“They’ll stay with me here until I’m done with my business. After that, it’s up to them to decide whether they want to stay in the Blood Desert or return to the Gorgon Empire with me. Either way, I’m going to help them start a new life.”

“Nice to meet you, Milady.” Aryk and Lilax bowed as deeply as they could, feeling like dirty rags dropped in the middle of a throne room.

Salaark’s imposing figure, her office, the magnificent dress she wore, everything spoke of a wealthy, noble ruler who probably bled blue instead of red. Lilax and Aryk, instead, were illiterate orphans who owned nothing but their worn and torn clothes.

“The pleasure is all mine.” Salaark replied while giving them a perfect curtsy. “Make yourself comfortable. You are my honored guests, not my servants. If there’s anything I can do to make your stay in my realm more enjoyable, you only need to ask.”

The two youths opened and closed their mouths with their eyes wide, yet emitted no sound, performing a remarkable impression of a couple of goldfish. Once they realized their blunder, Aryk and Lilax bowed repeatedly in apology.

“Guys, if you don’t start talking, this will take all day.” A snap of Leegaain’s fingers switched the tattered clothes for the cotton robes of the Desert.

The new and soft clothes made wonders for the youths’ self-esteem, promoting them in their minds from dirty rags to servants.