Grouped Up and Ganged On.

Karisi continues her mysterious expression at you, nodding her head slowly up and down before disconnecting with your eyes and walking over towards a small little table which had a few chalices and a vase on it. Without saying any words she pours a swig of wine in two chalices before picking them both up and walking back over to you. Within arms reach, she passes you a chalice which you grip the stem of it, holding it up next to hers, the two of you still not saying any words.

"Well..." she eventually breaks the silence "For the Syndicate?" she has a wicked grin on her face before lifting her chalice up, waiting for you to cheers her.

"Hah hah hah," you smile back "For the Syndicate!" you clink the golden chalice before gulping down the small portion of wine that Karisi poured in.

You sit there looking at the soon to be lady of the Syndicate. She was the one royal member of Rathkin that actually took a chance with you. You couldn't help but smile at the thought that now you are the one helping her out. You are the one offering her to come to the Syndicate and be the leader of Sicilian. You know she lied to you just a few days ago but you knew she probably thought it was in her best interest. She figured she would have to stay here in Rathkin but now, now she's coming north with you.

You smiled back at her, happy as could be. She was not only a great person, but a great fighter, leader and politician. This lady would make the Syndicate even stronger, especially with you still leading the Sunrider's.

"Quite the combo, Karisi and Darien" you laugh to yourself, "How far things have come..."

"Congratulations, Karisi" Ashe says, walking down the few steps to get on the same level as the two of you "I've only known you for a little while but if Darien trusts you, than I trust you."

"Thank you, Ashe." Karisi turns to catch her gaze. With a tilt of her head, Karisi brings her right hand up, trailing the tip of her index finger through the curve of Ashe's red hair "Ya know, if you ever want to stop fighting and join the royals, you certainly dress the part like the best of us."

"Uhh, Umm..." Ashe once more goes shy, her cheeks blushing even harder.

"Yeah Ashe, you look fucking hot." you reply immediately, openly gawking at the red head.

A throat clears from behind you causing your body to immediately turn around, seeing Lexie and Zoe standing there.

"Well...well not as hot as you!" you rebuttal instantly as your hands go out to point at Lexie "You're the hottest." you form a big stupid grin on your face.

"Uh huh." she shakes her head now "And I've told you this multiple times before..." she pauses, "But you're an idiot."

"Yeah, Darien! You're an idiot. A big dumb idiot!" Zoe remarks.

"Oh come on?!" You reply, shrugging it off. "Look at her! She looks good dressed up!"

"Seriously, Darien? How could you." Karisi jests as another devious smile forms across her face. "That's rude." she gives a non-threatening look at you as she steps over to Lexie and Zoe, joining their side.

"Wait..whhaaat?" you are almost in shock now. "Oh come on! I was just saying...what's wrong with complementing a women?!"

"Darien. Really?! That's your soon-to-be wife. What the heck!?" Ashe walks past you, making her way towards the three other girls. "I can't believe you would do that to her!"

"What are you...I don't even...I'm so confused..." you look at the four women standing in a line before you. All four of them have their hands on their hips, a knee slightly bent and an eyebrow raised.

"Oh screw you guys!!!" you belt out after a long bout of silence.

Lexie is the first to break, laughing her ass off as she grips her stomach, bellowing out laughter. The remaining three girls follow suite not long after.

"Come on, Darien!" Ashe says "Let's go celebrate! Get some food get some drink and just catch up. I haven't been able to relax since our night in Murnic!"

"Yeah Darien! Please please please please please!!" Zoe begs. "I wanna hear alllll the stories!"

"Although if you're tired then go to bed." Karisi basically orders "And us girls will just have a fun night together!"

As much as you wanted to hang out with these four extremely important women in your life, Karisi did have a good point. You were exhausted from all your riding back and forth and honestly all you really wanted to do was just relax. Whether that meant go to sleep, walk around or find a chair and slump down.

You knew you had to catch up with these women and share your thoughts and plans. Hopefully with the Rathkin army most likely either on the way or leaving the Syndicate soon you knew you would have to head back north in the next day, two at most.

There was plenty of time to discuss your plans with the girls before you. Plenty of time to catch up, talk and tease with them. But that time isn't right now...

The only thing on your mind right now... turn your brain off and zone the hell out.