Cypher thought on it for a moment before he replied, "Syntinnial, you have never done wrong by me. Now that I better understand your motives and reasonings somewhat, I can see that you only ever meant well. As for my childhood... well... yes, it was difficult beyond measure at times. But through it, I was forged into the man I am today.

"Had I not gone through those struggles, I might never have learned the discipline to train harder or persevere through hardships the way I can now. I don't blame you or my mother for that situation, and so, of course, I can forgive you. It was never a question you needed to ask."

Syntinnial seemed to grow lighter at Cypher's words. Even his shoulders seemed to slump less as if a heavy burden had been lifted from them. He offered Cypher a slight bow of his head and smiled. Cypher returned the gesture and then gazed into the flames of the fireplace once more as he sipped his still-hot tea.

A peaceful silence then grew between them. It was not awkward, but it did persist for quite a while as they watched the flames dance. The tea soon cooled, and once it did Cypher finished it rather quickly, asking for another cup. Syntinnial obliged and Cypher soon devised a new question in those flames as he held his refilled cup, "What was my father like Syntinnial?" he asked. "You seem to have known him quite well."

Syntinnial shifted in his seat and scratched his head. "Hmm, your father was a man of great kindness, passion, and if pushed too far, rage. He had a way with Magick the likes of which is rarely seen in this shifting age. It is, I believe, a trait that you share with him." Syntinnial chuckled as he spoke, "One of many, it would seem.

"His compassion was great, and his will was stronger. He walked the precarious line between right and wrong as all Conductors do, but he always upheld a strong sense of justice and fairness in all things that he did. He had a fondness for the simple things in life as well.

"Fishing was a favorite pastime of his. I remember once he caught a fish out of Barenzaiah Lake the length of a greatsword with nothing more than a bit of twine no longer than my arm. It was a contest between the two of us you see, and he got the better of me that day. A fact which he never let me live down," Syntinnial chuckled, and Cypher smiled at his words.

"When he wasn't doing mundane things, like fishing or tending to his home, he was off helping anyone he could with the most trivial of tasks. Once he turned a chunk of wood into gold to feed a family in the land of Sarna who had fallen on rough times. Obviously, Sarna has laws against such acts, but Fenix found a way around it. He said: ‘The law only applies to those within the boundaries of the realm! If I'm not within those boundaries, the rules don't apply!’

"After that, he flew high into the sky, reaching almost into the heavens themselves, and transmuted the gold up there. It was risky and almost claimed his life, but he was stubborn. It was his logic, and that of Sarna's churches, that the sky was the domain of the Divines, not mortal men. The Grand Patriarch of Sarna was unable to do anything to punish him, but he soon after passed a law to cover that loophole.

"I and many others within The Radiant Corps got a good laugh at his antics that day. We later told him that he could have simply gone across the border into Shorda or out to sea to perform his little trick, but he smiled at us and stated that with his way, it would leave a bigger impression. Heh, he wasn't wrong at all, and despite blatantly breaking the law he was still a good man Cypher. Better than most I have ever met. I can still remember the day he joined the Radiant Corps. He was so full of pride when he finally advanced high enough within our ranks and earned that Ark Cradle you now possess."

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Cypher clutched the item closer to his chest as Syntinnial continued, "In truth, he was one of the youngest members we have ever had within our group. He was scouted and then recruited by the leader of the Dellorim Satellite when he was only nineteen. You might know him as the headmaster of the Academy, Sequinnen Dardallus. Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Sequinnen has taken on a new apprentice, someone you know well. A man named Alvin Lardok."

Cypher wasn't shocked to hear that revelation. In fact, it made all too much sense given the little clues and pieces of information Alvin had shared with him, but he did feel stupid for not realizing something of the sort sooner. Still, when it came to the headmaster, he didn't know him all that well, so he couldn't fault himself for not guessing the truth of that matter once he had learned of the Radiant Corps.

Syntinnial's voice became somber and more controlled as he continued once again. "However, your father's greatest accomplishment, and one he treasured above all others, was his role as a father even though it was shortlived. His countless victories in battle, his quick advancement through the ranks, his ability to master any spell he came across, all of it paled in comparison to his pride in your birth.

"When he learned that Serenade was pregnant, he was filled with a level of joy that is hard to explain in words. His smile was even wider than when he earned his Ark Cradle or even when he joined our ranks. He boasted about how he would be a father to everyone in his circles who would listen to him, and prattle on he did! It was as if all the world should know of the coming of his heir and pride rang clear and true in his every word."

Cypher's eyes fogged up a bit, and he wiped away a tear with his thumb as he felt his father's love from across time through Syntinnial's words. "When he held you for the first time, he cried, and you gave him the most peculiar look I've ever seen. He wouldn't stop talking about that for weeks on end, which drove everyone mad in the process. But glad were we all for his happiness, for he had earned it through his countless sacrifices.

"He was, and still is one of my favorite people, and I've lived for quite a long time. I've met quite a few people along the way, so that should give you an idea of what I mean. He served the Radiant Corps well and has a place of honor among our greatest heroes. We had a statue made in his honor and it rests in our main hall among other valiant warriors of great deeds.

"In any event, all you really need to know, Cypher, is that he loved you and your mother more than life itself. Feel proud that he gave his life so that you could keep yours. No matter what the future may hold for you, never forget that he was, and ever will be, proud of you."

Cypher blinked away the new tears that had formed in the corners of his eyes. "Thank you, Syntinnial. I needed that," he said, a smile on his face that reminded the old man of Fenix. Syntinnial smiled back and took a final drag of his pipe before storing it again.

"Now then, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, and if there's anything else you'd like to ask me, now is the time. The hour grows late, and I am tired. We can always continue this conversation tomorrow or in the days to come," yawned Syntinnial.

Cypher thought about it for a second before saying, "Well, there is one more thing I would like to know." Syntinnial nodded and bade him continue.

"Then do ask, I don't have all night," he said jokingly,

"These clothes...did you buy them, or did you make them with Magick?"

The old man let out a peal of laughter and slapped his knee. "Not going to let that one slide, are you? I had imagined that you'd have completely forgotten about that little detail. Very well, if you must know, I made them, but it wasn't easy! I've not had to use Magick to make clothing in eight hundred years! To my dismay, my skill in the craft has become something of a mess. I would not have been able to fix the damage I did when crafting those clothes if not for my long centuries of experience."

The two then shared a laugh, the sound rippling into the quiet of the night, as all else faded away.