Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis smiled and began to burn his candle and incense of choice. A strong berry and herb scent filled the air. She then made her way over to him and tucked his hair back. Once behind him, she began to massage his shoulders slowly, being sure to add enough pressure to work out any knots to ensure total relaxation. 

"Just relax and breathe. Any questions you have, I will answer. You are a man with an unknown past. Your parents and origin are unknown. You were left and found by a barren couple in the snow. And you are trying to find your true place in this world. Who is your parents? Why did they leave? Who are you? Those things may matter to you, but you make your own path. However, there may be something in your grasp. You say you're a sellsword? You may become a guard or knight, if yo may wish. You don't know your true family? You could accept your current parent as your family and believe that cosmos did this for a reason. Your intentions may be pure curiosity to figure out the how and why, but in doing so, it could hurt the ones you love. Some family do not like when you question your place. I was orphaned, so I understand." She said, soon moving her slim, pale hands to rub his neck and back.

"Wise advice would be to cherish what you have, but I know you want to ask questions, so go ahead, darling."
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

Nostrils flexed with the in taking of breath, the scents of herbs and berries flooded into his nostrils. Tension ebbed slowly from his frame with each breath, enabling him to relax slightly. The delicate touch of her hands were felt at his back, moving away the strands of fallen hair, gathering them.Over his back, and pressed her hands into his shoulders, rubbing them.

The warrior let out a contented sigh, closing his eyes and tilting his head slightly backward. Her voice was like a siren's song that sought to lull him into a state of mind that would drop his defenses. She started to speak to him about things no one could possibly know. The origin of his birth, the adoption of kind hearted strangers that took him in as their own, raising him like he was truly of their flesh, of their blood. Melkaire opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling while she mouthed the very questions that plagued his mind for years now. 

Melkaire had not ever considered the possible consequences to his actions. The inadvertent damage that could be done to Helga and Siegfried: the two souls that gave him the love and nurturing affection that few children ever got to experienced. In this, he felt grateful at nearly equal measure to his curiosity. 

"I had not thought about ever becoming a guard or a knight." He admitted, "I did not think one would find me worthy of such stations. Truth be told, my focus has been on the very things you just mentioned."

A moment of silence was shared before Melkaire spoke once more. "I do cherish them. More than the world. They are everything that made me the man I am now. But I still wish to find out the truth to my origins. The significance of this riddle is obvious to me."

Sighing, the warrior began to shake his head slowly. A slight touch of blush graced rugged features at the perhaps unintentional term of endearment. "If you know so much about me already, do you see what lays on the path. Before me? Do I find answers? Do I die a glorious death in battle?"
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis offered a small chuckle. She enjoyed his eagerness to learn about himself. 

"Your answers lie within Ibethiel. I believe your parents were very young and not ready to harness what it meant to be parents. Now, they are older and have moved separate ways. Your mother, marrried to a wealthy man. I could picture him, fat and beaming. They have a little girl. Your father, drunk, lonely. Standards have left and whores are where his pensions go. If he doesn't pull out, god knows how many children he has. Your future, however, is unknown, since you influencer. But, my guess? I see you as a hard working family man. 3 kids, a beautiful wife, living outside the city. Not too far from work, but just outside enough for peace and quiet."

Amaryllis slowly removed her hands from his back and shoulders, a slight tingle to her hands from working them. She then pinched the wick with her fingers the then pressed her ash-coated index finger on the center of his forehead, making a mark. 

"Any more questions?" She asked him
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

The warrior withdrew to a state of silence, staring into space while she offered him what her visions had shown regarding his life. A frown slowly spawned across full lips, hearing the truth laid bare. Despite his initial belief, it became known that his answers, in fact, lied in Ibethiel. The tale of his birth parents caused his heart to sink. They had forsaken him for the sake of loving parents discovering him by only chance and nothing more. He felt a measure of disapproval to hear of the fate of his mother and father and the news of at least one half sibling if not an outright plethora of them that were spawned by his birth father's indiscretions. 

What laid in his future, beyond his quest for answers was unknown, but her following statement regarding her perspective of the likelihood of his future caused the warrior to scoff a little. The warrior was deep-rooted in his belief that such a fate was beyond his grasp, and surrendered himself to the notion that life by the sword was his only destiny. 

"A beautiful wife and children, you say?" The right corner of his mouth curled upward, forming a smirk that measured his amusement. "Indeed, you are a seer. I do not ever see such a thing for me. Men like me, our path is one of solitude. I do not see any other way."
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis rolled her eyes at his remarks. She truly didn't see that for him. 

"Oh please! Don't give me that garbage. You are a very attractive man. You just haven't spoken to the right woman. Living by the sword isn't all you have to do in life. It may pay, but it will be lonely..." 

Amaryllis looked him up and down and bit her lip, hoping she didn't potentially piss him off.
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

The protest of Amaryllis brought both eyebrows raising high, forming a slight crease in his brow. The words were unexpected, but he found himself respecting her for her honesty. A slight canting of the head was made as he mulled over her words objectively. He couldn't deny that she was right on some accounts- for the women he did converse with were far from the right woman. It was then he began to consider if it was a deliberate act subconsciously. 

"I suppose you are not wrong, there." Melkaire offered, shrugging softly. "This path of mine affords very little in the ways of good women. Mercenaries seem to attract a certain... Quality." He spoke ironically and cleared his throat.
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis giggled and smiled widely. "Used, not new or fresh quality, I can assume? Something quick, easy, and sleazy. Best to wash after one of those... Yikes." She said, being sarcastic now. 

She assumed that Melkaire would want a faithful woman, and probably one that hadn't been... *Visited* By many. She played with her hair shyly as she looked up at him. 

"Well, I shouldn't pry into anything too personal like that... Anything else? I could sell you some candles of the scent you picked tonight. Maybe the incense too?" She asked
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth 
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

The giggle was strangely disarming for the warrior that still sat in the seat. A slight tilt of the head and a nonchalant roll of the shoulders was offered. "The only type of woman that is attracted to sell swords, those one could not have a future with." He replied, frowning slightly. It was in that moment and only that moment that the warrior realized that the life he lived was a hollow existence indeed. Despite how much he didnt want to admit it, the love a good, faithful woman was likely embody the one thing he needed the most. 

But such thoughts were the seeds of weakness, or so he kept telling himself.

"I have nothing to hide. Besides, you know more about me than anyone apparently. But I would not mind purchasing some of that incense."
Anna
She nods and gathered a few sticks of the incense and wrapped them. She then laid them in front of him. 

"I know that you think you're weak, thinking that a family would make you so... It would give you something to fight for and make you stronger, you know... Your mother would be upset if she knew you thought that. And she would probably enjoy some grandchildren." She said and have a smile hopefully smile. 

"You should know better than to think that way. You never know who may have their eyes set on you. Explore outside your 'type'. If you see a nice woman, ask her out for a hot meal or take her for a walk." Amaryllis suggested.
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

Helga, the woman that saved his life and adopted as her own along with her loving husband, flashed across his mind's view when she spoke again. She was right on both fronts, he did believe it made him weak, and he acknowledged that at some point, likely soon, she would speak on the wanting of grandchildren. 

"Spoken like a true shaman." Melkiare returned with a sigh and a shake of the head. "I know in my heart that your words ring true. Much as I despise to admit such." He couldn't help but laugh after that. It felt good to laugh again. 

"Very well, wise one. I will heed your advice. Perhaps you are right. I do not think it would hurt to try at least." Little did she know, the warrior, inspite of his size and appearance, was a touch on the bashful side. Courtesans made it easier. There was little in the way of conversation. He found it ironic that he could face a horde of warriors without any measure of fear, but talking to a beautiful woman was an intimidating prospect. 

Rising from his seat, he rolled his shoulders, feeling the ease of muscles from the working of her hands that massaged them. Turning to face her, he smiled and bowed his head respectfully. 

"You have my thanks, Amaryllis." The smile lingered while his head lifted back up. "How much do I owe you for your service and goods?"
Anna
"20 gold will suffice. And you are very welcome, Melkaire. I hope the you stop by another time. Stock up on herbs and such. I have them dried, bottles, and labeled for all their uses. And who knows? Maybe you just want another massage from me!" She said and gave him a playful wink. She giggled softly and blushed. 

She usually never flirted. Especially not with customers. But for some unknown reason, this man; some stranger, tickled her fancy. However, she did just embarrass herself, causing her face to grow darker. 

"Sorry. B-bad jokes..." She said before leading him out from to the counter, where she would give him a card and open her small jewelry chest, where she placed her money. Not any jewelry, however.
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

A nod of acknowledgement was afforded to her. His right arm moved up to his chest, sliding his hand in-between the folds of the fur raiment that adorned his mighty build. His hand moved about beneath the fabric, soon causing the sound of metallic jingles to resonate from within. 

Pulling his hand out, a small, dark, leather pouch was seen nestled securely within his grasp. A few soft tosses had the pouch bouncing against the palm of his hand, measuring the weight and in turn, the amount. Narrowed eyes focused in on the pouch while lips pursed with consideration. He paused, glancing upward to the woman with a surprised expression. "Well, you *Do* Give good massages!" He praised, quite satisfied with that aspect of the visit and certainly enough to entice another visit most certainly. 

He smiled at her, oblivious of the slightly bashful disposition the beautiful woman had displayed. An unfortunate byproduct of his lifestyle had ultimately disabled him from reading good women correctly.

"Here." The pouch was offered through an extended hand, "Money well spent. I thank you for... Well, everything. Your advice is sound indeed. Even I cannot argue its logic."
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis counted the coins and placed them into her small chest before returning the purse to him. She was a tad upset that he didn't react to her flirt, but she knew she shouldn't act on it anymore.

Shouldn't was a key word to that thought. But would? Yeah, that's what would happen. She took a slight breath before breaking the ice. 

"Would you like to stay for some tea or coffee?" She asked, shyly playing with a few curls in her red hair.
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth 
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

The warrior was both oblivious and dense, unaware of all the possibilities he had forsaken due to that particular ailment. She was, however, quite striking ,with a kindness that matched her beauty. There was warmth and comfort in her presence that was found unusual to.Him, as his interactions with people with such dispositions were minimal at best. These factors were not lost on him.

Eyebrows raised in surprise by her invitation. It was unexpected as far as he was concerned. A smile was given in return, easing his stature somewhat. "Sure. That sounds nice." Melkaire responded, nodding his head and watched with intrigue as she played with some of the strands of her fiery red hair, curious as to why she was doing that. "I admit, it has been many nights since I got to enjoy the company of another. The wilds do not offer much in the way of social interaction."
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis grinned and clapped her hands in excitement. "Great! I'll prepare us a few snacks as well! Would you prefer coffee or tea? Oh! And make yourself at home." She said and went into the kitchen to start cutting up various fruits and some bread. 

Amaryllis didn't have much. Bread, dried meats, cheese, and a few fruits. Also canned goods and wine. She was hoping that Melkaire would take this invite to heart and could persue it as his future. Amaryllis also wanted a husband, or at least a simple courtship. She had never been in a relationship, but she wanted one. She was afraid she would grow too old and lose chance of making something of herself. 

"Company is always good, dear. Never think it makes you weak."
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth 
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

The warrior's surprise heightened with her excited display. A slight tilt of the head was given while the man's full lips remained kept in a smile. The endearing act warmed the man whom was much more used to the coldness of people. The warrior's pale, cerulean gaze swept over her from head to toe in wonder as though he contemplated something. Her inquiry summoned a realization that he had not considered before. 

"I drink coffee normally. I do not think I ever tried tea before." He returned.

Her invitation was just as surprising. He turned about in place, looking around the room in the wake of her departure. For the time she was gone, the warrior idly wandered, looking about at the furniture and decor before eventually finding a seat to lower himself into and waited patiently for her return, utterly clueless to her intentions.

Still, he found himself already wanting to visit again. She was a friendly and welcoming. A rare thing to find in Marin beyond that of his adoptive parents. The sheathed blade was slipped off of his shoulder and left to stand, leaning against his seat.

At her return, Melkaire lifted his gaze, offering a friendly smile. "Perhaps." He replied softly. "I am not accustomed to this sort of thing." A nervous chuckle escaped from the big man. His right arm raised, moving the palm of his hand to the back of his head, rubbing it. A telltale sign that the warrior was feeling nervous.
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis returned with a tray of food and set it on her spruce wood coffee table. She was glad that he was comfortable; somewhat. She say that he was nervous. 

"Why are you nervous? I don't bite, unless you ask nicely." She teased and giggled. She then took a seat beside him. "Our drinks will be finished when the kettles scream."
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth 
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient shop in Hexrakes**

Much to his shock, Amaryllis possessed a keen observation. Either that, or it was blatantly obvious to her more so than to himself. The warrior bore a smile, trying his best to mask what he was feeling, but deepdown, he knew the coy act wouldn't work. 

"Apologies, Amaryllis. I am just not accustomed to this sort of thing." Admittance didnt come easily for the man, but honesty was the best policy. It was better than an attempt of denial, he thought. "You would bite me, huh?" He chuckled, "I do not think I would taste very good!"
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis blushed and giggled, her smile genuine as well as her laugh. She patted his knee gently. 

"Well, I'm sure with a little bit of sugar and spice, you'd make a lovely snack!" She teased and playfully elbowed his buff bicep. 

"It's okay to be nervous. Once you hang around, you may get accustomed to me, sir." She said and tucked a few strands of her copper hair behind her ear.
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

The sound of her giggle was endearing, keeping his smile spreading across his full lips. Slowly, his gaze diverted from her and lowered to the floor, feeling the nudge her elbow against the firm swell of his bicep. It earned his gaze once more, causing Melkaire to elevate his bearded chin and regard her with a warm glance. 

However, in the wake of her teasing remark, his eyes widened and cheeks grew flush in a shade of red. It was his turn to blush. Still her welcoming demeanor was enough to wave off any growing feelings of discomfort or bashfulness. Truth was, he wasn't very accustomed to such friendliness and warmth as it was. It reminded him of his adoptive mother, in a way. 

"So long as you can bare with me while I grow more used to this." He offered, still smiling, "I think we could be great friends indeed!" Returned the warrior.
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis blushed and glanced up at him, her hazel eyes meeting with his vivid blue beauties. She was mesmerized that such a handsome, yet brute looking of a man was so timid and quiet. Gentle giant would fit this perfectly.

"My, you really are handsome..." She said softly. Realizing she had uttered this out loud, she cursed under her breath. 

"Shit... Sorry! I shouldn't have said that... I-I'll go check on our drinks..!" She said, quickly going to the kitchen, clearly as bashful as he was.
Brian
**Melkaire Amarth
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop and Hexrakes**

Helga Amarth - his adoptive mother, often said when describing him: "*That boy is either a teddy bear or a grizzly bear. Which side of him you'll see depends on you.*" As such, it became the most profound way to describe the warrior. 

A steady gaze and warm facial expression greeted Amaryllis when she looked into his eyes. She was certainly a beautiful woman, there was no doubting that. Hazel eyes glistened like precious stones, accentuating her already breathtaking features and fair skin. It was hard *Not* To look away. 

Eyebrows arose against the slope of his brow, forming a crease across his flesh. Her words struck him with surprise, it was one thing for her to compliment him on his looks while she did the reading, but this time felt much more personal. Stunned, he sat still and silent, his face growing a darker shade of crimson hue when she quickly sprang from the couch to the kitchen.

After a couple steady blinks, he basked in silence and thought while she went to go check on their beverages. "By the gods..." Melkaire muttered, taking his finger and tugging it along the collar of his tunic as though he was releasing heat from beneath the covering fabric of pelt and hide. "... Did it suddenly get warmer in here?"
Anna
**Amaryllis Sage
Sage's Gallipot and Sentient Shop in Hexrakes**

Amaryllis poured their drink. Black coffee and earl grey tea. She placed cream and sugar on a tray with the mugs and spoons. She then came out with the tray. 

"Here we are! Drinks and snacks." She said and smiled. Amaryllis set the tray on the table and sat down. She then mixed some cream and sugar into her tea and stirred it.
Paul
**Synthreya,
The King's Study, Ibethiel Castle**

"I am the guardian of The Sword of Therador as well as the one who bares witness to the choosing." Synthreya lowered her right arm that summoned the Arcanic circle, the magic circle dissipating. She then lifted her right arm in front of her, parallel to her left arm. A big flower that is about 1/4 of a giant round table grew in front of her. "The Sword of Therador isn't just a weapon or an item for your disposal. The Sword of Therador is alive, and it chooses it's wielder."

Synthreya twirled her index finger in a circle, the pollen on the flower spun and twirled into a tiny tornado. The pollen separated and took form into the shape of the sword of therador and a male figure in front of it. The male figure reached for the sword, the pollen sword of therador lifted into the air and flew right into his hands. The pollen then fell back down as the display ended.

"I won't be it's guardian for long but I must be there to help it's wielder or bare witness to the choosing. If this force you say that calls you to the sword is true then-" Synthreya paused as she lowered her arms, the sword of therador now levitating upward and peacefully in front of Dennon. "I shall see if it has chosen you or not."
Vanessa
**Clebson Albury and Verina Crowe
The Ibethiel Countryside, Nearing The Terresol Border**

"Must you hit *Every* Bump in the road?" Clebson asked with his eyes closed while laying on a sack of flour in the back of a supply wagon.

"If you are dissatisfied with my driving, you can be a gentleman and come up here so that I can be the one sitting in back complaining." Verina sarcastically snapped back. 

"You ruined a perfectly good night of drinking telling me Dennon was sending us on this errand. The least you could do is let me nap in peace until we get there."

"The least *You* Could do is your job. You're supposed to be on guard."

"There are knights in front of and behind us! I think will be fine." Clebson said, gesturing at their escort. Queen Lucrezia had received a vague message of distress from a guard post along the Terresol border. She ordered a small force of knights to go help. Dennon had volunteered Verina and Clebson for the job of driving the supply wagon so that he could have someone he trusted there to figure out what was going on.

. . .

The wagon eventually hit a sudden incline, causing Clebson to fall off the sack. He angrily got back up to his knees and looked up to see they had reached the mountains. "Rise and shine!" Verina said gleefully after hearing the ruckus behind her. The mountain road led to a keep-like building attached to a gate that was able to stretch across the narrow mountain pass. The gate was closed. On their way to the keep, they also passed a fenced off area containing several people appearing to make camp. Many watched as the small caravan passed by.

"What's with them?" Clebson asked.

"I don't know. It must have something to do with the distress message." Verina responded. As they approached the keep, a few of the guards stationed there came to meet them.

"Thank you all for coming. Our resources are being spread thin." The guard leading the rest said.

"What exactly is going on?" Verina asked as she and her useless riding companion got out of the wagon. A few of the other guards began to unload it.

"Perhaps you should follow me." The guard uttered quietly, leading them towards the keep.

. . .

"We started to notice that people were coming through coughing." The head guard said, leading them up a stairwell in the keep. "Then it got worse. Rash, bloody eyes, sores. When we realized it was a sickness that was being brought in, we stopped everyone we could and fenced them off in the area you passed on the way here." They reached the top of the stairs and walked onto the keep roof. "We closed the gates to everyone else." He pointed to the Terresol side of the pass. A massive crowd of people on foot or near their means of transport were scattered all over the road, waiting to be let through. The ones who had been there for some time had set up camp. 

A woman down below saw people standing on the roof and yelled to them. "Please, my family only brought enough food for the journey. We can't stay down here forever!" A few others echoed her sentiments.

"We just had some supplies delivered. They will be distributed as soon as they are ready." The head guard yelled. A few of his men came onto the roof carrying the supplies. They were tied to ropes and lowered to those down below.

"When do you plan to open the gates?" Verina asked.

The head guard shrugged. "It's hard to say. Maybe when it looks like they aren't sick anymore."

"That could be days, at least. Maybe weeks." Verina said, shocked.

"You said you only stopped people when you began to notice something was wrong. If you weren't looking for it at first, there are probably people with this illness who made it past you and weren't detected. They could be at Hexrakes by now." Clebson chimed in.

"It's possible..." The head guard mumbled.

"We need to tell people. Why wasn't this in your message?" Verina asked.

"If I had said a plague was waiting at the border, help wouldn't have come." The head guard began coughing into his sleeve. When he pulled his mouth away, there were a few small blood stains on his sleeve. "Damn..."

Clebson began to pull on Verina's sleeve. "Verina we need to leave this place. We need to-"

*"AAAAAAAAHHH!"* A woman began screaming from the crowd down below. She was carrying a boy limp in her arms, blood oozing from his eyes. "My baby!" She wailed.

"It's going to kill us all!" Someone called out. The crowd began to panic. Some began fighting over the supplies being lowered from the keep. Others rushed the pass's gateway doors and began pounding on them.

"Verina, come on!" Clebson grabbed Verina's arm and pulled her toward the stairs.

"Hey! Get away from the gate!" The guard yelled down at the crowd between coughs, but no one listened. "Men, load your crossbows."

. . .

Clebson reached the bottom of the stairs first and went ahead to check the wagon. Seeing it was still there, he looked back and saw several guards running for the gate, pressing against it with their own bodies. "Is there anything to hold the gate with?" He asked a passing guard. 

"We used all the braces to make the fence for them!" The guard pointed to the crowd of people who had already made it through the gates before they were closed. They had been left unguarded due to the crisis at the gate, and some were trying to break out.

"Hey, shouldn't someone be watching them?" Clebson yelled to any guard nearby who could hear as people started to break through the fence. No one heard him. He also realized Verina still hadn't exited the keep.

. . .

Verina reached the bottom of the stairs and heard someone wince in pain from a room nearby with an ajar door. She slowly approached the opening to see what was going on inside. One of the guards was standing in front of a mirror with his shirt off looking at the pustular rash covering his back. Verina gasped and covered her mouth. The guard noticed her standing there and began to walk toward her with his hand outstretched. "Don't tell the captain..."

She backed away and was touched from behind. It was Clebson. "Come on!" 

. . .

They left the keep as the guards attempted to hold the gates closed. "Fire!" The head guard yelled from the roof. The twang of several crossbows firing from the rooftops was followed by more screams from the crowd, which only became more panicked and harder to hold back.

"Jones, it's on your arm." One of the guards pressed against the gate began to back away from his fellow soldier. More followed.

"Guys, wait. I'm fine." The exodus away from the guard named Jones weakened the hold on the wooden gate. It broke open, allowing people to flood in. Jones was knocked backward and trampled by the onslaught of the infected and uninfected alike.

"Get to the wagon!" Clebson urged Verina on and they sprinted for the only thing they had to make it out of there. Verina took the driver's seat, and as she got the wagon moving, Clebson waited at the rear end to knock off those who were trying to climb on. They couldn't risk taking anyone infected back to Hexrakes. Once they were too fast for anyone running, both sat in silence as screams from the chaos they were leaving behind faded away.

. . .

They didn't stop until they reached Ibethiel castle. "Don't touch it. Just burn it." Clebson told the stable yard workers as they dropped off the wagon.

"We need to tell Dennon." Verina said, making her way toward the castle entrance.

"Verina..." Clebson waited behind.

"What?"

"They touched me as we were leaving. I may have it. I can't go in the castle."

"What will you do?" Verina asked, her voice cracking a bit.

"Lay low, avoid people. Hopefully, I'll make it through." He waved goodbye to avoid touching her.

"Good luck." She told him, waving weakly. They parted ways, and Verina went inside to tell Dennon that they needed to raise the alarm.

. . .