A/N: Good day to you all! We've reached the final chapter of this little side-story. It was a lot of fun to write and, honestly, I feel turned out far better than it ever should have. I'm not going to say much here because I'll be posting one more time in a few days with a sort of summary chapter. Anyway, feel free to leave a review if you're so inclined and, as always, enjoy!

Chapter 8: A Good Man

Damon

"So you've never shot a bow before?" Ashe asked as we walked back toward Kravos' house, Rena trotting alongside us.

I shook my head. "They don't do well against modern armor." There were plenty of other reasons bows had fallen out of use several centuries ago, but that was a pretty good one.

"It's a lot trickier than I thought it would be."

"You seem to be getting the hang of it. Windage and drop are things you need experience to figure out."

The small girl looked up at me, confused frown stretching her mouth. "What?"

Right, she's probably never heard either of those terms before. "Windage is how much you need to correct for any wind, and drop is how much you need to correct for how far you're shooting."

"Oh… And you need to do that with guns too?"

"Yes", I said, nodding. "Not as much. Bullets are smaller and moving a lot faster."

The large house came into sight through the trees.

"Maybe you can teach me to shoot before you have to leave!"

As I stepped over a fallen branch, I remembered the first time I fired a weapon. It had been a .22. That felt like another lifetime. None of the weapons I have now would be good for a first-time shooter, especially one as small as Ashe. At least she wouldn't be doing it for the same reason.

"Maybe."

"When did you learn?" she asked.

"I was five."

"Oh, did your parents teach you?"

I shook my head again. "No, that was after they died. It was the military."

Ashe stopped in her tracks and uttered a small, "Oh…"

When I turned to her, the girl was watching me with something like horror in her eyes. "I- I'm sorry for asking."

"Don't worry. I can't go back and change it. I wouldn't go back and change it."

The confused frown returned. "You wouldn't? It didn't sound like that the other night…"

"No. It's… hard to explain why, but I have an opportunity most people don't." I shrugged. "And I've done too much to get to think that."

"Bad Things?"

I nodded. "Bad Things. I've got a lot to make up for."

Ashe fell quiet for a few seconds before offering a single nod and resuming her march. "Well, I think you can do it. You helped us and the people we freed after all."

As I turned to walk with her, I couldn't help the small smile that spread across my face. I hadn't been wrong when I said Ashe was strong last night. The girl really was remarkable.

"Do you mind if I ask you something else?" she asked a moment later.

"You just did."

Her face flushed. "Okay, do you mind if I ask you something else besides this question?"

"Go ahead."

"You said you learned to shoot when you were five. How old are you now?"

That… was a good question. "19 or 20. I'm not sure."

Ashe's eyes went wide. "What?" You're only 10 years older than me?"

"Yeah."

"Wow… I- that's so weird."

That's one word for it.

We reached the house and she motioned for me to stop, putting a finger to her lips. "We have to be quiet, Dad isn't supposed to know I was out practicing."

The thought Kravos wouldn't know she'd snuck out made me laugh.

"He knows, Ashe."

She turned to me again. "He does? How do you know?"

"Well for one", I glanced at Rena who was standing behind Ashe, staring up at me, "your dog isn't very quiet. Two, you were yelling loud enough to be heard from the house. Three, I think he knows you better than you think."

As I spoke, the small girl's face grew brighter shades of red until she abruptly turned and swung the door open, all thoughts of 'stealth' gone.

"Fine", she said, storming inside the dog following close on her heels.

I chuckled again and entered to find Nate sitting on one of the couches, eating another apple. He watched Ashe stomp past before looking at me.

"The hell was that?"

"She thought she snuck out to practice archery without Kravos noticing."

Nate smiled. "And you told her that didn't happen."

"Yes", I said, nodding.

"You can be such a buzzkill sometimes."

The man in question emerged from the hall at the far side of the room, wiping his hands on a towel. "Ah, I see you two have returned. How did her archery practice go?"

"Fine. It was interesting to see, I've never done it myself."

"I'm sure you'd pick it up in no time. If you'd like to try, I have a few longbows that may suit you."

"We'll see", I replied with a shrug.

Kravos finished drying his hands and, as he turned to leave the room once again, he stopped. When he looked back at me, the same, wild glint was in his eyes he had the day before while they were eating at the Finches.

"Would you like to try something else?"

Something else? I cocked my head at the older warrior. "What do you mean 'something else'?"

"Yeah…" Nate mused. "What's 'something else'?"

"Don't worry, you need not be involved."

So it was that, huh?

The ex-soldier grunted. "That's why I'm worried."

"Content yourself with entertaining Ashe and Rena, we won't be long", Kravos said, beckoning me to follow.

Now I'm interested. I followed him back down one of the halls and to a large wooden door.

"One moment." The otherworldly warrior fished a key from his pocket and unlocked it.

"This is one of my favorite rooms," he said as the door swung open. Inside were racks upon racks of weapons. More than enough for a small army. I knew enough about ancient combat to name most of them. Obviously, there were swords and spears, a few flails and morning stars, halberd… I think a few were called polearms, along with several I didn't recognize.

"Unfortunately, I don't have much occasion to exhibit my collection for others", he flashed me a smile, "or use it. Most of the time I keep it locked for obvious reasons, but I believe this is one of those rare cases the individual I am showing it to is able to appreciate the time, effort, and blood that has gone into building it."

Kravos strode through the door, ignoring most of the weapons, and made for the back of the room where two racks stood alone along with a half dozen display cases.

"Most of these weapons are common, either plain wood and steel or imbued with simple enchantments." The Dovahkiin hefted a sword from one of the racks as I joined him. It was easily a meter and a half long, with strange patterns carved into its blade. "This is one of my favorites, a dragonbone greatsword, though it is a bit large and heavy for my preferred fighting style. An old friend of mine helped me create it while we were still refining the craft," He looked at me. "Though dare I say it might fit you perfectly."

The older warrior offered the weapon to me. The thing wasn't anything like I'd held before, the blade was made of pale bone that had been carved to a razor-sharp edge with a handle and crossguard made from some sort of dark, glossy stone. Even the plasma swords wielded by some of the higher-ranking elites were markedly different. The first change was the fact that those used plasma instead of steel, or in this case bone, for their blades, which meant they weighed next to nothing, while this was probably close to three kilos. The second was that something about the sword felt… cool. The thing was dramatic and, for me, exotic. The grip was too small, but it was obviously crafted to fit, and it was long enough to wield with two hands.

Stepping away, I twirled the weapon, the weight and momentum of its motion almost exhilarating. I know some people still practice swordplay, even today. It isn't used in combat, more as a hobby. 10 seconds with this thing in my hands, I understand why.

"Yes!" Kravos said, bursting into laughter. "I believe I've discovered a way to make you appear even more fearsome!"

"Yeah?"

The older man nodded, still smiling ear to ear. "Quite. That is a sight many would flee from in my world, maybe even in this one."

I looked at the sword again, its intricate decoration almost seeming to shift in the light. It was a remarkable sight but… "Not sure I want to bring a sword to a gunfight."

"I've fared well enough."

"I don't have magic."

Kravos' smile turned snide. "Isn't that a shame?"

He was goading me and I'm not humble enough to leave it alone.

"There are other ways to win a fight."

"You believe strength and speed are all that is necessary?"

"And skill."

The Dovahkiin's smile broadened. "Skill huh? I believe that is something we can put to the test." He motioned at the weapons around us.

"Practice swords reside in my collection."

"Really", I said, cocking my head at him. "How long have you trained with a sword?"

His grin stayed put. "Oh… several decades." Kravos motioned to me. "Are you saying your talent for combat and physical prowess aren't sufficient? What is all of that size for if not to overwhelm your opponent." He nodded. "I would say this fight is relatively even. We cannot test each other in full, however this may serve as a stand-in."

This is what he was getting at all along, bringing me here to show off his collection, allowing me to handle one of his weapons… he wants to fight.

One thing I won't let someone claim is that I ran from a fight.

"You won't use magic?"

Kravos nodded. "So long as the only weapon you use is a sword."

"Agreed." I placed the large, ornately decorated weapon back in its place and the Dovahkiin retrieved two others from the racks of weapons he deemed 'common'. One was a similar length to the sword I'd been handling, which he handed to me, the other was a half meter shorter.

"This is still a bit large. I am not one for a longsword, however I believe the handicap is fair."

Your loss old man.

Nodding, I followed Kravos out of the room and into the yard behind the house. By now the sun was touching the horizon and everything was, appropriately, dyed red.

"Would you like me to show you the basics?" he asked. I didn't miss the glint in his eye.

I shook my head. "I'll manage. Don't want this to end too quickly."

The old warrior's grin grew wild once again as he settled into his stance, feet just past shoulder width, legs bent, sword held in front of him, tip pointed upward at me. "It won't"

Without waiting for a response, he lunged forward, weapon flying for my neck. Either he does want to end this quickly, or has faith in my ability to adapt.

For his sake, I hope it's the second.

Even without the knowledge or experience of a trained swordsman, I could appreciate the practiced fluidity of the strike. As I sidestepped and raised my weapon to block, the Dovahkiin didn't miss a beat. Though he was almost at full extension, he remained balanced and, instead of meeting the block head-on, he twisted his sword to the side, angling around mine.

My step turned into a backslid and the tip sang by the space my left collarbone had just been in. He didn't let up. The instant his stance was settled again, he reversed the direction of the blade and pulled it up toward my right arm.

This time I didn't wait for his sword to reach mine. The man may have been skilled, but his physical abilities weren't much greater than a normal human. As frustrating as it may be for some people, sometimes physical prowess isn't something you can overcome by trying harder.

The two swords collided and I drove his out of the way. As though he'd been anticipating it, Kravos didn't fight the strike, instead shifting backward and allowing his sword to come back up and around. My first instinct was to shunt it aside with an armored forearm and drive my weapon in for the 'kill'.

That wouldn't have been much fun though, and this is supposed to be a sword fight.

Instead, I shifted to the side, continuing to press my sword against his. As the weapons reached their peak, I pulled back, disengaging from the guard, and drove forward.

Annoyingly, the Dovahkiin seemed to have anticipated the maneuver.

Just as my feet left the ground, I caught the flicker of a smile cross his lips.

It was at that moment I realized my mistake. His sword was still held high, over me, and even if I'd reach him in a split second, it was just above my back.

I twisted, turning my momentum into a roll, and brought my sword back around to bat his aside as I tumbled past him.

Can't stay down. Kravos wasn't going to give me anything. Even if I'm a complete novice with swords, he knows I know how to fight, and given half a chance, I'd be all over him.

Just as I got my feet under me again, the older warrior was on me, sword lancing toward my chest. I shunted it to the side, backstepping as I did, and he followed with a sideways swing that forced me back another step. On the third strike, I knocked the weapon high again, but this time I settled back into a stance of my own. It was different from Kravos'; I don't know swordplay, but I do know CQC. This fight wasn't going to be over quickly, not with our difference in skill.

But I'm still going to win, and I'll use what I know to do it.

The Dovahkiin's smile grew broader once again and he likewise resumed his position, muscles relaxed, but ready.

"I see you understand the importance of skill in a fight with swords now. It is not like unarmed combat where, I must admit, the fight would have been over within the first few moments."

Nodding, I switched the sword to my right hand, holding it as though it were a very large knife. I don't know enough about this type of combat, and while I can learn on the fly, I'm not trying to do that here, I'm trying to win. This won't be like a knife fight, but if I can make it closer to one, that's something I know.

My left hand acting as a distraction of sorts, I shuffled my armored boots forward in the dirt, each never leaving the ground for more than an instant. As I did, I feinted toward him with the sword, taking light swipes at the man's chest and torso. It wasn't to score hits or even to force a block. As with a knife fight against a skilled opponent, my only goal is to keep him honest and feel out his reactions.

Kravos barely budged. He backstepped as necessary and shunted one or two of the light blows aside. Otherwise, he remained still and calm. If anything, the older warrior seemed both exhilarated and fascinated. He couldn't think I wouldn't try something.

I took a jab step forward and thrust the sword at him again. This time he countered with a swing of his own. Neither strike landed.

There's one other reason I'm doing this: I need to lull him into a rhythm like he tried to do with me the first time we fought. It won't be as simple as a few quick swipes, but it isn't about the pattern, it's about the speed. He's cunning and tactful. He knows he can't match speed or strength, so he's relying on experience.

If there's anything I know about experienced fighters though, it's that they develop trends. The better the warrior, the harder that is to take advantage of, and Kravos was definitely a high-quality fighter, but there are some things hardwired into the human brain.

What made this more interesting is I have no doubt he's trying to do the same to me.

So we continued for the better part of a minute, exchanging feints and counters, neither making any aggressive moves like the opening seconds.

And then he misstepped, or at least that's how it appeared. After blocking a strike I'd put a little more power into, the next set-step he took was a little wider than normal. Whether that was accident or design didn't matter. If he thought he could lure me in with it, he was right, but this is where the difference in speed and strength comes into play.

Before the foot had a chance to land, I was surging forward, blade flying once again. Kravos hurriedly brought his sword up to block, but I wasn't about to let that stop me. As my weapon's arc met his, I drove through the guard and toward where the older warrior's head would be.

Maybe it's because this wasn't a real fight, or maybe I was afraid of hurting him, but I slowed as my sword batted his aside. I should have known better. The old Dovahkiin took the hesitation to duck out of the way and roll to the side, flailing his own sword at me as he did. The maneuver probably would have worked on most others, but as I watched him fight, his movements grew slow and trackable.

If it goes much longer, this will be mine, and Kravos' furrowed brow told me he knew that too.

Stepping past the defensive strike, I was on him before he had the opportunity to gather himself, but the cunning warrior wasn't out of tricks, not by a longshot.

When my blade drove for his side, instead of dodging, he stepped forward, raising his arms as he did. The dull practice weapon caught his shirt, tearing the fabric, but it missed his torso. He took the opportunity to swing for my neck and if it wasn't for years of experience and incredibly quick reflexes, the blow would have landed.

Instead of mirroring his maneuver, stepping forward to put us at hand-to-hand range where, no matter his experience, the Dovahkiin would have been helpless, I dropped to a low crouch and followed my momentum, rolling past him.

Feeling the other man bearing down on me as I sprang from the maneuver, I twisted, flipped the sword to a reverse grip as I brought it around to strike-

Something flashed in front of me so bright, my polarizing visor couldn't block it out entirely.

In the instant it took for me to realize the brilliant light came from the end of Kravos' sword, the weapon was on a downward trajectory toward my head.

Oh, so we aren't playing by the rules anymore, huh?

If that's the case.

Instead of continuing my rotation for a parry, eyes still swimming, I reached out with my left hand and grabbed the blade as it descended. Even if it had been sharp, the sword wasn't going to cut through my titanium and carbon nano weave gauntlets, if ever there was a larger understatement.

I pulled the weapon toward me, pivoting to the right as I did, and flipped the Dovahkiin over my hip. The dirt wasn't hard-packed, so the impact wasn't bad.

My opponent down, and his sword neutralized, I leaned down on the man, pinning him in place before bringing my weapon around.

Just after it reached his neck, Kravos released the hilt of his, but it wasn't in surrender. Gouts of flame erupted from his hands and he directed them toward my hea-

"Hey!" Pounding footsteps approached from the direction of the house and I looked up to see Nate, Ashe, and Rena running toward us. "Dammit, I knew this was gonna happen."

"Dad!" Ashe shouted, but the ex-soldier stepped in front of her.

"No, you two stay back for a sec."

His gaze returned to me. "Damon, I know you weren't the one who escalated this, but let's not get carried away, okay? We're supposed to be relaxing, not in a life and death battle with our host."

When I looked back down at the Dovahkiin, the fire in his palms was fading, and his expression wasn't one I'd seen from the man before. He looked… embarrassed?

"My sincerest apologies", Kravos said, voice equally remorseful. "Here we were having a wonderful sparring session and I allowed my nature to ruin it."

It wasn't until then I realized adrenaline had begun teasing into my bloodstream. I felt the restless energy seeping through my arms and legs, almost demanding they move, they fight.

He may have instigated it, but I definitely followed along.

"Don't worry about it", I said, standing.

"No, no", the older warrior replied as I pulled him to his feet. "You're my guests and this was unacceptable. It-"

I shook my head. "It's fine, Kravos. Things happen."

The Dovahkiin fell silent, gazing at me for a few moments before nodding. "If you're certain." The wild grin crept back across his face. "I must say, that may have been the most exhilarating fight I've had the pleasure of engaging in for decades."

While I may not have decades of experience, I couldn't disagree.

"So we're good here?" Nate asked. "No more trying to kill each other?"

Kravos chuckled. "No, not tonight at least." He glanced at the sun. "Dinner should be almost ready. I believe it is time to go in and prepare the meal. May I?" He pointed at my practice sword and I offered it to him.

Despite his apparent recovery, the older man didn't wait for anyone else before abruptly turning to march toward the massive house. Ashe hurried after him, followed by Rena, leaving Nate and me alone in the gradually darkening evening.

"Everything good?" the ex-soldier asked.

"I'm fine."

He frowned. "That isn't what I asked. Are there going to be any more problems?"

"No", I said, gently shaking out my arms, trying to dispel some of the adrenaline's effects. "We got carried away."

"Uh-huh…" he cocked an eyebrow. "'Carried away' is you putting a sword to his throat, and him shooting fire at you?"

"It was a practice sword", I shrugged. "Fire isn't a big deal."

"You-" the smaller man cut himself off with a grunt. "Whatever. Let's get inside and eat." He began walking but, after a few strides, stopped and turned back to me. "Hey, I wanted to ask… did you actually take a bath?"

Did I take a bath? Why is that important? "Taking my armor off without support is a pain in the ass, especially for something like a bath."

He smiled. "So that's a 'no'."

"You can draw your own conclusions."

Inside, Ashe was in the kitchen gathering plates. As we entered the room, large enough to be a small galley, Kravos did from the other side wearing a different shirt. I wasn't very good at reading social cues, but I am proficient at reading body language. The older man tried his best to hide his discomfort, but his stiff gait and slightly too tense shoulders gave it away. I guess he really did feel bad about the fight.

"Ashe", he said, pulling the lid from a massive pot he had sitting over a flame, "would you be so kind as to retrieve the sides?"

"Of course!" The small girl slipped from the stool she'd been using and raced over to a pair of smaller pans. She returned with two bowls full of rice and… something I didn't recognize. It was pale green bulbs sliced in half with browned and blackened edges.

Wait… I think I've seen those before… They're called brussels sprouts I think. The only way I've ever had them is boiled, which was bland and uninteresting. These don't look anything like that.

Kravos was busy pulling a large piece of meat from the pot and setting it on a cutting board.

"Do you guys want any help?" Nate said, stepping forward. "I'm no expert, but I'm used to following orders in the kitchen."

"No, no", the Dovahkiin said a little too fast. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Please, make yourselves comfortable." He waved toward the door. "Ashe and I have grown accustomed to preparing meals ourselves."

That felt like he was politely kicking us out.

Nate nodded. "No problem." He walked out of the kitchen and, after a moment's hesitation, watching Kravos begin slicing whatever he'd made, I followed.

Unsurprisingly, Rena padded out behind me. I'm still not sure why she's so determined to get me to pet her. The dog obviously likes attention, but she gets plenty of it from the other three. Dogmeat didn't care who pet him.

Sounds of preparation still drifting from the kitchen, Nate sat on one of the couches and quietly whistled at the large white and red dog. "Come here Rena, I'll give you some attention."

She ignored him, sitting in front of me as I stopped, her large, pale blue eyes staring up at me.

"Damn… she's as stubborn as the rest of you", the ex-soldier muttered.

"You're one to talk."

He leaned back into the overstuffed couch. "Yeah, I have to be to deal with you."

I shrugged. "You could have left at any time."

"Tried that, didn't work out great, remember?"

When I glanced up from the dog to him, Nate's expression had gone sour.

"Damon… I know, when you came back- I know I said you didn't need to hear an apology from me but…" the ex-soldier trailed off, eyes cast to the ceiling high above. Silence draped itself over the large room, the only thing intruding on it was the continuing preparations from the kitchen.

"Everything that's happened the past few days, I've been thinking a lot about it." Nate's gaze dropped back to me, meeting mine through my visor. They were burning, but not with anger, which is something I've seen from the man plenty. This was something else, something I couldn't put a finger on.

"I'm sorry, Damon. You didn't deserve what I did to you."

…

…

…

My mind couldn't come up with a response. He knew I didn't hold that against him, not anymore at least.

"I… appreciate that- Damon, I won't say 'I'm sorry', you don't need to hear that from me"

He'd been terrified as he said that, but he knew, at the time, it wouldn't have meant anything. Now though? After the last month? Has he been carrying this around that long? With everything that's been going on from the Brotherhood and Institute to the Raiders… I'm not good at figuring out emotions but have I missed that?

"I let it go a while ago. We're fine."

The ex-soldier's brow furrowed for an instant. That probably wasn't what most people say when someone apologizes for almost getting them killed, but it's the truth.

He cleared his throat and a small smile spread across his face. "I know you did, I guess I haven't let myself do it too."

My mind flashed to Cass and Tommy, their hurt, horrified, resigned, expressions as Glory pulled them away.

Then I remembered the desperation and helplessness blooming to fill every fiber of who I am while I watched.

Even after coming back, after finding out they didn't blame me, that they still wanted me around, that they still trust me, I couldn't let my guard down. What I'd done couldn't be undone.

It wasn't hard to imagine Nate felt the same way.

"Yeah, I get that."

Rena let out a low whine and rubbed herself against my leg. That couldn't have been comfortable what with the titanium and all, but she didn't seem to mind.

Footsteps came from the kitchen and, from the way they set on the wooden floor, soft and careful, it was Ashe. Sure enough, she emerged from the door.

"We're about ready in here", the small girl called. "I hope you're hungry!"

"Heck yeah we are!" Nate replied. "Could eat a horse right now!"

She laughed and darted back into the kitchen.

After she was gone, Nate grunted. "Thanks, I had to get that off my chest." He looked like he wanted to say more, but after a moment he let out a deep exhale and smiled. I could almost feel the tension leave his limbs.

I nodded. It was a sin we were both guilty of.

But it's one neither of us has to- should keep carrying.

"You and me both."

He returned my nod, understanding in his eyes, and the two of us fell silent.

A moment later, Ashe and Kravos exited the kitchen, each carrying two plates piled high with food.

"And here we are", the older man said, setting his two plates on the table with a flourish. "One moment, and I will retrieve a vintage I believe will pair perfectly with our supper."

As he turned to a cabinet beside the table, Ashe brought a plate to me. "Here you go Mr. Damon, there are plenty of places you can eat. Dad just said to not go upstairs."

"Thanks", I said, nodding again.

The others settled around the table while I stood there. It felt… odd to go eat on my own. For the first time I can remember, practicing my normal ritual of finding a quiet, secluded spot didn't sit quite right. Ashe and Kravos, despite only having met them a few days ago, helped us fight the slavers, Kravos had kept Nate safe while I was gone, got along great with the people at the farm, then invited me into their house.

Now… I'm not sure what feels more awkward, taking my helmet off and eating with them, or doing so on my own.

The Dovahkiin glanced at me from his spot at the too-large table and flashed a quick smile. He nodded toward the hall that led back to the main entrance.

They were all clearly fine with it but…

The sooner I leave and eat, the sooner I can get back. Standing here worrying about it won't do anyone any good.

Nodding in return I exited and found the stairs to the second floor. They creaked underneath me as I sat, but the wood held firm.

The food was good. Really good. The meat, whatever it was, was tender and well seasoned, and everything else almost seemed to compliment it. The rice was thick but with an odd acidity, it helped cut the richness of the meat. The brussels sprouts were likewise delicious with a nice crunch that added something else to the dish entirely. The food was good enough even I could enjoy it. If nothing else can be said for the man, Kravos is, apparently, a phenomenal cook.

A gentle padding came from the hall and I looked up to see Rena staring at me from the far end, eyes still pleading.

Damn dog… She really is determined.

… Fine.

I set the plate aside and beckoned her over. She approached cautiously like she was worried she might startle me if she moved too quickly. As the large dog stopped in front of me, she stared, head cocked to the side. It was almost as though she was surprised I have a face.

Reaching out, I set a gauntleted hand on Rena's head and slowly stroked down her neck to her stark white back. She wiggled excitedly under my hand but kept the motion far more controlled than when she did it with Nate or Ashe

She took a step closer and I continued petting her. It was… odd. I still don't understand why she'd been so adamant I pet her over the last few days, but I guess she won.

My mind drifted to Ashe as I picked my plate back up. Rena sat beside me while I ate, seemingly content in her victory. I still don't know much about the young girl's history, but I know enough to guess. She could have ended up angry, hateful, closed off… everything I had.

But she didn't. I said it's because she's strong, and that's certainly true, but looking around this house, this island, is that really all it is? This place is peaceful and, with Kravos here, safe. For as violent and savage as the older warrior was, he clearly cared for Ashe in a way I don't understand. This is a place that can help nurture someone like that, a child put in an impossible situation.

Would I have turned out differently if I'd been given the chance? If I'd given myself the chance?

What I said to Ashe earlier still stands true: I wouldn't go back and change the decision now, but that doesn't stop me from wondering what life would be like if I wasn't a SPARTAN.

As my plate emptied, I noticed Rena's eyes flicking from it to me and back. Not only does she want me to pet her, but now she wants me to give her food.

Give an inch… I picked a piece of the meat from my plate and offered it to the large dog. She stared at me, as though she were expecting a trick.

You don't take it, I am gonna start messing with you. Before that could happen though, the dog happily gulped it down and immediately shot me a questing look. She didn't have to speak to convey what it meant.

"You're spoiled."

The pleading eyes didn't go away.

A few minutes later, with a bit of help from Rena, my plate was empty and I fixed my helmet back in place. The others were sitting around the table, talking and laughing. Happy.

The loneliness that settled in the back of my head was familiar, but that didn't make it any less uncomfortable.

Suck it up. It doesn't need to be like that anymore.

"Damon!" Kravos called, waving me over. "We've pulled up a seat for you." He pointed at a stone and wood block maybe a little over half a meter tall. "It is a table, but it should support that armor of yours just fine."

I blinked.

It doesn't need to be like that anymore.

Pacing over, I set my plate on the table and, slowly, lowered myself onto the impromptu seat. As promised, it held.

"Nate here was just regaling us with a story about your fight with Deathclaws a few months ago."

"He tells it to anyone who'll listen."

The ex-soldier snorted. "Sorry, it's not every day you see something like that. And I'm not the only one telling stories here. I wish I knew more about the world you're from… some of the stuff you've gotten up to sounds a little ridiculous, even considering the circumstances. I mean, I get you're dangerous, but I find it hard to believe you fended off a bandit siege alone."

A hearty laugh burst from the Dovahkiin. "That doesn't constitute my greatest achievement. If you don't trust that story… I've got plenty of others you'd find difficult to believe."

Nate looked back and forth between us expectantly. "Well? Are we gonna start measuring or what? I wanna hear the best story each of you has."

Oh here we go… How many different ways is the bastard going to try to get me to tell him stories about my missions?

"Well, I must say I've indulged in my fair share of storytelling", Kravos said, that same glint in his eyes he had in his armory. "I do not mind going first."

Now that Nate has someone to play off of, someone like Kravos, his tactics are a lot more effective.

Dammit.

I nodded.

"Well, one of my favorites is a time I was hunting down a particularly dangerous dragon…"

X

The old Dovahkiin wasn't lying when he said he'd done his fair share of storytelling. It was several hours of back and forth, most of the time filled by Kravos. Most of his stories involved things I couldn't draw comparisons for; wizards, witches, giants, golems, dragons… all of it was beyond fantastical.

And I thought fighting a fundamentalist alien conglomerate hell-bent on the destruction of the human race was as insane as things got. My stories were tame compared to his.

"Well, however you two wanna call the 'sparring' earlier", Nate said as he set down his wine glass, empty for the third time, "your missions are too normal to compete with Kravos' adventures."

Part of that was probably down to the colorful retelling the older man gave compared to mine… which probably would have been at home in any mission debrief.

Kravos laughed his usual, sonorous bellow. "Yes well, the decades have allowed me to undertake more adventures."

"And practice telling them", I muttered.

He smiled. "Why of course. What use is a good adventure if there is no one around to appreciate it?"

Ashe was curled up in his lap, the old man slowly stroking her hair. She'd fallen asleep half an hour ago. That she hadn't woken up given the talking, none of which was quiet, was surprising.

"The hour is late, and I have plenty in mind for tomorrow", Kravos continued. "Ashlyn." He gently squeezed her shoulder and the small girl stirred.

"Just a few more minutes", she mumbled.

"You can sleep all you'd like, but I'd prefer you do it in your bed and not on me."

Her eyes fluttered open to look at him, gaze cloudy.

"... Fine."

The older man chuckled as he lowered his adopted daughter to her feet. "I'll be up in a few moments, allow me to clean the table."

"Okay." Ashe began stumbling her way toward the hall, still half asleep. Rena loped along beside her.

"I don't believe I'll ever be getting my dog back", Kravos said as he watched them go.

Nate shook his head. "No… probably not."

The ex-soldier cleaned the table as Kravos and I brought the dirty dishes into the kitchen.

"What seems to be on your mind", the Dovahkiin said as we deposited the plates in a large tub.

I cocked my head at him. "What do you mean?"

"Your attention doesn't waver easily, however there were several times during our storytelling I found you disengaged." He shrugged. "If it is something you do not wish to discuss, however, I understand."

Something I don't want to talk about? "It's nothing serious. I was thinking about what this place means to Ashe."

"Ah", the old Dovahkiin mused. He didn't follow up with anything else, as if waiting for me to decide whether to continue the conversation.

Problem is, I'm not sure I have anything to say. He knows better than me what it means, what he means to Ashe.

When I didn't respond he grunted. "I understand. If I've learned anything in my time it's that if you truly want to do something, and it's possible of course, the last thing you should do is stop yourself from doing it." He offered me a small smile. "Don't make regrets when you can avoid them."

With that, and his dishes soaking in the tub, the older man left me alone in the kitchen.

Don't make regrets when you can avoid them huh? There was a sadness in the way he said that, in the way he met my gaze as he did.

What does he regret not doing?

"Nate", he called from the other room, "allow me to show you to your accommodations."

As their footsteps receded, I was left alone, nothing to keep me company but my own thoughts. What I didn't want to do was stand around in the kitchen like a moron though.

Walking back through the house, I exited into the calm, clear night. There was nothing to do, no objective to accomplish, no mission to complete. All I have, at least for the next few days, is 'relaxing' on this private island, somehow inhabited by a magic-wielding man from another world and his formerly abused, adopted daughter.

My feet carried me around the massive house aimlessly. It felt like I should be doing something. I know the brewing war will come to a head soon, the Minutemen, while better prepared, still need help and the Institute…

"Don't make regrets when you can avoid them."

What did Kravos mean by that?

The sky, deep and clear, stars shining as if they were amplified, didn't have any answers. Despite that, the view is something I've come to appreciate since being dropped here. Yes, I've spent as much time flying among them as I have with my boots on solid ground, but there's something different about seeing them from planetside. More than that, there's something different about seeing them from Earth, humanity's homeworld, even if it's a destroyed facsimile of it.

After three laps, I decided I'd had enough pacing. A large rock near the edge of the clearing caught my attention and I sat against it, leaning back so I could gaze up into the night sky.

What was Kravos saying?

Why does being here, being around Ashe and Kravos make me feel so… isolated?

"Don't make regrets when you can avoid them."

If he's referring to whatever he thinks I want to change, the one thing I would undo is the Covenant attack. That isn't possible though. So what then?

A soft footstep crunched in the dirt.

I turned my gaze from the sky to see Ashe creeping toward me from the house.

"Making sneaking out a habit today?" I whispered.

She puffed out her cheeks. "I didn't sneak out the first time, remember?"

A smile crept across my face and I nodded. "I do. You probably didn't sneak out this time either."

The small girl didn't respond. Instead, she continued walking until she was beside me.

"What are you doing out here?"

My eyes drifted back into the sky. "Thinking."

"That doesn't help."

I chuckled. "Thinking about what I'd regret not doing."

After a few moments of silence, Ashe shifted and, when I looked back down, she was settling into the dirt next to me, leaning against my arm. She was wearing what looked like a long nightgown.

"You think getting that dirty is a good idea?"

She shrugged. "I can wash it."

"Ah."

The quiet, still night took hold as we both gaze up into the crisp sky. Having her there, someone who had been terrified of me two days ago, and who now, somehow, seemed to trust me almost unconditionally was…

Pleasant.

There are other people who trust me, Nate, Cass, Tommy, Li, the Railroad, the Minutemen. Ashe is different though. Ashe has no one besides Kravos and clearly doesn't feel comfortable around most or anyone else. Yet here she is, leaning against me as though we're friends who met more than a few days ago.

"Dad says his world has two moons, isn't that weird?"

For someone who'd never left Earth? Yeah, that would be weird. "A lot of planets have more than one moon."

"You've been to them?"

I nodded. "Some."

"Wow… I can't wait to see it," Ashe looked up to the sky. "So… what is your world like?"

My world? My world probably isn't a good representation of human space in my universe. But the War, and its effects, aren't unique to me.

"Better than this one, but still not a place I'd recommend."

"Oh." She trailed off and let the night wrap itself around us once again.

Yeah… pleasant is a great word to describe the warm contentedness that settled into the space that had been empty just a few hours ago.

"Mr. Damon?" Ashe whispered after a few minutes of quiet companionship.

"Yeah."

"I don't think you should be lonely anymore."

What? I blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I mean… I was scared of you when we first met because I thought you were mean. But I don't think you're mean, I think you're lonely and you don't know how to not be."

I looked back down at her, and the small girl was already staring up into my visor.

"I'm not very good at that but-" even in the dim starlight cast by the night sky, I could see her face turning red. "But I can be your friend if that's okay."

My jaw set as unexpected emotion climbed up my throat.

"S- sorry I-"

The small girl started when I lifted my arm and put it around her, gently pulling her tiny body to my side.

"Thanks, I'd like that."

Her wide-eyed, almost panicked expression melted into a smile and she leaned into me. Just like Rena, she didn't seem to mind the titanium armor.

"Ashe- can I help you too? Is that okay?"

That's what I said to her. Apparently, I wasn't giving Ashe enough credit. Here she is, despite everything, doing that for me.

Her eyes were glistening but, this time, the smile that accompanied them said it wasn't because she was terrified. "I'm happy. I don't think you should be lonely. You're a Good Man."

I looked back into the sky and let out a long, deep breath. A lot of people would disagree, but maybe that person I was before being dropped here isn't the real me.

Maybe this is.

"Don't make regrets when you can avoid them."

Is that what Kravos was saying?

"That means a lot, Ashe."

We sat there, staring up into the night sky. We weren't SPARTAN and young girl, warrior and child. We were friends.

And that was enough.

Time seemed to fade into obscurity as the stars and half-moon shone down on us. Since coming here, I've met more new people than in the decade and a half I've been with the UNSC. Even then, there aren't many I feel comfortable around. It took Nate and me a month before we stopped wanting to kill one another. Then the ambush happened.

Somehow though, Ashe had gone from terrified of me, to sitting comfortably under my arm in about 48 hours. She really is remarkable. No matter what the future held, I'm sure she'd turn out alright.

"You're a Good Man."

I leaned my head back against the rock.

Maybe Nate was right… Maybe, even though there's a war looming on the horizon, and more people than I ever thought I was capable of caring about would soon be in danger, this break was necessary.

Eventually, Ashe's breath deepened and slowed into the rhythmic beat of sleep. It was late, and Kravos has something planned for tomorrow, whatever that is. I hadn't slept the night before, so catching some shuteye would be a good idea.

Gently pulling Ashe into my arms, I stood, carrying the small girl back to their manor. After one last glance at the mesmerizingly clear night sky, I ducked inside.

For so long, I've been called different names that were, essentially, the same thing: Brute, Demon, Monster, Boogeyman. After the months I've spent in the Commonwealth, I'm not sure any of those describe who I am anymore. In fact, I'm not sure what I'd use to describe myself now.

Even so, I hope I can live up to the new title I've been granted.

A Good Man.