured it would be tenuous and straining.

But it wasn’t.

I think it’s because we formed the bond, together and as one, Zira commented. But, that’s what I don’t fully understand. Why did you and Eri join us? I thought it would have been dangerous for you two to have tried?

Felix shrugged from his seat next to her. I have no clue. All I know is that I heard you singing. It sounded like you were calling for me. I answered and joined you. It was probably the same for Eri.

Zira let out a dissatisfied snort. Before I started, I heard a voice– My own voice, asking if I was sure. It was…strange.

He raised an eyebrow at that. Did that not happen when you first imprinted or bonded with me?

No. At least, I don’t think so. Those…memories are too vague for me to recall properly.

Hmm, perhaps we’ll have to consult someone with more knowledge–

I hope you’re not thinking of asking Yarnel, she said, interrupting him.

Felix chuckled. No, actually I was thinking of asking Ithea– Wait a second… An idea came to him. Maybe we can ask Mirezabeth? She has to know.

Ah yes! Ask the Goddess about such lowly things! Zira said mockingly.

Why not? he asked furrowing his brow. She seems approachable… Well, okay, maybe she does the approaching, but you get my gist.

She let out another snort, this one in amusement. Perhaps… I suppose it’s worth a try. Anyway–

Zira was cut off by the sound of Eri’s voice entering from their bond. We’re finally finished with our ‘lessons,’ she said with an exhausted voice. Gods, Oralyn is a slavedriver… And, when did she become the expert on how a queen should act?!

It wasn’t that bad! I had fun at least, Kyrith suddenly added.

Felix let out an audible chuckle. Well, I’m glad the two of you survived it. I, for one, thought it was entirely funny.

He felt that familiar death glare from Eri.

Watch it, I’ll make sure you participate next time, oh Great Champion.

Cringing, he sent an apology her way.

Zira chose that moment to speak up once more. Anyway… I was going to ask you, Felix, are you ready to head back? You need to grab the journal and we should find a more private spot, especially since the dwarves and gnomes are setting up nearby.

He stood up and stretched. Yeah. And, we’ll come get the two of you, he added to Eri and Kyrith.

We’ll be waiting, Eri responded, still sounding annoyed with him.

With that, Felix wasted no time and scrambled up to his perch on Zira’s back. The amethyst-colored dragon stood up and the two of them left for the manor…

***

Felix found the journal right where he left it, laying on top of his bed. Curiously, his bed had been remade, yet the journal looked as if it had never been touched.

Honestly, I should give more credit to Niri. She does such a fantastic job… It was an idle thought, but the blue kobold was like a ghost, one that was hardly seen.

He shook his head, however. He had people waiting for him and, if he was being honest, he wanted to get this next part over and done with as soon as possible.

Picking up the journal, Felix was keenly aware of the faint mana that thrummed within it. It was a strange sensation, almost as if it was both simultaneously calling for him and warding him away. But, as he said to Zira, he would not shy away.

He needed to do this.

Another thought struck him as he exited his room, Fea’s old room. His eyes drifted up towards the stairway that led to the third floor. There, one final locked room stood.

The key burned in his pocket and he instinctively reached for it. But what he pulled out was something else.

Felix pulled out a metal ring.

His eyes widened in surprise as it quickly dawned on him where the ring had come from. It belonged to the severely injured elf that he had found.

Gingerly, he slipped it back into his pocket. I will get you back to your owner, he said, making a vow. But first, I have something I must do…

He turned his attention to the stairway leading down.

Down into the unforgiven.

Down into the forgotten.

Down into his past.