Sorien looked at Garion for a long moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
"…I owe you an apology," he said.
Garion tilted his head slightly. "For what?"
"For earlier," Sorien replied. "I was… too cautious."
Garion waved it off. "Don't worry about it."
He glanced toward where Sindral was still sitting, breathing much more steadily now.
"I understand," Garion continued.
"Anyone would panic if a clan member suddenly looked like they'd been poisoned right in front of them."
Sorien gave a small, embarrassed smile. "Exactly."
He looked back at Sindral again, then shook his head in disbelief.
"But still," Sorien said, "the speed of his recovery is… abnormal."
He crossed his arms. "Putting aside the taste, the potion your disciple made can be considered top quality."
Mersha, who had been hovering nearby, stiffened for a moment.
Then her face lit up.
"Really?" she asked.
Sorien nodded. "Yes. Without exaggeration."
Mersha smiled proudly, her earlier nerves completely gone.
