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Merlyn bows her head to begin the healing spell. She wavers a bit on her feet, and you worry that she hasn't the strength left in her to complete the spell. She invokes the name of Kalyro a few more times than usual in her incantation. But she spreads her arms, casts the spell, and then sags to the floor.

The almost-sorcerer stirs. Though he is still covered in his own blood, his wounds and burns are healed. Slowly, he pushes himself up. You see that he is older than any of you, but still young. He is taller than you but not as tall as Deke, and slight of build. A weary look remains on his face despite the healing. He certainly doesn't seem very formidable...but of course, you can't exactly ignore the flaming building around you. You remind yourself that appearances can be deceiving.

He turns to Merlyn. "You didn�t have to do that," he says.

Merlyn merely nods. "What is your name?" she asks again.

"I�m called Rial," he answers. "I�m an apprentice sorcerer of Vulkaro. Thought I'd be a full sorcerer soon, but that doesn't matter much anymore." He looks around at his surroundings as if for the first time. "Did I do all of this?" he asks incredulously.

You shake your head. "There was an earthquake. That destroyed most of the town square. I think Vulkaro had a hand in that." Merlyn nods in confirmation.

"But you did this building pretty much on your own," Deke adds.

Rial considers this. If you didn't know better you'd say he was impressed with himself.

"Rial, how are you with elements other than fire?" Merlyn asks, without raising her head. "Water, healing. This village is going to need a lot of those, as soon as possible."

"Destruction's usually what I'm best at," Rial admits. "But I can put out a fire as easily as I can start one."

"Good," says Merlyn. "You're probably stronger than I am, as I've just begun my training. Let's get started." She tries to push herself to her feet. Rial puts a hand on her shoulder, closes his eyes and mutters a few strange words, and holds out his free palm. And just like that, Merlyn is healed.

"Thank you," she says. "You didn't have to do that."

Rial shrugs. "This'll make things easier for you," he says. "And besides, now I don't owe you anything."

The four of you get up to see if between you and the villagers, you can put Bray back together.

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