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"It tastes better with a gulp of shitty ale." I looked up, surprised at his language.

Then I burst into laughter. "I think I like you best," I said.

"I told you she would," he said pointedly to Eravic. "I am, by far, the funniest brother."

I frowned. "Brother?"

"The whore's daughter arrives," a voice bellowed.

No.

It could not be.

A man with a gray beard and long black robes walked toward us, his arms wide.

Master Forsamin.

I could not help myself. I lunged forward and threw my arms around his neck.

"Careful or you will smell like the herbs my brother poisoned me with this morning."

"They are for longevity and luck," he grumbled. I looked between him and the healer and immediately saw the resemblance.

"I am Elsan," the healer said. "And I am clearly the handsomer one, and younger." He winked at Eravic.

Eravic let out an audible sigh.

Master Forsamin sighed dramatically. "I can tell by looking at you that your form has gone to shit," he said sharply.

"Very unbecoming of whore's daughter," he added.

"My mother was no whore," I said, eyes narrowed.

"She said similar," he said with a laugh.

"You knew her? You knew who I was?"

Eravic sighed. "I told you one day you would regret it, old man."

"I regret nothing," he said with his chin up.

"Ryaran was a sweet girl, certainly one of the more pleasant ones. I used to teach her sword fighting just like I taught the other royals in this land, usually by traveling aboard Vaelor ships.”

"The ale is shit but the company is good," he said with a wink.

"Continue," I said, voice tight.

"I did not wake up knowing you were alive or even in Veynar. I was there teaching that weak imbecile of a brother of yours⁠—"

"I killed him," I interrupted.

"About time," he said dryly.

"Anyway, I taught you to sword fight that day the lesson with him ended early because he scraped his knee and you were sitting in the corner thinking I had not seen you watching."

"And?"

"As time went on, I began to suspect. The mannerisms were too similar." He paused. "Then the necklace was clearly Alarnan work."