Taking Care and Taking Off

The group end up staying in Nillix for just a few days, allowing not only Ashe and the Sunriders to rest but to also give Zoe, Lexie and yourself a much needed break from travels. You knew that you would be safe here in Nillix as nobody would ever dare attack a neutral city or else all kingdoms would band together and take care of the trash, especially not a city like Nillix which is so well known due to it's yearly Grand Tournament it hosts. The very same Grand Tournament you placed second at, only losing to that one man.

Leaving and making your way back to the Syndicate is what you should have done, in case Rathkin was marching forward towards Sicilian but you figure after the slaughter they would head back home, regroup and start to prepare for war so you imagine you had plenty of days. Plus, with such huge army movements leaving a city like Rathkin, word should easily spread through out the continent of them marching to war.

The four of you continue to take care of the eighteen Sunriders which actually escaped the clutches of the Rathkin invasion. You couldn't help but feel devastated the entire time because so many of your warriors were lost just because this Empire decided they were going to backstab you. The rage fills your body and you couldn't wait to get back to the Syndicate to let Karisi know, let your troops know and march south with your entire army and take complete control of Rathkin if possible.

Another day goes by and Ashe is slowly getting better and better. It was amazing to be able to talk with her again. You loved Lexie sure, you had a great time with Zoe of course, but there was something about Ashe. The way she was always so aggressive, so blunt, so forward, she would always tell you what you wanted to hear and you had a certain attraction towards her. You share so many deep bonds with her, especially at your first night at the Turth River when you talked about her family and what she did in regards to her sister and the man who took her life, something she's never shared before. That truly was something special, a heartfelt moment that you would forever cherish no matter what.

The entire time you were at the Nillix, Zoe was pretty uncharacteristic with you. Ever since you found out she was using Snuff again she would keep her distance from you a little more. She would still talk with you and be her normal self but she still seems to have drifted away. You were pissed off at her but most importantly you were hoping she would realize how terrible the drug known as Snuff was. For the couple of days you never really saw her using it directly but her attitude was still jumping through hoops so you could only assume it. You were planning to bring up the issue with Lexie because your fiance can figure out all things but you also didn't want to burden her with this added information. She just went through an entire ordeal with her pregnancy, just got back with Ashe and she has these Sunriders she wants to take care. You decided for the time being you wouldn't mention Zoe's problem with her but either on the ride back to Sicilian or once you get back, you would sit down and talk with her.

With most of the eighteen Sunriders still recovering, you decide that it's time you need to head north. You command the Sunriders to stay in Nillix and continue to recover so they don't feel the need to travel north with you even though many of them, even the worst of the worst would still love to travel north. You don't want to take any more time as you just need to get back to the Syndicate to tell Karisi and your warriors about the betrayal that has happened, assuming they don't know already.

So, with you and Lexie sitting in the front of the carriage and Ashe and Zoe in the back catching up, the four of you ride north. "It'll be nice to get back to Sicilian." Lexie's hand is resting on your leg as you hold the reins, "We've been traveling way too much."

"You're telling me..." you reply back, "And think, we'll get back to Sicilian only to travel back down to Rathkin not too long after."

"Yeah," her hand rubs your leg, "It's a scary thought, going to war with Rathkin again but this time it won't be two armies running by each other, they'll clash together, battle of the ages." she swallows and looks at you, "It's scary. To know what you are going to be running into and all the while I'm going to be sitting there up at the Syndicate, just hoping and praying you'll be safe." she's beginning to get a little emotional.

"Lexie..." you release the reins with your right hand and grip her fingers within your own, "You know I can't promise you that everything will be okay..." you squeeze her hand tight, "But you also know me. This is something I have to do, I can't back down from this, I can't hide in the Syndicate behind my army."

"I know that and I'm not asking you to." her voice is weak, "I'm just...scared."

"I'll be honest..." you look at your fiance, "I'm a little scared too." you fake a smile, "Not even scared that I may get wounded terrible or even get captured. Not scared that we may lose the war and the Syndicate could fall. Hell, not even scared if I..." it's hard for you to say this, "Die." you squeeze her hand tighter, "What scares me the most is you, if something happens to me then I leave you and that terrifies me. To think you'll be all alone in this world, raising our kid, by yourself. That's what frightens me...keeps my mind racing at night."

Lexie grips your hand firm back as the two of you just sit there in silence for just about twenty seconds before her voice whispers out, "Well, if we're being honest here..." she looks at you and you return the gaze, "I'd probably remarry pretty soon after. Have you seen how great of a catch I am?"

The sadness in your face immediately reverses and you roll your eyes at your loving Sunrider before releasing out such a deep slow sigh.

"Well?" she leans her body into yours, playfully touching your arm, "I'm not just going to be some moping single mother who prays at my Darien shrine every night before bed."

"You're a jerk." you stare straight ahead on the road, "You could at least pretend you'll be sad."

"I mean, maybe I'll find someone who is like an improved Darien. Like, Darien two point oh." she's continues her daydream, "Very manly, very thick arms, very big cock. A girl can dream, yeah?"

You don't say a word but release another deep exhale.

"Oh Darien!" she throws her arms around you and pulls you into her, "You know I love you and I would totally wait at least two or three days before finding somebody else!"

"Why do I put up with you?" you mumble out.

"Because you loooooove me!!!" she sings out.

She does make you smile and you know she's just trying her best to keep your mind off of all the potential dangerous thoughts. You knew she was worried too and this is just a way for her to cope with those issues. It was definitely one of the things you love about her, always trying to stay upbeat and happy even when there has potential for being such terrible things on the horizon.

Making your way across the badlands that switch from grasslands to desert. The sun is brutal, the dehydration sucks but soon enough, in the distance you see the highest mountain peaks where your beloved city you grew to love is situated at.

As many Syndicate warriors greet you at the gate, immediately recognizing your Sabre-Tooth armor they open the main gates, allowing you entrance. There were so many warriors and other Sunriders which greet you and welcome you home. You were thankful you were so well know in the Syndicate and it truly made you feel like a God.

But still, guilt echos through out your brain as you knew that in just another day or two you would have to tell all these warriors that you were going to war and would need their help. They couldn't just sit here in Sicilian and defend, stay with their loved ones and relax. Instead, they would have to travel south across the desert and wage war against the army of Rathkin. It hurt you so much knowing what was going to happen and even though almost all of the warriors and Sunriders of the Syndicate would embrace the war, you still felt terrible for having to tear families and friends away from their loved ones.

Even worse as the city itself was still recovering from the storm that passed through. Much of the standing water was now gone as the desert sun ended up evaporating most of it but many houses are still soaked through or damaged and you can only imagine all the belongings and personal items people have lost. It's been a constant struggle for the Syndicate and you hate to bring even more drama into the mix.

Before stopping anyplace else, you ride the carriage straight towards the castle. Your first order of business is to meet with Karisi, explain what has happened and let her know that in only a few days, the Syndicate marches to war.