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I get treated like a Jal dog by many of the villagers. But, I mind my purpose.

Now, I am taking a vacation from my occupation and journeying home.

"Brother!" my sister cries out when she sees me at the gate.

I smile warmly at her as she runs up to me.

"Hello, Mai."

"Come," she says while pulling on my hand.

We find our mother sitting in a chair in a courtyard.

She stands up as she sees me.

Together with Mai, we approach.

Mother takes me into a warm embrace.

She doesn't say anything for a long moment.

"I'm home."

"Yes, dear. And, I am glad."

My mother breaks the hug.

"You've grown more handsome in your travels."

I smile embarrassed.

"Have you seen your father yet?"

I shake my head.

"Go," my kind mother says. "There will be time to talk later."

Mai follows in tow as I navigate the manor to find my father's study.

As I go into the room, my sister waits outside.

My father is busy glaring down at a stack of paperwork.

"Father."

He turns his severe look up to me.

Recognition softens his gaze.

"My son," he stands. "Thank the heavens that you have returned."

I'm surprised by his words.

He walks over to me, "I hadn't realized how dangerous the South lands were becoming until you had left."

I feel anxious for his words.

"You've no doubt heard of this renegade, Meridian."

I nod mechanically.

Father sighs.

"You weren't here during his first campaign. But, he nearly broke the kingdom 18 years ago.

"I had believed him dead. But, the peasants are flocking to his banner again."

I listen as he expresses his fears.

"But," he looks at me. "You're safe. And, that's what matters."

"Thank you, Father."

He motions to a chair.

"You must have many stories to share."

I spend the next couple of hours discussing the nature of my work and how I'd been chased out of villages for being a servant of the Jal.

Father nods, sagely, "There is much resentment towards the royalty.

"But, if we give in to barbarism as Meridian brings us, chaos will reign. And, that will only make us all poorer."

I process his words.

The path that Meridian has set for the kingdom will necessarily be bloody.

To rebuild our nation will be more difficult than I ever imagined in my former life.

"What do you think we should do, father?"

He laughs, "My son, you and I are bureaucrats. All we can do is try to keep the system from imploding.

"The Jal will see to the uprising.

"But," I say, "what if Meridian is victorious?"

My father scratches his head, "Then let us hope this campaign doesn't come to Reyl.

"Now, then. Enough serious talk. I imagine your return has something to do with the lady Li."

I smile ruefully.

"I believe the time has come."

"Indeed. Her father and I have long arranged your wedding. I will set to the task of preparing our house to receive the Li family.

"Go on, I'm sure your sister wants to spend time with you."

I smile. She still waits at Father's door.

I bow, "Thank you, Father."

Mai smiles, "You're finally gonna marry your sweetheart."

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Her light taunt speaks to the truth of it.

"Come, now," I change the subject. "Tell me what you've accomplished in my absence."

We find comfortable seats and my sister regales me with tales of her studies.

She is particularly fond of the poetry she has composed.

It soothes the soul as she recites it.

The rest of the day is spent with Mai. But, after dinner, I settled down with my mother.

"You've changed," she says abruptly.

I look at her, confused.

"What do you mean?"

She smiles sadly. "You're," she hesitates, "harder. Like you've lost something important."

She sees through me.

"I spent a lifetime sheltered from the world. I've seen the other side, mother. It's a hard world."

She smiles a half smile, "Yes, it is."

I find myself comfortable in a way I never was on the road.

This is family. It is not something I can give up for the sake of a ghost.

The heretic's purpose remains.

Dammit, I think. The skull and bones man's words sear my mind.

I retire for the night and fall into a silent meditation.

"Your family seems nice," the sword I carry with me speaks.

I've stored the fancy gold scabbard and replaced it with a common one.

"Yes," I say, "they are."

"So," it says. "Who's this Meridian that you're pretending to be."

I find its words annoying. And, close my eyes to return to my meditation.

"Doesn't Meridian have enemies? We should go fight his enemies."

It badgers me to use it for its purpose. But, right now, I have no enemies.

I'm simply Adam.

The night passes in not-so-quiet contemplation.

The days that follow are joyful as I listen to Mai's poetry. And, spend time watching over my father's work.

"The budget of Reyl's government is taken from taxes on the goods traded in our markets.

"To do business, merchants are required to purchase permits. This adds to our coffers.

"With this money, it falls to me and my teams to allocate funds to the necessary services."

My father looks at me.

"Your words on instituting social work throughout our city have not left my mind.

"We've been committing a not insignificant percentage of our gross domestic product. Every day, we take more people off the streets and find work and housing for them."

I hadn't expected this of my father.

I return his gaze with a nod.

Perhaps total war isn't the only way to resolve Karas' systemic problems.

"Is it possible, father, to get significant reforms initiated?"

He looks down.

"The Jal aren't evil, my son. But, there is a hierarchy that they have maintained for more than 5 decades.

"This hierarchy has served us well in that time.

"Karas has thrived and grown more powerful under the Jal."

"But," I protest. "What good is power if it is built on the bodies of our people."

For the first time in my life, I see something in my father as he looks down. Shame.

A silence hangs over the room.

"My son, this world is far from black and white. There are shades of gray in every corner of society.

"Slavery and serfdom are structural components of our society. The Jal did not create the system. It has existed in roughly the same form for centuries.

"There have been rebellions before. They've all been put down and the system continued as it always has."

I weigh my father's words.

"Perhaps, it is necessary for us to change our ways."

I'm surprised that he would admit such a thing.

"But, it will be up to others what sort of change we are destined for."

My father and I carry on for some time before I am entertained by Mai and my mother.

Days and weeks pass happily until a delegation from the Li family shows up at our home.

The first person I recognize is Marshal, the brother of my fiance.

He walks out in front of an elegant carriage.

My father and our household staff rush out to meet the guests.

I watch from the gate as members of the Li family get out of the larger-than-normal carriage.

I see Siri's father come out and greet my father with a pleased smile on his face.

Then I see her.

A white veil blocks my view of her face.

Her dress is elegant and white with sleeves that go all the way to her wrists.

I can sense her apprehension as she, mechanically, walks through the gathering.

She stops when her head turns toward me.

I feel my breath catch.

It's been two years since we last saw one another.

The parade continues as Siri is ushered past me.

Her father steps up to me, a bemused smile on his face.

"You ready for this, little prince?"

Stoically, I nod my head.

"Oh, cheer up, brat." He claps me on the back. "This is a joyful occasion. You get to marry the most beautiful maiden in the land."

I smile and let the tension leave me. This is a happy moment.

The Li family is put up for the night. The wedding is scheduled for tomorrow.

A feast has been prepared.

I hold out the hope of seeing her. But, Siri stays in seclusion.

Marshal walks over to my table and sits on an open seat.

"You, little lordling, are blessed by the heavens."

He smiles as he brings forth a wine bottle.

"Share a drink with me."

I nod my head and offer up my glass.

"You know, Adam, I didn't think much of you when I first saw you. But, you fought me fairly and won.

"Then you went and got my little sister to fall for you.

"And, then you kicked my brother and father's asses.

"Tell me. How will you impress me next?"

I feel self-conscious about his words.

"I will honor your sister."

He laughs, "Ha- I believe you.

"Come, another drink."

As the feast draws to a close, everyone finds the quarters prepared for them.

From my courtyard, I look at the heavens.

The moon is full on this cloudless night.

A sort of halo covers everything with silver light.

Tomorrow, I will be a husband.

For as long as it's been since we sparred, it feels like just yesterday we challenged each other.

I look at my body. I've grown in the last 2 years.

But, then, so has she.

My stomach is a flutter.

The night passes painfully slowly.

But, at last, dawn is upon the world.

The manor is bustling with activity as the final touches for the day are made.

My father stands before me as I wait for my bride.

"I'm proud of you, my son."

He looks into my eyes. "You have brought honor to our family in everything you have done. You have tied us to the Li in a way I couldn't have hoped for. And, I know you will make a good husband."

"Thank you, Father."

The audience is ready and all that remains is for Siri to walk down the aisle.

It isn't long before my bride comes out, her hand clasping her father's arm.

Everyone stands until Siri stands before me.

I reach up and pull the veil from her face.

Embarrassment tinged with excitement hide behind the fabric.

She's more beautiful than I remember.

Rather than a ponytail, she wears her black hair up.

Her red lips look ripe for me to claim.

Blue eyes shift nervously from me to anywhere else.

"Hi," I say.

"Hi," she says.

The service begins and I can't help but want the formalities to end quickly.

It draws on until I hear, "Do you, Adam Derrick, take Siri Li to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," I manage.

"Do you Siri Li take Adam Derrick to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," she says quietly.

"Then, that is what you are."

"You may kiss the bride."

I remember that seemingly insurmountable distance that had always been with us back at the academy.

With only a handful of words, that distance has closed.

We turn to each other. My eyes on her beautiful lips. I enter her bubble and grab her by the small of her back.

She lets herself be taken and our lips find one another.

It's a simple, sweet, kiss.

I hear the applause and cheering of our families. But, they are not what I care about.

Our lips part and Siri looks into me like she's never seen me before.

I smile at her and she returns it.

We walk past our kin and navigate the path to my courtyard.

Finally, we have a moment together.

Siri stares at me with wide eyes.

I sit down and motion for her to sit with me.

"How have you been?" I ask somewhat dumbly.

"Good. My family has been supportive."

I find my eyes drawn to her slender neck. I find myself wanting to kiss it.

A smirk takes her lips.

"Kiss me."

My eyes find hers. She's ready.

Slowly, I come up to her and take her lips with my own.

My tongue dips into her mouth and she clumsily duels with my own.

I peel the robes from my body and help her out of her dress.

She's breathing heavily as she sees me and I her.

Then, we come together in a passionate kiss.

For hours we spar in a way unlike our time at the academy.