[i]Well, he seems more like his usual self now.[/i] Kire sighed. She wanted to ask about that ‘something else’ he had brought up, but clearly he didn’t want to talk about it. Not yet, anyway. “Alright. Take the day to rest. Though you should probably use your bed upstairs. Elva will most likely tell a better account of what happened while you were being treated.” She looked at him, sitting cross-legged in front of him, pondering on which questions were safe to bring up. “I know you want to forget everything, but—the poison. If the Gemini had it, but you remember experiencing something like it, did they get it from your world, or vice versa? You don’t have to tell me everything about it, but if assassins are going around with that kind of toxin in their arsenal, it might be important to talk about. Not now though,” she clarified as she stood up. “When you’re feeling better. You need to eat though,” she said firmly, pointing at him. “When you’re well and able, go upstairs so Elva can give you a proper dressing-down.” She turned to leave, then stopped to look back at him again. “I’m glad you’re alive.” As she walked away, she absentmindedly rubbed the fingers of her right hand together, still feeling the way he gripped them in his desperation. 

Upstairs, Kire saw that Gavin was already awake at the banquet table, wolfing down a big breakfast—or lunch, as Kire noted it was already noon. Daryll was sitting opposite him, with the two girls sitting on either side of him. Elva was seated at the head of the table, and it looked as if the mood around the table was generally more upbeat than yesterday. 

“The lad had told me everything,” Daryll said, unable to help the wide grin on his face, and forgetting that the younger cousins could hear. “You did it! Not that I didn’t think you could, of course,” he clarified. 
“How is he?” Elva asked. 
“Much better,” Kire said, holding up her hands to Etta and Pres to stop them from hugging her. “I’m still dirty,” she said, grinning. “I’ll freshen up and join you. That’s looking good,” she remarked, pointing at the food Gavin was shovelling in his mouth. He grunted in response, raising his thumb before returning to his task. 

Once Ruli had left the hot springs, Kire went down for a quick bath, returning to the dining hall at the tail end of everybody’s meal. “What comes next, then?” Gavin asked, not quite willing to leave the dining table yet. 
“I was about bring that up,” Kire said. “Adult talk, kids, sorry.” 
“Aw.” Etta pouted. “But can Ruli make us a celebratory cake?” 
“Mm. He’s tired and injured, love,” Elva put in, “if you want to ask him, you will have to wait.” Etta conceded, and she and Precy hugged Kire each, then together, before going off to another part of the manor.  

“Now, to business: I will inspect the Tower today, as well as find a way to get rid of all traces of runes or Gemini magic around the Palace. We’ll need to undo all the wards,” she said to Gavin and Daryll. “If you’re not up for it yet, Gavin, you can keep resting here. Daryll could take over. At the moment, it seems we don’t have to hurry, but within the week would be best.”
Gavin shook his head. “I’m good. Sooner the better, anyway. Just let us know when you’re ready to go.” 
Daryll nodded. “Likewise.”

After her meal, Kire put on the same set of armor she had worn yesterday, her sword by her side, and went to look for Ysaryn to tell her they were ready to go. They emerged just outside of camp, and immediately the guards escorted them back inside. Ed and Narda were conferring in a tent, and just as she had noticed an overall better mood back at Elva’s manor, she could tell today everyone was in good spirits, despite her calling a mourning period for the week. 

“How is he?” Ed asked, though his eyes went briefly to Ysaryn’s, his attention on her for a few moments before he turned them to Kire. 
“Better. And how were things around here?”
“Expecting us to run the camp to the ground overnight?” Narda answered with a smirk. Kire grinned and patted her on the back. “You, lad. You did really well,” she said to Gavin, thumping him mightily on the back. Gavin almost coughed up his lunch, but he grinned up at the giantess, finally feeling that she had accepted him fully. 

“[i]You’ve rested well, I hope?[/i]” Ed told Ysaryn, a sly grin on his face. “[i]Saving your energy for some sparring tonight?[/i]” 
“Good gods,” Kire said, rolling her eyes. “It’s barely afternoon.” 
Daryll looked around, clueless, but shrugged, deciding he didn’t need the details.