Florence Marsh was sitting at her study table and was busy writing down the last few formulas on her page. She did her best to keep herself busy, if she didn’t her mind would wander. Wander towards Bryson and how he was faring.

  Physically he should have been fully recovered by now but mentally she was sure he was affected. Florence for all her talents in medicine was the first to admit that she was not good with the psychological aspects of healing. She was blunt and struggled to show much emotion aside from making sure that her patients were fully recovered.

  That isn’t to say she didn’t understand or have any of these emotions. She understood fear and joy, it was key for her when taking care of patients. It was just that she could only ever rely on her medical knowledge to try and erase the fear with joy, she lacked the linguistic skills and emotional talent to soothe worried patients.

  Though while her stoic presence would be calming to some, others found the lack of reactions rather unnerving. Bryson was different from both parties, he seemed to be rather indifferent to how much she could express herself. He would interact with her without issue and she rather enjoyed the attitude he expressed towards her, even if at times he raised her ire.

  It was part of the reason why Florence was feeling frustrated with herself. Clearly after what had happened with the demon Bryson needed help, yet Florence could offer none. Not back when they fought the demon, she failed there. Nor now, she simply was not knowledgeable in her bedside manners.

  As she felt her fist tighten around her pen, she realized that someone was opening the door to her room. Looking up she was completely filled with disbelief seeing Bryson Coldwater standing before her looking absolutely fine.

  Florence felt an odd fluttering in her heart seeing him. She actually hadn’t seen his face since the funeral, he had been locked inside his room and orders were to not bother him during the period. Of course, visually as always, her face remained completely neutral.

  “Lord Bryson, you’re here.” Florence said placing her pen down and getting up from her chair.

  “Marsh.” Bryson said nodding his head before offering her a kind smile, “It’s good to see you, it has been a few days hasn’t it?”

  “Yes, are you feeling alright?” Florence said carefully approaching him.

  “Fine. I was more concerned about you, you were part of that fight as well.” Bryson said as he could see that her eyes showed a trace amount of concern behind them.

  “I’m fine, I was just suffering from mana exhaustion, but you… Lord Bryson how are you after Miss Primrose…” She trailed off struggling to figure out what to say.

  “I still regret failing to save her.” Bryson admitted, “But I can’t stop something like this happening again by holing up in my room for the rest of my life.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “That’s good to hear.” Florence said looking relieved, “I’m not good at expressing myself.” Florence began to say.

  “You don’t say.” Bryson joked.

  “But, if I can tell that you’re trying to act confident. I know you enough to recognize it.” Florence said as Bryson grimaced momentarily, “So, if you need someone to talk to about failing, you can talk to me.” Florence said as she frustratingly found her heart beating rather fast.

  Bryson couldn’t help but give a small smile, “I suppose two failures should reflect with one another huh?”

  Florence gave a small bow of her head, “What are you going to do now Lord Bryson?”

  “Right now I’m going to talk to my parents, then I’m going to learn how to master more magic.” Bryson said, “I expect you to keep up with me Marsh.”

  “Of course Lord Bryson.” Florence said nodding her head her red eyes brimming with determination.

  ***

  Zarall sat in silence meditating when he felt a familiar presence. Opening his eyes he turned to see a floating ball of light behind him. Zarall nodded his head and greeted the light, “Hello there Crux.” He said calmly.

  “Zarall.” The metallic, robotic voice of Crux sounded less scratchy and muffled now that they were currently outside the armour.

  “Shouldn’t you be back on Strarth?” Zarall asked calmly.

  “I failed you.” Crux said voice filled with regret and disappointment, “I should have realized that Hallow would do something like that and try to target one of you. My task was to stop Halow from doing this and I failed.”

  “While I am filled with sorrow for Primrose sacrificing herself, she did so willingly to save Bryson Coldwater.” Zarall said taking in a deep inhale, “Though I wished she did not die, I don’t blame you for it.”

  “But I failed to recognize the threat.”

  “I don’t imagine the presence of a demon is something easy to ignore, I’m assuming that Hallow must have done something to hide him from you?” Zarall asked with a sad smile.

  “I couldn’t recognize his form or even the battle taking place at all. The warehouse I was housed in was completely sealed off from the outside world until after the battle.” Crux said voice getting angrier with each passing word, “Hallow likely put some type of illusionary spell over the building.”

  “Can he do that? I understand he has the power to but I thought he had rules to play with.” Zarall asked curiously.

  “He can influence others and he is allowed to deal with me more directly, him powering the demon is no different than having Bryson or the others he brought to this world. They all accepted his deal.” Crux as the ball of light glowed brighter, “Him casting a single illusion spell around me was also fine, especially considering how stupid I was.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I noticed a lack of mana presence around me before the fight began, but did not connect it to Hallow. I will admit, my ability to sense mortals’ power has always been lacking. Their strength tends to be far more subtle for me to easily search for.”

  “I suppose not being around mortals will do that.”

  “I come to you for punishment. I deserve to be admonished for my foolishness.” Crux said as the ball of light sank lower towards the ground.

  “What good would that do?” Zarall simply asked.

  “What?”

  “If I were to punish you, would it not only give Hallow more time and opportunity?” Zarall asked to an unresponsive Crux, so Zarall continued, “Will this happen again?”

  “No, the same trick will not fool me twice, he won’t be able to mask his presence from me again. I’ll make sure of it.” Crux promised.

  “Then make sure Primrose’s sacrifice is not in vain. Make sure he pays.”

  “Yes… I will need something different from that armour. I do not wish to be trapped like that again.”

  “I have something in mind.” Zarall said as he thought to himself as he and Crux discussed what to do next. If you believe in him Primrose, I will too. You will be avenged.