Cliff released a slow breath, and Neil clapped him on the shoulder, a warm smile breaking through his serious expression.

“Thanks,” Cliff murmured. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Neil shrugged, his grin returning. “You’d do the same for me. I’m just glad I came back in time.” he looked around and smiled at the people who resumed their shopping. “I couldn’t very well let you lose Cliffstone. Now that you’re settling in nicely.”

Cliff’s tension melted away, and he found himself smiling back. He glanced around the room, his heart lifting as he took in the nods of approval and murmurs of agreement from the remaining customers.

As the last of the customers trickled out, leaving only the warm glow of the lamps, Cliff poured two mugs of spiced ale, sliding one across the counter to Neil. The shop felt quiet now, but not empty. The air seemed to hum, now that Neil was here. Neil took the mug with a grin, settling into the chair opposite Cliff, his adventurous spirit alive in the twinkle of his eyes.

“Alright,” Neil said, leaning in with a curious smirk. “You kept hinting earlier. Who’s this beastmaster everyone’s talking about?”

Cliff chuckled, the memory of his meeting with Elara in the Dalsea Woods warming his chest. “Her name’s Elara. She’s only sixteen, but you wouldn’t believe her skills. The girl set a trap for me before we’d even exchanged names! She’s got this wild green hair, all tangled with leaves, and she keeps bottles of roots and herbs tied to her belt, like she’s part forest herself.”

“Sounds like she’s made an impression on you.” Neil laughed, taking a long sip of his ale. “You don’t talk about many people with that kind of respect, you know?”

“She earned it.” Cliff smiled, staring into his drink. “Elara’s protective, especially of the creatures in her care. At first, she wouldn’t even hear me out—thought I was just another merchant trying to exploit the magical beasts. But after some convincing, she let me help her tend to an injured Roc. That was the deal, you know. If I gathered healing herbs for it, she’d consider working with me. I think that’s what got through to her.”

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Neil whistled, impressed. “You? Rooting around for herbs in the Dalsea Woods? Now there’s a sight I would’ve paid to see.”

“Oh, it was worth it.” Cliff shook his head with a fond chuckle. “Being out there, doing something good for once instead of just bartering for profit… it made me remember why I started this whole ‘ethically sourced’ journey in the first place. It’s strange, but helping Elara, seeing how she works with these creatures? It gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time.”

Neil’s expression softened, and he raised his mug in a silent toast. “Here’s to purpose, then,” he said, his tone sincere. “And to Elara. I’d like to meet her someday.” They clinked mugs, the sound echoing softly in the cozy space.

After a pause, Neil leaned back, eyes thoughtful. “You know, I owe you thanks, too. That armor you gave me held up better than I could’ve hoped. I barely got a scratch in the Veil of Skymire.”

Cliff’s brows lifted, a mix of pride and concern crossing his face. “Skymire is no joke. I heard there’s a whole lake of acid lake that can dissolve skin if you get too close.”

“Close?” Neil grinned, leaning in with a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. “I almost fell in. It was the armor that saved me, honestly. I hit the ground right near the water’s edge, and I could feel the heat, feel the… wrongness of it. That whole place has a pulse of its own, like it’s alive and watching you. But I tell you, Cliff, that heartstone plating? It never flinched. Not once.”

Cliff sat back, exhaling a deep breath. “Hearing that makes everything worth it. Every late night, every haggle, every ounce of doubt. I make this stuff for people like you, you know? People who need real protection.”

They shared a quiet moment, both feeling the weight of their words settle into the shop, grounding them. Cliff had always respected Neil’s courage, but hearing firsthand how his armor had saved his friend’s life stirred something deeper in him.

Neil took another sip, his gaze softening. “You know, Cliff, you’re not just some merchant. You’re one of the good ones, and don’t let anyone, not even weasel-faced Desmond, tell you otherwise.”

Cliff laughed, rolling his eyes. “I needed that, Neil. Thanks.”

The two sat together as the lamps flickered. For all the years they’d been apart, Cliff sensed that they always cared for each other deeply. What he felt was true, he realized.

Outside, the night was still, the stars like pinpricks of light in the dark sky. And inside, Cliff and Neil shared a quiet, steady companionship. Cliff aimed to build that. To stand side by side, through battles big and small, knowing that, no matter what, they would always have each other’s backs.