A swift breeze blew over the cliffs and terraces of Chsyatana, wishing all those departing sailors farewell. Garrett sat down on the guard railing of the scholar’s terrace, next to Nannade and turned to her. She was about an inch smaller now, her face was back to the broad crolachan norm, her eyes had again the colour of grain and a tiny snake was slithering around her neck and shoulders. It was weird to see her like this again, after just having gotten used to her altered appearance.

“What is it?” She snickered, no doubt at his stupid face.

“It’s just... as if you had never made that stupid mistake. As if all of that had been just a bad dream and we’re about to head to Halonnes like nothing bad ever happened.”

Nannade smiled. So much Garrett had missed this smile. “I tried too hard to be something else. First I tried to be just Nannade, ignoring the Serpent. Then I tried to be not Nannade at all, leaving everything I ever had behind, as if the Serpent had recruited me in a completely new life with that only She decided on. Finally, now that deity and priestess have defined and agreed on roles and rituals, the Serpent lets me be me again.” The snake made its way down Nannade’s shirt, from where she quickly retrieved her new ‘pet’.“The staff is a part of my body, after all, sort of. As long as the staff is with me and she retreats into the staff, and stays by my me, my body can revert. We're still connected, but it still feels... less cramped in here." She tapped her chest, then stroked the snake's head. “Somewhat. And it makes a nice cover. It’s almost as if She truly is just a familiar.” She lifted the snake up to her face. “Isn’t that right, Ssil? You’re just my familiar, nothing suspicious or abominable about that at all!” and giggled when the snake flickered her tongue at Nannade’s nose.

Garrett remembered that type of snake; orange with red patches, about as thick as a finger or two and around four feet long. Elissa used to catch them in the fields when they were still kids, at the brink of adulthood. She liked to scare the girls in town with them and laugh while they screamed and squealed. He remained in the memories for a while. “I think it will come in handy when you’ll try to blend in at campus.”

“I hope so. I won’t let myself be treated like a monster anymore.”

They just sat for a while, looking to the glistening ocean.

“I’ll miss this city somewhat, I think.” She said absent minded.

“And you should. The air is fresh compared to cities on level ground, like Halonnes.”

“What about you? Looking forward to see your alma mater?”

Garrett shook his head. “Somewhat, yes. But I hate to leave Philander behind. Maybe one day I’ll come back for him. This city has grown on me too. And I’ve been to many.”

Nannade nodded. “Two years. I can’t believe it went by so smoothly. Well... apart from that business with Paramonos.”

Garrett merely gave off an agreeing hum. They watched the ships come in and go out of the harbour for a while. He was glad everything had worked out after Paramonos was disposed of, thanks to Master Anaxagoras. Merely four of the former five houses remained, but the search for a graduate that could pick up Paramonos’ mantle had already begun. Now the girl’s third mark of approval was getting close. Halonnes would be the perfect finish to her education.

He had to think back to what she had said. She knew. She knew everything. Elissa had told her. For some reason, he wasn’t angry with Elissa at all; it felt liberating. He didn’t have to tell Nannade, but Nannade understood. There was no pressure, not fear, no dread of his secret leaking out. He was happy. For the first time in a long time, he was truly happy, with no anxiety or worries in the back of his head to spoil his happiness and bring him down to a cruel and uncaring reality. And it was thanks to Elissa. Although she promised never to tell anyone. He was glad she did tell the girl, but he would still guilt trip her about it; maybe she will buy him a bottle of that Sturreland apple schnapps as apology. He couldn’t really be angry with her, though. How did he ever deserve such a blessing?

“I hope you can get along with the people in Halonnes, Nannade.”

“Yes. Me too. I mostly look forward to meeting Susanna.”

Garrett had to laugh. “Oh I promise, you will grow tired of her real quickly.”

Nannade shrugged. “Hmmm; maybe. I want to see for myself. I want to see the campus in all its colours and glory.”

“You will.” Garrett put his hand on her shoulder and stood back up. “We should really get going. We have a long trip by ship ahead of us.”

Nannade hummed and nodded, then got up, too. She peered into the distance with determination that befit her just right. Her posture spoke volumes about the strength she had found in those rituals, all worries, problems and qualms neatly stored away into fitting solutions. They made their way down to the harbour.