Basu waited as Kaden rose. Her gaze didn’t waver from the way he held Trella’s hand, but she didn’t comment on it. The setting sun cast orange and pinks wide across the sky, and stars shone in the east. “There is an accord. That’s good for all children. But don’t think that because you have joined a handful of tribes, the other ten line up. The Fen will never again be the weapons of other clans.”


    “We’re here to protect the Resyr. Are you saying there will be an attack?” Kaden asked.


    “I am saying that Kai has the support of many of the Fen. He is weaker without his brother but not powerless. He will push his own accord now. He was never the type to pass the [Makur] bone to his brother, let alone his kin, let alone another clan.” Basu’s voice filled with bitterness. “His mother failed. Even the most violent heart can be guided, but his wandered far.”


    That seemed a bit harsh but Kaden thought he grasped what Basu was saying. “The oaths the accord have sworn don’t prevent self-defense. And if Kai raises a sword, the Fen will not be welcome here.”


    “I know. I will hope for peace. I will work for healing. But part of healing is removing the rot that made the Fen footsoldiers. Remember that.”


    “You want the Xorn bracers?” Kaden asked.


    “I do. But I do not want Kai Fen to have them. I want their power for us, but I cannot see that painted in the blood of the clans.” Basu seemed about to speak, then looked away.


    Trella drew a pair of potions from Inventory. “Take these with you. You traded Kaden a [Fire Soul] potion when we couldn’t make them. I haven’t forgotten. Two of these are as good as one of a real [Alchemist].”


    “Traded.” Basu’s mouth turned up in a smile. “That is a way of saying it.”


    Kaden drew the poor quality potion and handed it over as well. “I don’t keep secrets from Trella. I told her the moment I got back, which was a while, since I went through the Domain.”


    “I think my words were ‘Go back and do her again, get another one.’ We’re grateful. Sara was affected by [Frost] within days. We still don’t understand why,” Trella said.


    Basu thought. “There are many kinds of strength. Kai is strong in one way, I am strong, too, in a different way. Your ‘Sara’ is strong when she works with others. Perhaps you are strong on your own. We don’t judge how [Frost] claims its victims, we encourage them to fight it.”


    That didn’t leave them any closer to answers. “You should be safe to journey home tonight. My [Ulf] is out hunting. I’ll ask it to watch over you” When had it become ‘his’ ulf? Kaden didn’t question it.


    “I will stay here tonight, and I have asked kin-watch for the twins, that they be kept here where their affliction can be controlled. After tomorrow, I will be with my clan, unless you call.” Basu stored the potions and left them there.


    “Now I see why you only got one potion.” Trella leaned against Kaden. “Was she like that when you were alone?”


    “She wanted a child,” Kaden said sourly. “I won’t abandon my children, if I ever have them. I won’t do to them what was done to me.”


    Trella’s grip on him grew tighter. “Your parents didn’t abandon you. They were killed in a dungeon. I’ve told you before, I don’t want children. Not now. Probably never. If you do, you’re going to have them with someone else.”


    “We can talk about it later. Maybe next century.” Kaden said. Centurions had families. Many families. For now, he shook it off.


    Quest Master cannot effect this reward:


    You have received a Mercari Bonus: 100 gold.


    You have received a Mercari Bonus: 200 gold.


    Trella’s eyes grew wide. “Did you just get that notification?”


    “Eve’s bonus for clans. Remember what we get for the next clan? Five hundred gold, each.” Kaden knew what tomorrow’s priority would be. “I say we go see the Tun tomorrow. You can bring your lab and work there. Nothing says ‘Join the accord’ like receiving [Fire Soul] potions directly.”


    “I like the feel of five hundred gold in my account at the Guild. I could definitely travel for five hundred gold!” Trella leaped up and wrapped her arms around him. “I remember a day. A day when you came back early with half a roast duck. Do you remember?”Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    It had been blackened on one side, and Kaden burned his hand snatching it from the embers. But it wasn’t a preserved biscuit and his only thought had been how good it would taste together. “I remember.”


    “We could buy a whole duck each now. We could buy the whole flock. You could tame them. Do you have a duck for your dungeon?” Trella asked. “Eve could cook a duck for everyone. I can’t stand ducks, that’s why I like eating them.”


    It seemed forever ago. “Duck sounds good.”


    So did having [Razor Geese] for his Dungeon, though that would take effort. Getting a Domain Beast back alive seemed like a challenge that would take planning. Maybe the help of an [Ice Mage]. “Duck. I am pretty sure Eve has duck in her cooking kit. If I ask nicely, she might make it.”


    They found Eve huddled near a heatstone, speaking with Ashi, while Sara sat back. One horror pointed at each of the two and she seemed to be listening by proxy.


    “Congratulations,” Trella said. “An accord of four, with a fifth likely. Does the sixth pay six hundred gold each?”


    “It does. But after that, the pay is steady, two hundred each, because once you have half, the other half is easier.” Sara leaned forward to pat Eve gently. “The real prize here is Eve gaining a Profession. Oathbinder isn’t an easy one. It’s not just accepting oaths, it’s enforcing them when they’re broken.”


    Eve looked up, her eyes wide. “Believe me when I say I had no idea. I received a single prompt. That’s all.”


    Eve’s shared logs popped up for Kaden.


    Will you receive the Oath of the Skan? [Y/N]


    Kaden knew nothing of Oathbinders. “I’ve never even heard of one.”


    “Forgive me,” Ashi said, “But I would not expect you to. The power of an Oathbinder is a compulsion. To break an oath is to suffer pain, even death when the Oathbinder is powerful. Evelyn is not yet powerful. But she will become so.”


    “They’re common in treaties,” Eve said. “But I wasn’t trying to become one. I was simply focused on settling this discord before it became a full war. I’ll need to seek training when we return.”


    Trella quickly relayed Basu’s warning. That the forming of an accord would spur opposing tribes to do the same, or worse. “Kaden and I will travel to the Tun tomorrow. I’ll brew potions in their presence. Sara, you can request repayment, Eve, you’re the key.”


    “I must attend my students,” Ashi said. “A new mage can grow on their own, and many do, but the investment of time will be repaid a thousandfold in their progress.”


    Kaden focused on the [Ulf] and found it hunting, deep in stealth, near a Domain gate. Its belly was full, and it was considering burrowing deep in the snow to sleep, content. That was perfect. And here? He summoned Vip. “Vip, Eve got a profession. She accepts oaths. Do you swear to love her as often as she gives you sausage?”


    *Fast* Vip danced around Eve’s feet until Eve picked her up


    “You’re not going to believe this,” Eve said. “It actually counted. The oath counted. As in, I felt the oath take hold. Vip’s a Beast and yet Oathbinder holds her accountable.”


    Kaden checked Vip’s status sheet.


    [Vip - Enlightened Beast]


    Level: 10


    HP: 140/140


    Mana: 65


    Class: Lightning Chevalier


    Skills: Triple Nip (9), Mighty Bite (9), Crackling Charge (8), Resist Poison (4), Leap of Love (1), Lightning Aura (4)


    Talents: Swift-footed, Acrobatic, Intelligent


    Few would choose a Lightning Chevalier, but this Lightning Chevalier chose you. Loyal to the death, faster than the wind, she trusts you implicitly. Do not betray that trust.


    “She’s reached Enlightenment. Vip, can you talk?” Kaden had heard stories of talking companions and couldn’t wait to hear her snarky commentary on everything.


    *Yes.* Vip put her head down on Eve’s shoulder.


    Kaden nodded, considering the emotions that came off Vip. “Do you want to?”


    *No.* Vip wasn’t a complex dog. Everything she needed to say could be summed up easily. Which brought up an interesting question. Kaden usually kept [Leader of the Pack’s] notifications disabled because the constant spam about the size of the group became distracting. “She counts toward [Leader of the Pack]. One day, my Beasts alone will trigger it.”


    Eve hadn’t stopped stroking Vip’s head, praising her. “Who’s a clever dog? Who’s the smartest dog? Who’s so much better than that stinky [Ulf]?”


    The ulf needed a name. Kaden rarely used [Beast Knowledge] on its own, but now he reached for the skill, delving into memories of wolves past. “Garm. The [Ulf’s] name is Garm.”


    You have named a bound Beast (‘Garm’).


    Your beast has accepted this name.


    Garm, like Explodius, might not be fit to live near Verona. Kaden reached for Vip—and she leaned into Eve. He tried not to take it personally. “I’m exhausted. I’ve been on three different continents, witnessed a battle with a tier three beast, tamed an entire troup of [Crystal Capuchins], and found outwhat I already knew, that Vip’s the smartest dog in existence.”


    Trella went with him to the Groundhouse. “I have prep to do for tomorrow, but I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep. I can do the prep here, this kind of work almost never explodes.”


    He was almost asleep before his eyes hit his pillow.


    ###


    Kaden woke to a steady pressure on his arm. Trella gripped him, applying a pattern Kaden knew to communicate silently. *What’s wrong?*


    She nodded toward Sara. *She’s shaking and crying silently. I’d try to comfort her but Sara’s always been a little afraid of me.*


    Sara hunched over, arms clutched around her, rocking back and forth.


    Kaden moved quietly to rise and approach, using [Mind Speech] to avoid waking Ashi or Eve. *Sara?*


    She startled and froze. *I’m fine.*


    There were many definitions to the word ‘fine’ and none of them seemed to fit. *Talk to me. What’s going on?*


    Sara leaned back against him as her Horror dissipated. *It doesn’t like emotion. It’s tired of me feeling like this and forcing it to feel at all. And I’m holding on the best I can.*


    *Tell me.* Kaden waited.


    *Do you really want to know?*


    He put an arm around her. *Didn’t you tell me once it was fine to hurt and be sad but I shouldn’t cut myself off?*


    Sara’s quick glare made him smile. Then it melted away. *Then I’ll tell you how the Mercari taught me the Lesson of the Strong.*