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O Father Sky, Mother Earth...
I pray that you give me strength.

Two days straight, they rode. The only time the nomads stopped, or came close to it, was to rest the horses when they started to get weary. Progressing up here to the north, where the ravages of war hadn't reached yet, was a strange sight for Sue to see. It was as if the chaos that embroiled Eyris was in a whole different world, a whole different country from this one. What was here, was peaceful... for now. And that's why they had to keep riding, to keep this peace.

It was almost sudden when her father asked for a stop. Still, Sue welcomed the rest, and halted her steed right then and there to enjoy a little R & R. On the plains like this... it was just like the old times. Just like Sacae. When she noticed her father's water canteen was empty, Sue offered some of hers. "Here, take some of mine. There's a river not too far from here, so we can refill whenever we wish." Sue suggested, smiling just a little.

"...I'm sorry."

When Sue's father uttered those words, she knew exactly what he was apologizing for. The female nomad was hoping to Father Sky he would not bring that up! And yet, he did... he did bring it up, and so there she was, remembering the nightmarish experience of the days past. Remembering how Rath was almost condemned, all because he kept silent! She did something she swore she'd never do, simply because Sue respected her father too much to do... but regardless, all her restraint vanished.

Forming her hands into small fists, she pounded her father's chest, although not very hard, but just enough to leave an impact. "You... ... What were you thinking?! What secret was so important you'd give your life to keep it?! I know the adviser couldn't be trusted, and you couldn't let him near Nino... but... the truth was you didn't kill her, you'd never do that! Why'd you stay quiet and almost get burnt like an oath breaker?! Why... Why..." By then, the anger she shouted in had descended into sorrow, and tears were streaming from her eyes. There would be no holding them back, not like she'd done all this time.

<|Nomad Trooper|=0

O Father Sky, Mother Earth...
I pray that you give me strength.

"You're a fool, Father! Such a fool!" She said between the sobs, as her crying persisted even after she was pulled into Rath's embrace. "Since when did you think a life was worth more than a secret?! I could have lost you! I could have lost the only family I have in Learania!" Instead of pounding him more, Sue wrapped both her arms around her father's back. Leaning against him.

"... I know... I know... I'm supposed to be like you... I'm not supposed to flinch... I'm not supposed to cry, I'm not supposed to fear... and yet..." Sue continued to latch onto him, as if Rath would slip away forever if she were to let go at this moment. "I did... all those things. When you were in that man's clutches, I feared for you, Father. I should have shot him. But then... when the bishop warped you to safety, and I protected you from the battle, I realized all I cared about... was that you were safe. Nothing else."

And really, that was all she ever fought for, in Learania's time of crisis. Sure, she wanted the city back to normal. She definitely wanted the dragons back, because they were her friends... but the number one on the list was her father's life. How Nino could leave without notice, and force him to keep a secret that nearly killed Rath was something she could not understand.

When Rath thanked her for being strong though, Sue's tears were starting to come to a halt. She still never did let go though. "... I... was strong...? But... I'm cracking. And..." She made a sad expression as she leaned against him now. "I... was so selfish. Even now I am! All I ever wanted was for you to be safe, while everyone else fought for Learania! Maybe I'm a fool too..."

<|Nomad Trooper|=0

O Father Sky, Mother Earth...
I pray that you give me strength.

A thank you. It wasn't something that Sue expected, but she took the words to heart. Nodding, she looked up into her father's eyes. "I'm glad... you were grateful for my saving your life. I fought hard for it." She'd backed away, and wiped off the tears completely. There was no more reason to cry. She had done something good, something worthwhile.

Taking a glimpse at the nomad grass, Sue blinked. "You're right, this doesn't grow except when we're closer to Adliana." Thinking of being so close to that land almost reminded Sue of home. She thought of how the tea herbs were in such abundance there, and how she wanted to take so many home and share just the tea, not the other use of it, with her friends. There wasn't ever the chance for it though. "We'll have plenty of time for tea when we at last have the peace we fight for."

That scowl she first made must have still been there though, even after she noticed the tea, and even after she'd decided that her wish wasn't too much of a selfish one. She thought back to the time, when she did fear that she would lose Rath, standing up after what seemed like forever. It was time to go now, to leave the sadness behind, as well as the land of Learania for now. "You're right, we must make haste to Chieftain Songhua and the other Elders, Father. With their aid we will have more hope in striking down our enemies." Now she was able to grin, as she got on her steed. It was time to roam, just as the winds did eternally. But these nomads weren't just roaming, they were going somewhere with a cause behind them, a noble one.

<|Nomad Trooper|=0

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you well, my friend!" Songhua boasted in a harsh whisper, as he slapped Rath's shoulder. "And that you are here now is truly a miracle from the spirits." He looked at Rath in a very caring way and then did a double take when he glanced to Sue. "Hwa ha! By Father Sky, dear Sue, look how you've grown since the last time I saw..." His cheerful, chuckling voice faded out as he glanced up at Rath and saw the ever serious expression of unamusement. "Err-hrm! Right, priorities, my apologies..."

Songhua straightened up and looked at Rath in an uncharacteristically serious way before continuing. "First of all, let me tell you that I received your letters and have done nothing but plead with the Elders since then to do something. I would have replied, but they forbade it." He leaned in and his voice grew comically irritated. "And you know me, my friend, I have disregarded their word before, but this time they even had constant patrols to intercept messengers and shoot down any hawk suspected of carrying a letter!"

He leaned back again and let out an aggravated sigh as he shook his head. It was obvious that he had been dealing with this mess for quite a while. "But you are here now that that is what matters. Now, before you go inside, there are some important things I need to tell you. Inside this tent are more than just the Elders. I was able to convince them that they should not so easily decree something and instead make a decision as one unified country by talking with all the chieftains together." He rolled his eyes to the side and spoke more lowly. "It is about the only thing I was able to do, I'm afraid..." As Songhua looked back at Rath, he motioned to the tent behind them. "Inside this tent are Adlian chieftains from all across the plains. Even their tribes have migrated for the occasion, and are camped just north of here. We have been discussing the situation for several days now and I am sorry to say that we are torn in our course of action. Hopefully, your presence will make a difference." Songhua shook his head. "No, no, scratch that- I know your presence will make a difference!"

The chieftain smiled, but could sense his friend's uncertainty about what he had just said. It made what needed to be said next all the more difficult. "One more thing, my friend." he started, lowering his voice into the softest of whispers. "I feel I must warn you that I cannot help but sense that something is amiss in all this... I thought that after you helped us in the spring and cleared Learania's name, that helping you in return would be the obvious thing to do. But ever since your country had a new king crowned, the Elders have not even mentioned a word about our relations. I could understand hesitation because of this, but I never would have thought they would outright ignore you. No, I feel as if something else is causing this." Songhua lowered his brows. "I sense that something has a hold on them... perhaps even somebody in that tent."

"You ask why do I not talk much?"_______←«_____ ←«____ ←«___ ←«__ ←«
_____"...Because there is nothing to say."

Songhua was certainly a talker and Rath was completely unable to get in a word, not that he needed or desired to. He knew Songhua would be able to explain what was going on and so he gave him the chance to do so. It is a hard thing to know if one can truly trust another person in the world. It was relieving to be reminded of how great a friend Songhua truly was.

Their private conversation was suddenly interrupted by elegant looking nomad who had just stepped out of the Elder's tent. Rath glanced at Songhua and saw that his expression towards the man was not one of friendly greetings. Given what he had just heard, Rath considered that perhaps this man was the one Songhua was talking about. When the man extended his hand, Rath naturally met it with his own. Untrustworthy or not, the man was a Chieftain and Rath could not afford to be rude to him. It was also clear that the Chieftain did not know who he was, either. It he did, he would have known why Rath was there, speaking with Songhua and that he was about to go inside as well. Rath would allow the Chieftain to remain ignorant for a few more minutes. "Then perhaps a new voice should be heard." As Rath stared at the Chieftain, he tightened the grip of his handshake and then let go as he looked to Songhua. "It sounds like they need you inside. I hope you don't mind if I accompany you." Knowing that Songhua would recognize that he was being facetious, Rath moved passed the Chieftain and entered the Elder's tent, followed not far behind by his daughter and Songhua,

"You ask why do I not talk much?"_______←«_____ ←«____ ←«___ ←«__ ←«
_____"...Because there is nothing to say."

Rath waited for Songhua to have a seat next to him, before looking up at the elders and then around to the chieftains that were laying their eyes upon him. The shocked expression from the nomad he had met at the entrance was a little amusing. That chieftain had to have been taken aback when Songhua introduced Rath as the representative of Learania. He had no idea that Rath, an seemingly insignificant person talking to Songhua outside, was really his biggest adversary in this situation. Rath could not help but fix his eyes upon that man in particular for a few seconds longer than the rest.

"You can easily surmise why I have come." he started at last. "I am unaware of how much you each know of the events that have taken place in Learania these past couple months, but allow me to recall the main events." He shut his eyes. "Mordache and Sentria sprang war upon us in a sudden leap of aggression. We retaliated, but began to lose city after city. In the midst of this turmoil, a boy claiming to be Leander's heir revealed himself. His identity was proven and he was crowned Learania's king. His advisor, who had raised him, manipulated the boy and used him to create many new outrageous laws and imprison people unjustly. He sentenced me to death. A rebellion arose in Eyris and the advisor tried to silence them. On my execution day, the rebellion surprised the advisor by showing up and rescuing me. Just as our people were being forced to fight one another, Nino returned and stopped it. Enraged, the advisor ended up revealing his insidious nature and attacked the king as well as everyone gathered. His last words before he died revealed to us that he was an agent of Mordache and a follower of Loki. He told us that our enemies were already on their way to siege Eyris and destroy us for good."

Rath reopened his eyes to show a hint of agony from the recollection. "The battle could very well be under way as we speak... When I gained power, I made great efforts to resew the ties our countries shared. I understand that it is hard for everyone to accept that Learania is not as it was in the days of slavery. But we consider the nomads of Adliana to be allies." He glanced around at the faces of the chieftains to see if he was getting through to any of them "If Learania is defeated, then it will not be long before Estarcia falls as well. After that, the evil in this world will spread across the land and your people will be forced to scatter and live in hiding for the rest of their lives lest they be slaughtered out of arrogant hate for what they are; for what I am as well." He looked up to the elders. "Our best chance is to stand together and face this evil. I come to you out of desperation. Adliana is our last hope. Estarcia will not move. Will you do the same? Will you not lend us your strength?"

Ishtur had let himself slip, he'd betrayed himself by showing surprise at the fact that the man he had so quickly discounted had actually turned out to be the man who had been, until recently, acting guild captain. Quietly, he berated himself and quickly tried to cover it up with a smile as he met the Learanian's gaze.

Quietly, he first listened to Rath's speech and then to the Elder's words. When it was his turn to be called upon, he stood up from his seat and bowed low out of respect for the old crones before him. "It is my honor to be addressed by you, Elder Shamir, and I have made my opinion clear on numerous occasions on the subject of Learania." Ishtur turned to face the assembled tribe leaders, his voice rising as he spoke. "No aid should be sent to Learania. Elder Shamir has voiced the worries that all of us have had our minds upon; a return to slavery. Learania is now a monarchy led by a child king who, as this... Rath has said, has allowed himself to be manipulated into creating outrageous laws at the expense of his people! This does not inspire much confidence in me, brothers. What if his next choice is to try and subjugate the proud tribes of Adliana? What if he decides that a return to slavery would improve his rule? Brothers, if we help Learania now could we not be simply trading one evil for another?" By now his voice had gained momentum and strength. "I propose that instead of sending our brave warriors out to meet their deaths for a cause that could turn around and ruin our way of life we instead prepare for an attack on our own land. We are strong! Our back has remained unbroken through slavery and numerous other trials! Surely we can defend our own land better then these soft Learanians could theirs! But only if we have our warriors where they belong. At home. I say we leave the Learanians who have oppressed us before to reap what they have sown! I say let them taste the subjugation and humiliation we suffered once before!"

Ishtur stopped and let his words sink in for a moment, then he lowered his voice again. "That, Great Elders, is my opinion. My opinion is that my ancestors have passed down stories of how they suffered and I have no wish for my tribe and their children to experience it first hand." With that said, Ishtur sat back down and folded his hands in his lap. He avoided eye contact with Songhua or Rath as he pointedly stared at the Elders.