Theanore rushed to hug her father. Esmer was close behind. He seemed to have a limp, but it was a slight one. The ogre crew would stay at Alerion for some time, as they have found jobs as coal miners for some time.

Grandpa Thinker smiled at the reunion. The teleport had gotten him to grandpa Thinker’s main base of operation, and then they had taken fresh deer and flown all the way back to Eomis.

The children of the grotto crowded to take a look at Crassus, Nick being at the head of the crowd. He couldn’t believe that the witch that had plagued him, that had killed his parents even, was gone.

He made a few tentative steps forward, and Crassus immediately noticed him. Nick cleared his throat and spoke.

“Is the witch gone?” He said, and Crassus nodded.

“Destroyed by mount Licht’s sacred springs.” Said Crassus, and he opened his arms wider, so there was room for one more in the group hug. Nick ran to Crassus and embraced him.

“Thank you. You could have just stood by. But you helped me instead.” Said Nick with tears in his eyes.

“It is the duty of adults to look after children.” Said Crassus as he wrapped his right arm around Nick. “How have you been, Nick?”

“I can go to shopping trips now. Mostly for old man Torgog. He doesn’t have much luck with his poor eyesight. But he thought me pathfinding magic. I want to be an explorer one day!” Said Nick happily.

“That is a good occupation, Nick. You can help build roads through the mountains.” Said Crassus, and he looked towards grandpa and grandma Thinker.

“Thank you both for allowing me to go up mount Licht. I know you are very selective about whom to let there.” Said Crassus, and the elderly couple nodded as one.

“You didn’t litter. But tell us, Crassus, did you take something from the mountain?” Asked grandpa Thinker.

Crassus took out the jar with crow fern berries and showed it to him.

“Just these berries. You can have them, if you want.” Said Crassus, but grandpa Thinker shook his head.

“You better eat these; they don’t grow anywhere but at mount Licht. The secret springs nourish them. Well, granny and I are going home now. All of you stay on the good list and brush your teeth regularly.” And the sled was up in the sky and going back towards Alerion.

Crassus opened the jar and set it down on the ground.

“Everyone gets one berry. Just one. If you take more than one, I will know.” Said Crassus and the children got into a line to get a berry each. Crassus looked around but found he couldn’t find Cassius anywhere. He turned to Theanore and spoke.

“Where is the prince, Thea? Is he off bickering with Marinus?” Asked Crassus. He found the drama around the love triangle very amusing.

“Cassy went home. He is going to court Lizzy.” Then Theanore went to her tiptoes and whispered. “She is not pleased because he told her he likes her less than me. She even slapped him.”

Theanore made a slapping motion with an indignant face, and Crassus shook his head. Well, that was the tact he could expect from a six-year-old boy. At least the prince hadn’t insulted the young lady further. He hoped.

“And Marinus? Where is he?” Asked Crassus when he didn’t see a tell-tale mop of red hair anywhere. Come to think of it, Mary wasn’t there either. “And Mary?”

“Mary told Cassius some mean things before he left. Now she is grounded to stare at a wall and keep silent and think about what she has done. Mari is looking at her as she does her punishment to make sure she doesn’t speak.” Said Theanore, proud that Marinus had buried his dislike for Cassius enough to see that his daughter’s words had hurt the prince.

“Well, we can’t get in the way of a father disciplining his child, now, can we? Are they in my house?” Asked Crassus. He imagined Mary staring at a wall, bored out of her mind, and Marinus making a wooden carving to pass the time. He nearly laughed at the mental picture.

“They are in the pool cavern. Mari is playing with the murder muffins in the pool as he watches her.” Said Theanore. Crassus patted her hair.

“And since when is this punishment going on?” Asked the merchant. Now, he was all for some contemplation, but if it has been going for hours, then Mary probably knew how to sleep on her feet by now.

“Since sunrise.” Said Theanore. “They took a break for breakfast and lunch, but Mary was still not allowed to talk.”

“Well, as long as Marinus remembers to feed her, I suppose it is not so bad to let him decide when the punishment ends.” Said Crassus. It didn’t sound so severe as what Crassus would have dished out. After all, a bad word was remembered for life and the consequences of it should be more severe.

“Daddy, what plants did you see during your travels?” Asked Theanore excitedly. Crassus chuckled. Of course, a wood nymph would care for plants the most, even where there was a story of adventure to be heard.

“Well, I saw a strange apricot with rose like blossoms and no fruits. A fern with crow feathers instead of leaves. And, here. This is for you.” Crassus took the ember necklace with the crow fern leaves and handed it to Theanore.

She immediately put it on and then ran a finger over the biggest ember on the necklace.

“It is so pretty. An apricot with rose blossoms. It was not an apricot at all, daddy. It was a rose tree. Mommy told me I will get it for level 30. But I am only level 21.” Said Theanore.

Crassus found it odd that she had not advanced in levels since New Year, but decided not to push the subject. He was sure she would work to improve her grotto as soon as she got some time to herself. But for now, her trade deals and plans required all of her attention.