It was early afternoon by the time Abad and Zethari got back to the manor. As they walked through the manor''s gates, he saw Firtz and the others up ahead talking to a group of people in healer''s garb. It looked like Faye had already arranged the meeting with the Legion''s healers, and they were ready for him.


    A-Nis noticed him, so he waved and approached. "Nice to see you all." The group of legionnaires grew quiet when they saw him, but he ignored the awkward silence. They likely already knew who he was, and he didn''t care to engage with their misgivings about him. Instead, he looked at the adventurers and said, "Faye asked you to meet me I assume?"


    "You figured out how to undo that black magic then, yeah?" Firtz grumbled. "We''d been working on it for weeks. Figures you''d do it, you damn—"


    "Uncle..." Kjormur chided the old dwarf. Abad couldn''t help but laugh. The old dwarf was nothing if not consistent.


    "Sorry lad, old habits. Can you show us how it''s done? We have a few claimed ready if you are." He gestured toward a small group of people sitting on the manor''s front steps.


    "Yeah, I can do that." He was still tired, but he''d manage with his new enhancement.


    From the tired, worn appearances of three people, two fey''ra and one halfling, sitting on the manor''s steps, he could tell without even needing to reach out with his senses that they were largely drained of their essence. He walked over to them and found the weakest of the bunch, a young girl with rabbit ears and dark circles under her eyes. He kneeled down to her so they were face to face. He thought back to the compassion Firtz had shown the boy on the road and tried to channel some of that energy in his demeanor. He''d never been good with children. "Would it be okay if I tried to help you?" He asked the girl softly. After evaluating him for a moment, she nodded. He reached out and placed his hand on her brand, which was on the back of her hand. As he did, he turned to face the healers.


    "Watch closely with your senses."


    He began to delve into the brand''s magic with his power. As he did, he explained to the group how to find the magical knots inside the brands and undo them, all while slowly working his magic into the brand binding the young girl. He noted that, unless they had magic like his, they likely wouldn''t be able to sense the black magic directly but would have to go by feel and intuition. To help them understand the process, he took each step slowly, ensuring that the healers could follow his steps as he worked to unravel the enchantment within. He kept his eyes open and watched each as he worked, checking for understanding. From the looks on their faces, they weren''t having an easy go of it.


    When he finally unraveled the knot and consumed the small mote of black within, the healers began talking to one another. It was clear they''d struggled to follow along. That wasn''t unexpected. Black magic was already rare and difficult to interact with, and the subtle magic woven into the brands was hard even for him to detect. It had taken him numerous tries to find it.


    "Do you want me to show you again?"


    "Yes. Please," Kjormur said. Several of the Legion healers nodded in agreement.


    "Okay, I''ll go slower this time. "He walked to the second fey''ra, a young boy who looked like a slightly older version of the girl. Siblings, he assumed. "May I?"


    "Yes, sir." His nose twitched. Abad realized he could smell him like the others could. He winked at the boy.


    Like the girl, the boy had a brand on his hand. After some time, he completed the second brand, then the third, and after the third demonstration, he could see the relief on the former claimeds'' faces. He could tell that they could feel the magic binding them fade away. However, while he knew the halfling would now be free, the fey''ra children wouldn''t be so lucky. He frowned.


    Turning to the small crowd of healers, by their conversations, they seemed to understand the principles he had explained. He knew they couldn''t do it exactly as he had, but they seemed confident enough after his demonstrations that he believed they could replicate it well enough given time and experience. Hopefully, word would spread through the legion quickly. From his understanding, his scepter''s magic had spread to at least three of the nations, so there were many more people to help, fey''ra and te''ra alike.


    He knelt down and spoke to the two fey''ra again. Both were little more than children. He felt that they deserved better. "Do either of you have parents or family nearby?" When both shook their heads, he knew what he''d do. "The scary wolf lady over there and I are going to help you." He turned and pointed at Zethari. Her ears were twitching, and she had a scowl on her face. He grinned and turned back to the kids. "There''s a place in town that''s going to take you in. You''ll find friends there. If you''d like," he added. Their eyes were filled with anxiety. "You''ll be safe there."


    They didn''t respond for a time, but eventually their heads nodded. The boy spoke, "Okay..."


    "She''ll take you there shortly, okay?" They both nodded in response. When they did, he gave them a smile and stood back up.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "Good job, Abad." Shani walked up to him, A-Nis and En-In in tow. "I''m glad you were able to put your knowledge to good use." The woman smiled and tossed him something. He caught it. It was a bag. Opening it up, he found at least as many crystals as Faye had given him before. "For the trolls. We got a good payout from the guild, and I convinced the others that it was only right to give you your cut if we ever met up with you again. We wouldn''t be here without you, so you more than earned it." She put out her hand. "It was good to fight beside you, Abad. Maybe we''ll do it again someday, eh?"


    He smiled and nodded at the warrior. Ever since they met, she''d had his back. "Yeah, I hope so." He shook her hand. Her grip was firm. Something passed between them, something that felt a lot like mutual respect. It felt good.


    A-Nis walked up then. "Yeah, you did good. And I appreciate you helping me." She lifted her hand to her neck and squeezed. "I don''t think I''d have made it had you not helped me. You may be a little scary, but I think you''re a good guy. I''d fight with you anytime."


    En-In chimed in. "I only met you when you fought Kasimir, but you were incredible." His eyes traced to A-Nis. Abad could see the puppy in him then. "And you saved her, so you''re a hero in my book." He blushed when A-Nis looked at him. Firtz wasn''t wrong when he''d said the boy had it bad.


    He smiled at the trio. He actually felt like he''d made allies.


    Indulging in the feeling for a moment longer, he eventually let it go and turned to the mansion. "I need to go check in with Keila and Faye. I had something come up that I need to run by them. Do you know where they are?"


    He heard heavy footsteps behind him and turned. It was the red-haired nephew of Firtz, Kjorumur. The dwarf nodded and pointed to one of the doors across the courtyard. "They''re in a meeting with a representative of the adventurer''s guild. Should be done any minute. We''ve got a meeting with the Hero next."


    "What are they meeting about?"


    "Looks like that blonde woman is staying in town as Faye''s representative. They''ve got plans to turn this place into a sanctuary of some kind. I didn''t get all the details, but that''s what I heard at least."


    He wasn''t surprised the two of them had been quick to develop plans. With two driven women like Faye and Keila, that was bound to happen.


    Realizing he was stuck, he spoke to the adventurers. "Zethari and I are leaving tomorrow. I''m happy we all got to meet again, and I hope it won''t be the last time." Abad meant it. He rather liked this party.


    "Bah, what do you mean? We hardly got to talk. This isn''t good enough! We should all go to dinner! That''s a proper way to say goodbye. Over drinks and food, not in a dusty courtyard." The dwarf marched up to him and glared, his meaty hands on his hips.


    "It''s okay. We don''t—"


    "I''m not taking any rejections, elf. We''re eating at that place, the one up on the hill, and that''s final. They''ve got good food, even if the tavern mistress runs the place as tight as a legionnaire''s ass before battle. I don''t know how the guy takes it! Boy, what''s that place called again?"


    "The Green Lady," Kjormur replied.


    "That one!" Firtz met Abad''s eyes and shuffled. "It''s the least we can do. So say yes, and let''s bury the axe."


    Abad laughed. "Okay, yes. I''ll go get dinner with you lot tonight. Sounds fun."


    "Good man, you know when to respect your elders. Maybe you''re not so bad after all," the dwarf rumbled and slapped his shoulder. He''d forgotten about this group''s habit of doing that. He felt like the bruises they''d given him on the trail had just healed.


    When he rubbed his shoulder, Keila exited the doorway across the courtyard. Faye followed behind her, and a group of officials filtered out after them. The women looked stressed, but from the smiles on their lips, whatever they''d organized had been successful. At first, they didn''t notice him, but when she looked up, she saw him and her shapely lips broke into a wide grin. She crossed the courtyard and hugged him.


    "Hi, I''m Keila. I''m Abad''s..." His eyes met hers. After their recent conversation, he had assumed there was nothing left to say, but he got the impression they had the same thought in that moment. "... I''m Abad''s friend. We''re both Faye''s vassals."


    "Chosen by the Hero herself, huh? You must be made of sterner stuff," Firtz bellowed. The man had only one volume.


    The adventurers all introduced themselves in turn. As they did, Shani and A-Nis both gave him looks, and Shani nudged him. So much for being subtle.


    A moment later, Faye walked up. "I know you all know Abad''s talents, but I have to say that Keila here is a pro at negotiations. I hardly had to say anything, which was great since I''m terrible at them." Faye looked at her vassal appreciatively and patted her shoulder. "Good job in there."


    "Thanks. It helps when I have the support of the Hero though. You''re kind of a great credibility builder."


    "Oh, is that how you see me?" Faye chided her, but the smile never left her face.


    Abad spoke to Keila. "We''re going to the Green Lady tonight. You in?"


    "Sure, as long as..." She looked toward Zethari, who scoffed.


    "I''m going to go back to the bathhouse. I''d like to spend more time with Odana and the others before we leave." Zethari didn''t bother to wait for a response before walking to the children. A legionnaire went to stop her, but a single glare from Faye had him back peddling. Zethari knelt down and whispered some words to the children, and they hopped up and put their little hands in Zethari''s. As they walked by him, both children looked at Abad with wide eyes. Just as she reached the gates, she called over her shoulder, "I''ll see you in the morning. Be ready, Nightstalker." With those words, she disappeared.


    "Well, okay then." Keila''s eyes were sad for a moment.


    "Faye?" Abad asked the Hero.


    "Unfortunately, I have more to do. I''ll talk to you both later. Come along, adventurers. Let''s get this over with so I can take a nap. I am an old lady after all, even if I don''t look like it." The Hero turned and walked up the stairs, but she stopped at the top. She turned and looked back down at Abad. "Before you leave tomorrow, make sure to come and say goodbye." With that, she disappeared into the building.


    "I''ve got one more errand today. Care to join me, Abad?" Keila asked, her blue eyes twinkling at him for the first time since she learned what he was.


    "Sure. Sounds fun." He held his arm out, and she took it. He turned to the others. "See you tonight?"


    "Aye, see you then," Firtz answered before he and the others walked up the stairs and into the manor. Turning on his heel, Abad guided the blonde out onto the street and toward the eastern market. A moment later, she laughed and pulled him in the other direction.