Yarin's POV:
There wasn't much time for pleasantries; soon, I came face to face with my former enemies.
Marty had aged, and his irritable temperament made him look like a rotting piece of wood about to collapse.
Next to him was the merchant who had first defected, named Dildis. He had that slickness about him that merchants often do. It was our first meeting, and he greeted me without any reservations, even showing me a brooch.
It looked familiar.
"Speaking of which, my niece used to travel to your country as a child," Dildis said. "This brooch is hers. It's said that Prince Heller gave it to her. Childhood friendships are so pure; it's been so many years, and those kids have all grown up."
Heller blurted out, "Denise?"
"That's my niece. Unfortunately, she's studying in Asia now; otherwise, she would have been honored to meet you."
