With their leader killed in battle a small number of orcs fled to preserve their lives presumably they being Orcs forced to participate while the rest ever loyal to Grofang pushed their assault until the last man. The battle was hard-fought and many of Si'on men lost their lives some being men his father conscripted. With the worst behind them, Si'on took this time to allow his men to recover from their injuries. As the longest stent of their campaign was about to begin. On the 22nd of Midyear Si'on and his war party begin their three-week journey back to Elinhir. Arriving to the warm welcomes and cheers of the many people whose lives they saved. Following the line of people directly to the center of the city, they are greeted by the Mayor, a descendant of Minerva Lauzon who led the people of Elinhir away from the town during an assault perpetrated by the leader of the Black-caster guild at the time Yamanu-ko.

My fellow Elinhirian's these last few centuries have not been kind to us. I doubt I need to remind you of our past but there are times when our future shines so bright that it erases the darkness of our past and today is one such day. Si'on leader of the Blackhand adventurer party and General of the Elinhirian army. You have not only honored your Forefathers; you have also granted Elinhir a measure of safety that will hold strong for generations to come. It is my immense pleasure to grant you the greatest title that is within my power to grant congratulations Lauzon Apex. There isn't a man better for the job. Mayor Lauzon Congratulated giving a heaping helping of applause

The denizens of Elinhir burst into an uproar of applause and cheers some of Si'on men even give him a congratulatory backslap but the cheers begin to die down as Si'on walks up to the stage to receive his badge of honor and walk up to the podium to make a speech.

Thank you everyone this really is an incredible honor but I'm going to have to disappoint you by telling you I can't uphold the position of Lauzon Apex. During the battle with Grofang I sustained a pretty bad knee injury and during our journey home it became clear to me that I would never be able to use my knee the way I used to again, according to the healers I should be thankful I can put my full weight on it so while it pains me to say... I'll be resigning from active combat. But I didn't come up here with all bad news as I came up with a wonderful idea during our three-week trek home. I wish to establish a village, but not just any village a mixed village that all of us both crowns and Forebearers will be living within. Si'on proclaimed

The entire town of Elinhir begins to whisper amongst themselves at Si'on declaration. Some warm up to the idea the more they discuss it others try to hide their disdain for the other party and even Si'on for bringing up such a preposterous idea. Just when the emotion within the crowd is reaching its peak, they are all brought to silence by the Mayor

Everyone! May I please have your attention! I know how this idea may seem to many of you as this town is primarily dominated by the Crown faction. I, being a Crown myself gasped the moment the idea left his lips, but then I remembered something. When Yamanu-Ko was assaulting our town and our most respected mages turned against us, the lives of Crowns and Forebearers alike were in danger. Did we not all follow my ancestor to safer passage? did we not all huddle under the same roofs? eat the same food? and drink the same water? Even when the likes of Grofang and his Iron Orc remnants threatened our way of life, did we not forget about our era's old bad blood? And work together brother in arms to fight them off? I'd like to say I'm strongly in favor of this proposition. We as a people have been divided for far too long and it's about time, we took steps to understand one another. Si'on my friend I can't thank you or your Forefathers enough for all that they sacrificed and if this idea of yours means a step in the direction of that shining future I mentioned earlier then I'll support you with everything I have. the Mayor explained shaking Si'on hand as proof of their shared ideals

Thank you! sir, Ahem, while I can't offer any heartfelt words like our mayor, I do agree with everything he said. We've spent far too long at one another's throats and it's about time we see what the future holds. Setting up a village doesn't happen in a day in the coming months some of my men will set up a booth accepting the signatures of anyone willing to pack up their things and head out with us, we'll ask you what you're proficient in as were going to need a lot of labor men to build a village from the ground up, families, as well as mothers, are more than welcome since we're building a village a motherly bond will go a long way. And with that, I would like to thank my brothers and sisters who fought bravely and fell in battle. We've brought back their bodies so that in the intervening weeks their families may grieve and perform burial rites. To my breathing brethren, thank you for all that you've done not only for the city and its people but for helping me in my times of need and never failing to have my back. I couldn't ask for better soldiers to fight by my side. Si'on said respectfully

And with that Si'on descends the stage to a crowd mixed with cheers, stares of rage, and tears of sorrow after a few more words from the Mayor the soldiers, as well as high ranking officials, follow the him back to the Blackcaster Guildhall to have their banquet as the rest of the town becomes even more lively with the beginning of the victory festival. After mingling with various officials and some of his own men Si'on breaks off and heads to a nearby balcony for a breather

*sighs in relief* ah the wind feels great, no better way to fight a drunken stupor Si'on said allowing the wind to comb through the few loose strands of hair in his dreadlocks

Ahem! Speaking from experience, I'd say the best way is to sweat it out. But you've never been the best dancer, now have you Si'on. Te'zh said with a chuckle

I guess I wasn't the only one who needed some fresh air. The festivities treating you, okay? Si'on asked turning to give her his full attention

yes! They're fantastic in fact! I just don't want to get too drunk, can't have a repeat of our last victory celebration. Te'zh mumbled turning her head to hide her embarrassment

Hmm, I remember having to respond to an incident that night, but I having a hard time remembering? Care to tell me what's got you so flustered? Si'on asked confused

Do I have to!? Te'zh bemoaned

Well, it can't have been that bad right? And by now it's years behind you so you can have a good laugh about it Si'on explained

*sigh* you're so lucky I had a few drinks before this. If I remember correctly after a particularly fierce drinking competition with some mercenaries. Te'zh reflected

Ho ho! That's almost 10 whole pints, looks like we're all down one hundred gold boys cough it up. An Eccentric Mercenary calls out to the tens of people surrounding Te'zh

After handing over their owed money the majority of the people surrounding Te'zh and the eccentric mercenary disperse. Either to continue the conversations they stopped to participate in the bet or to buy what little mead they could with their leftover gold.

Ugh! *belch* I told you I could… hold my drinks with the best of'em Te'zh said holding on to her stomach in a vain attempt at stopping it from sloshing around

Right, you were Ms. Mage but now that you're properly warmed up with mead care for one last nightly challenge? The Eccentric Mercenary said with his eyebrow raised

I'm listening Te'zh says trying to hold back a gagging fit

I heard from a very reliable source that the bulk of the female healers will be staying in tents near the gates of town to heal any stragglers from the battle. This includes their clothing articles the Eccentric Mercenary says raising his eyebrows twice

Get to the point you're making my head hurt Te'zh complained

I want you to enter their tents, the way doesn't matter, and steal ten pairs of underwear the Eccentric Mercenary said nonchalantly

What that's it!? I thought you were going to ask for something more difficult. Te'zh said her face lit with disappointment

So, you're in? The Eccentric Mercenary asked with his eyebrow raised

Just tell me where I need to take it once im done Te'zh said finishing the froth from her last pint

Wait so you're telling me that was you!? Si'on asked with genuine surprise

Wait, you didn't know! I thought you knew this whole time!? Te'zh questioned her face showing some red tint from embarrassment

This whole time I had one of my men or the conscripted mercenaries as the man who did the stealing! But now that I think about what you're saying matches up with the reports of the women not seeing who took them. Si'on said inquisitively

Akatosh, why have you betrayed me so!? Te'zh questioned no one in particular squatting down and covering her face

You know technically that case never closed… if you're feeling benevolent you could…

I swear on Onsi name if you tell another soul breathing or otherwise, I'll trap you in a soul gem and attach you to a shit rag! Te'zh said summoning a jagged ethereal blade to her hand and holding it up Si'on throat

Okay, point made! Can you put up your Shehai now? Si'on asked with his hand up

Fine but I've got my eye on you Si'on. Te'zh says disbursing her Shehai and turning to face one of the other mages in her group trying to get her attention from within the guildhall. Looks like I have to head back in, someone must have gotten into a fight or something.

I think I'm going to stay out here for a bit longer. The stars look stunning tonight. Si'on said turning his attention to the vast glittering splendor of space

Oh! Before I forget, do me a favor? Close your eyes and cup your held out hands Te'zh says with her back turned to Si'on

You're not going to place anything strange in my hand again are you Si'on said skeptically

No! Now just do what I asked you to please Te'zh said taking a deep breath

Si'on does as instructed all the while some sweat drops run down his face whether it's from the mead or genuine nervousness he wasn't sure. Waiting for whatever it was she wanted to give him was even more agonizing than his knee wound. But as sure as the sun rises each and every morning something is placed within his cupped hands as promised, something wooden.

Alright, Si'on you can open them Te'zh says as she opens the door to the Guildhall the sounds of the raging celebrations erasing the silence of the outdoors

Is this… ar-are you sure? Si'on stutters trying to gain some composure

Easiest choice I've made in my 27 years of life, after all, I can't let you out of my sight after telling you something so embarrassing Te'zh said still not facing him

You won't regret this I promise you Si'on swore with a cheerful grin

Wait until the day of to make such promises then I can actually hold you to them Te'zh says before going back into the Guildhall and following her now irritated groupmate

I give thanks to the creator Ruptga for giving life to this empty universe, I give thanks to Zeth God of farms for the decades of crops that allowed me to grow, I give thanks to my namesake Onsi the god of war for watching over me during my battles and my thanks to Stendarr for the luck of not being crippled and finally my most sincere thanks to Morwha for without you there would be no love and without you, I would not have found mine. I ask that all within the pantheon watch over me and my betrothed so that we may continue to walk a path illuminated by your guidance. Si'on said opening his eyes to gaze upon the stars once more

*the door to the balcony opens* Captain Si'on! come on the Mayor dipped into his personal supply of Blackbriar mead you had better come and get some of this before it's gone a mercenary said before running back to refill his mug

Si'on takes a deep but unstrained breath, taking one more look at the amulet of mara that was handed to him, and looks up to the sky once more taking note of a particularly bright star in the night sky he nods toward it and heads back inside to enjoy the festivities.