If a single person were to be chosen as the one who had helped Ashe the most during his time in the Shattered Lake Prison, the answer would almost unquestionably be Varkas Uhl. It was neither Harvey, nor Ronna, nor Healer No. 222, nor even Iger.

Without Varkas, Ashe would have long since been turned into a firework during the Blood Moon Tribunal. An elf facing the Tribunal was a once-in-a-century occurrence, and it drew the deep malice of Caimon City's citizens entirely away from Ashe. It was only because their fury was redirected that the rising, highly sought-after cult leader managed to narrowly escape disaster.

Of course, Varkas had never intended to save him. Even when he gifted Ashe the Swordheart, Earth Sword, and Wind Barrier spirits before his death, it had only been to cause trouble for Syrin.

Ashe himself had never bothered to feel any debt of gratitude. In fact, after a...