Adam laughed softly and withdrew his hand.
"You flatter me," he said. "In truth, I am only responsible for distributing the aid. It is thanks to others—Seishan, Sasrir, Kido, and Kai here—that I am able to gather so much in the first place. Without them, my efforts would be tragically limited."
At the mention of his name, the third man's smile deepened slightly, though he said nothing.
Nephis's gaze flickered toward Kai once more—quick, involuntary—before settling instead on Sasrir.
"Are you Sasrir?" she asked. "I have heard much about you, despite having been here only a short while."
The shadow-cloaked man met her eyes.
He did not shift, did not fidget, did not react to the attention. He stood utterly still, like a statue carved from darkness. When he spoke, his voice was level and unadorned, yet it carried an undertone Sunny could not immediately identify.
"I suppose my reputation precedes me," Sasrir said. "Your own accomplishments are impressive. Compared to me—someone who only knows how to kill—you seem far more admirable."
Nephis smiled at him.
This time, she did not deny the compliment.
Nephis turned back to Adam, smoothly resuming their conversation as if the earlier disturbance had never occurred.
"You mentioned Kido and Seishan," she said. "I know they are both Lieutenants, but what exactly do they contribute to your efforts?"
Adam answered without hesitation, his tone practiced yet sincere.
"Kido takes personal requests from me, or allows me to submit them to the Artisans under her oversight. Several of the medicines I distribute come directly from her and her plants. I owe her a great deal for that assistance, and to Gemma as well for allowing me access in the first place. She does not have to help me, but she also offers a discount on what I order."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"As for Seishan, she provides manpower and organization. The Handmaidens have been an invaluable support. They are responsible for surveying the Settlement and determining what the people need most. I am not always able to listen to everyone or act on every request myself, so they take over in my absence."
Nephis absorbed this in silence, her expression thoughtful.
"Kai here," Adam continued, turning slightly, "assists Sasrir with hunting monsters. His skill is among the best I have seen in the Forgotten Shore. Things would have been far more difficult without him."
Kai shifted awkwardly under the praise, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You give me too much credit, Adam," he said with a sheepish smile. "Sasrir does most of the work. I just clean up the stragglers."
Sunny watched the exchange closely, committing every word and gesture to memory.
His gaze lingered on the quiver strapped across Kai's back, the fletched ends of a dozen arrows visible over his shoulder. An archer. That alone made the man unusual. Most Awakened relied on close combat or spellcasting; effective ranged specialists were rare. That made Kai both valuable and dangerous.
Nephis and Adam exchanged a few more polite, largely meaningless remarks, the kind people used to feel one another out without revealing anything important. Then Adam turned his attention to Sunny and Cassie.
"Forgive my impoliteness," he said warmly. "May I ask the name of the sir and the lovely lady?"
Sunny met Adam's baby-blue eyes—and froze for a heartbeat.
Up close, the resemblance was unsettling. The same shade of golden hair. The same clear blue eyes. Even the softness of Adam's features, slightly effeminate in youth, mirrored Cassie's. It was like looking at her twin brother, older by only a few years.
Then his Flaw struck.
Pain lanced through his mind, sharp and sudden, snapping him out of the moment.
"Sunless," he said quickly. "But you can call me Sunny."
"Cassia," Cassie added calmly. "But I prefer Cassie."
Adam inclined his head at their introductions, then extended his hand toward Sunny.
Sunny hesitated, his eyes flicking from the outstretched hand to Cassie.
Adam realized his mistake instantly.
Without any break in his expression, without even the faintest awkward pause, he lowered his hand again, the smile on his face never wavering. Cassie, unable to see the exchange, sensed only the sudden lull and tilted her head in confusion.
Before she could ask, Nephis stepped in.
"Excuse me," she said evenly. "Would you have a moment to talk? Preferably somewhere secure and quiet."
Adam studied her for a long second.
For the first time, something other than gentle kindness flickered in his eyes—alertness, calculation, and interest. He nodded slowly.
"Of course," he said. "But would you mind if I distribute this week's supplies first?"
Nephis stepped back and inclined her head.
"Please. Feel free. In fact, when I am finished handling my own matters, I can help."
Adam's smile broadened, bright and genuine, like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Thank you very much."