“No. No, problem. I knew your parents, Daniel. They sold potions in the city to an elite clientele. Honourable people. Fair prices. We were surprised when they left the city. I'm sorry to hear of their passing. I think I may have met you once when you were a child.

Hanging around the shop and sweeping up."

Daniel looked away and blinked rapidly. When he looked back, his resolve was clear to see. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate you saying they were honourable."

Quinten cleared his throat and then looked at Amber. “Aine? Truly?"

Amber glared at Quinten; her distaste clear to see. "Yes. What of it?"

"I knew an Amanda Aine, once. Your mother?"

Amber looked startled but nodded.

"And she is in Acron?"

Amber looked frightened.

"Relax. She is safe. She no longer has her circle, correct?"

Amber looked frozen and afraid.

"I will know if you lie..." he said simply and looked back at her.

"No, sir. I mean, yes. She lost her circle. Years ago."

"Yet she escaped. How fortunate for her. I sense your truth. I will remember that. At the moment, she is safe. Focus on your studies."

Daniel looked back and forth between Amber and Quinten, not sure what to do or say. Amy pressed a hand against his chest and shook her head up at him. She looked sorrowfully at Amber for a moment. Amber looked shaken.

Quinten seemed oblivious to everyone or cared little of the open trepidation of the four would-be adventurers before him. He gathered up the forms and then pulled out a large registry tome. He flipped through it and paused at a section he seemed to be looking for. He scanned the pages and then took a quill and dipped it in the inkpot.

"Now. Your room. There are only two with ground floor access and an open dirt area for your evil... sorry, your witchy ways, shall we say? One is rather elaborate with its own kitchen and living spaces and is quite comfortable and Large. And quite expensive. The other is likely more to your means. Two small bedrooms, but you'll need to eat in the cafeteria. So, I'll just put you down for that room..."

"We will take the larger suite, please," murmured Daniel softly.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Quinten.

"The large suite, please," repeated Daniel, a little louder.

"It is quite expensive. Do you have the coin?" From his tone, it was clear Quinten didn't think they did.

Daniel pulled out a platinum piece. It was the one given to him by Grace. It was a small fortune in Acron. In the city, it still carried significant weight.

Quinten set down the quill and took the offered coin. "Well, that is some wealth you have there. How did you come by it?"

Daniel bristled at the slight to his honour. He looked closely at Quinten, as if looking for something. "That was hardly a worthy question coming from a paladin, sir."