Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

The addition of Kelsey, the little red-brown furry creature, brought the utmost joy to Xialu; the little cat-girl thought up ways every day to treat Kelsey to extra meals.


Hemo, although somewhat wary of this cub, soon resolved the slight animosity between him and Kelsey after Durin learned the communication spell formula from the Druid. Once it was clear that both were the master's assistants, Hemo could even perch on Kelsey's back without Kelsey getting scratched by Hemo.


As the days went by, Kelsey also began to grow. With ample meat in its diet, it quickly shed its weak appearance. By the last week of February, Kelsey had grown into a sub-adult with brown-red fur, following Durin all around the town every day.


Even though he and Anta would write each other, she would tell Durin about the happenings in the Mage Tower.


Chapter 30: Farewell