“We eat well here in my tower,” Tarlak said with a huge grin on his face. “Impressed?”

Harruq did not have chance to answer. His mouth was already full.

A urelia joined the half-orcs as they were preparing to bunk for the night.

“You two busy?” she asked, poking her head through their door.

“Come on in,” Harruq said. “Here to see our lovely living conditions?”

“Whiners. I’ll be sleeping on the floor as well.”

“Don’t you mean hovering above it?” Qurrah asked. The elf shrugged.

“Same thing. I just wanted to make sure this was fine with you two.”

Qurrah tilted his head and gave her a funny look. “We would not have joined if we did not so wish.”

The elf shook her head and poked Harruq.

“You might not have, but I get the distinct impression this big lug would follow me around wherever I go. And I don’t see you abandoning your brother either, Qurrah. So, humor me. Is all of this good?”

Harruq walked over, put his arms on her shoulders, and very, very slowly, spoke down to her.

“We…are…good.”

“Good,” Aurelia said with a smile before zapping him with electricity from her forefinger. She kissed his forehead as he lay on the ground, tiny bits of smoke trailing from his skin.

“Ni-ni Harruq, ni-ni Qurrah.”

“Sleep well, lady Thyne.”

“Nighters,” Harruq groaned from the floor.

“You certainly have an interesting way with women, brother,” Qurrah said as he closed the door.

“You think I insulted her?” he asked.

“Seems likely. By the way, you need another haircut.”

“Very funny.”

T hat night, as the two lay on bedrolls and stared at the ceiling, Harruq broke the silence.

“Hey, brother?”

“Yes, Harruq?”

“This whole thing…things are gonna be different now, aren’t they?”