The door opened, revealing a tall silhouette that woke up after a long sleep. The first thing he smelled was a pleasant aroma, especially from the rich herbs serving as spices for today's meal.
"Well, well, in just a week this house has been completely transformed from a lonely shack to something more." Evan smirked, heading towards the kitchen.
Hana and Ruby, who were busy, cooking turned around, surprised.
"Oh, you're finally awake. We were worried about you." Hana muttered, smiling slightly.
In her hands was a sharp knife covered in blood, and on a wooden plank were several butchered hares. Such a sight to an unprepared person might have seemed strange or even threatening, but Evan didn't even pay attention to it.
"Ughum... You slept for a really long time." Ruby nodded her head shyly.
"Hmm?" Evan raised an eyebrow, giving her a questioning look.
Ruby blushed slightly, turned away, and whispered, "You slept for two whole days, even a little more since it's earlier in the morning..."
Evan shrugged, "Well, the few times I have slept considerably longer, so two days is acceptable. I've had a hard but worthy fight."
Hana dipped her hands into the cold water, washing off the blood and preparing to roast the meat.
"If you want you can wait a bit, in half an hour, an hour tops the food will be ready." Hana said calmly.
"Nah." Evan shook his head, "I'd like to take a walk first. Where are the others? Where's Klaus?"
"Hmm... Klaus is most likely hunting, it was he who brought those hares. Halvor on the other hand, is training Lana and Reine. Those two have turned out to have a real fighting spirit, especially Lana. Your battle impressed her to the core, as it did all of us." Hana explained, picking up her knife again.
Evan silently headed for the exit.
"I'll be back in thirty minutes, with the rest of us."
...
"Let's go! Don't relax! Ten more push-ups, only then rest!" Halvor sternly uttered, standing by the riverbank with his arms crossed.
Lana and Reine worked up a sweat trying to complete every task Halvor gave them. As an Amplifier, he was a true master at strengthening the body, and a good physique was important for any mage.
"Damn... My arms... They're not holding me up!" Lana exclaimed, with trembling hands rising above the ground. She was struggling to hold on and each push-up was a real challenge for her.
Reine, unlike her, was easily able to handle the task and was already doing above standard. Unlike Lana's eyes, greedy for power Reine had some purpose.
"Oh, a training camp right next to the river? Not bad, maybe I should join too?"
Halvor turned around at the voice that made him smile widely.
"Hah, three nights and two days. I hope that was enough for you to get a proper sleep?"
Evan shrugged, "Sleep is a pleasant but dangerous thing. If you sleep too little you'll feel bad, too much the same comes out, so it's better to wake up on time."
"Your point is true." Halvor nodded.
Lana rose abruptly from the ground and looked intently at Evan. There was no more contempt or arrogance in her gaze, only interest. She clearly realized that it was better to be Evan's friend than an enemy.
"Lana, Reine, well done, we're done here." Halvor waved his hand.
Lana smiled proudly and put her hands at her sides saying, "I don't think I'll be an Amplifier, but a few exercises will never be out of place."
Halvor shrugged, "That is for you to decide, though you may not have a choice. Wait until Arcanum calls you to its space, and your journey as a mage officially begins."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Despite Halvor's words, Reine did not stop. She continued on, only speeding up.
"Hey, Reine, did you hear me? That's enough, if your muscles get overloaded there's no benefit from training. Enough." Halvor said sternly and Reine finally stopped.
Reine frowned and slammed her fist on the ground with all her might.
"Shit! I have to get stronger as fast as I can! I can't let some bastard kidnap me and use me as a vessel for energy anymore!"
Halvor took a deep breath, "That's understandable, but that's not all, is it? It's obvious even to me that that's just one of the reasons why you don't feel sorry for yourself at all. You'd better calm down before it gets you into trouble."
Reine bit her lip and clenched her fists tightly.
Then, she uttered, "I want revenge."
"Hmm? Who? Drakar is already dead." Halvor asked.
Reine shook her head, "No, I'm not talking about that mage. I have to find whoever killed my brother. You must have heard about the riot at the prison nearby, I worked there as well as my brother... Unfortunately, someone killed him... Until I get my revenge, I won't be able to rest."
There was silence, no one said anything because it had been a truly horrible week for Reine. Her life hadn't just changed, it had gotten worse, much worse. She'd lost her brother and been kidnapped, practically murdered. But, something she hadn't even realized yet.
"Agh... Fuck it, I was hoping you'd figure it all out on your own." Evan uttered, rubbing the back of his head.
"What, what are you talking about?" Reine looked at him puzzled.
"Aron Smirth, your brother and warden at the prison. I was the one who rioted and killed your brother, he fell by my hand." Evan said calmly, not trying to hide.
Lana and Halvor looked at him puzzled, some knew some of the details, and some were completely surprised.
However, Reine's face could have been a true representation of art, just if some artist had captured this very moment. She was grateful to Evan for saving her and respected the strength he possessed despite being a Commoner.
But, just a few words, no... rather a few non-negotiable facts had changed everything completely. Reine's world turned upside down, and soon enough all thoughts vanished from her head, filling her mind and heart with only one emotion - wrath.
"Bastard... No wonder you're so strong... You... I'll kill you!" Reine exclaimed, lashing forward in fury.
Halvor would have liked to stop her, but he realized that was not an option. Only Evan and Reine could resolve this situation now, and it was possible that Halvor would have to accept the death of one of them.