I headed down to the craftsman district, looking for some things for Elendria. D’Vaen’s words had gotten me intrigued, and I was hoping that a few items would possibly boost her evolution. Rather than go around hopelessly lost, I instead headed toward Lothian’s shop. As a jeweler, he was honestly the least likely to be busy. Sure enough, a small silver bell announced my arrival to an empty shop. It was only a matter of seconds before Lothian emerged from the back, smiling immediately when he saw me.

“Sean! Lovely to see you again friend! Have you by chance stumbled upon another rare monster that you need assistance harvesting?”

“While that would be amazing, I think my monster hunting days are on hold until this leg heals up. Instead I came to browse your wares and see if you wouldn’t have a thing or two to help with an idea I had.”

“Well, come right on in and feel free to browse! I know you haven’t relied too much on equipment in the past, so let me fill you in on what I can provide. Each person can wear one enchanted ring on each hand, as well as one necklace. You can add a pair of earrings if you wish, but there are two problems. First, they must be paired. Second, they are small enough that you just can’t fit that much of an enchantment on them. Most people just ignore that option as it is more hassle than what it’s worth.”

I nodded along, looking at different rings and things he had on display. Most of them boosted an attribute or two, and he had them in ranges of ten up to 40-50 points. The last set were all wide band rings with a large gemstone set in it. “Good information to know. Now, there are two general things I’ve been looking for. One, do you have anything that can boost skills that have to do with the soul? And the second, Elendria is getting ready to attempt another evolution, and I learned that D’Vaen managed to incorporate several pieces of equipment into his evolution to boost his final result. I’m looking for anything to help Elendria with that.”

“Ah, well unfortunately I won’t be able to help, but I can explain why so that you don’t go about getting ripped off by some of the shadier merchants. They don’t last long out here, but there is enough turnaround that buyers have to be careful. Anyway, on to your friend’s evolution. Tell me, was it the equipment made from your turtle kill?” At my nod, he continued, “Thought so. It wasn’t the equipment that helped, it was the material and its processing. What happened was the elemental veins that they preserved in creating the equipment were removed and added to your friend. It won’t work for your friend, because she wields an advanced element.”

“Ah, that makes a bit of sense then. What about the soul stuff?”

“Creatures that focus on soul attacks are thankfully rare, and most of their stuff you wouldn’t want to incorporate into an evolution. A lot of them end up as undead or quasi undead types, and I doubt miss Elendria wishes to evolve into a ghoul. If you had time, there is an abandoned necropolis on the way to the elven kingdom if you don’t mind a slight detour, but that’s still about a week to get there.”

“Damn. Thanks Lothian. You probably saved me a good bit of gold.”

“Hah, don’t worry about it. Most of us merchants out here would have done the same thing. And I’m willing to bet the ones that wouldn’t normally do it wouldn’t dare cross you anyway. You’ve taken down some big monsters, so most of us non-combat professions would rather not make you too angry.”

“Really?” I asked, surprised. “I didn’t think I would be that big of a deal.”

“Ah, don’t let it go to your head now. You just blew in so fast and haven’t really interacted much. It’s only natural that rumors would start.”

“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Well, since there isn’t anything that could boost her evolution, what else can you show me? Nothing magical, just some nice jewelry.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elendria’s POV

I sighed in ecstasy as I slipped into the sheets that night. A small burst of magic got them to the perfect temperature. I had left D’Vaen’s party a little early, but he understood. As I lay there, wishing Sean were with me, I thought back to the day I had. Seeing the raw destructive power Sean could unleash made me a bit nervous, and something told me that he was holding back. He said the biggest weapons would poison the land after, and his attack left everything pristine, if a little charred. But it was nothing that wouldn’t heal in a few seasons. And though he put on a good show during the day, I was the one to hold him during his nightmares. They were getting worse recently, and from what I could tell they were getting violent.

“Elendria?” I heard whispered as the door cracked open.

“Come on in Sean.” I said, looking over the covers to see him with his sheepish smile. “Had your fill of the party?”

He gently closed the door behind him and slid his way across the floor towards the bed. “Yeah. Much as I like D’Vaen, I’m just not much of a party guy. What about you? Did you have fun with your summons?”

I laid back and smiled, staring at the ceiling. “Yeah, it was fun. Probably some of the most fun I’ve had in a while. How are the trackers holding up?”

“Perfectly fine. I know I can send an astral portion of my body there, or open a door directly to the plane, but I’m still missing a little bit about changing space. From what I can tell, it would take a few days to reach the otters and a month of harsh traveling to reach the wolves.” He slid next to me in the bed, wrapping me in his arms. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you lose your friends. I just want you to focus on your evolution, and coming back safe to me.”

“I’ll try, but I can’t help but worry about them.” I said, snuggling into his warmth. “They’ve been with me through some of my darkest days, and I can’t help but worry about them. The adults I have seen raised from pups. I just.”

“Shhhh, shhhh.” He comforted me, stroking my hair. “I’ll make sure that you can contact them again, I promise. I’ll work hard while you evolve to figure out the spatial issues.”

“Thank you.” I whispered, fighting back the tears that threatened to flow.

“Hey now, I know what might bring that smile I love back. I got you a present today.” He said after a minute. Before I knew what he was talking about, I felt a cool metal chain slip around my neck.

“Wha? No, no NOOOOO!” I cried, slapping his hands away and throwing myself backwards in panic. “No more slave collars!” I shouted, covering myself in an icy armor that drastically dropped the temperature in the room.

“ELENDRIA!” Sean shouted as I cowered in the corner, and I could see the fear on his face. Fear? What did he have to fear?

“It’s ok hun, look. It’s just a necklace.” He said, slowly putting the necklace around his neck. “I’m sorry, so sorry. I should have warned you beforehand.” As he talked, I looked closer at the necklace. It had no magic, none at all. It wasn’t a slave collar! As that realization slowly sank in, my rampaging magic died down. “That’s it, shhh, it’s ok. You’re fine, there are no slave collars here, or ever again.” Sean started getting closer, whispering comforting words. “I managed to shield the room, so nobody knows what happened. It’s ok, there’s nothing to cry about.”

Cry? I slowly touched my cheek only to feel frozen tracks of tears. “I’m so sorry.” I sobbed, throwing myself into his arms. “I could have killed you! I’m so sorry!”

“Shhh, its’ ok. It’s not your fault hun, it’s mine.” He comforted me, and I started to examine the necklace he got me.

“Beautiful.” I whispered, looking at it. It was an elven angel, wings spread to attach to the chain. Her arms came together on her chest, and she was holding a small sapphire in her hands. Everything save the sapphire was silver, though the craftsmanship was exquisite. I felt my thundering heart start to calm down as I slowly reached out to take the figurine in my hands. “Did, you really get this for me?”

“I did. I wanted a gift that would represent how you made me feel. I would be lost in this world without all your help Elendria. You were the first to show me even the barest hint of compassion. You gave me the tools I needed to escape. Ever since then, you have been by my side. Giving me the support I need. I would never have been able to grow nearly as much without you supporting me. You have truly been my guardian angel, on more than one occasion. I don’t say it enough, but thank you. For everything.” He said, wiping away another tear from my eye that managed to escape.

“You. You really mean that?” I asked, sniffling a bit.

“Of course.” He said, giving me a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Can I put your necklace on you?”

“Maybe you better let me put it on.” I said, fighting a twinge of discomfort. He calmly put the necklace in my hand, though I could feel a bit of his disappointment. Once it was on, I looked at him again and said, “It really is beautiful.” And leaned in to give him a kiss. “Head back to bed. I’ll be there in a second.”

He nodded, and went to bed while I headed over to the dresser where I had a pair of cups and a pitcher of water. Hiding under the pitcher of water was something I didn’t want to use, but I needed to. I quickly upended the vial of powder into the bottom of Sean’s glass, giving it a slight swirl to make sure that everything dissolved. It wouldn’t hurt him, just make sure he slept deeply tonight. “Here, a bit of water to calm us down.” I said, handing him a glass. We both drank before slipping back into the covers.

“I’m sorry for doing that to you.” He said, pulling me close. “I completely forgot about the slave collar.”

“Shhh. Forget about it.” I whispered, giving him another kiss. “Just, hold me until I can get to sleep.” He pulled me close, and I reveled in the warmth of his body as I cried inside at what I felt was a complete betrayal. I just couldn’t take going to the tower to risk my life knowing he would be watching me. I owed both of those demon brothers, as they would know just how dangerous it was to shatter your base and try for a different evolution branch. Roughly one in three made it, and we let Sean think it was higher.

Two hours later, and he was snoring deeply. I gently removed myself from his embrace, and left everything of value I had on the table. I took only some cheap clothes and the necklace he had gotten me. I made sure that the tear stained letter was visible, and slipped out into the night. I was almost to the front door when I heard his voice.

“Good luck little elf.” D’Vorak said as he seemed to materialize out of the shadows. “I assume that red poppy powder is keeping Sean asleep?”

“You knew?”

“I did. I knew it was harmless, so I figured I would ask you why.”

“I just. I don’t have the strength to face what could possibly be my death with him looking on. So I’m running away like a coward in the night, leaving a note for him.”

He nodded, and said, “I understand. Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on him. You go and take care of what you need to.”

I nodded, and slipped out into the night. It was a chill night, but that was fine. I made my way straight to the tower. Placing my hands on the plate, I disappeared into the tower to see if I could survive changing my fate.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dearest Sean,

I hope you can forgive me for what I can only think of as a massive betrayal of your trust. I put red poppy powder into your drink so that you would sleep soundly. I knew you would insist on coming with me to see me off for my evolution, and I couldn’t take that. Please, finish reading this, as it hurts me just as much as I know it is hurting you.

The truth is that I have a small chance of surviving. Only one in three survive what I am attempting. I knew the risks involved, and keeping it from you has been eating me inside. I knew I would never be strong enough to go into the tower without letting you know, and seeing you watching me likely heading to my doom. I’m leaving this behind to let you know that I love you with everything I have.

You have given me more than I could ever dream. For the longest of time, I was expecting to die a slave. I had all but given up hope. And then you appeared. A blinding ray of light, a powerful soul that didn’t think twice about freeing an abused slave like me. I pledge my life to you, for all that you have given me. And if my journey is to end here, I want you to live on. Fight through whoever you have to, slay whatever gods stand in your way. Return to the family that loves you. I am not giving up, but if I don’t return after five days, you must promise me that you will go forth and set things right.

Ever your loving and faithful servant,

Elendria