The first thing Narati wanted to do after his latest ordeal was to get some food and sleep the whole day, which he did. After he took his well-deserved rest, he started checking on the things that he left to his friends, especially the most important one.

Narati made sure someone was there to take care of the dragon egg he decided to keep with him ever since they found the lab. The egg’s warmth was enough to convince the ratfolk that it was still alive. Despite Aranis’s claim that a dragon’s egg was far more formidable than Narati thought it would be (Narati compared the pearl-like egg to a chicken egg, which was not a good comparison), the Fa’ar wanted to take care of it. It was a promise he made after dealing the killing blow on its suffering mother.

Narati entrusted the egg to Sil before he left with Karkas. Sil, who belonged to an egg-bearing race and was thus the best person Narati personally knew to take care of an egg, was the best choice to take care of an equally reptilian race. Her background as a doctor also helped increasing the chances of the dragon egg's survival.

Sil’s spell kept the egg incubated in her home while she tended to her clinic. When Narati met with her, she gave the egg back after giving the ratfolk suggestions on how to care for a dragon’s egg, though she did comment on how different the egg felt compared to a Lizan’s egg.

“Our eggs are slightly smaller than the dragon’s egg,” said Sil. “But this egg is brimming with magic. We can usually gauge a hatchling’s potential just by sensing their mana and this one is…wow. Now I see why they’re considered one of the most powerful magical creatures that once walked this world. It’s a shame most of them are gone now.”

“But will it ever hatch?” asked Narati.

“Only time will tell, kid,” said Sil while patting Narati’s head. “For now, you should rest. I can easily tell how weary you are from traveling. I wonder where that big Croc went.”

Narati was reluctant, but he also felt wrong keeping her in the dark. Sil was Karkas's friend before he met Narati, and the one that he completely trusted. Keeping Karkas's condition away from her would not help their friendship. Narati also did not wish to keep burdening himself too much. So, he explained everything that happened, including the Darkening that changed him. Sil listened intently, though it was clear that she was concerned. Narati tried his best not to tell Sil the real reason of their latest expedition, but she knew Karkas well enough to deduce it.

“Even after all these years, he’s still obsessed with that rat,” said Sil. “Now look where it got him.”

“I should’ve stopped him,” said Narati. “If I didn’t brag about knowing Fa’ars well….”

“Hey, don’t blame yourself. Karkas chose his life long before he met you. I turned a blind eye because of our shared hatred, but once I met you…things changed. I decided to let go of Pescita, along with the Fa’ars who took it over. But Kar…I know Crocs have a long memory, especially when it comes to vengeance. This time, he lost against himself. If you weren’t there, I am sure he’ll become one of his enemy’s subjects in no time. To think a Fa’ar can cast spells, and not just any spells at that.”

“He’ll return home,” assured Narati. “That buyan is tough, Sil.”

“Heh. Of course, he is. Again, don’t blame yourself too much, Nara. Just be grateful that he’s still with us, even if he’s changed.”

“Thanks, Sil. Oh, and is it okay if I ask you to take care for the egg for a little while longer?”

“Take your time to rest, Narati.”

Narati nodded and walked out of Sil’s shop and walked directly towards his apartment building. He wanted to just come up the stairs and take a long bath, but he still had one thing to do in his workshop. Good thing he took his time gathering junks and keeping them intact. Good thing his satchel stayed with him through the journey, and this time, he did not carry more than he should. He only needed the parts necessary to repair his circular saw axe, specifically parts for its main motor.

Beside the workshop was a store that had a connected backroom, which had been left vacant until recently. Narati could hear noises coming from the backroom. He was not concerned about an intruder since he knew everyone in Dragon’s Rest, especially the kids who liked to play in there every now and then.

But today, someone Narati barely knew was in there, and it surprised the Fa’ar when he walked back there to find the Leonian he rescued checking on the dusty equipment that Narati had no idea what for. He, however, seemed to know what they were.

“Hey, N’Dari,” said Narati.

“Oh, hey, Narati,” replied N’Dari. “The mayor told me I can stay in one of the vacant apartments across the street and used this place to start working. I can’t believe you have a forge and you never used it.”

“I don’t know how to. I’m no blacksmith.”

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“Hence why I’m here. Is that your workshop? May I come in?”

Narati nodded and welcomed the Leonian into his fledgling workshop. He looked around, examining the pile of scraps and the worktable. He appreciated many things Narati found that he managed to get working and sell, but the one thing that took his notice was the peculiar weapon on the worktable. The weapon, powered with an engine cobbled together from junk parts, was something even N’Dari was not used to see. The fact that it functioned at all was impressive, especially since it showed Narati's gift for crafting.

“So, this is the ‘proper weapon’ you’ve been talking about,” said the Leonian while handling the weapon. “It’s a little fragile, but I bet you’ve scared a lot of your enemies with this weapon alone.”

“Which is why I preferred it than this,” said Narati while pulling out the axe he carried for the adventure. “It’s broken, though. The motor doesn’t work anymore so I set out to find a replacement motor. I did find one similar to that, but it’s in a worse shape."

“The saw itself is rusted as hell. It may work like an axe when it’s on, but I bet it’s not sharp enough to cut through someone or something properly. Sure, it kills them in the most horrifying way, but after several uses, the teeth will be broken and you'd find yourself lugging a useless junk. What you need, other than the replacement motor, is to replace the saw component, and I can help with that.”

“You do? Does the Southern Plains even have circular saws?”

“Don’t patronize me, rat. Of course, we’re aware of ancient techs. We just moved on from it to create something better. You also need to do that if you want to continue using this weapon. It’s impressive that you managed to build something this deadly with nothing but scraps and junks, but it won’t help you in the long run. Fortunately for you, I can make this weapon better, deadlier, and most importantly, reliable.”

Narati, intrigued by N’Dari’s offer, asked, “What do you need?”

“Time and facility. You already got me the facility. It’s great, by the way. Just not well-supplied. I think your mayor can help me with that. I have all the time in the world with you saving me. And do I spy an artificer table?”

N’Dari then walked towards the table that Narati had no idea how to use. Yet, it only took a little check from N’Dari for him to know what he needed to do.

“Needs to recharge the magicite that comes with this table and attune it to myself, but other than that, it’s in perfect condition. I bet this table’s a waste of space to you, huh?”

“Not when you’re here to use it properly,” said Narati, cracking a smile on his rodent face. “So, planning to stay long?”

“As long as you pay me and not screw me over, then sure. It’s not like I’m obligated to go home, especially not after I met the Chitra you mentioned. There’s…something about her that’s familiar to me."

N’Dari must’ve been familiar with the exiled princess, but Narati decided not to confirm that fact because he made a promise to Sakiri. He simply teased the Leonian, asking him if he fancied her. This gave the Leonian a hearty laugh.

“I have a feeling she's out of my league, rat."

Narati and N’Dari then walked around the workshop, forge, and blacksmith area discussing what they needed to properly operate the shop. Before long, the sun had set, and night came to the Valley.

At night, Narati took N’Dari somewhere close by their homes. He greeted the person turning on the lamp posts in front of their apartment buildings with a light spell. N’Dari could tell that this man trusted Narati enough to have a friendly small talk, such as discussing the merits of having an automated system that pumped mana into the lamp posts so that he wouldn’t need to manually cast a light spell every time the sun set.

“I can ask Raine about that,” suggested Narati. “But I suggest you write him some letters so that he knows this is a pressing issue.”

“Thanks, Nara. Oh, and you might want to take your leonine friend to Connie’s. The pub’s very crowded tonight with the travelers.”

“Travelers? We got them already?”

“It’s been months since we settled here, kid. Words fly by fast. Oh, and welcome to Dragon’s Rest, Leonian.”

“Thank you,” said N’Dari.

“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?” said Narati.

“I don’t plan to. I can’t wait to try Connie’s soup.”

Narati excused himself while the man returned to his job lighting the lamp posts. N’Dari, amused by the human’s jovial attitude towards Narati, said, “I have never seen people treat Fa’ars so kindly.”

“Oh, he’s a nice man. His son’s younger than I am and we like to play together. There isn’t many I can offer, but I can fix some toys I got from the scraps.”

N’Dari chuckled. “To think you, of all people, would be trusted by humans.”

“C’mon, N’Dari. I’m not going to suddenly betray them just because someone’s scared of rats. In fact, I feel grateful to be welcomed by them. You don’t get that out in the Desert Wasteland. Most of the time, they’d remind you about what your ancestors did, and curse the Makers for creating us.”

“Life can be harsh to Dark Races like you, I suppose. And Tulis’s kind. I wonder what they would do if they ever met a Mygalean. They are not exactly cute like Fa’ars.”

“You think I’m cute?” teased Narati. “I never thought you’d say that.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, rat,” retorted N’Dari. “But then again, you’re an exception to many things.”

“Heh. Thanks, mi tanem.” Narati then looked up to the starry sky. “I wish Kar’s here. I wonder how he is holding up right now.”

“You can call that elf and ask for an update. I can help with the mana part.”

Narati shook his head. “Nah. I know he’s in good hands. If an elf’s willing to trust a cursed kind like me, then I’m willing to trust her.”

“You know, I think you’re a bit too trusting. Not necessarily naïve, but still.”

“Better than not trusting anyone after losing my childhood. I’m learning to let go of my past, something that two of my friends have failed. I am not making the same mistake as Karkas and Jacques.”

“Jacques.”

“A friend. He’s…gone now.”

N’Dari decided not to push the thing further. Narati, appreciating N’Dari’s tempered curiosity, walked with the Leonian talking about things both of them were into, and things they shared interest in.

The night felt less lonely with a new friend, especially one who was big enough to be intimidating. Narati already had an experience with Karkas. N’Dari wasn’t much of a difference.

He only hoped that the Crocodilian could be healed one day and returned to Dragon’s Rest. Narati could only hope Tallinn knew what she was doing. He couldn’t wait to have everything returned to the way it was.