I did consider drinking until my vision blurred, and I could no longer stand, but I determined it wasn't got the best. Our mutual funds were better spent on supplies for the Weygate Mountains. I cut myself off about halfway through my third drink. 792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3sXg4cSF4
It took both Marius and I to get our completely wasted companions to a room, and each into their own cot. Their words were so slurred that I could barely make out anything they were saying. At one point though, I'm pretty sure Calavius told me that he appreciated me very much. That was right before I shoved him onto his cot and pulled the blanket over him.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIchzo0Duq
"Sleep on your sides," I sternly tood them, before Marius and I quietly left the room.
"Another reason I avoid drinking too much. I always end up taking care of those twats. Usually I have Khaeso to help me with them." Marius frowned. A sense of melancholy settled between us. In my mind's eye, I recalled the stark contrast of the flames against the dark waters of the bay. There was plenty that I could say to Marius. I could say that I was sorry, that I was,- no, I am where he is right now, or that Khaeso died with honor. Instead, I opted to gently grab his elbow, pulling him along to the door that led out onto the Tavern's balcony. It was late, thus it was abandoned for the moment. We could still hear the muffled sounds of those still in Tavern below, but it was otherwise relatively quiet.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUnQmfpQxD
Below us, streetlamps and lit windows dotted the city of Phey. In the middle, where the Elven ruins were still mostly intact, Lord Kalvick and his family made their home. I recalled that his son, Gael's, futile attempts to court me over much of my adolescent years. While he was cute, sure, I could never see myself marrying him. I wondered how they were doing. I knew they had lost many men in the war, but they themselves should have remained otherwise unharmed. Phey was rather out of the way. Too far north for the Westerners to be bothered with when they were rampaging through the Northerlands.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc864RyLHFN
"This is where I used to come a lot when I was younger. Everytime I came to Phey to visit, my friend Gael and I would always sneak out of the castle and drink ourselves silly."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZOlJ1qmC9
Marius gave me a strange look, which I couldn't blame him. From the little time I spent in Alderas, I could tell their noblewomen were nothing like the noblewomen of the north. They bowed their heads too much, and never did anything for themselves.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvJeYvDfOR
"Did your father approve of such actions?"792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ8LwjKoQE
"He didn't exactly approve, but he didn't disapprove either. Everytime we got caught, he'd sit me down and lecture me on how I should have been more careful. Then, he'd ask me for all the details, and we'd laugh about it." I leaned against the railing of the balcony, resting my chin in my palm. "Mother was the one who'd always get angry at me for it."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvXxxh66de
"Sounds like your childhood was interesting." Marius leaned against the railing next to me. "Childhood for me was short. Back then, my brother was still named heir, so I left to join the military around twelve."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TtHyGL79d
I raised a brow. I couldn't imagine a boy of twelve leaving home to become a soldier. "Were you scared?" 792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhICJLrih5Y
"Of course I was," Marius said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "My sense of duty outweighed the fear though. I didn't want to sit around in fancy chairs, becoming fat like my father and slowly destroying our nation. I wanted to serve."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rbkxJ3hmx
"I take it you rose through the ranks quickly?"792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbBQeDL5p6
"At first, no. It wasn't until I was fully grown that I began to earn my stripes. In the army, they didn't care who you were, or where you were from. The only thing that mattered was your service."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaue1JIdgUv
"So you managed to work your way all the way to the top? Impressive," I noted. 792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIPH14mMS2
"Thank you," he mused, before we fell into silence, gazing out over the quiet world below. 792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBwHoIHo65
I didn't know how long we stood out there, but eventually I grew tired. I offered Marius's arm a gentle pat.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSIinEMOqd
"I'll be going to sleep. Good night, Marius."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9fcXFUzxf
"Good night, Zara."792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yUVWgGD9g
~792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg80LdQuUwK
The next day, around noon, we set out into the marketplace of Phey to gather supplies and purchase sturdier clothes. It felt strange to be wearing pants after so long. It was a welcome change.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZSLmmQSs2
I did my long hair into a side braid, so it wouldn't interfere with the backpack I carried, full of supplies. I couldn't carry as much as my companions, but I wouldn't be caught slacking.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC2vtv5bbO
Soon enough, we were on our way, with the city of Phey behind us. Before it disappeared completely, I found myself looking back often, wondering if it was going to be the last bit of civilization I'd ever see again.792Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdkDqnxZoO
