Lith never expected for Selia Fastarrow to get all sentimental, and in fact she didn’t. Her eyes had barely the opportunity to get watery before she steeled up, replying with a giant grin.

“Now that you mention it, I really deserve this trinket.” She said retrieving the hand from his grasp and using it to ruffle his short black hair. Selia was moved, but didn’t like to show her emotions in front of others.

“It’s only thanks to the secret stash of meat that I hid and tenderized for you that you managed to grow so big and strong. In a way, I’m part of your family as well.” She said playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

“In a way? You are part of my family. Almost like an aunt” Lith replied, hoping to achieve a critical hit and make her tough mask crumble. He didn’t really care much, otherwise he would have kept tabs on her health too during all those years.

But Lith’s debt was real. Without her help and contacts, hunting beasts would have provided meat, but not money or clothing from the pelts and hides. Everything would have gone to waste, making his family’s life much harder.

Lith wasn’t willing to keep any tab open, nor he was enough of a scum to forget about someone just because she had apparently outlived her usefulness. Relations were important in such small community.

It was unlikely that whenever his family would need help, he would always be able to promptly return. Also, he had no idea how long the Court would protect them in his stead.