Along with Lance and two other supervisors, Cale personally checked each block in the evening. Everything from 40 upwards were people who arrived today and they occupied the rooms up to 65. Lucky for them that Frignez is continuously expanding their settlement, so they had a place to stay immediately.

When Cale arrived with the group at one of the blocks where the badly injured people were staying, there were still some healers present as supervisors, talking to the refugees who were still awake.

<"A real flood has come in today. In all likelihood, these must be the people who actually witnessed the battle in Altona">, Lance quietly announced as he took a searching look around the premises. He was the man who kept track of everything that happend today and was the hub for all the other supervisors. It was remarkable that with so many tasks and people, he hadn't lost sight of the big picture and realized immediately when a mistake had crept in.

<"That was to be expected, we cracked the four-week mark yesterday">, muttered one of the supervisors, whose name was Egon. He had exchanged a lot of information with Cale tonight, helping each other with supplies and care. The other supervisor, Lopak, on the other hand, had been keeping an eye on the lower blocks, primarily concerned with keeping the flow of information between the two rooms going.

<"That's true. We shouldn't get too excited, I can already hear the alarms going off because new refugees are arriving again">, Lance replied with amusement, patting his friend on the shoulder. <"Thank you for your work today, you were a great help.">

<"Always for you, honey">, Lopak replied mockingly as they made their way to the next room and Lance turned his attention to Cale.

<"I haven't gotten around to having a normal conversation with you guys with all the work I've been doing. My name is Lance Sonko and these are Lopak Haarsen and Egon Damason.">

<"Pleased to make your acquaintance, my name is Caleb">, Cale kindly replied and shook hands with his new colleagues before they reached the next block together.

<"You're not from around here, are you? Are you also a refugee from Altona?">

<"I'm from Sylve and no, I'm not a refugee">, Cale quickly corrected and opened the next door.

<"Sylve? That was unexpected">, Lance announced and entered the room, which is why some healers appeared instantly. <"What brings you to Frignez?">

<"Caleb!">, Aletta's voice suddenly rang out, which is why the three men turned around at the same time. The young healer emerged from behind the corner and followed the other two healers to the group of overseers.

<"What are you doing here?">, Cale interjected in wonder.

<"That's what I was going to ask you. What are you still doing here?">, the girl replied in amusement, causing the others to look at Cale in irritation.

<"A lot has happened, Sir Sonko has spontaneously promoted me to an overseer.">

<"I undershand.. no, actually I don't understand. How did that happen?">

<"I can explain it later to you. You'd better tell me what you're doing here. I thought Ninett forbade you to use your mana. You didn't ignore his order, I hope?">

<"What are you thinking of me? Father personally asked me to help today because so many people came">, she proudly interjected, moving into a victory stance, so Cale could only shake his head. <"Is Philippa with you?">

<"No, she's back with the others. I'll finish my rounds and then leave too, what about you?">

<"I'll stay another hour or two and then trade shifts with other healers.">

<"I see">, Cale simply replied, letting his gaze slide over the darkened hall, where dozens of makeshift beds had been set up. Compared to the other rooms, it was comparatively quiet here, probably because quite a lot of the people present had severe wounds.

The head warden, Lance, had exchanged a few words with another healer and was just thanking them for their work before turning back to his group.

<"Let's go>, he quietly announced, which caused the others to nod in agreement and take their leave. Cale was the last to leave the room and with a small wave to Aletta, he closed the door behind him again.

<"Pretty brave of you to call our chiefs and Lady Merensen by their first names">, Egon finally spoke up, which caused Cale to give him an irritated look.

<"Aletta is a good friend of mine, and Chiefs Merensen has personally asked me to simply call him by his first name.">

<"Eh? Are you then one of the Anuxers who arrived here together with Lady Merensen?">, Egon replied skeptically.

<"Yes, that's who I am.">

<"Woa, we've got a little celebrity next to us here!">, Lance interjected with amusement as he walked down the halls and headed for the next block.

Stolen story; please report.

<"What? Are we that famous?">

<"Yes! Lady Meren's disappearance was an extremely sensitive topic and your arrival was the talk of the town. Is it true that you came from Exarion?">

<"Yes, we did, but before you ask, we didn't know of the battle. We left the capital behind a good week before and didn't notice anything during our journey.">

<"Luck of the draw, as they say">, the supervisor gave voice and opened the next door. An unexpected smell of blood came towards them, causing Cale to stand rooted to the door frame. As usual, the healers in charge emerged and explained their situation.

<"The people here are all taken care of, thanks to you. We have treated all the wounds and are still observing some difficult cases. Among the people here are some mages who fought right on the front lines, but we haven't asked what they saw. They are all quite shocked and at their wits' end.">

Lance replied something, but Cale's attention drifted. For some inexplicable reason, he suddenly felt a large amount of mana, so his gaze turned backwards. One of the fugitives was not lying in his bed like the rest, but crouched in the corner, terrified, burying his face. Wordlessly, Cale walked over to this person, who had erected a protective wall of mana around himself.

"That... is me, isn't it?", Sefra spoke up quietly, while the other High-Magicians also recognized her face. But this surprised Cale. He didn't remember meeting Sefra for the first time in the premises. Her face was barely recognizable, but the thing that made him so sure was her mana. He recognized it without a problem by now.

<"My mothers always told me not to sit on the ground because I would only catch a cold">, Cale spoke calmly and crouched down in front of the unknown woman, who buried her head under her arms. <"What do you think, don't you want to lie down in bed and try to get some sleep?">

<"I can't">, the alternate version of Sefra spoke up as she tightened her grip. <"When I close my eyes, I see their faces. Aaron, Rosalie, Odin, Nora, Rangar... even Raphael. They are dead. They are all dead.">

<"You fought valiantly">, Cale replied meekly, watching the woman, who did not move.

<"I didn't. I let them die, and the same probably happend to the rest of my family.">

<"But you don't know for sure, do you? Until you've been convinced otherwise, they're all still alive.">

After this statement, both sides fell silent until Sefra lifted her head a tiny bit and looked at Cale with teary eyes.

<"You are way too optimistic.">

<"But I'm right, aren't I?">

<"You can't imagine what happened in Exarion. You weren't there">, she threw back petulantly, but instead of being offended by it, Cale smiled gently.

<"I wasn't there, you're right. And I wouldn't dare say I know how you feel either">, he finally raised and extended his hand, slowly filling it with mana and heating it. <"But I can relate in my own way. When I was a child, something similar happened to me. I come from the village of Groka, you must know.">

Sefra's eyes stared at him for a while without comment before her gaze fell on Cale's hand. Hesitantly, she reached out and placed her hand on his before feeling the warmth.

<"Get some rest, morning will still rise. And don't forget one thing: Never stop fighting">, he replied and straightened up, which is why Sefra followed him as well and came out of her dark corner.

<"You don't even know who I am.>"

<"I don't need to know to judge that you won't give up, even if it may feel like the end of the world">, Cale replied philosophically, before pulling the blanket aside and letting Sefra take a seat on her bed. <"And now get some sleep.">

Wordlessly, the undiscovered High-Mage lay down and allowed Cale to tuck her in before Cale smiled at her one last time and then walked back to the door. Lance and Egon waited for him in the hallway as he exited, closed the door, and wordlessly walked on.

Cale let the memory fade, which is why he could even realize how tense his colleagues were. No one said anything, not even Sefra herself. Silently, they sat in a circle with their eyes closed, which is why Cale could only sense their presence.

The next thing Cale showed you was a scene that took place a few days later. After a hectic morning, Cale, Aletta and Philippa had belatedly gathered at the dining table and were eating breakfast together. It was peaceful for a few moments before a sudden surge of mana was felt, causing the two mages to stop moving at the same time.

<"Did you feel that too?">, Aletta asked in surprise, turning toward the door.

<"Yes, I did. A mage, perhaps?">, Cale replied, letting go of the glass he was currently holding.

<"Sensed what?">, Philippa announced with her mouth full, but Cale and Aletta had already jumped up.

<"I doubt a normal mage has that much mana">, the healer carefully said and opened the door before the two of them followed the source of the power. They didn't have to go far, because the source could be found in the chiefs' meeting room. Aletta knocked on the door and spoke up in a loud voice. <"Father, is everything all right? Can I come in?">

<"It's all right dear, everything is fine">, the man replied calmly, but his daughter was not content with that.

<"Are you sure?">

The chief Merensen did not answer for some time, so Aletta became impatient. She could hear voices talking softly to each other before the man's voice was heard again.

<"Come in.">

As she was allowed to, Aletta opened the door and entered the room, followed by Cale, before closing the door. Several familiar faces sat in a circle, glaring at the newcomers. Cale recognized two overseers, a chief healer, Chief Ninett Merensen and his wife Delenna Merensen. The other four faces Cale could not place belonged to Sefra Risztus, as well as Miguel Heriog, Chief Jarsep Heriog, and Chief Flynn Clensen. And one man he recognized only fleetingly, who would later turn out to be Asta Mundor. Thanks to Aletta's surprised reaction, Cale immediately guessed that some important figures had gathered here.

<"You've become a good mage, I'll give you that>, her father spoke up, pointing with his hand at the unknown woman Cale didn't recognize at the time. <"This is the 4th seat of the Magistrat, High-Magician Sefra Risztus.">

In a complete state of shock, the two stared at the tall women in her mid-30s, who greeted them with a small bow. The fact that afterwards her cool eyes were glued on Cale gave him goosebumps, so he unobtrusively gave Aletta a nudge to take over speaking in front of such influential guests.

<"It's a honor to make your acquaintance">, Aletta finally lifted and bowed as well, causing Cale to do likewise. One of the many things he had learned from Henry Larnge. <"My name is Aletta Merensen and this is my friend Caleb from Sylve. We just wanted to check on the law and not interrupt you at all.">

<"It's alright, join us">, her father replied and slid a bit to the side, causing Aletta to nod and walk towards him. <"You too Caleb. I've heard a lot about your work, and maybe an outsider's opinion would be helpful.">

Irritated, Cale stopped and cast an appraising glance at Lance Sonko, who, with a smile on his face, confirmed that it was fine. The young healer joined her family as Cale sat down next to his temporary colleagues.

<"We were just talking about the creatures.">