Cale held Fengari in his arm while he talked to the owner of the store. The young woman had informed her father, who had led Cale to the store's warehouse and presented several large wooden crates and shelves full of candy. After a short conversation, Cale bought almost everything from them, leaving only some goods for the next few days before the owner could take care of supplies. The man was happy to have such an obliging customer who paid for the masses without much argument, but quite surprised when he made his purchased loot disappear into air. Fengari, on the other hand, had a satisfied smile on her face as she gleefully ate a large cookie, making a satisfying sound with each bite.

"I would appreciate it if you would not make a big deal about me buying from you. In return, I'd be happy to shop with you on a regular basis, for an additional charge, of course."

"Of course. It's an honor to do business with you, sir...", the stranger replied, bowing but falling silent when he realized he didn't even know his customer's name.

"Leuen. Caleb Leuen."

"Is it all right to reveal your name? Didn't you tell me to avoid it?", Fengari quietly interjected into the conversation while she was still eating.

"Don't speak with your mouth full, don't you know that? Swallow before you speak."

"Sorry", Fengari quickly replied, swallowing the cookie. Satisfied, Cale smiled as he held out his hand and the man stood up in front of him.

"Please excuse the girl, some customs in the city are new to her. What is your name, if you don't mind me asking?"

"No need toapologize, High-Magician Leuen. My name is Ivar Tersch, it is an honor. Ah... I will, of course, keep this to myself, as you wish."

"Thank you very much. You should also thank him, the nice man here will provide you with plenty of sweets in the future", Cale directed the note to Fengari.

"I get more?"

"As long as you don't cause me any problems."

"Thank you very, very much, Sir Tersch!", Fengari exclaimed delightedly, bowing in a half-sitting position while her hair fell forward like a long curtain.

"With pleasure, Lady Leuen", the owner replied, causing Fengari to straighten up and bite into the cookie with satisfaction.

The three of them stepped out of the warehouse and walked back to what was actually the store. The owner's daughter was busy with some customers, so she merely gave Cale a short, polite bow. For a brief moment, however, he paused in his movement when he suddenly noticed a familiar source of mana just inside the entrance to the store. The little bell announced the newcomer, while Cale, with Fengari in his arms, simultaneously stepped out from behind the shelves.

"Welcome", the couple immediately greeted him, while the stranger entered crouched and looked around cautiously. Sir Tersch, Cale, and Fengari had now arrived immediately beside the counter, so Madam Tersch gave them a brief, friendly glance. She seemed to grow nervous at the stranger's figure. "How can I help you?"

"Excuse me, I don't want to be a bother at all. I'm looking for an address and I'm a little lost", the stranger explained, holding a piece of paper in his hand, which he carefully passed to the woman.

, Cale explained, looking at the tall man from a safe distance as nostalgia made itself known. Ninett wore thick clothes, far too warm for this time of year, and his hair and beard shone a bright blond. But the most impressive thing about him was probably the weapon he had with him. It was a heavy, double-sided axe, attached to the chief's body by a long chain. It was a battleaxe that Ninett very rarely carried. By not sensing any other known mana sources, Cale guessed that the chief had come alone.

"I'm sorry, I don't know this address. What about you, honey? Does this mean anything to you?", the lady announced, passing the note to her husband, who quickly glanced at it. Meanwhile, Cale remained a good ten meters from the chief, trying not to stare at him, obviously, but Fengari wasn't much help. As she bit into the cookie, Ninett turned in her direction before the owner spoke up.

"No, sorry", he finally stated, handing the note back to him before following Ninett's gaze to Cale. Cale and Sir Tersch looked at each other for a brief moment before Cale put on his sanctimonious smile and joined the discussion.

"If you'll allow me, I'll give it a try; I know the city pretty well."

"You're very welcome," the chief replied politely, to which Cale merely nodded. For a moment, Cale wondered if Ninett didn't recognize him or didn't address him directly out of caution, until it occurred to him that he was wearing a hood to cover his face slightly. Or Ninett didn't care much for strangers and just wanted to accomplish his goal. From the way Cale was able to meet the chief, Ninett often gets lost in new places.

"Yes, I know the house. If you'd like, I'd be happy to take you there", Cale confirmed, handing the note back to Ninett. This was how close he had come to Ninett the last time at the Magistrat banquet, and he had to try hard not to show his smile. Cale liked Ninett a lot; after all, Ninett was one of the people who stood by him during the crisis in his first life. Ninett was something of a father-figure or big brother that Cale had looked up to and admired all his life.

"If it's not an inconvenience, I'd love to."

"Not at all", Cale assured him, turning to the owners. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. It's been an honor. Have a great day."

"Likewise, thank you for your confidence. Have a nice day," the man replied politely, bowing to Cale at the same time as his wife. The chief also thanked them for the help and stepped out of the store.

Cale hadn't realized how late it had gotten. He must have been in the store for a good hour, because the sky was turning reddish and people were retreating into their homes. He already suspected that his visit with William and the others would have to be postponed.

"I'm done, can I have a new one?", Fengari spoke up, a few meters from the entrance of the store. Setting the girl down on the floor, Cale bent down to her and knocked some crumbs off her sweater before working his magic.

"Try this, if you like cookies I'm sure you'll like chocolate itself", Cale explained, conjuring up a bar, causing Fengari to grab it in satisfaction.

Cale straightened up, took one of Fengari's hands to himself, and lifted his hood down before turning to face the chief. Ninett didn't seem to mind that he had to wait for her for a moment before Cale gestured for him to follow. What surprised Cale, however, was the fact that the chief made no sign of knowing who Cale was.

, Fengari countered, shoving the chocolate into her mouth with relish before humming with pleasure. The chiefs noticed the reaction and smiled at the sight before speaking up.

"A dear girl, is that your daughter?"

"A distant relative is probably more like it", Cale explained carefully so as not to make any contradictory statements.

"I see, my mistake. I didn't mean to offend you. She reminds me of my own daughter."

"She reminds you of Aletta?", Cale revealed calmly, causing the chiefs to give him a surprised look.

"You know who I am?"

"Ah, please excuse me. I was expecting you to recognize me. Forgive me for not introducing myself, I am Caleb Leuen, 12th High-Magician of Altona. Your daughter is staying with me, Chief Merensen", Cale explained quietly, careful that no one overheard the conversation. But the residents who were near them seemed to have no particular interest in his person. Rather, they were all staring at Ninett Merensen, the well 2-meter tall, broad man with the light blond hair. Chief Merensen, on the other hand, looked at Cale silently for a moment, as if trying to remember Cale. "We had met on the night of the banquet. You had asked me about my hairstyle back then, remember?"

"Faintly, please forgive me. My memory is not the youngest anymore and that evening I had was relatively... drunk. I wasn't sure if I knew you guys. Your lack of mana presence led me to believe I was mistaken."

"It's alright. It's nice to welcome you to Altona. I'm sure Aletta will be happy to see you", Cale stated calmly, hoping to learn if Aletta would actually be happy or flee. She and Ninett had a strange relationship in all his lifes. It wasn't love, but it wasn't hate either. Rather, it seemed as if Ninett's constant presence put such pressure on Aletta that she preferred to avoid him for that reason.

"The girl has become an adult, she probably won't react like she used to."

"Well, she's in the stage of rebellion, like any girl her age. Isn't she?", Cale commented with amusement, glancing at Fengari. Considering the distance and time, Ninett had put on a decent sprint for his daughter. The thought almost made Cale a little envious.

However, Cale had a whole other problem: if Ninett was in town to get Aletta back to Fringez, then Miguel was going as well. He would lose two important people in one fell swoop, and he couldn't for the life of him go against Chief Merensen himself. Aletta had to do that, without his help. So secretly he hoped that Aletta would be able to stand her ground and stay in Exarion with her escort. After all, Cale didn't want to have to part with her, not at this time and especially not so soon.

"You're probably right."

Fengari had completely devoured her food and stretched her hands in the air, prompting Cale to take her in his arms again. Without warning, she swung her arms around his neck and clung to him as she spoke to him in mind.

, Cale interrupted, rolling his eyes in an attempt to make him look like a god again. Why was Fengari doing this anyway? Just for the candy?

"High-Magician Leuen...", the chief unwittingly interrupted the conversation with a somber voice. From one moment to the next the man became very serious, Cale could guess what he was about to say. His daughter lived dangerously close to the Thormods, whom the Magistrat classified as a threat to the entire world. "... The reason I'm looking for this house is because of you."

"You are looking for me?", repeated Cale in surprise. Ninett was looking for the place where the healers are staying, why would he go there and not directly to the Magistrat?

"I'm here because of the audience, and I'd like to talk to you about it. In private, if you understand."

.

Cale completely ignored Fengari's mocking comment and instead looked into the big man's serious eyes.

"That surprises me... somewhat. You didn't have to take up all the way to Exarion just to follow my request."

"It may seem strange to you, but we in Frignez maintain a certain security of this information. I am not suggesting that I do not trust you. The Magistrat, Aletta and Miguel praise you highly, which is why I am willing to respond to the demands in the first place. Especially in connection with the new information regarding the Thormods and about what actually happened to your friend Grischa Vonstetten. Nevertheless, I would like to emphasize that this is something I would not talk about with all people. Therefore, please respect when I ask you not to inform anyone about this. Not even to the Eldest."

Automatically, Cale stopped with the girl in his arms, so the chiefs did the same. All at once, Cale understood why the chief Merensen had appeared in person. He had something to tell Cale that he should keep to himself at all costs, and he was going to see to it personally. No matter what the cost.