The moon hovered high in the sky as I stepped out into the halls of the Sanctuary. The decision of staying and leaving was something I didn’t plan to make, and right then, I needed a moment to look at other things. As I stepped out, it was unlike anything I’d seen before. High ceilings of ornate materials, and rows of pillars stood in the room, giving it a grand atmosphere. In the room’s center, a long carpet stretched out over the marble floor that led to the foot of a raised platform.

I walked across the floor, hiding behind pillars, feeling as though I was a thief in the night, hoping to not be caught. My eyes caught a glimpse of the raised platform as I looked on. 7 chairs sat atop it, with a single chair in the middle raised a little higher. The chairs were all empty; however, the platform was flanked by two well-armored guards. Though I assumed they wouldn’t do anything to me, I felt as though I would be told off if someone caught the sight of me. I stayed behind the pillar as a large door opened. That frigid mountain air danced in as soon as it could, lingering in the air as the cold front drifted in and sent a chill down my body. I looked on, my eyes glancing at the figure that stood there.

He was tall and lanky and dawned a large brown fur coat that covered him completely. He was quickly ushered into the room as I heard movement from a door nearby. I peered over as 7 people walked through and sat on the chairs. In the center of the chairs, and sitting atop the highest one was Eurial.

“Legate Orelias of Velim, what do I owe the honor?” Eurial spoke up first, his voice echoing loudly across the chamber.

“Grand Sentinel, thank you for allowing me an audience. I come on behalf of the Velim Empire’s alliance with your guild. As representative of the Velim Empire, I have been asked to inform you of some frightening happenings of grave importance. The Kingdom of Novahoshi to our south has raised the proposal of war upon our people, and we ask for your assistance.” The man spoke with a slow cadence that demanded you to hang onto each word.

I felt out of my element, like I was a spy in a war. Oddly, as the image of war played through my head, I found myself listening closer to their words.

“Legate Orelias, you of all people know our alliance goes on so far as to train a select few of your soldiers. We are not merecenaries for war.” Eurial replied quickly, as though he’d been forced to say that exact message more than once. Just as soon as Eurial said that, another member beside him seemed to turn away from Eurial - almost like the whole thing was a mistake. I noted her appearance, laid back in her chair, obviously uninterested in the ordeal.

“Velim understands that, but we are running out of soldiers on the account of…” Legate Orelias paused, choosing his words wisely, “...unforseen discharges. We fear we do not have the men to survive such a war.”

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“As I said before, we are not mercenaries for hire.”

The Legate’s face became crossed as his calm demeanor turned to annoyance. His face contored slightly as Eurial told him off once more.

“Yet you are funded by the greed of Edward Sol and the East Alonieth Shipping Company?”

Eurial seemed to become visually annoyed by his words, as he gritted his teeth, but just as soon, he let go and spoke up.

“We are funded by donations, not by contract. We will continue to train your soldiers, but we will not fight for you.”

My eyes danced around quickly, I read the faces of the disgruntled guild leaders, then the stubborn Legate, and finally, the whole ordeal. A war in - Veilm? To be honest, I didn’t know where Velim was at the time, and now that I think about it, I didn’t know much of where anything was. I was forced to fight with a sword for so long I had forgotten the world.

The Legate sighed as he straightened his back, and fixed his cuffs.

“I will inform my Emperor of your decision.” The man turned away from the council of guild leaders, and walked out into the cold winter night.

“How long till we decide we’re finished with helping those outside our land.” The woman immediately spoke up as Eurial stared forward. Her voice was rough and rigid, cutting into the tension as a sword cuts through flesh.

Eurial had no reply, as did no one else. My mind was jumping, but as I look back, it was jumping for a ledge that was already collapsing. The thought of war, the thought of battle, it was painting my mind like the artists painted cathedrals. My father’s actions were cruel and beyond harsh, but the grandeur of battle was already ingrained in my mind.

Just as soon as that happened, they all dispersed into separate hallways, allowing for me to slip back to the small bedroom they’d place us in. Kesen was wrapped up in a blanket, laying next to an open window, staring out at the valley below. A snow front had begun to move through as flakes drifted harmlessly by.

“What do you think?” Kesen spoke up, his eyes locked to the snow outside. For a moment, I realized that Kesen was looking at his first snow.

“I say we stay and join them.” I said, my voice calm and happy with the idea. Just as soon as those words came out of my mouth- Well, I think that’s when me and Kesen started to fall out. I heard a sigh penetrate the image of war that had painted my mind.

“...more fighting?” He said, his eyes still stuck on the snow outside.

“No. A new life. Don’t you get it Kesen? This isn’t father beating us, this is the Je’su guild!” I found myself with genuine happiness for the first time in months.

“...I guess.” That’s all he mustered to respond to me, his eyes still not breaking from the snow.

I soon fell asleep after that, with Kesen still looking out at the snow as I succumbed to my tiredness.