Ontin was not looking forward to the deal that was about to transpire, but he really needed to get that girl healed.

Flyte had said that her name was Hilda. At the moment, her brother was carrying her as she wasn't yet conscious. Ithikar was also travelling with the group. He would be invaluable in the matter that laid ahead, but Ontin didn't want to think about that yet.

Ontin didn't have the time to walk all the way to his destination, so he opened a gate instead, as his status as an Altruin allowed him to.

As he lead his troupe through the gate, he thought about his burning question; how did Flyte meet Grall? Ontin didn't think there had been an opportunity for him to escape Nareal, almost no one had. A better question was: how did Grall stay hidden for all these years? He was too influential to not be recognized over the three centuries that passed since Nareal had been destroyed.

"Hello Ontin," Frenick said as the group crossed the gate. "Why are you here?"

"I was wanting to have this girl healed," Ontin said. "And you are the only one who can do it without turning her into some kind of plant."

"Tell me then," Frenick began. "Why should I?"

"Other than your overwhelming generosity...," Ontin held his statement there, looking for Frenick's sympathy. Nothing showed. "I have a bargain chip."

Ontin gestured to Ithikar.

"He's more useful to you than the girl is to me," Ontin said. "She's not even in my army."

Frenick waved his companion's paladin over to him. "That's fair. You do seem to like saving random people more than saving your friends."

"I would save everyone if I could, but some things are unavoidable," Ontin said. He missed Trelifar, but he had no opportunity to help him.

Frenick touched Hilda with his lance, and as it glowed, she was healed. "I just don't understand Ontin, why don't you yield to us?"

"There's not enough time to replace me. Terrible things are beginning to happen, and my power over speeds will be crucial."

"Well," Frenick said, unconvinced. "You seem to have all the time in the world."

"Yes," Ontin said. "I do, but it gets lonely being the only one with time."

"I can't see how you could waste your gifts over loneliness," Frenick said to Ontin.

"I'll see you later Frenick," Ontin said. "And maybe someday you will see."

walking through the gate, Ontin's group left Frenick's abode