Something was bothering Yuan, but he couldn't quite pin it down. It wasn't the mana link; Celsius had been right about it working correctly. No, it had to be something else, but so far everything was going just as planned, if not better. Botta was an ideal travel companion: he left Yuan alone when he needed to be alone, but made conversation when it was appropriate. Even his fighting style complemented Yuan's, with his melee attacks and Earth magic filling in the gaps left by Yuan's Lightning attacks.

Lightning attacks….

With a start, Yuan realized that he shouldn't have been able to cast magic at all because of the mana burn in his hand, but instead he had been using magic normally all throughout the Ice Temple. The mana burn that should have taken much longer to heal was simply gone.

How in the name of the Great Tree did that happen? He mentally reviewed everything he'd done in the past few days, but he remembered neither anything unusual about their trip so far nor the time when his injury had ceased being painful. He sighed. How was he supposed to explain this to Kratos? Or rather, how could he figure out what had cured it, and then do the same for Kratos's burn?

Oh well. Yuan was certain he could figure it out, but it annoyed him that he hadn't noticed. In the meantime, they were drawing closer to Meltokio and he needed to decide what exactly he would do once they arrived.

Meltokio was the sometimes-capital of Tethe'alla. For various reasons, it had often been located in Sybak as the King moved around between one generation and the next, but Meltokio currently held the dubious honor of leading Tethe'alla. The designation would likely have some actual meaning once communication lines began to develop between the major cities again. Until then, it was remarkable mostly for its ancient, crumbling buildings and famous as the home of the mana bloodline.

The mana bloodline, whose latest Chosen he'd led through pain and suffering into an explosive death, as Martel's mana signature rejected Umbran's body in the very blast that had caused Yuan and Kratos's mana burn in the first place.

He motioned to Botta to park the Jet-Bikes, but instead of directly approaching the city, as they had been doing, he said "Wait".

"What is it, Lord Yuan?"

Yuan paused. "I told you that I'd been travelling around with the Chosen as part of his group, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"When I did that, I'd been posing as a priest of the Church of Martel. It's a standard disguise – there really isn't anyone who knows more about Church dogma than Cruxis. It's probably best that I maintain that disguise in Meltokio. If anyone asks, you're studying under me as a disciple. It isn't that far from the truth." He frowned. "It's probably better if you don't say anything, though. You shouldn't have to lie for me."

"Are there people here that know you as a priest, then?"

Yuan nodded. "This is the Chosen's hometown in Tethe'alla. Unfortunately it's also the closest town to the Temples of both Earth and Darkness, so I can't really avoid coming into contact with the Wilder family."

Botta frowned. "I may not be able to do well as a disciple. I am not familiar with much of Martel's scriptures."

"That may work in our favor. I'm supposed to be training you." Yuan regretfully folded up his cape and donned a white sash and tall priest's hat. He liked his cape. It always flared dramatically whenever Yuan cast a spell, but it wasn't part of the traditional priest's garb. Stupid Kratos for setting the priest dress standard so as not to have a cape. The hats were rather ear-accenting, but Yuan had always found it laughably easy to pass for a full-blooded elf. It was going to be different for Botta, though. Elves just didn't have his muscular build. Oh well. Yuan would just have to glare at anyone who even tried to look down on Botta.

He put this resolution into effect rather quickly upon entering the city, and several more times before reaching the Wilder house.

"I'm sorry," he apologized before knocking on the door. "This particular king isn't very compassionate towards half-elves, and his views tend to be reflected outside the palace as well. It's a recurring trend that will reverse itself in about fifty years, give or take a decade." Botta looked intrigued, but before he could say anything, the door was answered.

Esperanza Wilder looked older since the loss of her husband, but she smiled brightly when she saw who had come to visit. "Father Yuan! What a pleasant surprise!"

"Martel's blessing upon you." Funny, it didn't even hurt to say that anymore. Much. "As you know, I have been travelling since the Regeneration was completed, and now I find myself here again."

"Please, do come in. I'm sure the children will be delighted to see you." She ushered the two visitors in, smiling at Botta. "Are you one of Father Yuan's friends?"

Botta bowed. "Botta Segli, my lady. I am accompanying him on his journey as part of my duties, as well as for my own education." Nicely put, though Yuan.

The Chosen's house was large by Meltokio standards, though not as impressive as some of the buildings in Iselia. Gifts from those grateful for Umbran's sacrifice lined the walls, and Yuan was gratified to see that, even without assistance from the Church, the family would be well provided for as a result. Still, a promise was a promise, and he'd told Kratos he would ensure their well-being.

"Lady Esperanza, I will admit that my presence here is not entirely a coincidence," Yuan said as Esperanza led them over to the table and put on some water for tea. "I was approached by an angelic being who told me to look after your family's welfare. Truly, the line of the Chosen is in Cruxis's hands." More like controlled by our iron grip, but she doesn't need to hear it like that.

She became very still. "You saw an angel?"

Yuan smiled gently, trying not to crack under the strain. "I even spoke to him. The Chosen did fulfill his promise, and Tethe'alla has been saved." He handed her a parcel he'd prepared. It contained several thousand Gald and, more precious by far in Yuan's estimation, Umbran's diary.

Esperanza's eyes began to tear up. "Thank you." She reached for a handkerchief to wipe away the tears, but Yuan stopped her hand.

"Tears cleanse the soul. They show not weakness, but the strength that we accept our grief and have the ability to move on." Not words from the Book of Martel, but Kratos's plea to Yuan in the days when he'd been lost in his own despair. All the more true because they came from the heart.

Esperanza nodded, but regained her composure. "Thank you, Father. Please, if you would like to stay in Meltokio, consider my house to be your house. It would be good for us to have some visitors. Oh, people come and go all the time, but few of them ever stay for more than a few minutes."

Yuan smiled. "I'd like that. Botta, do you mind staying here for a few days?" He'd planned on just getting a room at the inn, but Yuan knew he would like to see Umbran's daughters before moving on to the next seal.

"I would be honored," Botta replied gravely. The look he gave Yuan was clearly readable: I want to know what is going on here. Not now, but before much longer.

Yuan dreaded the thought of telling him the whole story, but he knew that he was going to have to if he wanted to keep Botta's friendship. Is it really necessary?

Am I willing to risk alienating him?