{-Llewel-}

Phanes had ushered them all out with a kind of excited urgency when they’d finished helping. He’d told them to come back first thing the next morning; that was exactly what they did, when both the players had gotten there.

The couple and Jun were already there and it was hard to miss what they seemed so excited about.

The temple, crumbling when they left, was now nearly completely restored. It stood like a miniature of the one in Nafrius—grand yet welcoming, a place where anyone might find rest.

As soon as Phanes saw the four of them, he walked up to greet them. “Once you’d all completed the quest, I’d realized that the temple could be completely restored. After two long years… the people of Kehnore finally have a place to rest when they grow weary.” There was nothing that could’ve erased his smile. “I don’t think I can thank the four of you enough for making it possible. I can’t imagine how much longer it would’ve taken for someone else to come. We don’t have an official board stating which players participated in the quest, but… I’m sure we won’t forget your help.”

…

With nothing else planned, they’d returned to the inn to discuss what other quests were left. They weren’t there for long before getting stuck.

“It feels like Kehnore is the place of retired serial killers and guys out to kill you,” Zetai remarked, looking between the list and all the quests Reynneak was showing her.

“Kehnore’s the center of a bunch of that stuff,” Kaerio said casually from his spot near the counter. “You might have some better luck looking outside the city. I know there’s a few scholars that need help researching marine life around here.”

“After the last time we were on a boat?” Myr shivered. “I’m not doing that again.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I guess that’s a fair point.” He shrugged and wandered a bit closer to their table as more players came in; it looked more like he was giving them a quest that way. “I’d lend a hand—I can probably take care of most of those guys pretty quickly—but I can’t for some pretty obvious reasons.”

“I don’t get it,” Reynneak mumbled. “They at least had an idea that you’d all be aware, right? Why would they want you guys to live in a place like this?”

“Because boring regular life doesn’t sell, Rey,” was Zetai’s dull response.

Kaerio was quiet for a moment before giving an answer of his own. “Well, I don’t think we were supposed to at the game’s release. Even if everything had gone according to plan—the original plan—it wouldn’t have been so bad. I assume the twins would’ve been like the rest of us story companions, except they didn’t need to stay confined to Nafrius. Then they and anyone with story reasons to want them dead would be at a stalemate; neither side could hurt the other, or really do any damage that lasted beyond the daily reset. It’s tiring, but ultimately harmless.”

“They might not even try to find us at all,” Llewel muttered. “If we hadn’t done… whatever it was that made things turn out like this, they might not have had a reason. We’d probably just be two annoying kids they missed their opportunity to do anything with.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Reynneak sighed. “Either way, we need something else to do. We’re not strong enough to not get murdered in Ilataesi and I definitely don’t want to spend hours in random battle dungeons.”

“We’re just gonna have to get creative,” Zetai decided. “If worst comes to worst, the two of us can do the other stuff alone.”

Llewel frowned to show all his thoughts on the matter.

Kaerio nudged him. “Come on, what’s that face for? They don’t look that unreliable.”

“Of course not,” was the answer nearly too quiet for anyone to hear.

“I definitely think they’ll be able to take care of a couple of quests on their own,” Myr offered as well. “Zetai might die but that’s what Reynneak’s hundreds of [Heal]s are for.”

“I know that.”

Then Kaerio got right to the problem Myr didn't want to bring up. “They’re not going to end up like Casrane.”

Zetai and Reynneak looked between each other and, for a moment, didn’t say anything at all.

“If that’s what you’re worried about, then I can almost guarantee it’s not going to happen,” Zetai remarked. “We’re two regular people here. To Nankohm, we’re just two random players. They’re not going to try to do anything to us.”

“We’ve got our own lives but that doesn’t mean we’re going to abandon you two, either,” Reynneak added gently. “We’ve been together long enough for you to know that, right?”

“I get all of that.” Llewel didn’t try to explain the feeling because he knew he wouldn’t be able to. He hardly understood it himself. “But for some reason, my brain isn’t letting me forget it…”

Zetai gave a reassuring smirk. “Well, you’ve always got the three of us.”

“And me,” Kaerio interjected. “I’ll be more than willing to help however I can. I can’t say that’s what the majority in Kehnore would think, but I know there are others that’ll say the same, too. There’s a lot of good people around here, you’ve just got to be able to find them.”

Llewel tried and failed to manage some sort of smile.

With any reassurances they could give being given, they went back to looking at quests. Kaerio stayed beside them a little longer, pointing out some of the ones they could try, until more players began to come to the inn. He was called back to the counter, where he stayed giving out quests to some of the players that approached him.

The chatter gave Llewel something else to focus on, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to give any input on quests. Two players were catching up after what sounded like months apart; another group was drilling each other over things to expect in a nearby dungeon; a collection had huddled in the corner to discuss all the details about the upcoming event. He wished he’d been as carefree as any of them sounded, but still there were thoughts he couldn’t get out of his head.

None of them made a mention of when Kaerio wandered towards the door. They likely all figured he’d decided to try to catch the players when they first entered. It didn’t make a little more sense until they heard a familiar voice—and not one they were particularly looking forward to.

“Seriously, if I had intentions of hurting either of them, I would’ve barged right in by now. At this point it looks like you’re the one in the wrong here.”

Kaerio eventually walked over to their table, with Tinath casually standing beside him. “I’m assuming you all know each other?”

“I don’t know why you think you should be here, but I’d advise you to turn around and walk right back out,” Zetai warned. “I’m not dealing with you.”

“Would love to, shortstuff, but you’re just drawing attention to us both at this point,” Tinath remarked. “Do yourself a favor and don’t turn this into a scene.” She sighed. “I just came here to talk. Bring Kaerio with you if you really don’t trust me. After I’ve said what I wanted to, you never have to see me again.”