I woke up to the ringing of the town bell. Yawning, I turned over and looked at Tristan. She'd hit the bed the night before and almost immediately fallen asleep, but I couldn't sleep. While the bath had done her good, she still looked pale and tired when we'd gone to lie down. This morning, however, she looked much better. Her skin had taken on its normal creamy tone again, and her breathing was soft and consistent. I could feel relief wash over me.

She didn't wake as I moved to the edge of my stone bed, yawned, and stretched. The light hit the curve of her jaw and caused her jet-black hair to shine. She looked so peaceful lying there in her bundle of blankets. After the veil of delusion lifted, I finally could see how many ways she reminded me of Na-Ya. Her eyes were almond-shaped and piercing blue, like Na-Ya's, although her skin was more fair. In the morning light, I could see a smattering of freckles along her nose and cheeks. Her shoulders were broader than her cousin's, likely from all the training she'd done at the temple, but I could see traces of resemblance between the two women.

I shook my head. Don't be weird.

But then a thought bubbled up in me.

This whole time Na-Ya's cousin...

My best friend...

Had been a girl...

Who I'd talked to like a guy...

About her cousin...

And how hot she was...

So. Many. Times...

Shit.

I shook my head even more. Problems for later. We'd almost gotten murdered the night before and were still in the process of paying back debts to an angry alchemist. My death by embarrassment would have to wait for another day.

I stood up and headed out the door. I could smell something fresh coming from nearby and followed my nose. A minute later, I was standing face-to-face with a large spread of cheese and bread.

"Sleep well?" The innkeeper sauntered up, a big smile plastered on his face.

"Very."

"Glad to hear it. The weather last night wasn't the nicest, but we're expecting clear skies today." The man pushed passed me and set another plate down on the table. "Food?"

"Absolutely. How much?"

"Free. You're guests here. Please, enjoy." The man bowed low, then added, "and tell your lady friend there are restoration potions available if she's not feeling well. I heard she was looking sickly last night."

"I will. Thank you." I felt my cheeks heat up. Did everyone know but me?

The man nodded and went on his merry way, and I loaded up a tray with food. Juggling the two plates, I marched back to the hallway, giving the man a nod as I walked past. When I got back to the room, Tristan was just starting to stir. I shouldered the door open and entered just as she sat up. The blankets fell away from her chest, revealing her collarbone in the dim light. I realized I'd never really seen her without her robes on or thick training clothes. I looked away as I handed her the plate.

"Mmm, thanks." She snatched the plate from my hand and began devouring the rolls on the tray. She moaned. "Wow, that's delicious. Good bread."

I shoved a hunk of bread in my mouth. It was delicious.

"Thanks for last night," she mumbled through a mouthful of cheese.

"No worries. Hope you feel better." I smiled at her, then added, "The innkeeper told me to let you know they sell restoration potions if you need one."

She swallowed and looked over at me. "I should be good now. I heard first-time spellcasting takes a lot out of people. Now I know." She tore into another loaf of bread, choked, and looked for something to drink. I shot up and handed her the glass of water I'd placed on her end table the night before.

She gulped the entire cup in one go. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." I returned to my stone bed and devoured the rest of my food. Neither of us spoke. The room was filled with the sound of chewing for a long time. Eventually, Tristan finished eating. Without thinking, I stood up to take her plate. When I reached out, she swatted my hand.

"Don't baby me." Her blue eyes glared into mine. "I'm fine."

"I just wanted to—"

"I'm fully capable of putting my plate on the end table. Thank you." She huffed, then did exactly that.

I tried to suppress my grin. She always got defensive whenever she didn't feel one hundred percent. Or, when she didn't feel confident about a decision she made. "Big baby..." I muttered just loud enough for her to hear. Her ear twitched as she lay back down on the bed.

"So, what should we do now?" Tristan finally said as she rubbed her temples. "Are we going back to the Dregs, or do you have another plan?"

"I say we head back to Farvad's shop. Vral told us his stuff is sold. I don't really see what more we can accomplish for now. I just hope he'll be okay with that." I ran a hand through my hair.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Tristan sat back up. Her blue eyes pierced me with a glare. "Or, we go find Vral again. I'd bet coin she was lying. Maybe if we beat it out of her..."

"I'd rather now run into her again. Without those potions Farvad gave us, I don't know if we would have made it. Plus, you seem pretty out of it after casting magic once."

She waved me away and stood. "I'll be fine. Fighting fit." She pumped her bicep at me. She had nice arms...

Damn, shut up brain! Bad brain!

Tristan stared at me as I cleared my throat. "Yeah, let's not test it. For now."

"Fine, let's do all the things you want to do." She grabbed her robe off the hook near the door. "Ugh, still soaked." Her face blanched as she felt the cloth. "I really will get sick if I wear this."

"Then don't."

She looked over her shoulder. Her face was stern. "And what would I wear instead?"

I looked over her thin frame. "Just wear your armor. It'll be fine. Everyone already knows around here anyway. The only person who was fooled was me."

She rolled her eyes. "Not surprising. You are an idiot."

I shrugged. "No arguments here."

We both laughed.

"Look away. I'm going to put my gear on."

I followed my order. The rustling of fabric and armor filled the air behind me.

"You can look."

When I turned around, Tristan was wearing her armor. Her breastplate was strapped over a sleeveless white tunic and form-fitting brown trousers. A simple belt with two pouches hung loosely around her hips, and she'd pulled her hair back into a high ponytail.

"If you say anything, I'll smash you with my mace." She shook it at me for good measure.

"What would I say? You look fine, same as always."

Her face contorted.

"It's true. Honestly, you look way better than you did in your robes. They never fit you right."

She rolled her eyes. "Get dressed. Let's head out."

***

A short while later, we were out on the sunny streets and weaving our way toward Farvad's. The innkeeper was right. The day was much nicer. No clouds in the sky and just the slightest touch of chill in the air. I took a deep breath and released it in a whoosh. The cool air felt refreshing.

After a few streets, we arrived at Farvad's. Pulling the iron door open, I could see the old gnome sitting at his desk fiddling with some contraption. When we entered he looked up, and I could tell right away he didn't know who we were.

"Hello and welcome to Farvad's Exotic Emporium, home to Istaera's finest imported goods, relics, and—" He trailed off. Finally, recognition filled his gaze. "Ah yes, I remember you now." Farvad leaned back in his chair, then shook his head and sighed. "I'm happy you aren't actually customers. I don't have much to sell. Any luck finding my things?"

"That's why we're here, actually."

"Well then? Tell me of your adventures!"

We recounted our tale. Everything from following Arturus's leads through the city and our fight with Vral and what we'd learned.

"Ah, well, that's a shame. Money comes and goes I suppose."

I was surprised at his reaction. "I thought you'd be more mad?"

He chuckled. "Most of it was junk. The good stuff I took with me. Besides, there are more pressing concerns than some worthless trinkets." I heard Tristan shuffle behind me. Before I could respond, he said, "I'm more interested in what you thought of my potions." His eyes gleamed as he observed us.

Crazy old man. "They were wild. Made me faster and stronger than ever. Thanks for the advice about breathing."

The man laughed. "Yeah, there was a three percent chance you'd suffocate after taking a haste potion. I'm happy to see you didn't. And the other? What did you think?"

I thought for a moment. I hadn't realized they were different, but I could remember the rage I'd felt. "The other made me much stronger, but I nearly lost my head."

"Indeed! Berserk potion. It increases resilience and strength. Unfortunately, it causes confusion." He clapped his hands, then stood up. "But you were able to stave off its negative effects?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Tristan snapped me out of it."

The man looked at Tristan, then back at me. "Interesting..." His eyes gleamed. "It's not often someone can overcome the effects of a fiend's blood coursing through their veins. You two must trust one another quite a bit." He looked back at Tristan. "And you, girl. What's your analysis?"

Tristan reached into her pouch and pulled a vial out. Handing it back to him, she said, "I only took one."

He eyed the potion, then snatched it from her outstretched hand. "I see. Shame, that." He slipped the potion into his belt. "The potion you did take, was it enlightening?"

She shuffled, and her eyes met mine for a moment. "It clarified some things for me." She broke eye contact and focused back on Farvad. "It also allowed me to save Alex's life."

"Yes, yes. That's all well and good, but that doesn't answer the question, young lady." The man grinned, waiting for Tristan's answer.

Tristan cleared her throat, then shook her head. "I don't remember."

He thumbed his chin. "Memory loss? Interesting. I don't recall that being a side effect of insight potions..."

"Yeah, well, that's what happened." Tristan crossed her arms. "So is that all, gnome? If you don't care about the rest of your belongings, can you release Alex from your service?"

The gnome continued to thumb his chin, his eyes unfocused and distant.

"Farvad?" I asked.

He continued to look into the air.

Tristan clapped. The old gnome jolted.

"Yes? Hello, welcome to Farvad's—oh, it's you." The man looked like he saw us for the first time.

Tristan and I looked at one another, then back at the man. I knew he was a cooky old man, but this was something else. I spoke first. "Farvad, do you often forget things?"

He scrunched his face. "Forget... Yes! That must be what happened!" He jumped from his stool and hurriedly began gathering jars and papers on the floor next to his desk. "I have to get going!"

Tristan and I looked at one another. He wasn't well.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with compassion.

"I decided to go to the temple down south. I've been suffering with memory loss since... since..." his eyes unfocused. "Since a while ago. I thought I'd go and get healing. So are you going to help me or not?"

We shared another look. My mind raced. Go with him to the temple. That might be a good thing. We'd be helping him out, and it would get us out of town. After the night before, it wasn't clear how deep we'd gotten ourselves. However, that would set us back weeks, and we'd just gotten a footing in our first adventure. Was it really time to return to the temple?

I didn't have the answer. I looked at Tristan. Her blue orbs met mine, and she nodded.

That's all I needed to know. "Yes. We're going to help you get to the temple."

"Wonderful news! Please give me a minute to pack." The man gathered several bags from various corners of the room and began shoving everything he owned in them.

Tristan leaned into me and whispered, "He's obviously suffering more than we knew. The others'll be able to help him."

I nodded and said, "It's the right thing to do."

Her eyes met mine again, and something flashed behind them. She smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

A loud crash from the back room pulled my attention away from her. The little old gnome returned. He had doubled in size and was carrying three overstuffed packs of... what, I couldn't tell. "Okay friends, let us away!" The old gnome had found a walking stick and, pointing it straight ahead, marched out of his shop and into the street. He promptly turned the wrong way.

I shrugged at my companion and rushed out of the shop to redirect the old gnome.