Anzha had lifted the pot off the heat, then seated herself in the arm chair, frowning. She had called Noli down who now sat cross-legged on one of the other chairs in the room.

"So. We are seated. What news require such precaution, Entwen?"

"I'm sorry, Anzha", Rayla said in Callum's stead. Her boyfriend translated the conversation into signs for Noli's benefit who was very interested in his ability to do so. "We… got the news that Torlan was killed."

The Interpreter's face slackened.

"Oh", she said tonelessly, "Do you know how?"

"Yes. He was killed by a human bounty hunter named Kel Ortis"

Anzha's hand covered her mouth, her voice full of fear and worry she asked, "And what of Helmond?"

"As far as we know, he's fine. He's at the Breach."

"Of course he is. Fine, I mean. He is always fine", she scoffed, "Don't tell me he's going after the human?"

"No need", Callum spoke, hoarsely, "I killed her."

Anzha looked between him and Rayla.

"You… avenged my son? How? Why?"

"Not really our choice. She came after us, left us no alternative", Rayla explained.

Anzha nodded slowly, doubt reflecting in her mien. "Do you know what Hel could be doing at the Breach?"

Callum and Rayla exchanged unsure glances. Should they tell her? The whole story? Could they?

Rayla sighed. "Anzha, this is goin' to sound very strange but… he went to Bastion Korhal to try and keep a war from breakin' out. From all we know, it looks like he's managin'"

Anzha shook her head with disbelief. "Now I know you are lying. There is no way my summand would care about peace with the humans! Time and again he has challenged Triton's belief in reconciliation."

"I am not lyin'", Rayla said, sounding a bit angry, "He's had a change of mind. He told us he had a run-in with a human that opened his eyes. Supposedly he was ordered to kill him… but then…"

Callum was looking at her, worried. She was getting a bit detailed.

Rayla exhaled slowly. Were they really going to do this whole spiel again?

Anzha frowned. "... but then?"

"But then I stabbed him", Rayla said, frowning.

Anzah now seemed to think she was crazy. Laughing, she said, "You stabbed my summand? You? I have a hard time believing anything you're saying now! He is no diplomat, but he is an extremely gifted soldier! He would never lose a fight to a boney damsel like yourself!"

Callum cringed.

Judging by Rayla's expression, Helmond's summand was also about to get herself stabbed.

This was either going in a revealing direction or would end in them getting branded liars. Exactly what he had worried about. But, it was too late to stop it. He decided to just get it over with.

While Rayla glared at him incredulously, he lifted off his headband, letting it come back on his head after a moment.

Anzha and Noli's mouths fell open.

"You are human!", Anzha said, incredulously, "What's going on here?"

"My name is Callum. I'm a prince of Katolis. The human she mentioned, that's me.", Callum started. He explained their whole journey, quickly, leaving out a lot of details, including his relationship with Rayla. He wasn't sure if Helmond's summand would have an equally disgusted reaction at this and didn't want to load it on top an already hard to hear story.

When he was finished, Anzha looked dumbstruck.

"How have I never heard of you two? Your story sounds too elaborate to be a lie, at this point. Yet, you say Helmond was issued orders by Regem Lunaris. I saw one of his Interpreters daily at the Assembly. He has never mentioned you, nor Azymondias. I also do not see the prince with you."

"He's in the barn.", Honsa whispered hoarsely. She was on the edge of her seat, ready to bolt, "I'm assuming he's still busy rolling in de hay."

Anzha got up, startling them all safe for Noli who looked extremely upset. "Introduce me."

They all went outside, blinking in the evening sun.

The barn was nice enough, recently repainted in a dark ochre with white trim. Zym was indeed still making a mess of the bales, neatly arranged in the back of the cavernous interior. When he noticed them enter, he cooed, diving into a huge pile of loose hay. It smelt sweet and earthy, reminding Callum of summer.

"Well. That confirms your story. I cannot believe it. My eyes see it. My mind does not accept it." With that, Anzha welled up. "My son… is dead!"

Noli braced her mother, glaring at everyone.

Callum signed 'Noli, she is sad that your brother has passed. We did not mean to upset you.'

'I don't care what you meant. People are hurtful, especially humans. My brother didn't `pass`, he was murdered. By you people! If that's even true!'

'That's not fair. We didn't kill him. You can't blame me just because I'm human!'

Noli shook her head. 'I'll place blame where I see fit, Abuser.'

Her mother shoved her, lightly. 'Don't be rude! They did nothing but tell us of his killing!'

Noli scoffed and rolled her eyes. 'Dad was right, you are crazy. That ocean dragon isn't good for your head.', turning to Rayla, Callum and Honsa she signed, 'You should all just die!'

With that, she separated from Anzha and stomped back to the house.

"I'm so sorry. It's bad enough when she gets like this with me. She isn't used to others understanding her", her mother said, palming her eyes.

Rayla and Honsa looked at Callum for an explanation but he wasn't paying attention.

The prince sighed. "It's alright. Maybe her grief is just venting as anger?"

Anzha shrugged. "She adores her father. Safe to say she has not met… this new Hel. He's a distant man. We've not seen him for years. That is why we are here. To seek him out. I have news for him that bear no other medium but my own tongue."

Zym came scampering out of the hay and brushed against Callum, then Rayla, then Anzha. He looked up at her, knowingly.

"He is quite adorable", Anzha said sadly, bending over to pick him up. She groaned a little under his weight. "I am still baffled as to how this can possibly be the first I hear of the return of the Dragon Prince.", she frowned while petting Zym, "Something is quite wrong here. The assembly should be abuzz with these news. What is going on?"

Callum and Rayla shrugged in perfect synchronicity. The action made them smirk at each other.

"It seems like out here nobody cares too much for us and Zym. You're the first person with a voice we meet that seems happy about us bringin' him.", Rayla said.

"Interesting. This is mostly Korhal's territory. Could they be-", her eyes widened.

"What?", Callum asked.

"The only way this makes sense in my head is if-", she stopped short, eying them suspiciously. Then she continued with a sigh, "The dragons have left Triton and I out of their deliberations lately. And, it is beginning to make a lot of sense, that isolation and their enthusiasm at me leaving the Assembly. My lord is currently tasked with-", she trailed off again, looking sternly into their eyes.

After a moment she added, quietly, "I... I cannot tell you. I'm s-sorry", she welled up again, tears streaming over her grieved expression, "My Torlan, my babe... I w-was so af-afraid of this day co-coming when he joined the Templars"

Rayla nodded sympathetically. "You have our condolences, for all that's worth. We also understand why you might not want to tell us everythin' right now. It's a lot to take in. We don't want to pry."

The Interpreter let Zym off her arms and used her sleeves to dry her eyes.

"Rayla, was it? Rayla? Hm… Rayla...", she blinked, realization dawning on her, "You… you are the dragon guards' child, aren't you? We have had news of your exploits. Is this it? The reason you chose to turn your back on your mission in Katolis?"

Rayla's expression hardened, "I refused to kill their prince when I saw ours was alive. Yes."

Anzha stared sternly at her. "That's not- The assembly is spitting at moonshadows' feet, Miss. Your parents have brought such shame over all of us, I cannot fathom how you could be propelled into further corruption."

"Corruption!", Rayla exploded, "Corruption!? You think I should've killed Ezran for no reason, just to satisfy some stupid vow?! Zym's alive! There was no justice in k-"

"I am not talking about that", Anzha interrupted with a firm, calm authority that almost blew Rayla out of her boots. She was not sickly sweet and conniving like Ivine, her eyes seemed to be made of gleaming steel, sharp, painful - but also clear in their intent.

Rayla felt her disappointment, it struck at the Assassin's core where she kept those feelings for herself locked up.

"You chose correctly in sparing the prince's life, but Legate Runaan's last report was hasty, terse, but oh-so-damning for yourself. You were to remain behind - Apparently you decided that that order was not to be followed, either? You've killed every single one of your comrades by failing to carry out a simple hit on an enemy combatant. You now owe their families a debt that you will never be able to repay."

Rayla's eyes filled with tears. Callum stepped between them, anticipating Rayla's need for a moment to regain herself, "A simple hit, eh? Have you ever killed anyone? With your own hands?"

Anzha seemed confused by the suggestion. "I am not a soldier, not trained to take life."

"And nobody should be, Interpreter", he lifted his hands, spreading his fingers as well as was possible with the gloves, "My fingers drew the rune that killed Kel Ortis, the bounty hunter. Everyone says she was… `deserving` of death. You'd probably agree?"

The Interpreter nodded, grimly.

The prince's voice shook, "I killed her in self-defense but it still broke me. When I think about the moment my spell hit her, I feel... dead. Killing her destroyed a piece of my soul. Rayla spared the guard, yes. She told Runaan about the egg, right after we had found it. Told him that they should think about their mission, since things had changed. But no! Runaan fought her. I heard him threaten to kill her!"

Callum breathed evenly, trying to get a handle on his rising emotions. "Anzha, he was part of her family. Would you ever threaten Noli with death? Is that… motherly?"

Helmond's wife seemed somewhat appalled, slowly shaking her head.

With a firmer voice, he added, "And before you ask. Yes, I am a sky mage", he drew the rune for Alatus right in her face, resisting the urge to touch her and to activate.

Rayla spoke up, barely holding on to her composure, "I've regretted my choice ever since I've had to make it, Interpreter. It was still the right path for me. I did not want them to die. They chose that for themselves. I just refused to kill. That's all."

Anzha stared at them, seemingly mulling over their points. After a long moment, she said, "What you two say rings true. I have never taken a life myself, not even an animal's. I cannot fathom how it must feel. Considering your explanation, avoiding it seems rational."

She swallowed hard, then focussed on Rayla, "It is not in my power to clear your name, Rayla. Once you return Azymondias, that will be a matter requiring the attention of a dedicated Arbiter."

"You're sayin' I'll be dragged in front of a court martial?!", Rayla's stomach turned.

"Yes. You are a soldier, Miss, and will hopefully stand trial for your dereliction of duty as such are our laws. However, I see no reason why that should happen before you have had a chance to prove that your choice was correct. You need to be given leave to make your point. It seems to me that there is something disgusting in the air out here in the border regions. Conspiracy, perhaps."

Helmond's summand palmed her eyes, obviously upset, but unsure how to continue. The blow she had delivered silenced both Rayla and Callum, who stared at each other.

"I'm sorry. Please, dinner will be ready soon; don't worry about helping out. I need to clear my mind through work. I'll send Noli to fetch you."

She walked off, still palming at her face.

Rayla hugged her boyfriend, who didn't return the gesture. "Thanks for steppin' in"

Honsa, who had been watching their argument, said, "That is… wow. What a load of things to have dropped on you. You handled yourself super well, guys."

Callum shrugged, looking upset. "All in a day's work, Honsa. All I did... was say what was on my mind."

"Yeah, you like doin' that.", Rayla said with bemused anger, "We go through all this trouble, puttin' paint on your coupon and horns on your napper and first chance you get, you take 'em off?!"

Her prince lifted his hands in a defensive gesture, "You started getting into more and more detail. She thought you were pulling her leg. I figured we were in too deep at that point."

Honsa giggled. "`Pulling the leg`? I'll have to remember that one. Guys, it all worked out. Turns out, not all dragons are against you. That's good. Brilliant, in fact."

"Yeah!", Callum said enthusiastically, his expression clearing up, "If the ocean king didn't know about us, maybe the dragon queen doesn't, either."

Rayla frowned. "Uh, hello, reality check! Apparently I'm expected to show at a court-martial if I ever wanna go home, no matter what! And, you know, she might be lyin' to us? That'd be a shock, eh? Lyin' politicians? I mean, did you see Noli's face? I have no clue what she said, but I doubt it was nice. This is Helmond's family. They got together for some reason. Might be they have similar opinions."

She flopped into the hay. It let her sink far further than she had expected.

For a moment she flailed, then gave in. "I guess I'm lyin' here now", she said gruffly. Callum smirked evilly, dropping in right on top of her.

"Ow! You idiot!", she yelped angrily, flinching at the stabbing pain in her stomach.

"Oh no! Sorry! I wasn't thinking!", he quickly rolled off her, kissing her face all the way.

"Stop!", she laughed, swatting aimlessly, "You're makin' me all sticky!", she wiped at her face,
"Ick! Hay stuck to cheek! Mouth! Pleh! Pleh!", she spat, then stuck out her tongue to pick a piece of dried grass from it.

Honsa laughed while they scuffled.

Once they had all calmed down, the ocean elf crouched to be on the same level as them.

"Guys", sadness claimed her expression, "This is… goodbye. I want to get going."

"Really?", Callum asked, "Why not just stay for the night?"

"I can't wait anymore. I need to know what happened to Lessa."

Callum wrestled himself out of the hay, then helped Rayla. They brushed themselves off, then hugged Honsa at the same time.

"Good luck", Honsa said.

"Better luck", Rayla answered, "If you get the chance, send us a shadow hawk. I'm worried about her, too."

"Oh, for sure. You do the same, if you can."

They separated.

After a moment of standing there, awkwardly, Honsa clapped her hands to her hips. "Well. I better go before Otark comes back and drags me inside by my ears. Bye!"

Zym danced sadly around her legs as Honsa bent over to pet him. Eventually, Rayla picked the whelp up and caressed his mane to get him to let her leave.

They waved at her as she climbed into her saddle and were still waving when she vanished around a bend in the corn field, moments later.

Suddenly, they felt oddly lonely. Honsa was a force of nature and they had become fast friends. This was a feeling that hadn't had a place in their hearts since Ezran had said his goodbyes.

They hugged to chase off the specter and somehow found themselves in a long, loving kiss. Between them, Zym rolled his eyes.

Miles away, a napping Ezran did the same.

Awkward.

When they separated, they realized that Noli was standing right behind them, tapping her foot.

'Food's done, Abuser', she signed, an expression of absolute disgust on her face, turning to Rayla she made an obviously rude gesture, then signed, 'Blood traitor. Love's for people, not pets!'

She stomped off, leaving Callum aghast.

Rayla shook her head at her obvious disgust and anger, "What did she say? All I got was `food`, `love` and `people`."

"She… said pretty much exactly what Ithral did. Back at Larwein. Before the battle."

Rayla sighed sadly, clinging to her boyfriend. "If she thinks my love's only fit for an animal, you're my fuzzy platypus bear."

"...and you're my little sheep", he said happily.

Rayla's expression crashed, the wound that Anzha had struck gushing open. "Don't ever call me that again! Ever! You hear? NOT EVER!"

Callum was reminded of the scene behind Honsa's tent. He growled at her outburst, shoving her away, "Stop shouting! Fine! You hate nicknames, I get it!"

She glared at his face, upset at his reaction. After a moment, she caught herself and half-whispered, "Sorry. I didn't mean to blow up like that. Runaan used to call me `little sheep`. I… liked it then. Not anymore, though."

"Oh no", her boyfriend went. Pain entering his expression, he embraced her again, "Yeah, that's loaded, sorry. I didn't want to upset you."

"I know", she said and kissed him.

They started walking in the direction of the barn when they heard the steady clop of hooves. Callum quickly sprinted to drop off Zym, then hurried back.

Otark was now approaching at a quick trot, from a different direction than the one Honsa had left in.

"'Hoy there, Entwen, Tarla. Mah sniffer tells me we've got food on the table!"

He stopped and dismounted, patting the side of his Peryton in a gesture of appreciation, "G'boy, Earnan, g'boy!"

"Otark", Rayla said apologetically, "Our friend, Honsa? She had to hurry elsewhere. I'm sorry, we know how disrespectful that is."

Otark seemed thoroughly wounded for a moment.

"Oh", he said, then harrumphed, regaining his smirk.

There were quite a few guests left.

"Whit's fur ye'll no go by ye!"

Rayla felt the idiom churn her gut.

Court Martial it was, for her.