397 Blood Does Not Lie

They didn't think Valen would be in danger, but they surely didn't think that they would see the man sitting on a chair as the magician trembling on his feet. 

And there didn't seem to be a fight--except for the bits of shattered stone on an elevated platform--so they couldn't help but stare in astonishment, wondering what could possibly happened during the time they took to reunite and climb the tower.

"Forgive me...please forgive me..." they heard she beg. "Please forgive me. What...what should I do so you can forgive me, S-Sir...Master..."

She practically clawed at Valen's trousers, and the little bird chirped aggressively at her, sending out a gust of wind to repel her from its master. Zarfa secretly wondered if it was because the bird worried about its master's leg, or because someone unauthorized called Valen 'Master'.