Days passed quietly before the agreed day of meeting finally arrived. The sun hung lazily above the city, and a soft breeze carried the smell of baked bread and blooming violets through the open windows of the Blue Bound's manor.
"How do you like your room?" Alyssa asked, sitting opposite Auren across a polished wooden table.
"It was nice," Auren replied, his voice calm and rested. "I've never slept that comfortably in a long time. Thank you."
He lifted his cup and took a small sip of the fragrant tea Alyssa had brought from her family estate. Its floral scent wrapped around him like a soft blanket, and for once, he allowed himself to feel at ease.
Across the table, Essel sat with her usual grace, nibbling on biscuits.
"Word about you has been spreading fast," she said with a small grin. "Even the monastery staff have heard about the new herbalist that can fight who's been shaking up the town."
Auren blinked, lowering his cup slightly. "I don't even know what I did."
