Tullius went through all of his pockets in search of his coin purse.

“Something the matter?” Asked Kavasir.

“Yeah I can’t seem to… Ah there it is.” Tullius pulled out his coin purse, and felt nothing inside of it. “That’s not right.”

He peeked inside of it, and saw a small note. He pulled out the note, and immediately recognized Nau’s handwriting.

Eat a dick dipshit!

Tullius pinched his nose, and smiled. “Fuck me! It’s today.”

“What is?” Asked Kavasir.

“Hephaestus leaves for Umani Harbor today. I completely forgot. Thanks Nau. Now to wait until the meeting is over.”

Hephaestus

Hephaestus finally finished packing her duffle bags.

“Guess that’s everything.” Said Nau as Hephaestus grabbed the second duffel bag.

“Yeah… What about dad? Is he…”

“Not sure.” Nau immediately answered. “Between him and work you can never tell.”

“I see…” Hephaestus sighed.

“C’mon we’ve still got some time before your departure, so let’s go grab some real food.”

“Okay.”

The duo left the house with bags on hand to the nearest restaurant they could find. As they walked along the sidewalks of the city they noticed dozens, if not hundreds, of wagons carrying soldiers make their way towards the city’s entrance.

“So where are we going?” Asked Hephaestus in an attempt to change the subject.

“Your favorite place in the world, the Lofenn.” Answered Nau.

“Neat.”

“It is neat. Especially since your dad’s buying.” Quipped Nau as she grabbed her fat coin purse.

The inside of the restaurant was nothing short of elegant. Pillars and walls made of black marble with hanging chandeliers that glowed a gold color. The floor had a cobblestone texture that was evened out, the tables were made of a dark brown wood with the center pieces being a small glass statue of Sethos that stood at fourteen inches, and the chairs had leather cushions.

“Party of two.” Said Nau.

“Do you have a place in mind or…”

“The terrace.” Answered Hephaestus.

“Yes we have a few tables available there. Follow me.”

Both women followed the man up the stairs to the second floor of the restaurant. There they walked through a door that led to a terrace with a vibrant garden, a large tree from which birds would perch on, and had a relaxing atmosphere.

“The menus are on the table just call up the gentleman in the corner there, and they’ll have your order right away.”

“Thank you.” Said Hephaestus as the duo sat at their table, and looked at the menu.

“Now then what looks good.” Said Nau as she scanned the menu.

Tullius

Tullius looked at his pocket watch as the meeting dragged on. He pulled out another cigar from the box as he brought it to his mouth Sethos called his attention.

“You doing okay there Tullius? That’s your fourth cigar now isn’t it?”

“Just my habit is all.” Answered Tullius as everyone in the room looked at him.

“Try sucking on a carrot. In any case we shall redouble our efforts to reinforce the island of Kreta. If the Karashians take the island their options for mounting an offensive will increase exponentially. The Knights of Agrippina have already mobilized to the north where they will hold, and push them back. And the south is still the south… We’re still deadlocked so if there’s a turnover expect it to be at Kreta or in the north. Admiral Tullius I expect you to engage the enemy fleets in Lake Almarra. Wear down their navy as you see fit.”

“Shall I attack the shipyards in the port city of Kadara?” Asked Tullius.

“Only if you have the tactical advantage. There’s a chance they might outmaneuver and outflank us. Besides we have only so many ships that we can commit to Lake Almarra.”

“Will do sir.”

“If nothing else then this meeting is now adjourned.”

Tullius almost dashed for the exit when Kavasir caught up to him.

“Hephaestus?” He asked.

“Yeah I completely forgot. I’ll just go to the city gate where they pick up the soldiers before departure.”

“And how are you gonna get there if all you have is moths coming out of your coin purse?”

Tullius stopped dead in his tracks. “Guess I’ll sprint to the city gate then.”

Kavasir put his hand on his shoulder. “That’d be a sight to behold. C’mon I’ll pay for our ride. I wanna say goodbye to my niece too.”

Both men found a carriage to drive them all the way to the city gate. Traffic was somewhat manageable as they reached the city’s entrance. They were able to catch glimpses of soldiers saying goodbye to their loved ones. Soldiers purchased amulets and such for good fortune.

“If only that’s all it took.” Said Kavasir.

“I guess this many years into the war people still cling to superstitions. It’s comforting in its own way knowing that not all hope has died.”

“It crumbles when they get the letters saying that their spouse or child has perished. Then it dies when they’re buried in the ground. No superstitious trinket can ward off the fate that we all commonly share… Death.”

“Maybe not Kavasir, but I need to have faith.”

“Why?”

“Because the alternative is much too cruel for me to bear. Because if I allow myself to go into that place… I’ll never come back. Let alone survive.” Answered Tullius.

The duo exited the carriage as they looked around for Hephaestus and Nau.

“Get your Sovereign trinkets here! We’ve got Sethos, Usha, Lamia, Hekate, Samael… The one we’re currently at war with.”

“You can say Apollyon you know.”

Tullius and Kavasir saw a girl and a boy with a small table filled with Sovereign idols and trinkets.

“I know that Sasha, but I get the feeling they might not like it. What about you two fine gentlemen?”

“Uhm…” Tullius began. “I don’t have any money.”

“Do you want me to lend you some?” Asked the boy sincerely as he pulled out his coin purse. “I have… Let me see here. Ah! I’ve got five silver crowns. Here you go.”

The boy grabbed Tullius’ hand, and placed the five silver crowns in his hand.

“Uh… Thanks?” Said Tullius unsure of the current exchange.

“You’re welcome. So do you want to buy a trinket for your spouse here?”

Kavasir snickered as he put his arm around Tullius. “Yeah aren’t you gonna get me something nice before I ship out?”

“How long have the two of you been together?” Asked the boy.

“Well sweetheart why don’t you answer the nice man?”

A smile crept across Tullius’ face. “I hate you so much right now.” He whispered. “Roughly twenty four years going on twenty five.” He answered.

“And year after year the sex gets better.” Started Kavasir. “I can’t tell you the number of times this great man right here has plowed my ass. I mean when he gets in there… My cheeks literally ripple.”

“Well I do like the way you give head.” Responded Tullius. “I’ll take the Sethos idol.”

“You know what sirs because I like you two so much I’ll give you the idol for free. And it gets even better for the low low price of…”

Sasha put her hand over his mouth. “Please take it and go before he gives you our entire merchandise.”

“Thank you and take care.” Said the boy.

Kavasir and Tullius walked around looking for any signs of Nau and Hephaestus. Finally, they came upon the two as the carriage was being boarded.

“Hephaestus!”

“Dad! Uncle!”

Tullius and Kavasir joined Nau in embracing Hephaestus.

“Kavasir you’re crushing me.” Said Nau.

“Don’t kill this sweet moment Nau.”

“Here I got you this Sethos idol. For good luck.” Said Tullius as he handed her the idol.

“Thanks I’ll keep it close.”

“Fuck ‘em up real good out there kiddo.” Said Kavasir.

“Will do uncle.”

“I’ll leave you three to it.” Said Kavasir as he left the trio so say their final farewells.

“Hmph… For what it’s worth Tullius I’m glad you showed up.”

“Thanks Nau. I… I’m glad that we can be together. Until you get back. Then we’ll go celebrate at the Lofenn.”

“Looking forward to it.” Hephaestus saw that her carriage was already being boarded. “I uh… I have to go now.” She embraced the both of them one last time. “I’ll be back soon okay? I love you both.”

“You’ll always be in my prayers.” Said Nau.

Hephaestus let go of them, grabbed her bags, clutched the Sovereign idol, and boarded her carriage.

“I’ll kill them all you hear me!” Screamed Tullius. “I’ll burn their entire coastline so that you will come back to us! I promise.”

Kavasir

Kavasir saw Fang with her wildabeasts enter the city.

“Been a long time Fang. Was beginning to think that you wouldn’t show up.”

“Shut the fuck up Kavasir. Were it not for the king I’d still be out in the frontlines. So is it just you and me so far? Where’s…”

“Quit your incessant yapping.” Said a voice behind Fang.

They saw a tall man with a blue embroidered coat wearing an ornate cuirass bearing an eagle with two swords on its talons. Strapped to his waist were two swords.

“Welcome back home Orven.” Said Kavasir.

“Can’t say that I’m entirely happy given the circumstances, but orders are orders.”

“C’mon let’s go have a chat with the king.”