"Enter!"
Tomin stepped into the room coming over to the Orici's side and dropped onto one knee bowing his head. "I came to accept my punishment."
"Punishment?" Adria repeated incrediously, fighting to keep her voice calm. Why would she hurt the man she considered a father figure?
"I should have never fired."
"You fired on my orders" Adria reminded evenly. "Neither of us foresaw that my mother would jump into your line of fire to protect that...traitor."
"Yes Orici" Tomin answered immediately more out of obediance then him actually believing he had done nothing wrong. He still felt responsible for what had transpired and the guilt that he had splayed on his face made that clear.
Adria's lips twisted into a frown. For the first time in her short life, she didnt know what to do. The knowlege hidden within her mind did not explain how to comfort a person. It was times like this that she desperately wished for her mothers advice.
After a moment of pondering her options the Orici gracefully lowered herself onto the floor infront of the distraught man. She put a finger under Tomins chin and lifted it up so they were face-to-face. "This is not your fault! In fact I have decided to make you the commander of my army. You will now be able to order the soldiers of the Ori."
Tomins reaction was instant. His eyes widened in disbelief and he pulled away from her as if he'd been burned by her touch. Adria didnt bother to hide the look of hurt and confusion that crossed her features. Had she done something wrong?
"Y..You want..to make me..the leader of...your army?" Tomin stuttered out, not believing his own ears.
After the terrible mistake he made, he had half expected to be killed. The Orici had lost her mother because of his stupidity and yet she was allowing him the privilege of controlling the army in her name.
The Orici's eyes twinkled in agreement. "Yes! I believe you will be the perfect man to lead my army to victory against all unbelievers."
"And what of Vala..what will happen to her?"
Adria's face lit up in a soft smile. After everything that Vala had done Tomin still found it in his heart to worry for his wife. "We will rescue her from the darkness and give her a chance to take her rightful place at my side."
Tomin bowed his head in a silent prayer. "Hallowed are the Ori."
"Hallowed are the Ori!"