Plodding along the road, I looked up at the dark star-spotted sky. There wasn't a cloud above, and the half-moon lit the surrounding buildings in a gentle glow. Stifling a yawn that threatened to dislocate my jaw, my eyes blurred, turning the heavens above into streaking lines.

A warm breeze ruffled my damp hair, and I would like to think that it was the Ancestor giving her blessing for recent events, but I wasn't in that kind of mood. I was tired. More so mentally than physically, but after weeks of travel, I was worn down and needed some time to rest.

Not a lot to ask, considering I mainly wanted to shut my mind off and not think about my role in the fate of two nations. I was an elf scout, and while my position was high for an elf, in the eyes of the real shapers of the world, I was little more than the dirt stuck to their feet. Apparently, my status wasn't low enough to go unnoticed, given what I had been doing for the last hours. And if anyone wanted my opinion on the meeting, it went as well as could be expected.

Legatus Panta and the Kin messenger came out of the discussion on a neutral footing. Which was more than you could ask when you just told the other nation that a faction of your people sacked some five thousand square miles of the other's land. That might not be exactly the case, but it was close enough that no one would care about the details.

Really, anything short of a full-out war breaking out was a win. However, I think my presence and input played a too important role in that transpiring as Panta seemed excessively interested, in my opinion, in the interactions of the Republic and the Kin.

It didn't seem to matter that the "Republic" only seemed to encompass me as if my actions would direct the interactions of our two peoples. Panta, or his flawless subordinates, would ask me countless questions that all seemed to undermine my actions and decisions. "Why would you follow the Kin when you knew you had vital intelligence the legions could use." Or "Once you were out of their sphere of influence, why didn't you attempt to escape and report the divided actions of the Kin?"

I had to admit that if I had tried to escape from Kaneita and Franklin on my journey north, I might have succeeded, but I doubted it. I knew that Franklin would have found me just to follow along, and I would have felt bad bringing him just to have him end up in prison or killed.

On the other hand, there was a real chance that Kanieta would have pursued me with the intent to kill, though it was just as likely she ignored me. I really didn't know what she was thinking most of the time, and trying to anticipate it was pointless.

But that was assuming I cared to give the legion an opportunity to counterattack the Kin in their moment of weakness. And despite what the others were suggesting, I didn't feel guilty about denying them that chance in the slightest, as I honestly thought the situation we are in now was for the best.

All of that didn't matter, though. I was exhausted, and all I wanted was to make it to my bunk and crash for the rest of the night, however long that was. I knew whatever amount that was left would feel far too short when I opened my eyes, but while most of the blame for that could be laid at Panta's feet, a couple hours were my own fault. And I had no regrets.

There was nothing like stumbling back into a legion fort after weeks of living on the road and then soaking in a bathhouse until all the grime dislodged itself from your pores. Add in some good wine and snacks and a bit of unavoidable dozing, and by the time you come out, the memory of stumbling through the fort's gate, feet sore and back stiff, will feel like a distant memory.

I didn't know about anyone else, but I found a certain paradoxical aspect of life amusing. Think back on the most memorable time when you were relaxed and comfortable, and you will remember a time right before when you were straining yourself to achieve some goal.

I couldn't say what it said about people that they could only reach their most contented states when they were their most beaten down. However, I'm not surprised that so few are willing to work to that threshold, which is a pity. It might be challenging, but the benefits were undeniable. Not only would it improve their lives as they completed whatever demanding task was before them, but they would also get a moment of bliss afterward.

That really was what life was all about. No life can be all good. No matter how sunny and rosy a day or week might be, a storm will always appear, darken the horizon, and dump its contents on you. Plow through the shit-infested bad times if you can and crawl through them if you can't, but live for the moments of bliss when they appear and treasure them for all they are worth. Because often, those moments are all too few and far between.

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Dropping my head and turning, I began walking down the street, whistling a little toon that popped into my mind. I was in a plain tunic and breeches, with the only things of note on my belt were my knife and coin pouch. Honestly, I felt weird not being weighted down with forty pounds of gear. Vulnerable really.

Pushing aside the feeling, I sauntered down the street, wondering if my gear would be back in my room by the time I arrived. It should be, as the camp workers were efficient when dealing with that type of thing, and they had plenty of time to do so while I was bathing.

Deciding to follow my nose, I stopped at one of the food stalls the camp workers set up by the bathhouses to earn a bit more coin. It was kind of surprising that they were out, but with the amount of work to do and the potential of a battle at any time, I guess there were enough legionaries to make it worth being out here at this time.

Was there a meal waiting for me back at the scout barracks? I honestly didn't know. There could be, but I knew from long experience that the food wouldn't be as good as what I could buy elsewhere.

It wasn't Artinakin's fault. She did what she could with the ingredients the legion provided her, but the legion did not offer much. And with scouts being out on patrols for long periods, few contributed much of their pay to increase the quality of the barrack's food.

Say what you will, but most people didn't want to pay for meals they wouldn't be around to eat. Selfish assholes, I know. But what can you do about it?

Tossing the woman behind the stand a handful of coppers and getting a couple meat pies in return, I walked to my bed while juggling the food. The farther I went from the bathhouse, the more the passer-byes shifted from the relaxed air of those off duty to the put-upon purpose of those who knew they had a long night of standing guard.

There were a few people who threw glances at me as I passed, but most didn't bother to look over. A courtesy I mirrored as I focused on eating as I soon arrived at my destination. I found it was well-lit, and voices were drifting out. Opening the door and poking my head in, I saw the common room of the scout's barracks filled with people. The situation was... well, it was strange.

There were three groups that I could see. The pair at the center of attention and who looked like they were about to... well, they would either come to blows or come together in a passionate embrace. Which way it went seemed to be up to Kathren. A decision I made based on the rapid shifting of her face, though it was clear that she didn't know what she was going to do. My heart skipped a beat as I focused on the reaper, who was standing across from the irate woman poking her finger into his chest.

All around them, scattered about in small groups, were those that fell into the other two categories. The largest number were those who looked like they had just shit their pants. Or maybe saying they were walking across the camp, and suddenly, the wind shifted, carrying the scent of a ripe latrine pit into them was better. A situation they might bitch about later, but it would be when they wouldn't be overheard and get in trouble.

The second part of the crowd, which was in the minority, were those who looked like they stumbled upon a coin pouch filled with gold eagles inside it. Okay, it wasn't so much a group as one man. One man, who was surrounded by his bootlickers. Bootlickers who were trying to look like they were happy about what was occurring but only managed to get a pinched sour expression onto their faces.

"What the fuck did you just say!" Kathren demanded in a shout as she drew closer to the reaper.

His lips twitched slightly as if he was finding the entire situation funny. But before the expression could bloom, his face settled back into a blank mast as the half-elf said in a calm and collected tone, "I will be staying with all of you for the foreseeable future."

"Why would you be staying here?" Kathren ground out between her teeth. "I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from me."

Gently smiling at the woman in a patronizing way that only caused her to become angrier, the man responded, "Now, Scout Kathren, let's not bring personal matters into this conversation. I assure you that I am here officially on a matter of some importance."

"...What would... that be?"

"That would be staying near and protecting him." As the reaper said that, he turned and pointed to me, causing me to freeze and blink owlishly as everyone turned to look at me, one hand raised to pop the last bit of the meat pie into my mouth.

"Wat?" I said through my full mouth.

Taking my response as the signal to go ahead and start explaining to everyone, the reaper began speaking, "Legatus Panta has decided that I am going to protect you for the time being. Despite the recent information that has come to light," At that part, his gaze turned hard as we locked eyes, telling me in no uncertain terms that I was not to mention what happened in the Cradle. "It is best to continue to act as if we are going to maintain a friendly relationship with the Kin. And you -- however it turned out this way -- have earned their trust and acceptance. Putting aside how you are the most experienced in dealing with them, they have requested your presence in any official meetings. The best way for the Letairry to drive a wedge between our two people at this moment is to kill you. To prevent that, I am here to watch over you... So, which room will we be bunking in?" he finished, lifting a sack at his feet.

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