The moment they crossed the threshold of the gates, the noise of the camp outside faded, replaced by the muffled hum of the city within. The air felt heavier here, thick with expectation of what Fay and Mirage would decide for the refugees beyond the walls.

By now, both groups had already seen the boy and were beginning to gather, waiting to see what choices would be made next.

Elaruîn gestured toward the inner road. "It seems you are more important here than I thought. No one seems willing to speak to your dragon, though she still manages to turn every head as she passes."

Mirage only shrugged. "I don't need their trust or their adoration. I just need them to make me money."

Nahrin, still walking despite his injuries, kept pace with them. They did not go far, for a large tent had been set near the wall so their discussions could begin without needing to head into the palace.

Fay had only a moment to take in the city itself. The houses looked sturdier than when he had left, patched walls now replaced with new timber. Some still bore their scars, but signs of recovery were clear.

One building stood out among the rest, the tavern run by Harriet, Joan's mother. Its windows glowed warmly, and rowdy laughter spilled into the street now that the sun was nearly set.

Joan used the chance to break away, waving to the group before hurrying to help his mother.

"I'll bring food… I just hope my mother doesn't have too many customers."

Everyone expected at least a decent meal upon his return.

As the boy left, Maria followed him, perhaps not wanting to sit through a dull meeting between leaders, or perhaps simply because hunger had caught up with her.

Fay noticed that, despite Selûne's constant complaints about wanting to be the first to bathe, she did not leave. The elf girl stood quietly behind her grandfather, observing as the meeting prepared to unfold.

Once inside the tent, the others took their places. Out of unspoken habit, everyone let Mirage sit first. Fay settled beside her, Horin took the next chair, and the two leaders sat next to them.

Elaruîn folded his hands on the table. "First things first, what do you plan to do with the refugees? Most are said to come from Fay's world, Earth… though at a glance, I cannot tell if some are spies."

"Yes, I can smell many with the same scent Fay had when he first arrived… but others are clearly from nearby cities. They can't hide that," Nahrin said, his sharp senses confirming Elaruîn's suspicion.

All eyes turned to the ten-year-old silvered hair dragon, who rested her chin on the table.

"I don't care. If they can make gold, then let them work to get inside. I need people to start planting and cultivating the land. I don't want the forest to grow without control."

Fay nodded at her reasoning.

"Well… if they are from Earth, I can start speaking with them and see if they'll cooperate. I also wanted to send people to the dungeon to grow stronger. If possible, each of us could work with groups so we can increase the number of cores we bring back."

Elaruîn and Nahrin perked up at his words.

"Be careful if you do that," Elaruîn warned. "Remember, that dungeon is now part of your domain. You wouldn't want random people wandering inside and possibly causing harm to it."

Fay frowned, considering the risk.

"Sabotage the place? I thought it was strong enough on its own. Wouldn't the dungeon attack back if something happened?"

The one who answered this time was not a leader, but his own creature.

"It will, but at what cost, losing an important floor just for someone whom we don't know… I think we should wait until we have more loyalty from the people," Mirage spoke out as if knowing exactly what would happen.

"Also, I need that place to continue providing magic cores. If we send others too soon, not only will the supply diminish, but we also lack the capital to pay adventurers properly."

Mirage leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as if saying that was all anyone was going to get out of her.

"Your creature is right. You don't throw resources at strangers who haven't proven themselves. We already have mouths to feed, walls to guard, and beasts trying to enter the city. If they want to stay, they need to offer something of value first."

Horin flicked her tail, eyes narrowing. "You mean make them pay for safety? Not all of them will have gold...though."

"They can always find work," Mirage replied without hesitation. "Fields, roads, hunting. I don't care which. If they refuse, then they can leave. It's that simple."

Selûne finally spoke up, her voice quiet but cutting through the debate. "What about the spies, though? From what Elder Nahrin said, he could detect who they are."

Elaruîn nodded slightly, clearly approving her point. "My granddaughter is right. We need to weigh each refugee carefully. Trust will not come quickly, but the decision cannot be delayed either. The hums test our borders more each day. If battle begins, we cannot afford dissent inside our walls."

Fay ran a hand through his hair, staring at the tabletop. He knew they were right. Refugees could strengthen the city, but they could also weaken it from the inside. The dungeon offered a chance to train them, yet the risk of sabotage or collapse was real.

For a long moment, silence hung over the tent, broken only when the flap lifted and Joan stepped in, balancing a tray of steaming bowls. Maria trailed behind him with a second tray, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen.

"Dinner," Joan announced simply, setting the food down before anyone could argue further.

The tension in the air eased just slightly as the scent of Harriet's cooking filled the tent. Even Mirage allowed herself a thin smile.

"Good timing," Fay muttered. "I think we all needed a break."

Bowls were passed around, the steam rising in gentle waves, filled with a wonderful aroma.

The simple stew smelled of herbs and smoked meat, rich enough to remind them of how long it had been since they'd eaten anything fresh.

Horin dug in without waiting, her ears twitching with every bite. "Better than rations in the dungeon," she mumbled between mouthfuls.

Selûne took slower sips, though she gave Joan a small nod of thanks. Even Nahrin, the leader of the Ravari, ate with vigor, as if doing so would bring back his missing leg.

For a few minutes, the table was filled only with the sound of spoons against bowls.

Then Elaruîn set his meal aside. His sharp gaze moved between Fay and Mirage. "Food is good, but it does not answer our problem. The refugees cannot wait forever. What will your answer be?"

Mirage wiped her lips with a cloth, her tone cool and unyielding. "My answer hasn't changed. Let them prove themselves through work. The city is already short on hands. If they want shelter, they will earn it. Anyone unwilling to contribute is a waste of space."

Fay lowered his spoon, resting his chin in one hand. He could feel the weight of every eye in the tent. "And if they're from Earth… I'll be the one to speak with them first. If they trust me, maybe they'll listen. If they're here for something else, I'll find out soon enough."

Maria glanced up from her bowl, hesitating before she spoke. "What if they aren't fighters? Or workers? What if some of them are just… regular people and kids?"

That question silenced the tent more than any accusation of spies could have. Even Mirage paused, though her eyes narrowed as if she didn't like that.

"In this world, they will have to learn to earn their keep; there is nothing we can provide for free… so just being a regular will not exempt them. If anything, keeping people like that without disabilities, in my opinion, shouldn't be tolerated.

Fay nodded at the saber-tooth's words.

Horin's ears twitched, her gaze flicking toward her father. She had seen him fight on one leg and still command warriors without faltering.

Elaruîn folded his arms. "If we shelter every mouth that asks, we may starve before winter. Yet if we turn them away, they will suffer… and perhaps turn against us out of desperation." His sharp eyes fixed on Fay. "Your decision will shape how both sides see this city. Mercy and danger often walk hand in hand."

Fay clenched his jaw, staring down at his half-finished bowl. Maria's words echoed louder than the other kids, regular people. It wasn't so long ago that he and Mira had been just that, clinging to survival after stepping into this world.

Mirage broke the silence with a low laugh. "You're all overthinking it. Give them a chance, yes, but make the terms clear. Work, fight, or leave. That way, no one can say we were unfair."

Selûne crossed her arms, her gaze hard. "And if one of those spies you keep warning us about hides among them? What then?"

Mirage's smile didn't fade. "Then we make an example of them. Publicly."

The words hung in the air, cold and sharp as a blade.

Fay lifted his head. "No. If we want loyalty, we can't rule only by fear. I'll speak to them myself. We'll find another way to test them, something that shows who they are without throwing them to the wolves right away."

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