>>5954851“I’m not so sure.” Ingrid chuckles. “I haven’t been back there in years. I don’t think I’ll be very popular with the locals. But, my father is getting older, and I’m his only heir. Our lands are difficult to manage. There’s no shortage of issues to deal with. Famine, raids, freezing cold weather…Galatea is a harsh place with harsher people. But…it’s home. It’s where my family has lived for generations. And it’s somewhere I can still do good. So, it’s where I will go.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping ‘Little Ingrid’ company.” Eleanor winks. “I’m originally from Galatea as well. And even though I left for all the…aforementioned reasons, there’s still plenty I’m happy to assist with. Namely dealing with any pesky raiders or Dukedom leftovers that try to cause trouble.”
“I told you to stop calling me that.” Ingrid mutters.
“You used to be such a happy child.” Eleanor sighs. “What happened to the girl that would beg me for rides on my pegasus?”
>“What about you, Sebastian? Where do you intend on going from here?”“First, Arianrhod.” Sebastian says. “I have some unfinished business to attend to there. Afterwards, should everything turn out well, I’ll make for Fhirdiad, and pledge myself to whoever will turn out to be the new ruler of Faerghus.”
>“This unfinished business…it wouldn’t be anything unsavory, would it?”“Nothing to concern yourself with, Blair.” Sebastian smiles. “With Cornelia gone and the Empire defeated, I’m sure that House Rowe has already thrown down their arms and is planning on begging the new Archbishop for clemency. Count Rowe has always been something of a weathervane with his loyalties.” You note a dark tone in Sebastian’s voice. “You should know though that I will be travelling there with Ashe. He informed me that his siblings still reside in the city. It makes sense for the two of us to go together.”
>“You aren’t going to hurt him again, are you?” You sigh.Sebastian shakes his head. “Of course not. I acted like a fool the day of our duel, and I regret my actions greatly. Your… ‘friend’, he’s a good man. He means well, and I know he will faithfully remain by your side. Rest assured that I will allow no harm to come to him nor his siblings.”
>“And you swear you don’t plan to do anything rash?”“Nothing I haven’t prepared for.” Sebastian smiles. “Tell me, Blair. Have I paid back my vow to you? The vow I owed you for saving my life at Bulgar?”
>“You’ve paid me back so much, I believe I’m the one who now owes you.”Sebastian laughs heartily. “I never would have imagined I’d be a sellsword. Mercenaries are crude. They’re lazy, and greedy, and their morals are so lacking that they might as well not have any. But the Blackwings were a different sort. I’m happy to have fought with you. With all of you. I wish you perpetual happiness, Blair.”
