Due to circumstances, I have decided to resume my updating. It will be sporadic at best, I thank you all for waiting for me. Now then, shall we walk on into our imaginations?

14 days after surprising Opeli with the indoor beach, the unit found her gradually gravitating to it more and more.

Much to the glee of its newfound translator Joyce. She had taken it upon herself to act as a kind of buffer when they spent any time together, at their secret beach and made sure to also teach Opeli how to 'speak' in sign as well. With this in hand, Opeli and the unit both developed a few of their own signs so they could send small signs to each other while out in public.

Opeli for her part found herself smiling more and more as she went on about her daily duties and tasks. Her assistants took notice of this change and while many still had no clue what it was exactly, there was no denying that Captain Revo was responsible for the change.

As it was, many in the castle both the young and old came to accept the oddities that surrounded the red-eyed Captain known as John Revo. After all if Councilor Opeli accepted this strange man, how bad could he possibly be?

But while there were many both in and out of the castle that accepted him, there was always that one person...

Viren did his best to resist the sigh from escaping his lips as he cast a glance at the person walking beside him.

Captain Revo of the Crownguard.

The annoying man had been the one to oppose his proposition for harvesting the Magma Titan's heart and then to further add insult to his already bruised pride, saved his life from the Dragon King when Thunder himself, arrived on the field of battle. Now he was here and not only serving in the prestigious Crownguard but made the Captain of it. Furthermore his foolhardy boy couldn't ever stop talking about him and how under his leadership and teachings the Crownguard had grown exponentially.

The blasted man!

Though he was able to reign in his animosity towards him. At the very least he hadn't seen fit to rub Viren's face in his massive blunder, nor that he was here and serving the King right along him. In fact he seemed to respect Viren's post and heed his words, but even then he still made sure to speak his own words from time to time. And his translator made sure his every gesture was heard, much to his aggravation.

No matter, he pushed that all aside and settled his slightly ruffled stoic mask as the duo approached the grand ballroom.

"Announcing Lord Viren and Captain Revo of the Katolian Crownguard."

The doors parted before them to a warm glow of light and cheers, this was the Captain's introduction to the aristocracy of the Pentarchy. Viren's mask fell away slightly as a smirk that was equal parts smug and sympathetic twitched the left side of his face.

He'd had ample practice navigating these waters, hopefully the Captain wouldn't disappoint.

Captain Revo didn't, in fact he was more versed in court etiquette than anyone, even Opeli expected. The highlight of the evening was when the Captain met the other heads of state from the neighboring kingdoms that had come to meet him alone.

Princess Aanya looked up at the red-eyed stranger that had saved her mothers, and wondered how he would greet her. Mentally bracing herself for a simple child-like greeting once more, she was pleasantly surprised when he knelt to her level, bowed to her, and through his translator gave her an equally respectful greeting like her mothers.

She smiled and nodded back to him, she'd like talking to him more in the future when she could offer more of a discussion.

Meanwhile off to the side stood a speechless mage, who wasn't even bothering to keep up his mask anymore.

Unbeknownst to the human's gathered, up above them was another guest. An uninvited sort but a guest nonetheless, who was just as interested in the gossip that such a gathering would bring. However, Ilythyrra's simple information gathering mission had become much more complicated.

Here she was in the heart of Katolis, listening in on a party where all the Pentarchy gathered for some unknown purpose.

Now she knew why.

There was the Cursed One standing at the very center. What she wouldn't have given to hold her bow and arrows. This would definitely be in her report to Silvergrove, no, not her home. This needed the Dragon Monarchs' attentions at once.

She was about to make her graceful exit out a nearby balcony, but froze when she looked down...and a pair of burning red eyes stared right back into her very soul.

The unit had taken note of the elf when it had switched to its thermal scan and saw them hidden above. Casually looking around and finding no eyes upon it, the unit made a gesture with its chin towards the open air balcony. It knew the elf had seen it, but it still moved rather slowly across to the opening. Perhaps it had shocked it more than the elf could handle when it had seen them. Before the elf could leave however, the unit caught a sign from Opeli and made a beeline to her at once. The sign was a simple yet important one, 'HELP.'

Opeli had been enjoying herself and was waiting for John to finish before she could approach him properly, this however left her open to...unwanted attentions from someone she really would have preferred to avoid that night.

"Good evening Councilor Opeli."

Opeli did her best to swallow her gasp and keep her strong face on, as she turned to face the one man, besides John, who had ever approached her.

Sir Haimmon from the Neolandia kingdom, was a massive, tanned, bald man who stood close to John's height and cut a powerful figure. Much to her annoyance he seemed to hold an unwanted crush on her since they first met.

Doing her best to act cordial, she turned and gave the knight an acknowledging nod.

"Sir Haimmon, how are things in Neolandia?"

The knight made an exaggerated wave as though he were waving off some dust, while Opeli made a sign with her fist behind her back.

"Alas the only day that was easy has already passed. The only way we manage is by having strong bonds with our fellows. Such as you and I good Councilor."

Opeli did her best to keep her eyes from rolling as she felt three gentle taps on her back.

"Ah, Captain, I didn't hear you approach."

Haimmon looked up over the Councilor's shoulder and jerked up as he realized they weren't alone, he clicked his tongue softly at the intrusion while he assessed the strange Katolian Captain.

If John gave any indication to his state of mind at the situation, he hid it well as he gave a disarming smile to both his fellow knight and Opeli as she introduced them.

'Pardon me Councilor, but you should really be with our King and Queen for their feast.'

Opeli smiled as she finished translating his signs.

"Of course, have a goodnight Sir Haimmon, I must meet with my King and Queen."

Opeli turned and walked away while making a sign for 'CAUTION.'

John gave her the slightest nod as he steered the Neolandia knight to the nearest table lined with drink.

As soon as they were far enough away, Haimmon shook off his hand and rounded on the stranger. Ordinarily he could look down on others but not this Katolian, he was able to meet him eye to eye, this didn't deter him as he crossed his arms and gave a slight sneer to his fellow.

"I'd not like mine and the Councilor's time interrupted again. Understood?"

John's response was to raise a brow at him, then bring up his book.

I was not aware you and Councilor Opeli were so close.

Haimmon smiled smugly after reading that, so he simply didn't know, well at least he could help fix this before it became worse.

"Aye, as soon as Councilor Opeli comes to her senses on her duties, I'll propose and we will make a path for both our kingdoms prosperity."

John began writing again while Haimmon picked up a flute and took a sip as John held up his reply.

Shouldn't it be her choice?

The Kings and Queens were all gathered and feasting amicably with their family and closest advisors when they heard Haimmon laugh. The whole hall stopped to watch, even the elven guest hiding in the shadows of the ceiling.

Controlling himself, Haimmon wiped a tear of mirth away from his eye as several of his fellows came over to see what was going on.

"Of course it is."

No one could tell what Captain Revo had written but it seemed to have offended the other knight.

"I don't like what you are insinuating Captain."

Again, Captain Revo seemed to start writing something, but had his book yanked out of his hands and tossed aside. Opeli was on her feet instantly and had just opened her mouth to reprimand Haimmon when he pulled back his fist and threw it.

The unit, switched to combat protocols before Haimmon could even form his fist.

Side stepping Haimmon's blow, it delivered one punch to the chest, followed up with a blow to the nose that had the knight sprawled out on the ground.

Another human had grabbed it from behind, the unit registered another moving in to strike at its face. Ducking its head to the side at the last second, the blow landed on the human holding it.

Grabbing its former captor and using their center of gravity, it swung around and hurled the unconscious man into the overbalanced one that had thrown the punch.

Another moved in to attack, the unit halted him with a swift kick to the groin area.

Another moved in from behind, sword drawn. The unit ducked under the sword arm, and brought a hand down in a chopping motion on his neck stunning him. The unit then grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground in a twisting fashion.

Two more charged in. The unit dealt with them in an efficient, quick, brutal fashion. The one in front, punched in the abdomen and as he bent over from the voiding of air, knocked out by a blow to the chin.

The unit simply stood up at a 45 degree angle as the last of its attackers ran forward, and with its arm straight out, slammed it into the man's throat.

As the humans all lay there groaning in pain, the unit shut off its combat protocols and turned to face the crowd and assembled royals as John Revo.

Opeli walked forward and picked up the Captain's book as other knights surged forward and gathered up the beaten squad, while Kings Harrow and Ahling gave commands for order to their respective knights. She straightened out the crumpled pages and looked casually at what John had written that had antagonized Haimmon so much.

What if she chooses someone else?

She smiled softly to herself, feeling her face warm slightly as she closed the book, and looked up as a familiar shadow fell over her. Her smile broadened as she gave John his book back, while he walked up to the table where the rulers of the Pentarchy had finally settled after settling their own people.

King Ahling stood up and bowed at the waist to John before anyone could speak.

"Captain Revo, there is nothing I can say or do to express my deepest apologies for this terrible act. So instead I will do all I can to right this transgression. One day, I hope you can forgive me."

The King remained bowing as the Captain wrote out something in his book on a fresh page.

There is nothing to forgive your Majesty, the men were simply too drunk to know any better. I'm sure we can move forward from this and have a laugh one day in future.

King Ahling smiled as he straightened and handed the book back to the Captain.

"Aye, I look forward to that too. Thank you Captain."

Ahling turned and swallowed his pride as he looked at the smug Queen and the glaring King of Katolis.

"You have an amazing Captain, I also hope to one day earn back your good relations."

Opeli stopped paying attention as she felt gentle fingers close around her hand, she looked at John as he stared straight ahead with his gentle smile. Smiling herself, she gave his hand a little squeeze and kept holding it.