Raviel was offered all the hospitability the baron's castle could give. But instead he rather spent some time brushing his horse. The familiar routine set his mind at ease and allowed him time to think in peace.

He would have never imagined Saska to be an heir to a baron. Would the boy want to stay once he'd gotten over the sudden shock? Even though this town had fallen into disrepair due to the madness of the previous baron, it would recover over time. It was a life that could easily beat the one following him on the road.

"Raviel."

The elf turned towards the familiar voice. "What is it?"

Saska clenched the bracelet Veska had offered him earlier in one hand. "You wanted to speak with the Old Man of the Mountain, right? Let's just get it over with."

"You don't have to do this, Saska." The boy looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Saska looked at his own feet. "Yes, I do. I owe you my life."

Raviel smiled slightly. "If we start counting, I believe we're quite even."

"Look, let's just do it before I change my mind. Just contacting him shouldn't tie me to anything."

"Did Veska say that?"

"No, figured it out myself. Otherwise you'd belong to the Lady already."

Raviel pondered that statement for a brief moment. "True, I suppose."

"It's a room at the top of that high tower." Saska turned around and started walking without waiting for the elf.

Raviel gave his horse one last pat and an apology before following.

The only piece of furniture in the circular room was a stone altar with a large bowl and four candles on it. Saska pricked his fingertip with a small needle and let a few drops of his blood fall inside the bowl. The he walked over to one of the lanterns hung on the walls to illuminate the room, picked up a thin piece of wood next to it and held it to the fire long enough for it to ignite.

Back at the altar he hesitated for a moment. Then he bit his lower lip and lit the candles. Delaying this would not make it go away. And Raviel deserved answers for everything the elf had done for him.

It was quiet.

Saska sighed. "He was wrong. Clearly I am not the heir to the baron." He looked at the bracelet he was still carrying in one hand. Then he placed it inside the bowl. "Just keep it."

Suddenly the candles went out and a strong gust of wind blew through the room. The bracelet rose to air, surrounded by a faint glow like a ghost.

"Why do you seek to contact me, child of ill omen? Why have you returned?"

Much to his surprise Raviel could also hear the grating, whispering voice. "I seek to speak with the Dark Lord of this domain!" he announced.

"I was not speaking to you, elf. Answer me, boy."

"I..." Saska was speechless. He was scared. Really, truly scared, like when he'd encountered that monstrosity on the Lady's island. The Old Man - or whoever they were talking with - radiated the same kind of aura of menace and death.

"I saw your fate before you were born. I saw you would come to serve another. Do you now come to me in hopes of betraying your master?"

"Of course not!" Saska protested.

"Then I truly have no use for you." The attention of the dark force shifted to Raviel. "Speak, elf. You have brought my only servant death. Do you seek to take his place?"

"I only wish to ask you a question. I am looking for my brother. Do you know something about him?"

"Affairs of mortals, be they human or elven, do not interest me."

"Then I apologize for wasting your time."

"There is still the matter of what you owe me. The barons have brought me whatever I require for generations."

"We did not kill him," Raviel pointed out.

"Nonetheless, you caused his death. You should provide a replacement."

Saska swallowed. The menacing aura was intensifying. It was not really anger, yet...He had a feeling that the Old Man would not hesitate to just wipe them out. "If you insist, I will become the baron!"

"I already said I do not want you. However..." There was a long pause."...a child of your blood would be a different matter entirely."

Eh? What was he? A breeding stallion? "I don't...have a child."

"I assume that would not be very difficult to remedy."

"No," Raviel cut in. "We are not even discussing that option."

"My lord!" Veska slammed the door open, hurried to the room and fell to his knees in front of the altar. He must have heard everything. "I am so very glad to hear your voice. If...it would please you, I would gladly take on the duty of the baron."

Everything was quiet for a moment. "A half-elf."

"Yes, my lord. I may look old, but I can still be of use for many years."

"And once your time is over?"

"I only have two daughters, but one of my grandsons will soon be of age. I swear my family would also serve you faithfully."

Raviel grabbed the half-elf's arm. "This is insanity," he warned.

Veska looked at him with determined eyes. "It is not. This will save our land."

The bracelet slowly floated to him. As Veska took it, a portal of some kind opened on the other side of the room. "Then we will make a new pact. Make sure your family will not disappoint me."

Raviel almost followed the old half-elf, too curious to see this "Old Man of the Mountain" for himself.

Saska grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him. "Let's just get out of here while we still can."

Raviel sighed. "I suppose you're right." Seeking out the Dark Lords was definitely not without major risks. But he couldn't just give up. One of them knew where his brother was. After everything he had already done he was willing to risk his own life if he had to. However...that shouldn't apply to his companion. This was his quest. Not Saska's.

The portal closed. It was too late now in any case.

"So...how does it feel to know that you're the son of a baron?" Raviel asked. Maybe Saska would start thinking a little more highly of himself now.

Saska gave him an annoyed look. "I'd rather not have known."

Knowing did not fix anything. He was still an Outcast. He was still bound to Raviel by the Viscount's whims. It only brought more pain to know that he had been thrown away - not just once as he had thought, but twice.