Mirrah didn't care much when the old woman appeared at the open doorway. But once Wilhelm crossed that threshold, emerging out of the woman's shadow, Mirrah virtually shrieked. Nevermind the fact that she was trying to sneak her way out of the hovel before the hermit's return, Mirrah could only think about confirming that the boy walking into the exact room she was in, seemingly out of a flaming ship ravaged by pirates, was really truly Wilhelm Haleth. Wilhelm's eyes grew wide as Mirrah came flying at him, fully intent on giving him a massive bear hug.

Which she did give him. Painfully.

"Mirrah--Geez--"

"By the Gods! It's really Wilhelm! You're not dead! You're really not dead!" Mirrah pulled away, commencing patting down every limb on the boy's body. "You're not hurt are you?"

Wilhelm fought to keep his balance, especially with the now rocking weight on his back. "If I wasn't before I am now."

"Those stupid pirates bagged me before I could get to where you are--I thought the ship sunk and took you and all your money with it!" She let out a slight moan at the thought. "My reputation would've been ruined!"

"Ruined, right. So happy to see you too," Wilhelm muttered, only to let out a gasp as Mirrah went right back to the bear hug. "Please--No more hugging!"

It took her a moment to realize that there actually was someone else trying to enter the house. The woman lifted her eyebrows, giving Mirrah a smile. "I wasn't eaten by the pirates either, dear."

She had virtually forgotten the woman between all the pirates and all the drowning. Mirrah gave her a unsteady grin, still trying to remember the woman's name, and nodded vigorously. "That's really...great!"

The hermit had appeared at Mirrah's side again, and though she stood quite regally, hands folded neatly in front of her, she gave off an aura of annoyance that Mirrah couldn't help but notice. "Back to your rest now. I won't have you make another patient for me to care for."

Mirrah smiled sheepishly, half glad that the woman wasn't going to question why she was standing so close to the doorway, and did as she was told, disappearing into the other room.

The hermit turned to face Lorena now. "We may talk in my bedroom, Miss Lorena. Wilhelm, you may rest wherever you see fit, but please keep your voice down as my other patient is still sleeping. And, of course..." She gave him an icy glare. "Refrain from touching anything." With that said, she turned about and moved to the back of the room and through a second door. The doorway was open though the darkness of the room almost looked like a solid wall, seemingly absorbing the woman and all of her black robes as she passed through.

Lorena didn't seem the slightest bit fazed. She took a step after Phsara but stopped with a swift spin on her heels. "Oh right, I almost forgot." She reached into her pouch once more and pulled out a blackened horn with a smile. She held it out before Wilhelm. "A deal's a deal."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Standing at the doorway the room looked entirely shaded to the point where it was impossible to make out anything in the room. Although, passing through it felt like passing under a cool curtain of air, and all the furniture inside suddenly emerged from the shadows. There was a window in the room though the thick and heavy curtains were pulled tight. A modest though grand bed pushed in the back of the room, a bookshelf lined with tomes and bed stand on either side and a coffee table which was situated in the center of the room surrounded by two worn yet intricately carved chairs. A candle was burning on the table, strangely invisible when standing beyond the doorway. Phsara was seated on one of the chairs facing the doorway where she watched Lorena walk in with faint although quite visible disdain. Lorena smiled back pleasantly and moved towards the other chair.

"I imagine tanning isn't one of your favorite past times."

Phsara sniffed, completely ignoring Lorena's comment. "These are my private chambers."

"I'm honored."

"We may discuss whatever is it you wish without being disturbed." Phsara gestured to the chair which Lorena took as a prompt to seat herself. "Forgive me if I don't have any refreshments for you. I was, how shall I say...unprepared."

"I don't mind."

Phsara lowered her head for a moment. "May I ask where you got those books?"

Lorena lifted her head, leaning back in her chair. "I bought them."

"Out of all the manuals I've written, I've only released six of them to the public. They were bought from me by travelers from all over the globe, all of which were scholars seeking my knowledge. They took those books like draught drawn from an eternal spring."

"Oh? I must be quite fortunate."

"I can't imagine how you were able to locate all six books and buy them off of these scholars."

Lorena smiled politely though her eyes held a hint of irritation. "Any man has his price. Even you."

Phsara responded with a polite smile of her own. "You must be quite the haggler."

Lorena let out a sigh, leaning forward in her seat. She cupped one hand inside the other and set her elbows on the coffee table. The light from the candle gave off an ominous glow to Lorena's face. "Forgive my rudeness but I must ask to skip the pleasantries."

Phsara didn't respond for a moment, studying Lorena's expression in silence before replying. "I assume you aren't here to expound on philosophy, Miss Lorena."

"Iory."

Phsara lifted her head, frowning where Lorena nodded with a smile.

"Call me Iory."

"...Miss Iory." Phsara fell silent again, unsure what exact to make of this woman seated before her now. The firelight seemed to illuminate what seemed like a malicious intent in her eyes. Phsara drew her hands closer in her lap. The deep shadows of the room seemed to loom towards the coffee table, held in check only by the firelight. "You mentioned earlier that you had a question."

If Iory had noticed the looming shadows she didn't show it on her face. She only straightened herself so that her face moved out of the firelight. Her smile seemed unchanged from when they had first met. "More of a request really. I have use for a demon."

Phsara started at the sentence, the looming shadows suddenly growing tame. "Demon?"

"Yes. Say, one that can scour the earth, tear the land asunder. I assume summoning up a high demon from Hael would be like picking peonies for an Ileal such as yourself."