Colleen stored the aged violin back in the vault. She made a mental note that her will would remain as it was. She was likely to outlive Ali given the nature of things, but some things were just the right thing to do.

His refusal to take the violin had surprised Colleen but had not hurt her feelings as he might have thought. Given what she had asked of him, she understood. Her tattered memories had had one more set of stitches added; Ali was a man of integrity. He could easily have given lip service to the promise to not sell the Stradivarius and sold the instrument for the high price it would command at any auction.

She made a trip to her banker in Rhydin City and made arrangements for an account to be opened. Considering the potential value of what she had offered, the sum of five thousand gold was a pittance. A letter was delivered to Ali's shop by courier.

Ali,

Last night when you refused the Strad, you helped a piece or two of my memory come back into place. You are a man of integrity who would, in my opinion, rather not make a promise to a friend that could easily be broken if the right circumstances were to happen. In light of this, I have decided to give you a more practical birthday and wedding gift. Enclosed with this letter is information regarding the bank account that was opened this morning in your name. All that is required is that you provide the bank with a signature.

Take your lovely Fio on a trip, buy something you need or that your heart desires. Buy that bike back if you haven't already.

Colleen