During the events of the previous days, the guild hall was almost silent, save for Claude's music that tried to uplift their spirits. He played a variety of songs, excluding the romantic songs since Nerdeani was present.

Sindy's husband wraps his arms around her and their daughter near the hearth.  Thier blue eyes were fixed on the entrance, hoping to hear Will's singing voice.

Elajor found there was more food available with one less mouth to feed. He buried the sadness of that fact.

Yang and Yarlg were playing cards to pass the time since the bulk of the army had been sent out. Their fingers twitched from the nerves building up in them. Would their friend end up just like Drago? Would Engla and every kingdom fall to the necromancer?

Hastrabena fiddled with her engagement ring as her memories with Will played in her mind. Although she was engaged, she hoped that the day he left wouldn't be the last time they see each other.

"I will attack her head-on while he provides support from the back" she remembered Garth's words and assurance to her.

Meanwhile, James Bennett took care of his wife. He massaged her feet, cooked everything, and tucked her in bed at nights. She could only think about if their miracle would return alive.

During the night that Melody was transformed back into a human, they saw signs that gave them some hope. James found a dove resting on the roof that was cooing peacefully. As if to relieve him and Dorothea of their stress. The dove flew out to behind their house. James' jaw dropped.

The rotten fruit has disappeared. Former dead trees now sprout leaves of green. He got his wife out of bed to see the sights. A swelling of hope formed between the couple. Tears of happiness dripped to the ground.

Sindy almost hopped with joy as a feeling resonated in her heart. Hastrabena felt the same way. Yang and Yarlg couldn't help but smile as they sparred against each other.

The next day, Elajor wakes up from a deep nap by the shining of a sphere. He takes the glass sphere out.

"Elajor?" a woman's voice speaks out.

He startles awake from the mage soldier that he entrusted to tell him the status of Will. He holds back his hope, thinking it would be terrible news.

"T-Tell me."

"The Skeleton Queen has been defeated and your friend, Will, is alive!" she happily tells him. The elf jumps with a great joy. He runs out with the sphere in hand.

"Everyone! Will is alive!" he yells at the top of his lungs. Everyone shoots up from their chairs. They stare at him as the words almost settle in.

"The mage I talked to confirm it! He's alive and the Skeleton Queen has been defeated!" he repeats.

The hall erupts into celebration from all the different races in the building. Their growls, roars, and shouts can be heard down several streets. Nerdeani jumps into her mother's arms who spins her around in place. Claude smiles from ear to ear as he played a festive tune to match the environment.

"WAIT!" the orb yells again, piercing the noise. Everyone gets quiet. "There's more to tell you. Garth the Gallant died, but don't feel bad about him."

Sindy feels her stomach flip-flopping so she has her husband take their daughter out for a bit.

The mage told them all the information they found out from William: what House Vinum did to Albarino, how the Queen came to be, and Melina as the last survivor of her people. What they thought was an evil queen was all a lie told by House Vinum. Yarlg grips the hilt of his sword tightly as Drago died from their lies.

"I'm going to take care of them!" he growls.

"There's no need. William used his magic....they're all dead."

Collective gasps fill the air. They never thought William would use magic in that manner. 

"Is-Is he alright?" Hastrabena asks with concerned auburn eyes.

"He seems to be. He also got- Oh, I can't tell you that. He has to tell you in person. You can rest easy now that he's alright. Bumva the Brutal is with him. It also seems that the land is healing itself so things are coming back to normal for the most part. We will be back in a few days."

The orb light disappears along with the mage's voice. The guild is overwhelmed with relief that William is alright.

"Let's hold a big celebration for him!" Elajor chimes in.

"That sounds great! I will help you with that," Hastrabena offers.

"Yang, Yarlg. Let's tell his parents," Sindy tells them.

The duo understands. Their feet almost leave the ground from the good news they can't wait to share. James is collecting yellow squash in a basket until he sees the trio come to his door. 

"I didn't expect you three. What's-"

"Sir, William is alive!" Yang yells to the sky.

Two things happen at the same time. The basket of squash falls to the ground and the house door flies open. James glances back at his wife to see if she heard the same thing. The heavy tears flowing down her face is enough evidence for him. They run into each other's arms and sob happily.

"Get over here. You're family too," Dorothea begs them for a group hug. They all gather close with Yarlg lifting them all up with ease. They don't mind their feet not touching the ground. At this point, they feel lighter than air.

After putting them down, the others inform Mr. and Mrs. Bennett of what else was told to them. Dorothea leans on her husband after hearing their son was accompanied by a man with evil intentions. She takes an exhale as Garth was no longer alive to go after anyone else.

"That's a lot to think over," James admits.

"I know. It took us off guard too," Yarlg confirms.

Yang notices Sindy is in deep thought about something as she stares at the ground. "Sindy, what is it?"

"The mage told us that Bumva is with Will and that he had something to tell us. Could it be that...."

"Bumva? Who is that?" Dorothea asks.

"An orc that...it's inappropriate to get into," she places a hand behind her head.

"He slept with her," she chuckles as it fits her son's character.

"He did?!" the garbed rogue exclaims.

"Wow. You are bad at noticing love," Yarlg smirks.

"You knew?" Yang continues in his confusion.

"She would try her best not to talk about him, but her eyes softened every time his name slips out. She has feelings for him," Yalrg dumbs it down for him.

Yang recounts those times and smacks himself on the forehead.

Yarlg chuckles. "At least you're not out of the loop anymore."

"When will he be home?" James asks.

"In three days or so," Sindy answers.

Dorothea's brown eyes shine with a new fire in her soul. "James, let's get our freshest produce and help them with dinner." He nods in agreement.

"Oh, we need to tell Madama Cara as well! We will see you soon!" the dwarf yells while running off. The rogue and the orc follow her down the road. 

--

They barge through the door of the brothel. Cara and Julia jump in alarm from the sudden noise.

"What is the mea-"

"William is alive and is on his way back!" Sindy yells this time.

Cara and Julia's smiles accompany their tears.

"I knew it," Julia whispers through her crying.

When they settle down, they tell him the rest of the story. Cara waves her fan furiously from the so-called knight that went with William. 

"Merde!" Julia gasps.

"I'm glad that knight is dead. He and that house too," Cara mentions.

"Oh, come by the guild in three days for a big feast we're going to hold for him," Sindy informs them.

"Absolument!" Julia affirms with a rise in her voice.

Sindy and Yarlg go to leave, but Yang stays behind to their surprise. They let him be.

"Can I learn love here?" he asks while removing his face cloth. A scar of a blade mark traces down the right side of his cheek. Even then, it complements his striking face.

"Sure. What are your preferences?" Madame Cara asks in a professional manner.

"Do you have....any women from Chin?"

"I think Ai will be the best for you since you're new. Ai!"

A lean woman with wide hips walks down in a red hanfu dress with golden flowers on it. The tight-fitting dress stops at knee length. Her black hair flows with each step. Her amber eyes smile at seeing the rogue in front of her. Yang's jaw almost drops to the floor from how beautiful she is. 

"Ni hao," she greets him in their shared language. He's speechless. She takes his hand, and he walks behind her in a trance.

"Have fun!" Madame Cara calls to him. Yang doesn't hear any of that as he closes the door. His heartbeat is the loudest it's ever been.

Ai traces the scar on his cheek which make him shiver from her soft fingers. He has never been disarmed like that. She then cups his face and kisses him......

The moonlight pours on their naked bodies as he held her close.

"Duibuqi. I'm very new at this."

"It's fine. Practice makes perfect. I had fun," before kissing him on the lips. She traces her fingers around his toned abs.

"But I have to pay for next time. I think you're worth it anyway," he admits out loud.

"Pay?" she stares with a smirk. She allows him to process it, but he squints in confusion.

"I'm not a prostitute. I only hand out drinks and food for the clients. Nothing more," she explains.

He blinks numerous times. "But didn't Madame Cara refer you?"

"She did, but she knew I liked men from Chin and set us up. None of them made it past that door except you."

"I'm glad I did," he smiles while pushing some strands away from her face. She kisses him on the lips while laying on top of him.

"Do you want to-"

"Be your nu pengyou (girlfriend)? Of course," she finishes his sentence. He embraces her tighter.

"I can't wait to tell William about this," the rogue says excitedly.

"Don't tell him too much," she jokes.

The new couple rests peacefully from their night of love.

I found love too, Will. I hope you did too, before falling asleep.