Cal didn’t hide his joy, and he couldn’t have been any happier. He was more energized than he had felt in a week, and given how relaxed Tavia was, she felt the same.“Cal, could you tell Amara and Vivi to come inside? I’m sure they want to talk.” Tavia sat near the hearthstone. She intended to make use of it since Cal no longer needed it.“I’ll let them know.” Cal bent slightly to smooth out-of-place hair. He thought she looked adorable all mussed up, but he was sure she wouldn’t want to look unkempt in front of others.He received a smile before he left the house.“Finally!” Seris jumped from where she sat near the door and complained, “Vivi said you both needed alone time, but that was way too long.”Cal’s lips twitched, but held himself back from saying anything and simply raised an eyebrow.Seris pointed to the field. “Your friend’s back from Mariner’s Rest, and you should save the Initiates from him. He’s stayed for days and always tails the them when they’re here. He claims to be here for business, but it looks like a vacation for him.”“Friend?” Cal’s sense of hearing deteriorated with the lack of mana reserves. Where he used to differentiate distinct words despite the distance, now they were soft murmurs.Just two weeks before I regain my mana reserves. I won’t even notice… surely.He noted the previously ignored stable, which now had two additional horses, and a sliver of an unknown carriage peeking out from the side of the house.“Yeah, Fintan. Says you know him. He came looking for you a few days ago and never left.” Seris looked exasperated.Cal chuckled and waved her off to do whatever she wanted, which was apparently rushing into the house to accompany Tavia. He made his way to the field and saw Fintan standing straight (...)