Aldimar was a port town within Scudali Bay that had been known to be a frequently visited area for holidaymakers and traders. It was situated deep within the bay, with the open sea protected by coastal garrisons and the dragon rider corps, the royal air force unique to the kingdom of Manarithia. Its position in the Scudali Bay was close to the Jubari nation, which was just across the bay. This was reflected by the frequent ships visiting from the city of Tarkay, full of traders willing to trade exotic items only found deep within the nation. It also served as an in-between destination for travelers continuing to Camarth from the nation, especially those who did not make use of the more expensive direct route or those who preferred a more leisurely travel.

  The business from these traveler helped the town's tourism. Aldimar benefited from its picturesque location and its architecture, which was a common style for older towns situation in the Scudali Bay. The warm weather also gave many Aldimari, most of which pensioners, to enjoy their twilight years.

  Thus the recent devastating disaster that befell the area destroyed its economy far greater than anyone expected. The spilling of an unknown substance in the bay turned the weather cold. The sea became black and caused widespread deaths for the aquatic creatures, which were washed into the once beautiful sandy beaches. In just a week, the town died, as many left to escape the dreadful environment. However, that was not the only reason why they left.

  The reveal of reptilian people who could disguise themselves and were affiliated with Wyrith caused unrest. Many became afraid of their neighbors, causing a breakdown in trust. The incapacitation of several dragons, two of which died while one remained unconscious, caused damage to the people's trust in their own safety. Feeling unsafe in the town, many moved out, leaving the town sparsely populated for the first time since its establishment. Only those who knew what they were doing were allowed to stay. This included the military, the law enforcement, and the adventurers, along with volunteers who became part of a cleanup crew involved in cleaning the bay.

  The changes were abrupt and noticeable by those who lived long in the town long enough to be familiar with the town. Among them was Rodvar, a dwarven blacksmith who had retired from adventuring for ten years to open a shop. He appreciated the open air and the searing hot sun, something that his hometown lacked. His kin were mountain dwarves who were more comfortable in a mountain city where the ceiling was their sky and their cities illuminated by an imitation of a sun. Rodvar could not bear living that way anymore, not when he started to wonder if that living condition was the reason why dwarves were grumpy and unfriendly. The risks of mining and continuous threats from the Fel'uvens and unknown monsters dwelling within the mines must have put many mountain dwarves on edge. The darkness permeating the harbor and the empty town reminded him of the town he grew up in. It made him rather sad.

  He was fortunate to still have friends who stayed, along with the reunion of old friends. Boluti and his wife had become his friends for five years. They helped him move on from the traumatic experience of Rogarian War, which in turn convinced him that the gnolls suffered the most for being slaves to a master manipulator that destroyed their culture, causing them to be incorporated into the Jubari nation. Even then, their status as refugees limited their opportunities, forcing many to move away.

  Then there was Bartlett and surprisingly, Eliani. He thought he would never see his Kal'Adre friend again after what happened between them. It was clear that she still had to deal with it, especially from how she refused to talk to Bartlett unless it was absolutely necessary. It hurt Rodvar's feeling to know how much things had changed since they were adventurers ten years ago.

  There were also absent friends. One was long gone, and the other found his way into moving on. Bartlett and Rodvar kept in contact with him, not wanting to lose another friend. The return of Eliani to their lives made Rodvar believe that a reunion was in order. He was going to write a letter to invite him to Aldimar. Alas, he was beaten to it by Bartlett, who had already sent a letter requesting his assistance in helping Thomas learn proper combat spells.

  Thus, he made himself busy by working in his workshop. The call to arms by the military required many more weapons to be made, and Rodvar's workshop was the only blacksmith in town who could fulfill those orders. He worked tirelessly, showcasing his dwarven endurance. He could work twice the amount of work a human blacksmith could do, and his adherence to maintaining weapon endurance and effectiveness made his workshop famous among the adventurers and the soldiers. Granted, he was assisted by competent blacksmiths who shared his passion, and Rodvar often gave them the due credits. It helped many appreciate the gnolls, and in turn, causing the gnolls to be comfortable and happy for being appreciated.

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  But that novelty soon passed, for it had been a week or so since the commission. The dwarf and his assistants were exhausted, and they still had too many orders to finish. Thankfully, by this point, more blacksmith workshops took over some of the orders, giving Rodvar and his assistants some respite. It enabled him to go to someone he never thought he would care about: Henrietta.

  Henrietta's condition was stable, but the dragon healers that attended her told both Rodvar and Bartlett that, even with the poison out of her body, the damage was done. Whatever was ravaging her body had started to eat her, evident from the black strands that appeared on her pinkish grey scales, which had become paler than it was a week ago.

  When they were alone, Rodvar voiced his concern.

  "If the lad found out about this, he would become reckless," said Rodvar. "The thought of losing his sister again will devastate him."

  "Which is why he's sound asleep," said Bartlett, holding up an empty vial. "I'll simply tell him that he's not used to dealing with the miasma at the bay next morning."

  Rodvar grunted. "I never thought you of all people would resort to that."

  "Just a week ago, Shana told me she made sure the poison's out of her body. But she did not warn me her conditions would deteriorate. I am not telling Thomas the bad news until he is ready to hear it."

  "But say she wouldn't recover. What will you tell him?"

  "We are not going to let her die," snapped Bartlett. "But panicking about it won't help. I don't trust Thomas to be able to handle it, not after his traumas returned."

  "Didn't you say he want to learn how to fight?"

  "I did. I sent a letter to Grant. I told him everything that happened here and ask for his assistance. He's the only one I can trust who might know what's going on, and help with Thomas's request. I told him to meet me at Camarth, given that it's closer to Clydeth than here."

  "Is he still with those tree huggers?"

  "Druids, Rodvar. And yes, he is."

  Rodvar sighed. "So everyone's here, ten years later. I was hoping for a reunion. It's just I don't expect it to be like this."

  "Neither do I, my friend," said Bartlett.

  "Have you talked with Ellie yet?"

  Bartlett did not answer. Rodvar took the silence as the answer. He could understand, but seeing this happened in front of him hurt. Like Thomas, both had not been able to resolve their losses. In a way, neither did Rodvar. Rogaria took so much from them, it changed their perspective on the world. Because of this, the dwarf retired from adventuring and decided to become a blacksmith. Even now, he refused to do a quest and only took up arms if his hometown was attacked.

  That being said, as a friend, the dwarf knew this couldn't continue. Their relationship was once so beautiful and romantic. It was marred by a very personal tragedy, one that Rodvar, too, experienced. He did not need them to be together again if they did not want to, but at the very least, he did not want them to be at odds, or worse, become enemies.

  "Give yourself some time, and muster the courage you need to talk to her," said Rodvar. "Only you know what you wants. Same with Eliani."

  The dwarf left Bartlett alone to ponder about it, returning to his workshop to prepare himself for a new day. The day turned to night, though there did not seem to be any difference with the darkness permeating the harbor. The town had changed, and it had affected Rodvar's mood, too.

  He needed a smoke, so he pulled out his pipe, filled it with tobacco leaves, and started lighting it. Once it puffed out smoke, he paused.

  "I suggest you take my advice," said Rodvar. "If he can't, maybe you can, Eliani."

  He then proceeded to smoke through his pipe, blowing out a ring of smoke to amuse himself.

  On a nearby roof, Eliani, who had been listening to their conversation, pondered on Rodvar's advice silently as she turned her attention to Bartlett, who walked out of his shed in silent contemplation. The two former lovers had not talked with each other ever since the end of the Sybarian attack, with Eliani busy helping the gnoll refugees settle, while Bartlett was dealing with Henrietta and Thomas. It started to become apparent that they both avoided each other, particularly Bartlett, who did not even seek out the cheetah woman while they were so inseparable during their adventuring days together.

  She stared at him sadly, hoping that he would explain to her why he left her so abruptly, without even saying goodbye. Was it her, or was it something else? She knew the answer to that. Or rather, she thought she knew the answer. She just wanted to know if it was the same reason as Bartlett's.

  Perhaps it would be best if she followed Rodvar's advice. She wouldn't know anything if she did not confront him.

  Alas, she had not mustered enough courage. All she could do was stare, and turned the other way around, intending to return to her work.