"But I am sure that you will get there one day, if you continue on this path", Val smiled. He took a spoonful of hot chocolate, and it was a while before he spoke again. "By the way, thank you for the snowball fight. It has been... it has been a while since the last time I've had one".

"Really? But you said it snows a lot here".

"It's not a matter of snow, as much as a matter of company", Val said. He didn't explain any further. Adrien remembered the conversation he'd had with the tavernkeep the day he arrived; she had said that the sorcerer rarely had guests. He had never heard him mention any close friends, either. Curious as he was about this, Adrien knew better than to ask. He warmed his hands by the fire, then picked up his mug again.