“It doesn’t matter,” Belmont said, looking Arek in the eyes.

Arek blinked.

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Belmont said again. “The past is a part of who we are, but it doesn’t make the present or the future. It’s history, and nothing more. You’ll have to atone for your actions, make no mistake. But you are no bloodthirsty killer.”

The words were so uncharacteristic for Belmont that, for a moment, Arek thought the man might have been replaced by some sort of mimic or impostor.

“We’ve traveled together for a good while now. I was not pleased to have you join the team at first, but you have proven both your personality and your abilities,” Belmont continued with impassioned words. “You clearly regret the mistakes you made, and I am confident that you will work to rectify them if you haven’t already done so. However, if you think we will banish you from the group because of who you once were, you are mistaken. You are one of us. Your name is Warchief no longer. It is simply Arek.”

Arek found himself unable to find words to respond. He stood, unmoving, as his brain tried and failed to process the healer’s words. The man had clearly completely lost it from all the stress his constant paranoia put on his mind.

Malissa rose to her feet as well. The shock faded from her face as confidence replaced it and she crossed her arms.

“Belmont is right,” Malissa said. “Forgive me for my reaction. I was truly shocked – and that should only serve to show that you are nothing like the man you once were. You’re part of the Happy Sunflowers, Arek. It doesn’t matter what or who you used to be.”

“You don’t understand what you’re saying,” Arek said gruffly, turning away from them. “You don’t know what I’ve done. Who I’ve killed. What I’ve seen and done nothing about.”

“And we don’t care,” Malissa said, putting a hand on Arek’s arm. “Belmont, surprisingly, said it right. We know you’ll make good on your past mistakes, and we’ll be there to help you do it. You’ve done nothing but help us and other people since we’ve known you. You aren’t evil.”

“I – but…”

“This conversation is over,” Belmont said, turning away from them. “It is a waste of time to continue. In fact, you can’t leave, even if you wanted to.”

“My contract is only with Ming,” Arek pointed out, his voice unsteady. He took advantage of his height to look into the sky and conceal his watering eyes.

“The gold part is, but you’ve got a share of the party’s loot as well,” Belmont said, looking over his shoulder and giving the disguised orc a small grin. “Adventurers with a share in a party cannot leave until their objective is complete or the rest of the group votes them out. It’s in the adventurer’s guild handbook.”

“Wha – you can’t possibly use that against me!” Arek exclaimed. “Nobody reads that!”

“I did,” Belmont said, smirking. “Besides, we’ve got yet another guild out for our blood. You’re stuck with us, so don’t think about running off and hiding.”

The healer turned away and strode back into his tent, closing the flap behind him. Arek blinked quickly and drew a shaky breath.

“I – I think I need to go for a run. I’ll be back,” the orc said. He didn’t wait for Malissa’s response before setting off with long, loping strides that left no way for her to keep up with him if she’d followed.

Malissa watched him for a few moments before averting her eyes to give the orc the privacy he was clearly seeking. She headed back to the tents and walked over to Ming’s, pushing the flap open and clearing her throat.

The mage glanced up from the book that Magus had given her and gave Malissa a small wave.

“Hi, Malissa. Is it time for breakfast?” Ming asked.

“No, not quite,” Malissa said slowly. “Ah… did you hear our conversation?”

“Nope. I was reading,” Ming said, proudly lifting the book and showing it to Malissa.

“That’s good,” Malissa said, pursing her lips and drumming her fingers on her thigh. Then she sighed. “Ming, Arek just told Belmont and I who his old adventuring name. He used to be known as Warchief.”

“Oh, that,” Ming said, waving her hand dismissively. “I already knew that. Magus told me while I was eating soup before you guys finished your promotion exams. He figured it out ages ago. I just didn’t think it was very important.”

Malissa’s mouth worked open and closed like a beached fish. Then her eye twitched slightly.

“You… already knew? And you didn’t say anything?”

“I forgot,” Ming said, shrugging. “It didn’t really matter. Arek is Arek. He’s nice and cooks great food for us. What else matters?”

“Nothing, I suppose,” Malissa said, shaking her head as a wry grin crossed her lips. “You know, I don’t why I was ever worried about this. I’ve been pretty foolish today.”

“It happens,” Ming replied. “To other people. I’d say I’m personally pretty perfect. Say, while you’re here, is Arek going to make breakfast?”

“Not yet,” Malissa said, rolling her eyes. “Arek needed some time to himself. He probably isn’t going to be in the mood to make food today, so we’ll be eating the jerky.”

“Oh,” Ming said. She let out a heavy sigh, then nodded. “Okay.”

Malissa’s eyes narrowed. Ming gave her an innocent look and cocked her head to the side.

“What is it?” Ming asked.

“You little rat goblin, you’ve got some food in your bag, don’t you?”

“I certainly do not!” Ming exclaimed, putting a hand over her heart. “Why would you claim that? If I had food that wasn’t disgusting, slimy cheese or sad dry jerky, I’d share it with my best friends!”

“No, you wouldn’t.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” Ming agreed.

Malissa yanked the extradimensional bag off Ming’s belt, ignoring the yelp of protest that the mage let out. She shuffled around inside it and, with a victorious grin, pulled out a loaf of white bread.