“That is horrible,” D’Argen said, feeling like he had to gasp out the words.

“Yes, well… it still needs some work.”

“Some work?”

“It is really hard to create spells that can be used by all aspects. You try it.”

“No, no thank you. That is not my job and you know it.”

Vain responded with a shrug. After a moment, he cocked his head to the side and looked D’Argen over from top to bottom. “Do you want to know the phrases just in case?”

“No, it’s okay,” D’Argen replied. “I rarely have the breath to say them, even if I could remember them.”

“Your choice. I do…” Vain hesitated for a moment and then his scent finally came out. It was very faint, similar to vanilla but more reminiscent of old books rather than plants. There was something off about it, but D’Argen could not catch what because the scent disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared. Vain shook his head and smiled at D’Argen. “Never mind.”

“You sure?” D’Argen asked with a raised brow. “You don’t want me to run anything for you? Send a message? Maybe find a new species or something?”

“Well, if you do find a new species, I would like as much information on it as possible. As always.”

“As always.” D’Argen nodded and grinned. “So, umm… the communication array thingy? Is everyone in it?”

“Mostly. Some do not like it at all. It has... adverse reactions for a few. Yaling said it hurts her head if I remember correctly. Now, that was before Zetha modified it, but I sincerely doubt it would make much of a difference with her mahee. Why? You want to send out an announcement?”

D'Argen ignored the smirk on the other man's lips and instead said, “I was wondering if I could let the others know we’re ready to go.”

“Ah. Well, I know that Yaling is not in it and do not know if Abbot and Lilian have been told about it yet. Sorry, but I am of no help with that. And I must get going.”

“Right, right.” D’Argen waved him off. He was never good at having longer conversations with Vain and was glad the other knew how to end them tactfully instead of awkwardly like D’Argen would. “I’ll see you around.”

“Hopefully sooner than four centuries. It has been too long, D’Argen, we missed you.”

With a final raise of their chins, Vain left the tent.

D’Argen considered wandering out into the grounds to look for his companions, but just the thought of it made his skin itch. The fact that the sun had completely fallen also proved that it was soon time for the night market to open. He would prefer to be as far away from that as possible.

“Hey!” D’Argen called out when he saw Simeal passing by. “Sorry, but… if you see the others, can you let them know I’m back at the castle?”

“The others?”

“Lilian, Yaling, and Abbot. Only if they pass by, no need to look for them.”

“Ah… you are heading out again soon?”

“As soon as we get back together, yes.”

“Well… it was short, but it was good seeing you again D’Argen. I will let them know if I see them. Take care.”

“And you.”

Walking out of the conference grounds was easy only because the back of Simeal’s tent was against three of the pillars. She would probably yell at him for untying the ropes that held the flaps closed, but she did not see it. Right on the other side of the columns was one of the mortal camps. D’Argen slipped around their fires and tents, then around another camp further out, then two more even further. Once there were no mortals in his way, D’Argen opened his mahee and ran.

He knew the city of Evadia like the back of his hand. He had helped build most of the buildings in it. The main road, the one that connected the conference area right to the castle gates, was almost a completely straight line. On both sides of it were buildings which had roofs that no one used. From the first fence post that he stepped on to the last ceramic shingle, he ran the length of the main road in a few heartbeats and then jumped the last distance of empty space to reach the castle gates.

They were thrown open, as usual, and the only guards stationed near the doors were mortals in ceremonial regalia. D’Argen nodded to each of them as he passed and then opened his mahee again, running into the castle grounds and then to the building itself. It has been such a long time since he was in his own rooms and he could not wait to sleep in his own bed.