“Those images are of a madman,” Qurrah said, remembering the man with his mouth sewn shut. “Or madwoman. Was that your childhood?”

The necromancer had always thought the cruelty and depravity of his early years was unmatched, but it appeared someone else had a tale darker than his own.

He stood, brushed the dust of his robes, and returned to the tower, fresh determination in his heart. He would speak with the girl the following morning. Part of him could not endure the wait. And part of him would gladly wait forever.

Y ou look well,” Aurelia said when Harruq poked his head into their room.

“Better than yesterday?” he asked.

“Yes, but not by much.”

The half-orc laughed, and then collapsed onto the elf’s floor.

“Delysia!” she called, glancing back to where the priestess reclined on a bed reading a book.

“The big boy needs a spell?” she asked, not looking up.

“Or three.” Aurelia cast a levitation spell on the passed out half-orc. He floated into the air, traveled across the two beds, and stopped beside the priestess. She reached up and touched the floating half-orc. White light surrounded her hand. Healing magic flowed out from her. Delysia withdrew her hand, having not once stopped her reading. Aurelia gently lowered Harruq next to her. Seconds later, he stirred.

“Eh? Where, oh, hello Aurry.”

“Hello, Harruq,” she smiled. “Care to stay awhile?”

“Sure thing.”

“Good,” the elf said, backing away and giving an exaggerated wave in front of her nose. “But bathe first, so we may stay together in the same room.”

Harruq groaned. “Where can I do that?”

Aurelia glanced back to Delysia, who looked up from her book with an evil smile.

“Oh this is going to be bad, isn’t it?” he asked as both began shoving him down the stairs.