My guards carried my throne out of the safe room ahead of me. Then I followed them, and two steps behind me were Lilac and six other women. Those women had taken to her and were following behind. I was guessing they were now servants of some sort for her. I had gotten to know Lilac some when I spent time eating, and she was out of her room. However, the women with her she never introduced.

For as love-stupid as she had been running off with her guard, she was competent to speak with. She figured that she would spin the whole thing as the merchant guild kidnapping her and Triston trying to protect her. That way, there wouldn’t be a scandal, and he could be buried with honors. The only thing that got to me was that she almost completely refused to call me Arn. I was always ‘great master’ or ‘Dungeon master’ like the dungeon was the only thing that mattered.

She didn’t look like a princess when she entered the safe room. However, when we left, she appeared to be at least a well-to-do woman. I didn’t let her get too much stuff from the dungeon, but new clothing and makeup were things I noticed that she bought. She also seemed to have gained some jewelry, but I figured most of it didn’t matter.

Her small entourage all wore the deep blue and green of Cloudia. They matched each other and even carried themselves better than when I had first seen them. While they had traded a year of their life in the safe room, it appeared they had gained much.

As I stepped out of the dungeon, my favorite lizard girl jumped on me from out of nowhere. I smiled as I caught Blink and spun around. I thought to her, “Are you okay?”

As I set her down, she replied in my mind. “Yes, Daddy, but Kasidy is very sad and worried about the other girl.”

I smiled at Blink as I set her down and asked out loud. “Where’s Kas?”

My murderous little girl pointed toward the bedroom that used to be owned by the manager. “She’s takings a nap, buts I’m not sure hows she is tireds already.”

I nodded. “She is feeling low.”

Blink cocked her head to the side and asked. “Lows?”

Before I could say anything, the princess spoke up. “It means sad.”

Blink smiled, let go of my hand, and started to skip off towards the room. I had a feeling that she was going to do something odd, so I picked up speed to see what it was. When I got in the room, Blink was sitting on Kasidy.

I only heard one thing from Blink. “Hunts!”

As I got close, I saw that Kasidy didn’t look like herself. She was beyond sad. It all made sense. She knew she was dying. It was like on Earth when someone was told that they had cancer. You knew the problem was there, and there was nothing you could do about it. Sure, someone else was working to fix the problem for you. But you couldn’t fix it yourself. No matter what you wanted to do, you had to have help. That type of thing weighs heavy on someone, and I could see it on her face.

I waved and said. “Hey, Kas. I am going over to the Sister’s temple. I would like for you to come with me. It might make it easier for them to heal you if you are there.”

She slowly sat up once Blink moved. “Yeah, I can come. I was just laying down for a quick nap.”

I dropped my pack on the ground, reached in, and pulled out a songbook. “I got this for you.”

It had been almost six months since I had seen Kasidy. I knew for her it had been less than two days. I had come to grips with what was going on long ago. I had to, or I wouldn’t have been able to get everything done that I needed to do. That said, I kept my emotions for her alive. I didn’t want the weeks to go by without me thinking of her, which was very easy for me to do.

I also was being very mindful to keep Lilac at a distance. I didn’t want her to try to get me tangled up in her political world any more than I already was. I knew that she was still getting over her lover’s loss but that she was raised a royal. She had been raised on the idea of political marriage and saw me as someone powerful.

So I spent time every day working on crafts for Kasidy. Just an hour each day, but I wanted to remember who I was fighting for. Since she couldn’t be with me, I poured my love for her into a new songbook.

So when I passed her the book, I was looking for a smile. However, all I could see was defeat. She was still at the stage of illness where all she could do was think about the problem. The sad thing was if the curse could run its course, she would stay in that stage as the curse acted so quickly.

She gave me a slight smile. “Thanks, Arn. Do you really think the Sisters will help you?”

I nodded. “I have seen them do some pretty amazing things. I am sure that they will be able to help you with this.”

I reached out my right hand to her and helped her up. As she stood, she wrapped her arms around me to give me a hug. I could see tears running down her face as I heard her crying slightly.

As I hugged her back, I whispered. “It’ll be okay. We can figure this out.”

I turned to Blink and said. “Hey, go get Renfry and Irwin. We need to have a quick meeting. It’s time to bring everyone in on everything.”

Blink nodded and smiled. Then my little not pet lizard girl turned and ran off. The speed at which she went was insane. I had thought I had been pushing her too hard when we hiked. Yet seeing how fast she was as a little girl was the difference between walking in a game and running. What was crazy was how fast she was going while just walking.

I turned to Kas and asked. “How long has she been that fast?”

Kasidy gave me a weird little smile. “As long as I have known her.”

I nodded just a bit and sighed. I went to say something else, but Kasidy slipped her hand into mine, stopping me. I smiled at her and leaned in for a brief kiss. Not long after that, Blink jumped on the bed, clapping her hand.

Blink said while bouncing. “They’re both coming!”

I smiled. “Thanks!”

Right then, I heard a knock on the door of the former manager’s office. I looked over my shoulder and saw Irwin and Renfry grinning at me. I stood and went and gave each of them a hug.

Renfry smiled at me and said. “Good to see you up and walking again.”

I laughed and pointed at the table. “We have some things to discuss before we get much else done.”

I was about to get started when there was another knock on the door. I turned to see that Lilac was standing there by herself.

She asked. “Great Master, may I join this meeting?”

I thought for a moment and said. “This is for those who are joined with me either as Blink or as part of retinue. I don’t think that you are either.”

Lilac gave me a brief nod, stepped into the office, and said. “I have seen how you work; I have watched how you ensured that others were treated well. You might wield the powers of a necromancer, but your heart is one of a crafter. I watched you in battle and saw how you protect what is yours. I discussed many things with you over the past few months.”

I went to interrupt her, but she held up her hand. “Not once did you fawn over me or give me any more than was required. You had access to a princess and didn’t try to win favor. No one except my Triston was like that. Even my cousins treated me differently. You, however, didn’t look down on any of those who were captured. You took time to talk with all who came and spoke with you, even though it took time from your development. You also didn’t hold me so highly that you would do for me whatever I wanted. I have gotten your measure, I believe. As such, I would like to be part of this circle. I would like to join myself with you and yours.”