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. 840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9DPYGC1YM
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AxjfHkns7
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhDlh0OvNp
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bbrtpg3LJ
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Yxvttg2K
"Greetings, sir," he said, a jolly smile lighting up his face. "Can I get you anything today?"840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0hcscgQ9z
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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjqsbWSLIc
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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gH4AYhE3F
"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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCivjeQHpYb
"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?"840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdrguiShWk
"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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiF8MpWH6w
"Truly? Do you have any idea when they'll be coming?"840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHq4501qvn
"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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U5PvJ32Yb
"I see... If you'll excuse me, I've... I've gotta tell me wife." 840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lvhgPGaKb
"I understand," I replied, bowing slightly to Khaeso's father. "Again, I am truly sorry."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI1fiW923y
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. 840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH3hZh2w2o
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbzzI92EDE
"Hey there," I said as I slowed down next to him. Veran looked over at me. 840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mHQe9XF4e
"Oh. Greetings. What are you doing? Don't you have a doomsday to be preparing for?"840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA9Q7PJPMi
"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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW1BYOfEk2
Veran arched a brow. "Really? What a coincidence then. I was heading off to tell Calavius's family myself."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5EmDIDxUL
"Great. We'll go together."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiqJh5iMiR
~840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcfykcjqk4
Soon enough, we were at the front door of Calavius's family's estate. Veran knocked.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTedvveuAiK
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPD9nAGixJ
"Greetings, sirs. The master is attending a meeting in the city, but the mistress is currently present. Would you like to see her?"840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMjNwJVcFQ
"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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnTmC0cAdO
"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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxaLHPaotC
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsDdlWDail
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44sHohoLlg
"General Marius, yes? And you are?"840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn8JhUrNmi
"Veran, miss."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOSB4u2m1D
"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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7GVO8IGcG
I cleared my throat. "There is... No easy way to say this, miss. But... Calavius has been killed."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokupbab0iL
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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVVO53LHu2
"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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp6lz8uZDq
"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."840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJlR76sup0
Veran and I shared a look, before he stepped forward.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPcarQiw7J
"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.840Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXqk0ZzgXc
