Ala Mhigo was free. Royal purple had replaced Imperial white, the Griffin once more emblazoned on the flags fluttering from the city's walls. Ylja never imagined she'd see this day, much less play her part in the liberation. From Sothwatch she could see the remnants of the Alliance's "knock" on the main gate.

She longed to return home. To walk the streets of Ala Mhigo as she and Rhitahtyn once did. Taking Fordola out for treats after her lessons. Neither were possible now, her close friend gone, her sister imprisoned and herself a pariah to Ala Mhigans, no matter her role in their freedom.

A screech broke her from her reverie. She watched as a large lilac bird soared towards the tower with Zael on its back, the Auri knight waving as he circled the tower. The bird perched on the tower's edge near her Reaper, leaning forward to allow its rider to dismount. She smiled as she watched him stroke the bird's neck.

"You are not an easy woman to track down," Zael said as he approached. "Have to admit, I'm still not used to how cold it is. It's not Coerthas cold, but still," he complained.

"It's something you get used to. I don't think I'll ever get used to Thanalan's heat," she replied.

"Fair enough," Zael said as he stared out over the Lochs, only to look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Wait...did you just make small talk? I didn't just imagine that?" he asked, giving her a teasing smile.

"Well I...you were…" she stuttered, rubbing the back of her neck while avoiding his gaze. She waited until Zael's smile vanished before giving a teasing smile of her own. "Fooled you."

"Miss Commidius, I didn't think you had it in you," Zael said with a chuckle. "Cid said I'd find you here. He also said you might like this," he continued, pulling out a bottle with an apple on the label.

"I didn't think he'd remember," she said quietly as she took the bottle.

"Well he did. I'm just glad I got it right. He was arguing with Nero when I asked him, and it was either apple juice or...something ceruleum. A lot of it went over my head," he said with a shrug.

"Well, my Reaper would have appreciated that at least," she replied, turning back towards the city, leaning on the battlements as she uncorked the bottle.

"I'll make sure to bring both next time," Zael joked as he did the same. They stood in silence, staring at the city while she drank. Zael waited until she'd finished before breaking it. "I'm guessing this is as close to the city you've been since…"

"It has," she said with a sigh. "I'm the last person they'd want to see, and that's only because Lord Baelsar and...Rhitahtyn are dead," she said, her voice dropping closer to a whisper with each word.

"That still doesn't change that Ala Mhigo's your home. You fought for them even though they hate you! And...dammit, that probably doesn't...I mean…"

"Zael," she said, stopping his rambling. "I understand what you meant. I just...wish everyone else saw it that way," she continued, giving him a sad smile.

"Well, maybe we can do something about that," Zael said, turning his gaze towards the city. "I doubt we can stop everyone hating you, but we can remind them that, better or worse, you fought for them, and that this is your home too," he stated with a devilish smile.

"Zael, I...alright. What do you have in mind?"

"Ylja Commidius, would you honor me with a tour of Ala Mhigo?"