�What do you mean, soldier?  You know of my name, yet not of my reputation?  I am not permitted back in Altem Tier.  Or do you know that I�m not and are just mocking me?� Omurai asked, growing tense.
�Oh, I know all about you, Omurai Failyn, the former Commander of the 5th Battalion of the Cloud City Army,� Rowe said, using Omurai�s former full title.  �And I did not mean my statement as an insult.�
Everyone turned to look at the battered wind adept, surprise written across all of their faces, Asher especially.
�You were a commander in the Cloud City Army?!� Asher exclaimed.  �I knew you had been involved with the military�but a commander?  Goodness, man�I�d be proud of something like that!�
Omurai�s head sulked low and he closed his eyes as he spoke, �No�I�m not.�
�It�s a touch subject for him, I�m sure.  It�d be best to leave him alone about it,� Rowe jumped in, seeing Omurai�s distress, �Omurai, you mustn�t fear anymore.  I am sure after the Royal Council hears about your chivalry in the battle without being asked for your assistance, they�ll go easy on you.  After all, if it wasn�t for you and your friend killing the enemy commander, we�d of never won.�
Omurai�s eyes lit up, and yet they still seemed disturbed.  �Do you think so?� he asked.
�I can�t promise anything, but I�d not completely drop the possibility,� Rowe answered.
�Thank you, soldier�what might be your name?� Omurai asked, regaining his composure.
�Lieutenant Rowe Halzezem, sir,� Rowe answered.  �I have been Captain Garis Cord�s assistant ever since he left his battalion to work on more active duty.�
�You are unaware then�?� Omurai asked.
�Unaware�?  Do you mean to ask if I knew he is dead?� Rowe asked.
Omurai nodded his head slowly, a somewhat surprised look in his eyes.
�Of course I know�I walked right past that room getting here.  It�s�it is really bad in there, but I�m surprised we all didn�t turn out like that.  We were unprepared for this�never would we have expected such a fight,� Rowe said grimly.  �I already have men in there cleaning up the bodies and moving them out of there.  They will all have proper burials, I assure you.�
�Yes, but it is a shame to hear that Garis is gone�you know, he and I were almost like friends back then,� Omurai said.
�Heh�I�m sure you were.  For me, he was like the father I never had.  But�I shall not take this too hard.  I�ve shed my tears for him�but now it�s time to get down to business,� Rowe said, standing straight up.
�Indeed, so what was this about me returning to my homeland?� Omurai asked.  �Are you suggesting that I finally make that meeting with the Prime Minister?�
�Yeah, it�d be best that you did.  Even if she doesn�t think you�re ready, I�m sure they�d let you in.  They�ll hear nothing but good coming from my report,� Rowe said.  �But for now�I�m going to go help my men.  Meet with me when you�re ready.�
�Alright�for now I shall finish discussing some things with my friends here,� Omurai said, waving to Rowe as he and his soldiers returned inside.
�Things seem to be looking up for you, I�m glad to hear that,� Kara said.  Omurai nodded his head and looked towards Thalys.
�How much time will you need, nobleman?� Omurai asked.
�For the marriage?  Oh, I had planned to have it in the spring�� Thalys replied.
�Alright then�we�ll meet in the spring then,� Kara decided.
�Yes, but�where?� Faux added in.
�Good question�� Asher said, rubbing his chin.  �I�ll be wherever Omurai is�so you can decide that with him.�
�Faux and I will need to return to Rullenfay to update on the situation�� Kara informed.
�I�ve got it!  You�re all invited to my wedding!  That way, we can all just leave from there,� Thalys said, throwing a finger in the air.
�I was just about to suggest that�but it would be rude of me to invite myself to a wedding,� Faux said with a smirk.
�Oh, I�m sure you would really care,� Kara said, rolling her eyes.
Faux merely shrugged and showed a small grin.
�Then it�s settled.  At the beginning of spring we shall all meet at the capital of Maeltryst for my wedding.  From there, we shall all head to um�� Thalys stated.
�Indeed, where might we go?� Kara asked.
�Asher and I first ran into Voyse in Knollwood.  All we have to do is figure out where an assassin of his caliber might be at in that general area,� Omurai figured.
�Yeah, I say we go to Knollwood first,� Asher agreed.
They all nodded their heads in agreement.
�I guess this is goodbye for now then�� Thalys said, shaking hands with Omurai and Asher before the two made their way inside Tier Bastion to help Rowe and his men.
�I suppose we could travel together until we reach Tolley,� Kara said to Thalys as they began to walk towards the east.
�Indeed, I�d like that.  Remember the first time we met in Tolley�at the library?� Thalys said, looking up at the setting sun as he remembered.
�But of course.  You and I bumped into each other because we were both in a hurry and not paying attention,� Kara said with a laugh.
��ah yes, Tolley.  I have some friends there I wouldn�t mind meeting again,� Faux threw in, catching the attention of the other two.
�But, all you did was get in a bar fight while you were in Tolley�with Ezekiel,� Kara said, losing her smile.
�Well, actually I was hiding behind the counter while he was in a bar fight�� Faux corrected, having no heart to throw in his sarcasm.
�Come on, guys�the last thing Ezekiel would want you two doing is being all sad while you made your way home�� Thalys said, trying to lighten the mood.
�You�re right�I�m sure he�s staring down at us right now and shaking his head at our stupidity,� Kara said, holding her fists towards her chest.
�Nah, he�s probably up there half-drunk surrounded by a bunch of women,� Faux said with a smirk.
The three all laughed and continued on their way.

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