Disclaimer: I don't own Golden Sun.

I led the way through Bilibin, ignoring peoples' shouted greetings. Mia sometimes replied to them, but I just marched straight ahead. If I stopped to think about what I was doing, I might lose this grim determination that was flowing through my veins.

Then we reached the palace. One of the guards gave a start. "Oh! It's..."

The other one noticed us. "Oh! Sir!"

They exchanged glances. "We've been looking everywhere for you!" exclaimed the first.

"The curse of the tree...you're the ones who broke it, right?"

"Yes. Yes, we broke it." I answered.

"You're under arrest!" shouted the first angrily. I wasn't terribly surprised, but Mia's eyes grew wide and she grabbed Garet and me.

Ivan was as cool as a cucumber, though. "Oh, so now you're ready to fight us? Because in case you haven't noticed, there is four of us now. And I really don't think you could beat us...but you're welcome to try, if you wish?" He raised his eyebrows.

The second guard glared. "Oh, really, midget? You really think you could beat us?"
I stepped up. "Of course we can," I answered scornfully.

The first gulped. "Uh, Daniel, do you really think it's a good idea to fight them? After all, m'lord wants to see them."
"You're right," agreed Daniel. "Follow me."

I followed him through the now-familiar halls into McCoy's parlor.

"I've brought the warriors, m'lord." the guard said anxiously.

"So yeh're the wee-I mean, brave-lads I met before!" he bellowed, apparently not noticing that Mia wasn't a "lad". "What were yer names, again?"

"I'm Isaac, sir, this is Garet..." I started.

"I am called Ivan." Ivan stated.

"And I am Mia, from the village of Imil," Mia greeted pleasantly.

The lord of Bilibin nodded to acknowledge us. "Isaac and company..."

Garet looked angry at the fact that he only bothered to remember my name. I blushed slightly. I wasn't really the leader...exactly...was I?

"And did I not decline yer offer when we first met?" he demanded angrily.

"Yes, you did." Garet answered before I could open my mouth.

"Yes, well..." McCoy looked a little sheepish. "I did nae give it enough consideration back then. And yet yeh went oan tae break the curse despite my words, did yeh not?"

"Yes, we did. And we succeeded." Ivan looked at him indignantly.

"I humbly thank you."

If I had been sitting down, I would have fallen out of my chair. Mia gasped in delight, Ivans' eyes bugged out, and Garets' mouth was wide open. I realized mine was, too, and promptly shut it.

"I was but worried yeh might nae stop here on yer way back." McCoy continued. "I want tae show my appreciation for yer help... I relied oan my money, but I forgot about my peoples' needs. Yeh reminded me of my duties. As lord of these lands, I will do my best for everyones' behalf. Isaac, it would honor me greatly if yeh'd accept a wee token of my gratitude."

Ivan opened his eyes even wider, and Garet still had his mouth hanging open.

"I could give it tae yeh here, but would yeh no' rather choose it yourself?" he asked.

It took a minute for me to get my mouth working again, and when it did, I could barely squeak out, "Yes."

"Very well. Yeh can choose somethin' that'll help yeh along yer way." McCoy sounded happy.

"I-I will show Isaac and his friends the way, m'lord." stuttered Daniel. I figured this wasn't what he was expecting, either.

"Many thanks tae yeh, and tae yer companions as well! Visit me anytime! Yeh'll always find a warm hearth here!" Garet looked happy about McCoy finally noticing that I wasn't the only one who saved the forest.

Daniel turned to us. "Follow me."

He led us to a room with four identical chests lined up against a locked door behind which were more chests.

Another guard was leaning against the wall.

"These are the ones who saved the forest. Please show them their reward!" Daniels' opinion of us had certainly changed.

The other guard nodded. "Pick a chest. You may keep what is inside."

I looked over at the identical chests, finally reaching to open the farmost right chest. Inside was a small bottle of the gold liquid that the mayor of Vault had called "Water of Life." I stowed it in my pack and led the way out of the palace.

People stared at us, but I was in such a good mood I shouted "Good evening!" to every man, woman, and child. I trotted over to the Inn, gave the Innkeeper double coins, and told him to keep them.

I ate the meal with such vigor that everyone at the neighboring tables stared. I retired to my room and offered to practice with Garet.

Garet grinned. "Sure."

As we practiced, I thought of how lucky we'd been today. Tret was still alive, we got it just in time, the lord wasn't angry with us, we got more Water of Life...

I just hoped our luck would last...