Clopping of hooves and tapping of shoes on the stone floor echoed off the stone walls as everyone entered into the living space. As the last one inside, one of the two minotaur guards closed the front door shut before filing in as well. These two guards stood silent and at attention by the doorway leading to the foyer. Accompanying them was Captain Bryn Smithson; a somewhat confused or perhaps frustrated expression drawn upon his face.

General Mikali Stonehoof took his seat on one of the old-looking couches. Magdalene and Vladimir sat opposite the old minotaur on the other rugged sofa. However, upon noticing Vladimir seated so close to her, Magdalene not-so-subtly scooted further away from the man. The noble’s response was a simple, deep exhale before having returned his attention to the group’s host.

I hate this… Aridean thought to herself as she reluctantly sat down in the same seat she had upon her first arrival in Stonehaven. Everything about the living room looked exactly the same as it had during her only other visit to the Stonehoof residence. The homely-looking furniture was arranged around the coffee table in a manner that made the room appear ready for a strategy meeting. There was the strangely located futon in the corner of the room alongside the spiked war mace; Vidor had told her that Mikali slept in the house’s living room as he reserved the two bedrooms for Rana and Vidor. Among other things, there were many photos and banners lining the wall. Aridean found herself oddly fixated on the picture of Mikali alongside his young grandchildren.

Staring into the photo, Aridean’s mind went blank for a moment. She could not take her eyes off the image hung on the cold, smooth, stone wall. Her heart began to ache in her chest as she continued to intently study the picture. In the back of her mind, she could hear their laughter and friendly voices. Still entranced, Aridean swallowed nervously before being snapped back into reality by Mikali clearing his throat.

“Tell me, child, I won’t be satisfied until you’ve told me everything,” Mikali ordered with his usual deep and gravelly voice.

Aridean’s lips moved, but not a sound escaped her. She took one long, deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves. However, with everyone in the room focused on her, the anxiety only intensified. Looking Mikali in his eyes was entirely out of the question at this point. Her face had grown cold and her shoulders were trembling. Seeing the minotaur so distraught, Magdalene had a somewhat worried look on her face.

“Ari?” the half-elf called out as she inched just a little closer to Aridean. Unfortunately, the minotaur remained unresponsive. Aridean held her head low as her breathing quickened. Vladimir turned his attention to Mikali and cleared his throat.

“General Stonehoof, if I may—” Vladimir began to speak.

“I only wish to hear it from her. You will speak when spoken to, stranger,” Mikali abruptly interrupted, his tone considerably more hostile. Again, Aridean was at a loss for words. She inhaled deeply, but nothing changed. She still felt so cold and as if there was a boulder weighing down her shoulders. Trying to push herself to explain what had happened only seemed to cause the strong pain in her chest to grow more powerful. Eventually, Aridean managed to breathe deep enough that she could once again speak through the force that constricted her throat.

“General Mikali… Sir… Count Vladimir wanted to be the one to tell you himself…” Aridean finally spoke with a timid tone whilst shaking her head. She still held her head low and was unable to make eye contact with anyone in the room.

I-I can’t do it… I can’t say it because… because I still don’t want to believe it! I… I just got in their way… If only Rana hadn’t taken that blow for me… If only Vidor had saved himself! I… I don’t know what to do, Aridean monologued to herself. Just the mere thought of mentioning either Vidor or Rana to the General caused her throat to tighten as if somebody was choking her. Mikali grunted his displeasure while maintaining his focus on Aridean. Eventually, the old minotaur shook his head and turned to Vladimir, the abundant frustration and impatience readily apparent in his expression.

“Fine then, speak, stranger; what brought about my grandchildren’s passing?” Mikali growled while leaning forward in his seat. Vladimir stood from his place on the couch opposite the General. Holding his head high and folding his hands behind his back, the man maneuvered his way around the room so that he stood beside Aridean. All eyes in the room were focused upon the noble; Magdalene’s brows furrowed with anger as Vladimir stopped beside Aridean and cleared his throat.

“General Stonehoof, your grandchildren arrived in my hamlet of Cortonne almost a full week ago alongside Ms. Gray and Ms. Yorre. After a most peculiar discovery of Ms. Gray fainting behind our inn, I confronted the group the next morning,” Vladimir began to explain. Impatience was clear upon Mikali’s face, yet he immediately turned to Aridean upon hearing how Vladimir had first found her.

“Fainting behind the inn? Child, what was that about?” the old minotaur called out. His tone sounded fierce as he asked the question, as though he was not at all concerned with Aridean. Unable to respond, Aridean’s eyes fell to the floor. Even she was not sure what exactly had caused her blackout that evening. Seeing that Aridean was not about to answer him, Mikali grunted and looked back to Vladimir.

“After our introductions, I invited the group to stay with me at my estate as Ms. Yorre was posing as an elite. Upon their arrival, I revealed I knew more than I had previously let on and proposed we work together to uncover the mysterious disappearances that Cortonne had become known for,” Vladimir continued to recount the events that had taken place on the previous assignment. Fury only seemed to rise in Magdalene’s expression and she could no longer hold it in. The half-elven girl jumped up from her seat and pointed an accusing finger at Vladimir.

“But that was all a lie! You were just luring us in! You just wanted to feed us to your pet demon!” snapped Magdalene furiously. The girl was so enraged that small droplets of spittle flew from her mouth as she shouted. Vladimir did not respond, merely took a deep breath and maintained his dignified composure. Mikali on the other hand looked between the two speakers with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

“Lure in? Pet demon? What is the meaning of this?! What happened to my grandchildren?!” Mikali angrily snarled. Magdalene continued to glare at Vladimir, however Mikali’s outburst seemed to quell her own impatience to an extent.

“If only I had the power to make that cursed creature into a mere pet…” Vladimir muttered seemingly to himself, yet Aridean heard every word. Once more, the nobleman cleared his throat before focusing on the large, old minotaur that was growling at him, “It was that very evening that your grandchildren were staying as my guests. The demon that infests Cortonne attacked Ms. Gray and both of your grandchildren sacrificed themselves for her.”

“They… what? No…” Mikali lamented aloud. Both of his guards turned to one another in disbelief over what they had just heard while Bryn simply raised one of his eyebrows. The General had turned his attention to Aridean, still silently sulking in her chair at the head of the coffee table, and shook his head slowly back and forth while wearing a most distraught look upon his black-furred and graying face. After a moment, the old minotaur began to growl before returning to Vladimir, “How do we—,”

Vladimir merely raised his hand to pause Mikali’s train of thought.

“I’m sorry, General Stonehoof, but killing a demon that powerful is beyond mortal abilities. To that end, I must take it upon myself to confess. General Stonehoof, it is with a heavy heart that I must take responsibility for my actions. I might not have been the killer, but I am to blame for having put your grandchildren in such a dire situation which should be just as damning,” Vladimir admitted. Just like back in Cortonne when the noble had addressed the team outside of his manor, Vladimir stood with his back erect, hands behind his back, and chin held high. He composed himself and stood with as much dignity in his posture as possible, “I regret to inform you, that I am just as responsible for what befell your beloved grandchildren as the demon that took them from you.”

“I see… so you take responsibility for having led my grandchildren to their deaths? I thank you for the honesty,” Mikali spoke as he continued to eye Vladimir suspiciously. Aridean did not show it on her face, but she was surprised to hear Mikali sounding so calm despite the grim news he had just received.

She watched as the guards and Bryn approached Vladimir. It was clear upon their faces that they were not at all pleased by the news that the nobleman had just shared. However, the three stopped as Mikali raised a single hand. Aridean continued to hold her apathetic expression but was also curious. She watched as Mikali turned and began walking toward the hallway leading to the back of the house.

“GRAAGGH!!” Mikali roared as he firmly grasped the large war mace leaning up against the wall. Within the span of a single breath, the old minotaur had turned and was swinging the mace in Vladimir’s direction. The nobleman did not act in defense; however, he was clearly shocked to see such an elderly minotaur move so quickly.

Aridean did not make any movement as Mikali acted. She did not even flinch when the General struck Vladimir; even hearing the crack of bone and splatter of blood did nothing to rouse Aridean. Her eyes only fell to the floor in front of her feet when she heard the loud slam of Vladimir’s body having been launched directly into Mikali’s stone wall.

“W-whoa…” Magdalene quietly gawked as she focused intently on the old minotaur. Mikali was left panting for air after his fierce battle cry and sudden movements. Aridean sighed depressingly before looking to see what had happened. Both her mind and expression were blank as she examined the scene.

Vladimir had been forcefully batted by Mikali, straight into the nearby wall. The noble’s head hung low, some streams of blood oozing down his nice clothes. His body had created a small crater in the wall upon impact; small bits of stone debris crumbled from the wall around Vladimir’s point of entry. No motions were made by the man now half-buried in Mikali’s wall.

“Why? Why does it always end like this?” Mikali muttered as his breathing began to settle. Aridean’s eyes shifted to watch as the old minotaur dropped his weapon. Mikali examined Vladimir for only a moment before turning his attention back to Aridean and Magdalene. Clearly unnerved, Magdalene took a step back; it appeared as though she were cowering behind Aridean. Mikali took a single step toward the two, his hand raising slowly in Aridean’s direction. However, he stopped as the coughing and gasping for breath rang out nearby.

“Ough… I must say… I certainly see the resemblance,” Vladimir said as he pulled himself up and out of the crater with a pained moan. His hands cradled his head as they seemed to affix it back into place with a loud crack. As he brushed dust and stone from his sleeves, he noticed Aridean glaring at him with a scowl on her face. Immediately, an apologetic look appeared in his expression, “Ah, do forgive me, Ms. Gray. I can see how that was a most inappropriate joke now.”

“By the Spirits…” muttered Mikali. Again, moving surprisingly fast for his old age, the black furred minotaur hastily grabbed his war mace and pointed it in the direction of Vladimir. Upon realizing what was happening, Bryn and the two guards also drew their own weapons. The General turned to Aridean and snapped, “What is this—this… thing?!”

Aridean could not find it in herself to answer the question. Instead, she solemnly looked from Mikali to Vladimir. The nobleman returned her sullen look before nodding and facing Mikali. He simply lifted up the large tuft of hair covering his blood red eye and presented it prominently to the old and shocked minotaur.

“I have lived with a curse for quite some time… Many would claim immortality a gift,” Vladimir began to speak as he lowered his hair to cover his branded face once more. He sighed, “Oh, so very naïve are those that yearn for such an agony.”

“Vidor went so far as to take his head off… Ari and I watched as his headless body stood back up and put itself back together again,” Magdalene chimed in anxiously. The half-elf stood opposite the room from Vladimir, glaring at him. Both of the minotaur guards gave one another a quizzical look while Bryn grunted.

“Vidor took his head off and he got back up? I find that a bit hard to believe,” Bryn said as he approached Vladimir from behind. The cursed human made no effort to defend himself; both Aridean and Magdalene knew he did not need to.

“If you would like a demonstration, I simply ask that Ms. Gray and Ms. Yorre be allowed to exit the room if they desire. Even though they have witnessed my dark resurrection firsthand, I do not wish to remind them of what happened,” Vladimir replied as he raised his hands in surrender. The man continued to speak with indifference, “Strike me down as many times as you like. Leave me in pieces if you so desire; it won’t matter. The curse prevents me from ever reaching the gates of Hell as I should.”

Brows furrowed; Mikali turned from Vladimir to Aridean once more. The deadpan, female minotaur returned his look with a somber shake of her head.

“He’ll just get back up,” Aridean explained, her tone bereft of any spirit. Mikali’s expression softened, if only for a second. The instant his gaze laid upon the man pleading guilty to having killed his grandchildren, however, a deep growling came from the back of his throat. Mikali’s grip on his war mace tightened and his lips curled back to show he was gritting his teeth; seething with rage would be an understatement.

Is that… what I looked like when I escaped the tomb? Aridean wondered to herself as she examined the General. Surprising everyone in the room, Mikali simply lowered his weapon to his side. The old minotaur continued to pant with angered, labored breaths that seemed to rattle his whole upper body.

“Why did you accompany these children back here?” Mikali sternly asked Vladimir. The man lowered his hands and crossed them behind his back as he returned to his natural, dignified posture. He cleared his throat with a quiet cough.

“I’ve come in search of my retribution. I wish to find a means to break the curse so that I might finally be allowed my rightful end,” Vladimir answered confidently and somberly. “Atonement is simply beyond me… You may do with me what you wish. When I find what I seek, I would like to offer you your vengeance, Mr. Stonehoof.”

“Wait… what? But back in Cortonne, you said you wanted to aid us while you tried redeeming yourself! Was that another lie?!” Magdalene angrily shouted. The young girl’s fists were clenched tight at her sides. Aridean’s gaze lazily shifted from Magdalene back to Vladimir as the man closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. He exhaled whilst shaking his head gently, ponytail swaying back and forth slowly.

“I beg forgiveness for the continual deceit, but that was the last lie that shall pass my lips. I feared you might not allow me to join you if I had said I seek something so selfish. You said it yourself, Ms. Yorre: I’m a killer. There is no redemption from the sins I have wrought,” replied Vladimir with a deathly serious voice. Much to Aridean’s surprise, Magdalene’s face softened hearing Vladimir’s explanation. If anything, the girl now appeared to be frightened by what the man had just said. Mikali continued to growl at the man before finally grunting in anger.

“Throw that damn thing in a cell until we figure out what to do with it,” he snapped as he turned his back on his guests. Without hesitation, Bryn and the guards moved to secure Vladimir. The cursed man’s hands were quickly tied together behind his back. Despite the treatment he was receiving, Vladimir’s face told everyone that this was precisely what he had expected.

“General Stonehoof, what should we--,” Bryn began to ask as he started shoving Vladimir in the direction of the door. A loud thud rang out at Mikali’s hooves as his war mace fell to the floor.

“Out! All of you! Get out of my home!” shouted an enraged Mikali, his back turned to everyone else in the living room. Without speaking, Bryn began leading Vladimir to the door with the intent to direct him to a holding cell. Vladimir maintained his dignified posture despite the rope binding his hands. The noble did not resist as Bryn pushed him through the front foyer and out the front door.

Magdalene had been watching Vladimir and Bryn as they made their exit. As the door shut behind the jailer and prisoner, the half-elf’s eyes slowly made their way back to Aridean. The tall minotaur stood facing away from the girl, her entire body trembling slightly. Unable to speak up, Magdalene found that her right hand was slowly reaching toward the brown-furred minotaur. Inches from Aridean’s hand, Magdalene pulled her own back. With a somewhat disappointed look on her face, Magdalene turned and began to leave the house.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Aridean’s ears flicked as she heard the sound of the front door closing. Magdalene had left the building and now only she and Mikali remained in the house together. Her mind was still crying and mourning and screaming, but she managed to lift her eyes to look upon the elderly minotaur in front of her. Mikali’s back was still turned to her, his fists tightly clenched at his sides.

I was… so selfish. I thought I was hurt by all this… What could he possibly be thinking right now? Aridean contemplated. The younger minotaur’s mind was racing, questioning what the older one might be thinking. Hesitantly and reluctantly, Aridean took a deep breath and lifted her hoof to take a single step closer to Mikali.

“General Stonehoof, I—,” Aridean started to speak.

“Get. Out,” Mikali abruptly and sternly interrupted. Aridean flinched just hearing the deep and intimidating bellow. Her hooves immediately began to backpedal just a few feet, stopping as she hit the wall beside the doorway to the foyer. Her head fell again as Mikali let out a tired, depressed sigh, “I wish to be alone right now…”

“Y-yes, sir,” Aridean quietly and meekly responded. With that, the younger minotaur turned and made her way out of the Stonehoof residence. Mikali remained within the living room for just a moment longer before walking down the hallway leading to Rana and Vidor’s bedrooms. If anyone else had been there, they may have heard the near silent sobs bouncing off the stone walls.

Aridean could hear the sizzling of sausage and smell the crispy bacon on the grill only a few meters away. Cooks were talking with one another about their shifts, the ingredients to use in the dishes they were preparing, and about some off-time activities they had planned. It was early the following morning that she, Magdalene, and Vladimir had arrived in Stonehaven; the morning rush at the mess hall was only just passing through the front doors.

“Ari, c’mon, we got dishes to wash,” Magdalene called out as she carried a tub of dirty dishes and utensils to a nearby sink. Aridean remained motionless, eyes staring straight ahead but focused on nothing. Magdalene turned to call out to the minotaur again but stopped just as she drew in a breath. The girl shook her head as she began to unload the dish tub into the sink.

As the warm water began to fill the basin, Magdalene glanced back at Aridean to see that no motion whatsoever had been made. Aridean simply stood stone still while staring into empty space. She had been rather despondent all the previous day; Magdalene had to pull her out of her bunk just to get her to the mess hall. With a grunt, the half-elf returned to cleaning her dishes. With every spotless dish that Magdalene set out to dry, she would turn to check on Aridean.

“Hey Mag, is everything okay? A’s looking a bit out of it,” came the polite and friendly voice of Sven. Magdalene paused her dishwashing as she turned to address the man. She folded her arms over her chest and heaved an annoyed sigh. Her face, however, seemed to exhibit a more telling quality that sent Sven’s brows up on his forehead.

“You haven’t heard yet, have you? That last mission I went out with them on… Rana and Vidor didn’t make it,” Magdalene answered somewhat hesitantly. Sven’s mouth fell open at the news; after a moment of processing, he examined Aridean. The minotaur, draped in her kitchen staff apron, stood still as a statue. Her disheveled mane made it clear she had come straight to the mess hall from her bed. Empty eyes told the man that she was in no mood to speak for herself.

“No way… R ‘n’ V are… gone?” Sven asked in disbelief. “I… I can’t believe it… It always hits hard to hear we’ve lost someone… but seeing that hollow look in her eyes? I just can’t imagine how hard it is for her and the General.”

Magdalene’s already somber look softened a bit as she shifted her focus from Sven to Aridean. The minotaur had not moved from her current position since the two had arrived at the mess hall kitchen. Aridean looked all the world like a statue; her unassuming expression made it appear that her face had simply been painted on. Simply examining her sole companion in Stonehaven left Magdalene with a strange aching in her chest; yet not one the half-elf was unacquainted with.

Sven set aside a dish towel he had been using to wipe his hands and apron with as Magdalene heaved another, more worrying sigh. He watched as the girl hesitantly took a step in the direction of the minotaur. Magdalene slowly approached Aridean with an unlikely concerned expression. Standing only a few feet from the towering minotaur that did not seem to register her presence, Magdalene timidly began to reach out her hand.

“A-Ari? C-can we--,” Magdalene near silently began. Before she could even finish the question that she was not even sure Aridean had heard, the doors to the dining hall flung open. Into the kitchen walked Mikali Stonehoof with his walking cane clapping loudly as it pounded the stone flooring. Most of the staff immediately halted their tasks to salute the old minotaur who took only a moment to survey the kitchen. His gaze landed upon Aridean and Magdalene; the old, black-furred male began to march toward the younger, brown-furred female.

“Child, I would like a word with you,” Mikali announced with his usual grimly serious tone. Aridean’s eyes slowly shifted to focus upon the minotaur speaking to her.

Magdalene quietly backed away from Aridean with a red hue to her cheeks. Even so, she maintained the uncharacteristic look of concern as she watched Mikali and Aridean from a short distance. Mikali simply awaited any form of response from Aridean. However, the morose minotaur simply stared at him with vast emptiness. The elder let out a rough grunt.

“Come with me, child. I wish to discuss some things with you privately,” ordered Mikali with a deep and demanding voice. Aridean’s eyes fell listlessly to the floor at their hooves as she quietly sighed her resignation. Having managed some form of communication, Mikali turned and made for the door to the dining hall. Aridean reluctantly followed behind at a slight distance. Throughout the short exchange, Magdalene watched while contemplating before returning to her dirty dishes.

Aridean followed Mikali through the dining hall and toward the exit. As the two made their way through the mess hall, many patrons and staff members stopped enjoying their meals or performing their duties to give some sign of respect to the elderly minotaur leading Aridean out of the building. Neither of the two minotaurs exiting the mess hall seemed to register the acknowledgement they had received. Mikali was fixated on the entrance door that the two approached while Aridean simply focused on following the hooves in front of her.

Mikali practically threw the door open with one hand as he pushed out into Stonehaven with Aridean in tow. She lazily continued to follow the gravely serious minotaur as they began walking along the stone road. They only briefly stopped as some soldiers approached Mikali about some important affairs. Clearly lacking patience, the old bull told his pesky subordinates what to do about some upcoming strategy meetings before abruptly dismissing them.

“Can I not have just a moment to myself?” Mikali muttered only just loud enough that Aridean could pick up on it. Nevertheless, the duo continued toward their destination which the latter quickly realized was not what she had expected when the General had appeared to her. Aridean followed Mikali down the familiar, stone roads to the familiar, stone home with two familiar, minotaur-ritualistic fire pits. Surprisingly, Mikali opened the door and gestured Aridean inside in an unexpected display of politeness that Aridean did not think the old bull capable of.

What… are we doing here? Aridean wondered to herself as she passed through the doorway. Together, the minotaurs entered into the foyer of the Stonehoof residence. Aridean’s initial thought was that they were going to wait for Bryn and some guards to arrive in the living room so that Mikali could finally interrogate her on what exactly took place in Cortonne. However, her eyes widened slightly and confusion took hold as the old minotaur led her into the quaint dining room.

“Please, sit. Have some tea,” Mikali instructed as he made his way around the dining room table. Aridean sat down in the first seat she came upon while her host positioned himself directly opposite her and passed her a lukewarm cup of tea. Somewhat hesitant, Aridean accepted the beverage and stared into the brown liquid.

Raltor drugged the tea back in Byrden… If he’s going to do something to me, is this how Mikali plans to do it too? A paranoid Aridean pondered as she examined her reflection in the drink. Mikali let out a quiet sigh as he poured himself a cup. Aridean watched as the General drank his own cup of tea and formed a somewhat repulsed expression.

“I might not be the best tea brewer, but it is still somewhat refreshing, child,” claimed Mikali with a surprisingly softer voice than he normally used. Aridean’s eyes widened again as the old minotaur looked longingly into his cup, “Rana always knew just the right amount of sugar.”

“S-sir?” Aridean called out hesitantly. Mikali continued to stare into the cup in his hands for another moment before looking across the table to his guest.

“Forgive me, child. Just an old man being sentimental,” replied the somber Mikali.

W-what? What is going on? Did… he bring me here to talk about them? Aridean wondered while eyeing Mikali with a degree of suspicion. Despite her reservations, Aridean took a single sip of the tea she had been offered. It was starting to grow cold and tasted a bit bitter, but it was not a bad cup.

“You are likely wondering why I’ve brought you to my home once more. There are some things I wish to speak with you about regarding the recent news you brought back with you,” Mikali began to explain. Aridean’s ears flicked curiously as she sipped her beverage once more. The two minotaurs sat in an awkward silence for a moment before Aridean set down her cup. Before Cortonne, just being in the room with Mikali had put some sort of invisible weight on Aridean’s shoulders. Now she felt as if she could scarcely lift her own fingers in his bleak and uncertain company. Nevertheless, Aridean barely managed to draw a breath and open her mouth.

“Was there something on your mind, sir?” Aridean asked both uncertainly and reluctantly. Mikali sighed disappointedly as he poured himself some more bitter tea.

“I understand that we have not always been of the same mindset, child. But one thing we do share is a connection to my grandchildren,” her host answered before downing his second cup. Aridean had her suspicions confirmed, now the question remained was why Mikali wished to talk to her about Vidor and Rana. Still feeling apprehensive, Aridean quietly sipped some more of her own tea. “I wish to first thank you for what you did for them. It was all Vidor ever knew, but Rana had always hated having to live underground. Your companionship on these last few missions gave them a certain hope I could not…”

What? My companionship? What does that mean to them? They both promised me that they wouldn’t leave me alone and then they… mused Aridean internally. The malcontent thoughts left her gritting her teeth in frustration. She managed to hide her agitation from Mikali by quickly putting the near-empty cup to her lips. However, once the drink ran out, Aridean heaved a sigh.

“You say that… but what did my companionship mean to either of them? How can you be so sure Rana or Vidor cared anything about me?” Aridean challenged with weak-willed strength behind her voice. Although Mikali initially appeared confused, his features quickly shifted to a more sobering look as Aridean continued, “Vidor said… he loved me… but how could I really know he was telling me the truth?”

“My grandson was hopelessly obsessed with you, child. However, I hadn’t fully realized just how driven he was until I saw you wearing my son’s engagement gift to his wife,” Mikali continued with a wry smile upon his otherwise grizzled face. Aridean’s eyes lit up; she looked to the old minotaur with confusion on her face.

“E-engagement gift? W-what do you—Oh! T-this necklace?! I-I had no idea that it was that valuable to you, sir. Vidor just told me that it belonged to his and Rana’s mother,” Aridean anxiously said as she fumbled with the latch around the back of her neck. Mikali now looked at her with a puzzled look. However, as Aridean removed the necklace from around her neck and offered it to Mikali, the old minotaur began to quietly laugh. This was the first time Aridean had ever heard Mikali laugh or sound even mildly amused by anything.

It's… almost frightening. Yet… comforting to see even he can be gentle, Aridean thought to herself.

“Oh ho, child. I should have known my grandson would forget,” Mikali spoke as he accepted the necklace from Aridean. His fingers ran over the ruby set into the ivory charm and smiled again. His eyes reflected the bright ruby stone and his face could be seen in every smooth surface. “This necklace has been in our family for generations… our sons would give it to the females they wished to marry and our daughters would wear it to show they’ve found their males. My wife passed it down to our son so that he might present it to his wife.”

And Vidor… gave it to me? D-did he… really want to take me as his bride? So… is that why Vlad was confused when he asked Vidor if we were already married? Aridean pondered silently. Her eyes had drifted away from Mikali as she zoned out thinking about Vidor’s intentions having given her the necklace. She only returned her focus to the older minotaur as he let out a quiet, dry cough. However, Aridean was surprised to see Mikali sliding the necklace across the table to her.

“S-sir? Don’t you want to keep it? Y-you did just say that Vidor may have forgotten its purpose and it is still important to your family,” Aridean asked, somewhat hesitant to retrieve the necklace. With a wry smile upon his face, Mikali gently shook his head from side to side.

“Child, whether he forgot its meaning or not, my grandson chose you. My granddaughter was quite fond of you as well,” the old minotaur replied. Although she was still a bit reluctant, Aridean picked up her necklace and fastened the latch around the back of her neck. “I believe it holds significance to you as well, child. I know not what you may feel looking at that locket wrapped around the necklace, but I do understand the importance of family.”

Aridean’s fingers flew right up to Simon’s locket resting beside the ruby on her neck. Just hearing Mikali’s words caused her throat to tighten slightly and her eyelids became damp after a few quick blinks. The female minotaur lowered her head to look upon the trinket that rested around her neck. Not just a memento of her adopted father, her necklace has now become a memento of her cherished friends… her family.

“I… I chose him too, sir… They were both… the closest things I had to family since coming here,” Aridean weakly replied. She lifted her head to see a small hint of surprise on Mikali’s face. However, the apparent shock in his expression faded quickly as a kind smile made its way across the old, fuzzy muzzle. Aridean quietly gasped seeing Mikali’s genuine and inviting smile.

It’s… just so much like Vidor’s smile, Aridean thought to herself as she analyzed the content minotaur in front of her.

“Child… I know you believe I harbor some ill will toward you. Your attachment to your human father did have me worried, I will admit. But… my grandchildren loved you like one of our own,” Mikali continued with certain, familiar softness to his otherwise rough voice. “Allow me to apologize for everything. I know joining our cause was not your true desire… should you wish it; you will no longer be considered one of our soldiers.”

“W-what? S-sir, I-I don’t understa—,” Aridean began to ask. Mikali simply raised one hand to stop her from continuing.

“How long ago was it now? Over two years, if I recall correctly. Child, I did not wish to put you in such a position that day that my grandchildren brought you to our home. Though, I do not regret having forced the decision upon you; I had to take my grandchildren’s safety into account,” Mikali continued. Aridean could not help but think his usual gravelly and grim voice sounded somewhat lighter than normal. It was by no means the same kind voice Rana would always speak with, but she could see how the minotaur before her was putting forth an effort.

“General, I… I understand why you acted that day a-and I don’t think less of you for it,” Aridean anxiously blurted out.

I get it was for his people, Rana and Vidor included. Everyone even told me he was thinking of me when we had that discussion… Rgh! Why couldn’t I just accept it? I… I just lied to him, didn’t I? Aridean mentally lamented. Her ears had fallen flat against her head while eyes fell listlessly to the tablespace between her and Mikali.

“Child, there is no need to hide your true feelings. I understand that you resent me for my actions that day,” replied Mikali with a solemn voice. Aridean noticed that the smile he wore had faded away, “It is that resentment that frightens me to ask something of you now.”

“A-ask something of me, sir?” Aridean curiously and nervously inquired. A brow raised on her head as she surveyed the minotaur before her. He appeared uncertain and uneasy, entirely unlike the General she knew. Mikali simply rubbed his hands together as he took a deep breath.

“My grandchildren loved you like one of our own… I might never have demonstrated compassion to you previously, but I wouldn’t feel whole not doing so now that we both…” Mikali started to explain but his voice trailed off. Aridean grew even more curious as to what the old minotaur was getting at. She leaned slightly closer to Mikali, ears flicking in anticipation.

“S-sir? Now that we both what?” she asked.

“I wish to ask if you would stay with me, here, in this stone home,” Mikali finally announced, much to Aridean’s astonishment. Her eyes only widened further as the General continued, “I cannot live behind these quiet, stone walls alone and would ask no one other than you to stay with me. You and my grandchildren had grown so close so quickly… I beg you give me the chance to redeem myself for what I forced upon you two years ago.”

Aridean was left entirely stunned by Mikali’s unusual request. Eyes bulged as her mind attempted to process what it was she had just heard. Her mouth had fallen open slightly but nothing more than a few quiet pants passed escaped her throat. The awkward silence between the two seemed to last more than the few seconds that it truly had. Mikali finally cleared his throat and began to stand from the table.

“Err… forgive me, child. I realize that may have been--,” he started to speak.

“What did you say?” Aridean asked, only just loud enough that Mikali could hear her voice from across the table. The old minotaur turned away with a quiet grunt trying to hide his flustered face. He snorted before scratching the back of his head.

“Hmm… nevermind that, child. I apologize for being so presumptuous,” replied the old minotaur. He turned his back to Aridean; she watched as his shoulders heaved while he sighed disappointedly.

Alone… Even he feels alone? Aridean pondered in her mind. While Mikali continued to sulk on the other side of the table, Aridean picked up her necklace again from around her neck. Her reflection shone brilliantly in the ruby and the portraits in the locket filled her heart with a sense of aching, a sense of longing.

I was… so very angry at him… and at her… and even... He promised, she promised… they both promised they’d always be there for me. Father never said it, but I never thought he had to. How could I have been so selfish? I’m sorry Vidor, I’m sorry Rana, I’m sorry father… Aridean mentally prayed as she held firm to the ornaments around her neck. A tightness was beginning to form in her throat. Although she managed to fight off the tears welling in her eyes, Aridean took a few raspy breaths as she tried to calm herself.

“Please, enjoy the tea… the door is always ope--,” the older minotaur began to say as he made to leave the room.

“I’d be honored, sir,” Aridean called out to Mikali. The black furred male stopped dead in his tracks in front of the doorway. He turned slowly to see the female minotaur staring back at him with determination in her damp eyes. It was now Mikali who was at a loss for words; nothing escaped his agape mouth. After another moment of silence between the two, Mikali composed himself enough to put on a genuine smile.

“I’m grateful, Aridean. I am unsure if I could ever truly describe what it means to me to hear you say that,” the old minotaur calmly told Aridean. The determined focus on Aridean’s face softened as a smile formed on her lips. This was the first time she thought the General’s deep and intimidating voice sounded so sincerely kind.