Free at Last

"I'm glad you're ok, Harry." He says. I quickly become self conscious of my appearance, and break off the embrace. Yunis returns my dress and cloak, as well as the De Freydair brooch, which I have come to think of as a kind of treasured possession. I change in a side room off the main office and emerge to find Zal and Yunis in the midst of a discussion.

"I'm grateful for your help, brother, though was it really necessary to have her work as a slave?"

"You're lucky I'm letting her go at all. The Sultan himself sent her down here."

"Zal, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to get out of here as soon as possible." I say.

"Of course. Farewell, Yunis. I owe you one."

We depart and begin the long walk back to town, as Zal does not own a horse. I'm exhausted after two days of work in the mine, but am anxious to get back. Zal apologizes for the delay in coming to get me. "After the business with Maris, we decided to spend a night in another inn nearby, in case any of his men decided to come looking for him, they would see that the tavern was vacant. We all thought you were still safe at the monastary. This morning, I sent Nadia to check up on you, and we learned what happened. When we got back to my place, we found the note from Yunis. Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's ok. I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me. How's Don doing?

"Resting. He wasn't in great shape after a month in that mine. But we've got him cleaned up and are nursing him back to health. Nadia's been taking good care of him." I feel a bit jealous upon hearing that tidbit, then angry at myself for feeling that way.

"What about Maris?" I ask

"Still locked up. Not quite sure what to do with him yet. Can't really turn him over to the authorities, since he was only attempting to capture a wanted fugitive. You. At any rate, he will stay locked up until you're safely out of town. He can rot in the cellar a while longer for all I care." I nod in agreement.

Eventually we reach the tavern.

1. A happy reunion
2. Something is amiss

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