Atop the keep’s roof, Sevidon observed the descent of yet another sun, casting its warm hues upon the landscape. The air, crisp and invigorating, carried with it a scent that transported him momentarily to the freshness of his homeland. It ran across his skin like a wave, as it reminded him of home. A home he had known ever since that fateful day of his.

Before him were trees adorned in shades of red and orange swayed gracefully, attempting to capture the last vestiges of daylight. Behind, the majestic Redicoc Mountain shimmered in the sun’s golden embrace. Signaling the arrival of fall, heralding the imminent change of seasons.

Despite the breathtaking panorama before him, his enjoyment was marred by the weight of a mission that now lay heavy on his shoulders. The impending task bore a burden that wounded his heart, casting a shadow over the picturesque scene.

His gentle smile, once a reflection of nature’s beauty, faded like the sun dipping below the horizon. Twilight crept in, and with it, the haunting thought of ending the life of his own student intensified, casting a pall over the serene moment.

In a deep breath, he drifted into a recollection of the Trasidar Prince. Tamiron, on the brink of manhood, showed promise in the art of sword fighting under his guidance. The young prince’s speed and vigor impressed, yet he sensed he had a long journey ahead.

Their sparring matches were intense, with Tamiron keeping pace with every move. Although the young prince managed to land blows, he, with playful intent, persisted in knocking him down. Amidst the physical engagement, he sought to delve into Tamiron’s psyche.

“Such grace from a prince,” he teased, effortlessly blocking Tamiron’s attack. “Maybe I should have considered training your sister as well; she might deliver stronger blows than you.” Tamiron nearly gained the upper hand, but he skillfully knocked him down. Panting, Tamiron struggled to rise.

“Tell me, Prince. With an army at your disposal, why devote yourself to the training grounds instead of relying on their protection?” Sevidon inquired, reaching for Tamiron, only to have his hand swiftly slapped away.

“There is no honor in cowering behind the lines while your people sacrifice themselves for your safety, Teacher,” young Tamiron retorted with determination. “The people are mine to protect. If I am to meet my end, it will be while defending them, so they know their kingdom’s most important figure is willing to lay down his life for them.”

Impressed by Tamiron’s prowess, he felt compelled to impart a crucial lesson. “Remember this, Prince Tamiron: true strength lies not only in one’s strength but also in the companionship of allies. Sometimes, having allies by your side is the greatest strength one could ever possess."

Tamiron only smiled, and went on a stance, “I shall keep that in mind, Teacher. In the meantime then, I’ll make sure to be strong enough to keep my allies alive.”

He found himself continually amazed by the young prince. In their sixth year of sparring and training, Tamiron’s growth was evident. Glancing at the Sulin King, he noted the monarch’s astonishment at Tamiron’s words; they were uncertain how to respond.

Returning his gaze to Tamiron, he was caught off guard as the young prince lunged, landing a powerful knockout blow that sent Sevidon sprawling, a wooden sword aimed directly at him.

“Teacher, did you forget what you taught me?” Tamiron quipped as he switched from his wooden sword to his assisting hand. “Never look away from your opponent.”

In awe of his young student, he, surrounded by the fading sun’s rays, saw only the silhouette of the determined prince. At that moment, he realized that Tamiron was destined to make a profound impact in the Empire.

“That was a good match,” he complimented as they prepared to rest.

“You were holding back again, Teacher,” Tamiron said between breaths, attempting to catch his breath.

Both quenched their thirst from their water jugs as they sat down under a tree nearby with their gear as they rested. Tamiron sank to the ground, his iron hands already in place.

“How are your hands and arms holding up?” he asked, casting a glance over the iron gauntlets that seemed to be bolted and welded in his hands.

Tamiron examined his arms and replied, “Not too bad. I’m getting used to it. It’s become a part of me now.”

“I’ve noticed a subtle change in your fighting style since then. It’s faint, but it’s there,” he observed.

“We’ll need more training then,” Tamiron declared, promptly rising to his feet.

“Easy there, young prince,” he chuckled. “The slight change is indeed present, but your blows, even in a sparring match, have become stronger. You must take that into account now.”

Panting, Tamiron, fixated on his hands, nodded in agreement before settling back down with him on the makeshift bench of tree bark.

Shifting the conversation, he asked, “So, how’s life in Tamara these days? Anything noteworthy to share?”

“Oh, the usual. I haven’t been back home much. From Bastominad to inspect the front, then to Sanctum, and now straight here. I should be back before the end of this year, just before Domerein,” Tamiron explained.

“Ah, Sanctum,” he smiled knowingly. He already knew why Sanctum.

Tamiron, sensing suspicion, laughed. “What’s with that tone, teacher?”

Casually stretching his arms and looking up, he replied, “Nothing much. How’s your friend?”

Tamiron chuckled, then cleared his throat. “She’s doing well. Still struggling with her spells, but overall, she’s good. We’ve been reading into some interesting books together that she discovered.”

“And what’s the latest one about?”

“It’s about a man who caught the greatest fish of his life,” Tamiron explained, but the response seemed to bewilder him. Tamiron noticed his mockingly amused laughter.

“It’s genuinely fascinating. According to the book, that type of fish shouldn’t even exist. Numerous volumes in the Orderian library suggest it should’ve been extinct by now. It was this big!” Tamiron exaggerated the size with his hands, prompting him to laugh.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“It was a big deal!” Tamiron lightly slapped him on the shoulder. “At least, that’s what the book claimed.”

“So, did you enjoy it then, reading the book with her?” he asked as he saw something in him that was always different, every time he talked about her.

Tamiron held back a smile, one distinct from the rest. “The book was interesting. She mentioned she’d try to find more for us to read once I return.”

Tamiron held a smile at that moment. “What’s with the grin, Teacher?”

“Nothing. I just find your friendship to be really good for you. It helps you,” he replied. However, his words only left Tamiron more perplexed.

“What do you mean?”

“She has the remarkable ability to make you forget about your troubles, especially your concerns about the Empire,” he explained. Witnessing Tamiron’s agreement, he noticed the young prince staring into the distance, still holding onto that enigmatic smile.

“You’re right. She does make me forget,” Tamiron admitted, then chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.

Those were the days’ worth of cherishing. He couldn’t care less about what was going on in the world. There was peace. With Tamiron’s elevation to the Imperial Grand General, he quelled the reservations of the remaining six free kingdoms. Reflecting on those moments offered a comforting perspective, a respite amidst uncertainty. It was days like these that reminded him of the old times. It was simpler back then.

“Sevidon?” a voice suddenly called out.

Startled and caught off guard, he turned to find Everess standing beside him.

“What brings you here?” he inquired as they gazed into the night sky.

“It’s about Tamiron,” she revealed.

He chuckled as if he was just reminiscing about that time.

Confused, Everess asked, “Why? Why did you laugh?”

“Nothing,” he quickly replied. “I just remembered how we used to always talk about you. That’s all,” he said with a smile, turning toward her. Sensing her mix of embarrassment and dejection, he swiftly realized the situation and cleared his throat. “My apologies.”

“No, it’s fine,” she hastily reassured, leaning over the railing. “I was just surprised that he mentioned me to you.”

“I always try to make it so because he became easily engrossed in the things you did. It helps him forget,” he explained, leaning back as well.

“I see. That’s good,” she said.

He observed Everess as she tucked her hair behind her ear, as she had shown a smile. He chuckled at the thought.

“What do you wish to do with him once we face him?” he suddenly inquired.

She paused, meeting his gaze as he turned towards her. “Please understand that I want as much of an answer from him about what happened. About what he did in the plains back then, and why he ordered the attack on my parents — or if he even did that.”

It was evident she was still conflicted, unsure of how to approach the situation. Taking a deep breath, she continued, “What I’m trying to say is, I’ll help you.”

He smiled. “I thank you, Everess. You truly are a friend to him.”

He shifted his focus downward as preparations for another feast unfolded. This time, it seemed they had caught a tereebaas. Ravaen and Glaivel appeared to be bickering over the best way to prepare it. He sighed at the thought that they would, again, eat late because of them.

“How do you feel about what he did, or what they accuse him of doing?” he suddenly asked her, examining her conflicted expression.

“I just can’t accept that he did that. That’s all,” Everess answered meekly, playing with her hands. “We used to discuss our problems. He confided his concerns and secrets with me, and I did as well, in turn. He was like my rock, my best friend.”

Turning to him, she continued, “Even though he visited less and less since taking command of the front, he still found time to communicate with me through the owls.”

Tamiron held immense significance for Everess, it was evident to him. He was relieved that Tamiron had such a friend, reminiscing about experiencing a similar bond before.

They glanced downward, sighing at the ongoing dispute between Glaivel and Ravaen.

“Can you two just get on with it? We’re hungry over here!” he shouted to the duo below, who merely glanced at them before returning to their argument. Both Sevidon and Everess sighed.

“So, how are we going to tell this to the others?” she abruptly asked.

“I’m confident we can reason with them, especially Ravaen,” he assured. “Glaivel, on the other hand, may need some work.”

“How so?”

“It’s a long story that I’m not prepared to tell you right now. But with Prince Ravaen, I can assure you, we should be able to convince him. I can discern that from his character alone,” he explained.

“I find him a bit cocky, though,” she commented.

“The Adevok family tends to be like that. I’ve known his father since he himself was a prince,” he shared.

“How old are you, really?” Everess suddenly asked him, curiosity piqued.

It made him pause. Until then, he hadn’t contemplated his age, let alone the current year at that time.

“What month is it right now?” he suddenly asked.

Everess took a moment to ponder, then replied, “It’s the end of Jaien, if I’m not mistaken. I somehow lost track of the days here, but I’m certain Jaien should be ending around this time.”

Ah, no wonder he felt nostalgic. Fall always triggered a sense of nostalgia for reasons unknown to him all these years. He gazed up at the jewels in the sky and the Luna, exhaling deeply as he answered, “I’m three-thousand eight-hundred years old by now,” before redirecting his gaze downward.

“It still amazes me how the hawis have the longest lifespans,” Everess remarked, smiling as she too looked up at the sky. “What wonders you may have witnessed? The changes in the land and valleys. Any Orderian scholar would give anything to experience that themselves. What a blessing it must be.”

He smiled as he looked down once more, contemplating a lifespan that could span eons, witnessing the changes in the world—the rise and fall of kingdoms, the birth of a nation, and the bounties of the earth for centuries to come.

All the stories he could tell, then, his smile slowly faded, “It is a curse as well,” he suddenly admitted, surprising Everess with his statement.

“Maybe we should go down now. Those two have been arguing about how best to prepare that tereebaas for quite some time now,” he suggested as he headed down.

“Ah, yes. Let’s,” Everess said, startled.

Silence accompanied their descent, with only the rhythmic sound of their footsteps audible. The ongoing argument between Ravaen and Glaivel still reached their ears.

“We should come up with a plan on how to pacify Tamiron,” he suggested abruptly.

“Oh, I have a spell just for that. I just don’t know how long I can hold him in place to calm him down,” Everess quickly responded.

Their eyes met as they considered the situation when they realized the argument had ceased. He came to a sudden halt, prompting her to do the same.

Without warning, he sprinted towards the group and was taken aback to find another person standing between the two, a dead boar at the person’s feet.

“Who are you?” he inquired abruptly.

“Don’t bother. She was just staring at us when we asked that of her,” Glaivel retorted, drawing his sword.

“For the animos’ sake, Glaivel, put away your sword,” unexpectedly became the voice of reason, Ravaen urged. “You are making this difficult, Glaivel. Put it away, now!” he repeated.

Glancing at the person, he observed her skin, slightly covered in what seemed to be fur, and her eyes resembling those of the tigers of the Middle Kingdom. Then, realization struck him.

He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Glaivel. “Glaivel, put it away now. You are agitating our new guest,” he calmly advised as he walked toward them.

“I apologize for my Sulinhawi kin over here. Princess Kaira,” he said calmly, showing her respect with a slight bow of his head.

She grunted and directed her attention solely to Glaivel. “I would suggest that you learn from your friend here, Glaivel,” she advised.

“You’ve arrived just in time for our supper. I believe this tereebaas should be enough for all four of us,” he mentioned as he settled by the fire and food. The others followed suit.

Glaivel and Kaira remained standing. After a brief moment, Glaivel eventually calmed down, sheathed his sword, and joined Everess on the other side.

“Are you chosen by the Empire as well?” Ravaen inquired about their new guest as he inspected the food.

“Yes,” Kaira replied succinctly, then seated herself. “But I’m not here to kill Prince Tamiron. I’m here to save him,” she declared.

Her statement surprised everyone. He glanced at Kaira, and their eyes locked. “And by the looks of it, I’m not the only one planning to do that,” she added before beginning to feast on their catch of the day.

He was taken aback by her declaration but felt somewhat relieved. As he indulged in their food, he acknowledged that, for now, someone else existed who knew his student as intimately as he did.

End of Chapter XVII