While Orphius simply nodded at Meesei's offer, her question made him look up at her for a moment.

Off to the side, Marod had a hand on his hip and exhaled. He was hanging his head and smiling, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Have you heard the stories about you, champion?" Orphius asked. "I heard that you slew an entire army of mercenaries. That you can bring down castles with lightning magic. And...I've heard that you take traitors and you tear them limb from limb." Orphius' words went to a frantic pace, gesturing to himself and shuddering his head. "I thought you would kill me on the spot for talking to these people." He pointed to Lunise and Marod. "But you sound reasonable. You sound kind. I don't know. I just want my family to be alright and I don't want to die. I apologise if I heard wrong about you. I...do not want to be on your bad side any more than...I do theirs." He nodded his head towards Lunise and Marod again before looking down into his lap.

[hr]
The laboratory wasn't too far behind them and already Fendros was feeling better. He smiled at Ahnasha's question. "To be honest, I do not think they believed you the first time. Well...Monderyn and Llarasa might have. Mother wouldn't have. She is old and clever, she puts on an act and then speaks behind backs." Fendros sighed. "There is no real purpose to worrying about that. She would have disowned me as well if she felt strongly about it."

Fendros quirked an eyebrow. "I worry more about the secret of our little hunting shop in Bruma."