I was happy to see that Cellestra seemed to mimic my thoughts. She’d tucked away her new amulet under her shirt and buried the scroll deep in her backpack before she hopped back on. I was exhilarated to see Elira’s reaction to the gift, but at the same time, this was going to be a very important learning moment for her.

I considered talking to my parents, just to inform them what I planned to give her, but they were already aware I planned to do this sooner or later, and despite their hesitation, they didn’t seem opposed to it. Their wariness stemmed from me spending money on them more than anything, after all.

We walked back the way we came, eventually arriving in the city’s plaza, which was getting busier and busier. The guild hall, too, was a major center of attention; many people entered and left the building in an almost constant stream.

There was no sign of my family yet, and since I occupied far too much space, I decided to wait next to the guild hall where I wouldn’t be in anyone’s way.

“Damn,” I let out in a half-disappointed, half-playful manner.

“You have no idea how hard a time I have containing my laughter,” Cellestra said with a muffled giggle. “Your ears are barely sticking to your head.”

“I know!” I said. “I hate waiting.”

“You remind me of a certain little girl,” Cellestra said, smiling. “You two are just the most adorable.”

I grinned as I relaxed. I remained excited but calmed down enough for my ears to stop twitching. I continued waiting, scanning the large crowd continually. New goods, mostly in the form of food, were carried towards sales stands by carts from outside, causing people to converge on that location.

I chuckled. Who didn’t like fresh vegetables?

The only thing that was missing, to my disbelief, was apples. I would have definitely bought some for Cellestra. I should check with my parents when we could obtain some.

The greater part of an hour passed, and I was getting frustrated. It wasn’t more than that as I remembered what Keelarin had said. He’d mentioned how he hoped Soranir wasn’t too busy today. I was sure he’d jinxed it right then and there.

Finally, they appeared, Elira leading the way. The little ball of energy came running at me as soon as she spotted me.

“Hi sis!” She let out as she eagerly made her way over to Cellestra to climb up on my back.

“Hey,” I replied. “Sounds like you were bored to tears.”

“I was! We had to wait for soooo long.”

My parents approached, their eyes tracking Elira as she sat down in front of Cellestra, who patted her, smiling.

“Sorry about that,” Keelarin said. “Things took longer than expected.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “That happens. How did it go?”

“Once we finally got to meet him, well, pretty good actually. Soranir is very much a straight-to-the-point kind of person. When we told him you were involved and wanted a private meeting, he instantly scrapped two meetings tomorrow. He’ll be at our home at noon.”

“By Elysa… he’s quite serious about this, isn’t he?” I let out in astonishment.

“I told him that according to you, this is something quite serious. I didn’t give him any further details, but he took it with the utmost sincerity. I hope you’re not busy tomorrow?” He said with a question at the end.

“No,” I said as I shook my head. “Tomorrow’s fine. We’ll head back to the dungeon the day after.”

“Woah! Shiny!” Elira’s voice came from behind me. When I focused on her, I noticed she was staring at my new weapon.

“You like it?” I asked with a chuckle to which she nodded. I wanted to tell her to wait, that we had a little surprise for her aftar, but I realized that it would perhaps be a bit cruel as we were going to visit Elysa’s shrine first. I decided to keep quiet.

“It’s starmetal,” I continued. “And I have more of it.” I pointed a thumb to the silk-wrapped ingot on my back.

“It’s so cool!”

Lilinia and Keelarin smiled and didn’t seem to know what to say. Cellestra was the one who spoke first as she revealed her amulet.

“We had this made as well.”

“Woah,” Elira said as she turned her head to watch the jewelry. “So pretty. How did you get that?”

“You mean the metal?” The brunette asked to which the elven girl nodded.

“Kealyna found it. She said the metal is sometimes found in fallen stars. We were lucky to find one on our way here.”

“We found several other interesting things on our way here, but yeah, this was certainly one of the more interesting ones. Anyway, shall we go to the shrine? It’s about time I say my thanks to Elysa.”

A series of nods later, my parents led the way with me and the two elves on my back following closely.

For the second time, when we exited the city, I got the ominous feeling we were being watched, but once again, I saw nobody. At the same time, I felt the black in the back of my mind expand and then shrink again, in pulses, as if it was prodding around, checking something. I halted briefly and without hesitation, cast my healing light spell on myself.

I felt the throbbing darkness recede in response, but it left me with a bit of a headache.

“Are you okay?” Cellestra asked. My parents halted as she spoke and looked at me with worry in their eyes.

“I’m okay,” I said, not wanting to upset anyone. “Just a bit of a headache. Not sure why.”

I wasn’t lying when I said I was okay, but I didn’t like any of this. The feeling of being watched, and at the same time, this ever-present darkness swelling up, I felt wholly disturbed.

At least I learned that my healing light spell did seem to have some kind of effect. It gave me hope that I would enjoy a certain safety once Cellestra mastered the spell.

There was still a concern in both my parents’ eyes. I had the feeling that the way Cellestra had asked me if I was okay had implied there was more going on that they didn’t know about yet. It was the case, but I didn’t want them to worry about yet another thing.

I nodded and continued moving forward, thinking about what this all could mean. I would certainly talk with Cellestra about it tonight to see what she thought about the situation. For now, though, I wanted to join my parents in a prayer of thanks at Elysa’s shrine.

“Well, damn,” I said in realization as we neared the row of shrines.

“What is it?” My mother asked, obviously thinking something was wrong.

“I completely forgot. There is no way I will fit through the doorway.”

The door that led to the inside of the domed building was large for normal people, but I was on a completely different scale. To be fair, even if I did fit through, there wouldn’t be a lot of space left for others, and I knew parts were occupied by an altar and then some facilities as well.

That would also mean that this ritual wasn’t going to be done the same way. I’d have to get it outside. There was simply no other way.

“That’s fine,” My mother said in a soft, warm voice, slightly smiling. “I’m sure Elysa doesn’t mind us praying outside. She’ll hear us, right?”

“I never actually asked,” I said. “But I’m sure she does.”

We reached the shrine and I was secretly hoping that the braziers would react to me, but there was still nothing. I shook my head as I entered the premises and settled in the grass next to the shrine, the priestess in white watching from inside the doorway, a grimace on her face as she watched Elira.

Cellestra stepped off and lifted the small elf off my back as well. She remained silent as she walked to my parents who knelt down in front of me. Nobody said a word. Even Elira, who was usually energetic and curious, was completely quiet as she joined my parents. Cellestra knelt down next to me and nodded when I looked her way.

The sudden tranquility was odd, and in a way, overwhelming, but in a good way. I was happy to have my family and Cellestra here, in a place of worship, to thank the goddess who’d given us so much. I cleared my heads to be in tune with the calmness that surrounded us. I then closed the only eyes I could and, with the people I cared for most in my mind, offered my deepest, most honest gratitude.