I stayed up on the top of the temple for some time, contemplating what had happened. My father, a god just came and talked to me. Granted, most of what he had to say was rather ominous. Though I couldn't help but wonder why he couldn't have come down to meet with me sooner, to tell me that I was his son. 822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a870gcYYX
I suppose he had plenty of reasons that I could never understand. I didn't know how to really feel. Part of me was angry, since half my life seemed to be a lie. The other half of me was happy. Happy that I wasn't really Nautilus's son. That man was wicked.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9LfJvV2Ka
I did leave eventually though, later in the afternoon. I made by way to the barracks, where the records hall was. I nodded at the fellow who was working the front desk. I didn't know his name, but his face was vaguely familiar. He knew who I was though, and gave me a smile as I passed.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW49IQo1uS
I searched for at least a good hour on the scrolls that held the records for both Khaeso and Calavius. Finally though, I had found the addresses of where their families lived. Khaeso's family lived in Blackbottom. They ran a blacksmith there. Calavius's family on the other hand, lived in a small estate just outside the city walls. I planned on paying both a visit, to personally inform them the fate of their sons. I could have easily sent a messenger to do it for me, but that would be disrespectful to their memory, I felt. They didn't have to help me, but they did because they were my friends. And they paid the price for it.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBWT2vu4Pq
I went to Khaeso's family first. A burly man who looked like a much, much older version of Khaeso with silvery hair sat at a grindstone, sharpening a sword. He caught sight of me as I approached, and stopped what he was doing. He sat the blade aside for the moment.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s07c1Fv3P
"Greetings, sir," he said, a jolly smile lighting up his face. "Can I get you anything today?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHJxFmmVvO
I drew back my hood. "No, no. I'm, ah, from the military. I am terribly sorry, but I've come to inform you of your son's death."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlp5C5ld1m
His expression fell like a weight, shock evident on his features. Then, it morphed into one of pure sorrow. Tears fringed the man's eyes. "I knew it... He told me he was going back north. We told him there weren't nothing good up there but monsters and death. Stupid boy, didn't bloody listen."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8uSNWgAHW
"Again, I'm so sorry." I looked down, barely able to look at the man. He was a boar's hair away from breaking down right in front of me. "It was me who asked him to come. He was under no real obligation to go. He went to help me. It's really my fault."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9HPVWQbOF
"No, it ain't your fault, unless you're the one who did it. Khaeso was a good boy, would do anything for those he cared for. If I may ask, what were you lot going back up to those cursed lands for anyhow?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45WxvIOwlp
"Following the words of an Oracle. A storm is coming to this city. The naga have found a way to call upon tsunamis. They'll be coming here next. If I were you, I'd get a head start on evacuation."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkKBpk8r43
"Truly? Do you have any idea when they'll be coming?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2WRVC0TKg
"None. They destroyed Mournhelm a little over a week ago. Who knows when they'll be coming for us next. I suspect it will be sooner rather than later."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2JbICJvA0
"I see... If you'll excuse me, I've... I've gotta tell me wife." 822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QDOmYZBRT
"I understand," I replied, bowing slightly to Khaeso's father. "Again, I am truly sorry."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOlznHg9Ui
He nodded, and turned to walk inside. I pulled my hood back over my head. Before I turned to move on, I saw his shoulders slightly shaking. 822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq154cqSXfr
I then made my way to Calavius's family's estate. To my surprise, I saw Veran leaving the city a stone's throw ahead of me. I jogged to catch up with him.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu4BD9mCZq
"Hey there," I said as I slowed down next to him. Veran looked over at me. 822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLdGs1szB0
"Oh. Greetings. What are you doing? Don't you have a doomsday to be preparing for?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IMXuyZ3zx
"Well. The generals won't believe me until a Gryphon rider returns with news. Right now, they think I'm insane. Which, I don't really blame them. I would think the same if I was them. So, I'm just waiting on the gryphon rider's return. In the meantime, I was visiting the families of Khaeso and Calavius."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgoymAEiDu
Veran arched a brow. "Really? What a coincidence then. I was heading off to tell Calavius's family myself."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW7a15jNJR
"Great. We'll go together."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuef4gSDkj
~822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCUSCC1Z0Z
Soon enough, we were at the front door of Calavius's family's estate. Veran knocked.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aSTigAzjX
A pale woman with blond hair and a splash of freckles on her face answered the door. An iron collar rested around the base of her neck.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslfkHqW2de
"Greetings, sirs. The master is attending a meeting in the city, but the mistress is currently present. Would you like to see her?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDjSFKqawG
"Yes please, if you would be so kind as to show us the way," I replied to her. A faint look of shock was present on her features for the briefest of moments, before a poker face settled back into place.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3BcLLWhBx
"If you would follow me," she replied, holding the door for us. We stepped inside. Thereafter, she led us up marble stairs with a red and gold embroidered carpet laid over them. She then led us through a few hallways, and then to a balcony that looked over the Alderan countryside, a countryside littered with farms and vineyards.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCrOwGZyCK
A woman sat in an ornate chair, her blond hair done in a braid laced with white flowers. She wore an elegant white dress that was cinched at the waist with a thin silver chain link belt.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMiZbLzuHS
She looked at us, piercing grey eyes settled in an angular, almost elven face. She eyed us. Recognition dawned on her features as her calculating eyes fell upon me.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmnzj03ApB
"General Marius, yes? And you are?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Zhp2BzlH
"Veran, miss."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjtouZJKoR
"Ah, I see. The Veran, I take it? Calavius has spoken of you quite a bit. You two are here, clearly. Where is he?" She spoke fast, her words sharp and impatience. A part of me felt as though she already knew what was coming, she just didn't want to believe it yet.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWL3Y96ZPY
I cleared my throat. "There is... No easy way to say this, miss. But... Calavius has been killed."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBVrZvKdMU
She started at me for a long moment. Then her gaze turned to the countryside. She leaned back in her chair, processing the news we had just delivered.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfeoD74F7K
"He fought honorably, and sacrificed himself for us. I wish we could have recovered his body," Veran said, his own sorrow evident in his voice.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbIo9tZKfW
"I thank you for bringing this news to me in person," she replied, her voice wobbling. She closed her eyes, turning her head away from us completely. She motioned with a wave of her hand at me. "Please, go." She motioned at Veran, waving him forward. "Come here, Veran. I would speak with you."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY9KaFvefk
Veran and I shared a look, before he stepped forward.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVjRwCQeq0
"Again, I am truly sorry for his loss," I said, before making my way to leave. A fraction of the guilt was lifted from my chest. Their families had a chance for closure. I made my way back to the palace, figuring I would have a chance to meet with Veran later. I wanted to write to my sister, to let her know that I was safe, and that I was going to be coming for her.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLmSZfrt46
