Lately, Varinia had been visiting home more and more. Naevius hadn’t really been requiring her assistance and would often send her off on errands in the Capital, which was just fine and dandy for her. It was the reason she had gotten to see Reillian not too long ago and was getting more time to see her family which were the reasons she always worked so hard. Seeing her family so much, however, caused lots of memories to come back to the young woman. Memories of a time when their family was complete; a time when her father was still with them. Varinia had tried to never give up hope that her father was gone. Reil and Elthy had gone to Juahar to look for any kind of evidence. It couldn’t be helped, though, lots of people died in the Oban war all throughout it, not really at one particular point in time.

Varinia wondered what that war must have been like. She had heard stories, sure, and had heard Naevius’ own recounting of it but that wasn’t exactly the same. How had the soldiers felt? Were they terrified? Most would probably deny it to keep their manly man-ness intact but she couldn’t help but wonder. Battle was something she had only ever heard about, and quite frankly, hoped she’d never have to actually face. But if it came down to it, she’d do anything to protect her family and that included fighting whoever she needed to. Was that how her father felt? Is that what spurred him to war besides just the call to arms and enlistment by the King at that point in time?

If only she could understand her father’s reasoning. If only she could talk to him one more time. That was the big thing. What would she really ask, though? Why did you leave us back then? What made you leave for war? Why? There would be so many questions. Not only would she want to ask about why he left but definitely about his past too. It was something she didn’t really know a lot about. Her mother wouldn’t really speak of such things anymore since her father left. It was almost like she was trying to forget everything about him, which was something Varinia couldn’t really understand. When there was someone you loved and lost, why would you want to forget that? Sure maybe going to war might not have been the best thing for her Father to do, but what came of the war was kind of amazing if you asked her. The freedom for the Matori. The new trade amongst nations. New land to explore. More people to learn about. It was all quite wonderful. Wonderful in its own way of course.

It was a lot to think about, all the changes from the war. And then the war that Varinia and Naevius had been too busy to really even keep up with, which was kind of sad in its own way. But what Varinia did know, is that what had occurred had been a benefit to everyone, at least in the Oban war. Maybe not so much for the former king, but Varinia didn’t really like him much anyway. Especially if she were thinking about her father and the enlistment which was something she often did. Naevius’ father was a much better king, proof of that just being in the freedom given to the Matorian slaves. Vari thought her father would probably like King Elitharius. He seemed kind and just and well, everything that a King seemed to need. Varinia had even heard of some of his relationship with his daughter from time to time, when Naevius talked about it. Which she didn’t very much. She had to wonder if it was difficult on her. Was their promotion in rank similar to growing further apart? Similar to not having a father at all? Varinia made the mental note to try and find an opening to ask Naevius about this, maybe it was something else they could connect on. The two girls got along pretty well, and Varinia always tried to make sure she could be the one person Naevius could depend on.

Everything had worked out well for Varinia in the end. Despite being without her father. Yet, there was still a kernel of hope in her heart that maybe Reill and Elthy didn’t find any evidence of her father dying because he wasn’t actually dead! There was only so long you could hope, however, and in the long run, she was thankful for the War and all the changes it had brought with it.

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