Life was different now that Alexander was focused on being a family man. He was already noticing that he had a more positive outlook on life during the two days. He didn't have to worry about what would happen to Silana because he would be there for her. Between the money he had stashed away and what the Temple of Sarenrae would pay him for housing Verik, Alexander was in no rush for work. This allowed him to fix up his house with various improvements to the walls and furniture he'd been meaning to take care of during the day. When he picked up Silana from her tutor, he spent as much time as he could with her.

Once he was done working on his house, Alexander offered his services to the Soldado's. Tayce was thankful for his help with different repairs at her home and he was hopeful that something more than a friendship would blossom. He wasn't sure what she thought of him, and even though there was an age difference, he didn't mind since they were both adults. It helped that Alexander was able to introduce Silana to Brienna and the two young girls became quick friends. Even Tayce's sons were starting to ask Alexander about his time as a warrior. Although he didn't want to fight again, he didn't mind sharing stories of his battles to inspire the two lads.

Alexander wished that the two days were perfect but he couldn't deny that life in Korvosa was changing and not for the good of the people.

Blood veil, as the disease was now known as, was ravaging the city. Alexander was fortunate enough that the riots were few and centered around the temples of Korvosa but it still served as a way to spread the disease. He had seen the Queen's Physicians at work and saw that the organization was growing in strength but it didn't seem that they were doing enough. There had been some deaths already and there were times Alexander could see smoke rising from the Gray District where the corpses were burnt. He was careful not to take Silana to that district thinking that what happened would be an explanation best given when she was older.

Verik did his best to keep Alexander informed of what the rest of the group was up to. He was aware that they were investigating the plague ship Falenas informed the group and that was about it. Alexander was content to be unaware of their plans and thought that even without him, they'd be able to explore the ship without any issue.

Alexander was on his way to visit Tayce alongside Silana, who brought Duke along since she wanted to introduce him to Brienna. He led the way through a longer route to Trail's End, both to avoid people out of fear of Silana falling sick and to give his dog some much needed exercise. Duke had grown lazy since retiring, and although Alexander was tempted to send him out with Verik to help the group, it didn't feel right to send his dog to help when he couldn't.

Unfortunately, despite his plan, Duke started to bark when he heard a riot ahead. Alexander and his family were thankfully on the other side of the violent citizens with a group of Gray Maidens, armed with crossbows, standing between them to keep the rioters back. He caught a quick glance at the crowd and saw that they weren't angry but rather frightened. There were various yells demanding that the Gray Maidens let them through. Silana stood behind Alexander's legs with wide eyes that matched the fear of the rioters.

"Dad, do something!" Silana cried. "Don't let anyone get hurt!"

Alexander thought about picking up Silana and carrying her away to safety. Yet, when he saw a few of the Gray Maidens reach for their crossbows, he knew that violence was about to break out. He wasn't sure if he could stop the potential massacre but knew that he had to try. Alexander didn't want Silana to see him leave people to die when he could have done the right thing.

"Stay with Duke, Silana," Alexander instructed firmly and ran forward toward the Gray Maidens.

When Alexander drew closer to their ranks, more of the maidens had their crossbows out with the officer calling out in a familiar voice. "This is your last chance to comply with the quarantine or we will have to resort to violence!"

"You can't do that!" Alexander called out and the officer turned to face him, her helmet hiding her expression. "They're unarmed!"

"Be that as it may, the queen has placed this block under quarantine to combat the plague. They are breaking the law and have even thrown stones at the women under my command."

Alexander recalled where he heard the voice and blinked in shock. "Gatlynn?"

Gatlynn paused for a few seconds before continuing. "I remember you. Tiran's guard from the Carowyn's gala."

"Let us through!" a voice called out from the crowd and a stone flew over the group of Gray Maidens. "We haven't done anything wrong!"

"I'm more than Tiran's guard," Alexander told Gatlynn urgently. "Back then, I worked with Cressida to help keep Korvosa safe. Let me talk to them. I know they're scared and I just want to do what I can to help."

Gatlynn tilted her head toward Alexander. "I've heard tales of what you and your friends have accomplished. Very well. I'll give you a minute, but if you fail-"

"I won't fail."

"Let him through!"

Two Gray Maidens parted long enough for Alexander to step forward, now standing between the soldiers and the mob. This was the exact position he wanted to avoid. If anything went wrong, he would be caught between the mob and the Gray Maidens without any way to defend himself and Silana was watching. If he made one wrong move, he could die. The rioters grew quiet with their protests, watching the man before him with interest.

"People of Korvosa," Alexander started. "I know you're afraid. I'm afraid too. I have a daughter who is already without a mother. If I were to become sick, or worse, she did, I'm not sure what I would do. We can't let this fear rule over our lives though. Right now, Queen Ileosa has put this block under quarantine not because anyone here has done anything wrong but because the city is in danger. We all have to do our part to keep our neighbors, friends, and family safe. Please, go home. This plague will pass soon enough."

Alexander took deep breaths, trying to keep himself calm after his speech. Slowly, someone broke away from the crowd, followed by more citizens. Alexander sighed in relief to see that the people were heading home to comply with the quarantine. He looked over his shoulder to see the Gray Maidens lowering their crossbows. Although the others weren't too interested in the man that stepped in to help, Gatlynn looked at Alexander for a few seconds longer before turning to give out orders to keep the block contained.

He was worried that he had to stay away due to the quarantine, but when he walked toward Silana and Duke, no one tried to stop him. Alexander smiled softly to see his daughter run up to him and he dropped down on his knees to hug her tightly. He wasn't sure how Korvosa would improve but he was thankful that he and Silana were safe.

Alexander forgot about his troubles when he arrived at Trail's End in the afternoon and was welcomed into Tayce's home. All of the Soldado children were excited to see Duke and played with him alongside Silana. Alexander joined Tayce in the kitchen to help cook lunch. He wasn't a great cook but knew how to follow instructions well enough. During the meal preparation, he made small talk with Tayce and blushed whenever her hand brushed against his while reaching for different utensils.

Before lunch was finished, Duke was sleeping in the living room and the children were drawing pictures on different slips of parchment with chalk. A knock at the door drew Tayce away from the kitchen to see who was at the door. Alexander looked up from where he chopped up potatoes and held back a gasp to see her invite Falenas into her home. The elf waved toward his friend with a smile.

"Alexander," Falenas greeted. "It's good to see you again."

"And you as well," Alexander nodded. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"I thought that it would be good to check in on Brienna and see how she was feeling," Falenas explained simply. "How are you feeling, Brienna?"

"I'm feeling a lot better," Brienna answered and looked up from her drawing with a smile.

"That's a relief to hear," Falenas smiled back. "And there doesn't appear to be any lingering problems from blood veil. I'll have to make note of that when I get back to the lab."

"You're trying to cure blood veil?" Tayce asked. "That's a good cause."

"Thank you," Falenas turned to face Tayce. "Do you mind if I had a moment with Alexander? I wanted to catch him up with what's been happening on our end."
"Of course," Tayce said and grinned at Alexander. "I guess heroes don't get a break."

"Indeed we don't," Alexander forced a smile. "Falenas, how about we talk outside?"

"That is a wonderful idea."

Alexander stepped outside of the house along with Falenas. He admitted that he was curious as to what happened since Verik didn't talk much about what happened. Truth be told, he figured that his housemate was quiet because the group was thinking about asking him to join them once again. Alexander expected Griffin or Viera to be the ones to try, not Falenas. He knew that the elf was an intelligent man and had his own agenda for this conversation.

"Catch me up," Alexander told Falenas, skipping over any pleasantries.

"I'll keep it brief so you can get back to Tayce and Silana. Takota's back, and along with everyone aside from myself, explored that wrecked ship. It turned out that although blood veil didn't originate from the ship, it was likely a red herring for anyone trying to uncover its origins."

"How's everyone holding up?" Alexander asked.

"Things could be better," Falenas admitted. "Griffin and Viera got into an argument since she hid that she had blood veil and he didn't consult her before buying a potion. I imagined that they wanted it to be private but it was their mistake to talk outside the lab of an elf with sharp ears."

"That's not good to hear," Alexander said with a sigh. "Maybe I should have a talk with them."

"I imagine that you joining us would be the best way to help," Falenas told Alexander. "They believe morale is low without you. I was actually sent to change your mind."

"Falenas, I already told you my reasons-"

The alchemist held his hand up. "And you need not tell me again. I understand your motives, and because of that, instead of asking you to fight for Korvosa, I think that you should leave."

Alexander was silent when he was unable to immediately process what Falenas told him. "What?"

"Take your daughter, and Tayce and her family if they're willing, and get out of Korvosa," Falenas said without any emotion.

"Why?" Alexander questioned.

"The evidence we were able to discover from the ship revealed that a particular follower of Urgathoa, one known for creating diseases, may be behind blood veil," Falenas informed Alexander with a frown. "Don't let anyone else know or else the city may riot more. The threat we're dealing with, if it is who I think it is, has already wiped out one town. I think that it's possible that she's capable of wiping Korvosa out with blood veil."

"I can't believe this," Alexander shook his head. "Aren't you working on a cure?"

"A lot of what I'm doing is guesswork and a lot of my guesses will be wrong," Falenas said with a sigh. "Perhaps I'll get lucky and find a way to save this city, but if not, I don't want you or your daughter to suffer."

"Lunch is ready!" Tayce called out from the cracked open door.

"I won't keep you any longer," Falenas said and turned around.

"Wait!" Alexander stepped after Falenas, who looked over his shoulder. "Why are you telling me this?"

Falenas tapped his fingers across his legs in thought before answering. "You're like my brother, Delrick, and not because he was human. Before his death, he was a family man who did what he could to look out for his family. I might not have children or a partner of my own but I admired Delrick for the sacrifices he made for his family, just like I admire that about you stepping back for your daughter's sake. Take care, Alexander, and Silana as well."

Alexander was at a loss for words and could only watch Falenas walk away back to Korvosa. He felt that the alchemist opened up to him and that his warning about what was to come was sincere. If Falenas or the Queen's Physicians couldn't stop blood veil, Korvosa might not survive. Alexander was already thinking about where he could go with Silana. There were a few villages around the city and thought that he could make the adjustment to a rural lifestyle. He might even be able to convince Tayce to bring her children and to come with him.

We all have to do our part to keep our neighbors, friends, and family safe.

Recalling what he had said, Alexander realized that he had to live up to what he said. He wouldn't be able to justify to Silana or anyone how he ran away from a dying city instead of trying to help, even if it was to keep them safe. Alexander wasn't sure what he could do to help but he knew that Griffin, Viera, and even Takota and Verik were trying without any of Falenas' training in alchemy. He wasn't ready to give up on his home yet.

There was still the matter of what would happen to Silana but that would be something to worry about later.

When Alexander walked back into Tayce's house, Silana ran up to greet him with a piece of parchment in hand.

"Dad!" Silana cheered and held up her drawing. "This is for you!"

Alexander took the drawing and looked at it. Silana had drawn a red dog standing on its hind legs. He smiled and patted her on the head.

"That's a wonderful drawing of Duke," Alexander told his daughter.
"It's not Duke," Silana said with a giggle. "It's your heraldry."

"Heraldry?" Alexander blinked in confusion.

"I'm learning about knights and that's what they have."

"Silana, I never became a knight."

"But you're a hero just like the knights from Tiran's stories," Silana said and smiled widely.

Alexander nodded silently at Silana's words, and once they were said, he knew what he had to do.

After lunch and an hour of Silana playing with Tayce's children, Alexander took her and Duke to head back home. It was evening by the time he arrived home and Verik was tending to his new spear. After telling the archer to look out after Silana, Alexander made plans to visit Griffin at his estate. It was late but this was something that he couldn't put off any longer.

When Griffin stepped out of his manor to see the visiting Alexander, he could tell that the noble was surprised to see him wearing his armor.

"I want to help," Alexander told Griffin. "If you can do a few things for me, I'll fight by everyone's side once more, at least until this plague passes."

"Of course," Griffin nodded quickly with a smile. "What can I do for you?"

"I need someone to watch Silana."

"You know that Tiran will volunteer like before," Griffin said and chuckled. "He's been a little bored lately."

"Not just for when I'm out fighting though," Alexander continued. "If I die, I need to know that Silana is taken care of."

"Alexander, you're a capable man. You won't die from battle or blood veil."

"That's not enough to change my mind. Promise me that you'll make sure that if anything happens to me that Silana will have a good life."

Griffin's smile faded away when he realized that Alexander was serious. "I promise."

"Good," Alexander stepped forward and held his hand out with a piece of parchment in his hand. "I also need you to make a shield with this on it."

Griffin took Silana's drawing and looked it over. "Might I make a suggestion?"

"You may," Alexander nodded.

"I've seen the way you fight, and well, bashing your shield against someone's head will cover this symbol with blood," Griffin explained. "I think you could pull off a banner though.

"A banner?" Alexander tapped his chin in thought. "I could see that working. Good idea."

"I aim to please," Griffin stepped forward and clasped his hand on Alexander's shoulder. "It's good to have you back, even if it is for a short time."

"You can count on me."

Alexander took pride in keeping his word. He would keep his word to Griffin and he would keep his word to the citizens he saved earlier today. Korvosa was in danger and the warrior was going to do what he could to save his home.

A/N: I did say that Alexander wasn't going anywhere. He's a lot of fun to write about and I look forward to write more scenes, especially now that he's back in the fight.

We're at 47,000 words and pretty close to 48,000 words. With only a few thousand left to go, I know that I'm going to make it to the NaNoWriMo count.

Until next time.