"Come in." Miss Everson beckoned.

She placed Kenth on the floor, and he continued his wandering as Lydie breathed deeply to untie the knot her body had become. Wilki walked in with a folder of papers, and her placement of the folder into Miss Everson's hands slowed dramatically in Lydie's mind. The young woman walked out the door as Miss Everson flicked open the contents with flair. Her eyes whirred, scanning everything lighting fast until the eight pages were read in completion.

"Unfortunately, there have been no conclusive answers found."

"Nothing conclusive? Yet something was still found, correct?"

"No," Miss Everson revealed slowly, "To tell the truth, nothing has been found. No reports matching either your descriptions have been made."

"Then...what am I supposed to do?" Lydie mumbled dismally as her heart froze.

"Try not to worry. The search is not over quite yet. It has only been several days. While I find it hard to imagine you came from farther than the places we have looked, we have sent requests for information stretching all the way out to Dymandir. Those reports haven't come in. You have also provided us with new information to work with. We can scout the orphanages. We can search through the soldier records to find if you match any spouses listed there, although that will take some time. In addition to that, if you allow us to take sketches of you the guards will have an easier time in their search."

"Of course. Whatever is needed. Is there anything more I can do to help?"

"At this point, I recommend you stay in Rydan, not tie yourself up in any complicated legal contracts, and allow us to thoroughly check any leads or supposed answers we do find. Since you cannot confirm anyone who steps forward, we will have to use our resources here to make sure they are who they say they are. Slave traders have begun to lurk about to attack the vulnerable. All it would take is one of them finding out about you, claiming to be a person he or she is not, and stealing you and Kenth into a horrible situation."

"Slave traders are here in Rydan?" Lydie asked in horror.

"They have not snuck their way into the city as far we know. They generally like to swarm the borders during wars instead. It never hurts to be safe though, especially when we don't know if you remain in danger from the source of your injury."

"Right," Lydie understood quietly, "If I may then...given that there might indeed be someone out there seeking my life, is there not any help I can get? If I can't get a job that will pay me before the week is out, I'll be homeless. I only have enough money to afford me board and dinner at an inn for the next six days."

"I was not aware your situation was so dire. Is there no chance of seeking assistance from your sponsor?" Miss Everson wondered in concern.

"Sponsor?"

"This Ti'pahn Arden? I assumed even with your memories gone you had someone to look after you from the fact that he paid the bill for two sponsorships."

"Paid?"

Lydie received a kind look.

"How do you know Mr. Arden?" Miss Everson asked.

"He was the healer who found me in the woods, and he was the one who oversaw the majority of my care."

"And you two share no relationship past that?"

"I wouldn't know, but if we did surely he would have told me."

"Did Mr. Arden give any inclination towards why he gave you your papers?"

"He...He's been frustrated about the stricter laws being passed that have prevented him from doing as much as he once did," Lydie explained timidly, unsure of how much to reveal in the presence of a government official, "Ti'pahn said he merely wanted to help me."

"He sounds a kind soul then to front sponsorships to strangers."

"Are they that expensive?"

"We certainly do not just grant citizenship to anyone who asks," Miss Everson revealed, "It is a long process to apply and be granted permission to stay. The process can be expedited, however, and that is through way of a sponsorship. A land born citizen of Darshal must be willing to be the sponsor, and a payment of four avdas must be made for each person being sponsored.

"Four avdas each?" Lydie exclaimed.

That would pay for two years at the Lavenmore.

"Yes. The high payment helps to ward off those with ill intentions. The sponsor must have high faith that they are supporting the right person as well. Any punishments handed down due to law breaking or misconduct on the sponsored's part will be handed down to the sponsor too."

"So, if I were to steal something and get caught for example...?"

"Let's say you were to swipe a necklace from a jewelry store and surrender peacefully. You would serve a month in jail. Mr. Arden would be collected, and he would spend a month in jail. Let's then change it up and say you resisted arrest. At minimum, that would add an extra month to your punishment. You would serve for two, and Mr. Arden would serve for two. If you earned a life sentence, he would earn the same life sentence. If your punishment was decided to be death, his would also be death."

"That...That's quite harsh."

"It is indeed a risk, which is why sponsoring is something land born citizens of Darshal don't do easily. Especially not for strangers."

"I wasn't planning on committing any high crimes, but I'll make sure even more to keep a clean nose," Lydie joked quietly, desire throbbing her chest to give her friend the biggest hug, "A-As it is though, Ti'pahn is taking his healing talents to the war."

"This is quite the unusual situation then. The first of its kind, I'm sure. Even if I could find something similar in the records, both Darshal's and Rydan's policies will have changed. Unfortunately, as it stands, there is nothing we can do for you."

"Nothing?" Lydie repeated, aghast.

"If this had happened before the war started I could've offered you several options, yet Darshal's budget and generosity is now limited. We could give you and Kenth a protected living space if the speculative threat against you proves conclusive, and that is the only path in which we can assist your plight."

"I..."

Whether by coincidence or thundering emotions billowing inside her bones from despair creeping in, Lydie cringed as painful stinging returned to her head and wet heat danced in her eyes. A deep breath and even deeper embarrassment reeled both in. Miss Everson, not missing the change, sat staring sympathetically with a sad smile. It wouldn't do either of them any good for Lydie to turn into a sobbing mess over such news. More information still had to come in. New leads had opened up. Answers were out there. In the week or so remaining until her money ran out, a path would reveal itself for her feet to follow.

"I understand," Lydie accepted solemnly, yet with dry eyes, "I'll check back in several days to see if anything's changed. For all we know, my family could show up minutes after I leave, huh?"

"Come back tomorrow around this time. We'll have someone available to take your sketches then." Miss Everson encouraged with cheer.

"I will do so. Is there anything else you need from me?"

"Just for you to sign here to confirm your meeting here with me and the accuracy of topics discussed if there is nothing else that I can offer you."

"I did have one more question," Lydie said, "Would you know of any places that would be willing to take me on for work despite me having Kenth along? I fear it's going to be a great barrier."

"There is one place that comes to mind. In the fourth district there is a, well, a business of sorts. The owner, Mrs. Truvan, set it up after the conflict with Ki'mon. It was the first time in a while Darshal engaged in military conflict, so many women unexperienced with the horrors of battle, such as the loss of one's husband, found themselves in a predicament like yours. They watch children all day round there for a fee. I do not know if they are looking for more workers, but perhaps you can discuss with them about enrolling Kenth on credit until you find employment."

"That sounds marvelous. Thank you." Lydie gushed in relief.

"You're welcome. Why don't you sign the confirmation while I write down the directions?" Miss Everson asked with a smile.

"Of course."

After a brief moment of pen scratching, the papers were exchanged and Kenth was returned to Lydie's back. The two women gave their words of departure, and Wilki returned to escort Lydie to the front of the building. A rush of warm spring air reinvigorated her optimism while leaving the second district relaxed her tense shoulders.

"It's been an interesting morning so far," she spoke to Kenth, who busied himself entwining his fingers in her hair, "I'd hoped for more answers, but we're not out of options yet. Let's not waste this beautiful day."