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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4729546" data-attributes="member: 3285">Sibling Rivalry: ConclusionThe trip back through the portal was as disorienting as ever. Once they regained their bearings, Decimus was standing before them. “This is not the same portal chamber,” said Ilmarė. “Welcome back, my friends. I feared that you might choose the Gracchi offer instead.” “We talked about it at length,” said Sebastian. “But ultimately, I would rather support a rebel than a tyrant.”“Where are we?” asked Vlad.“You are in Nevanne.  I apologize for the deception. My employer did not feel it safe for you to return to Savona and instead sought help from an ally.”“Who is this ally?” asked Beldin.Decimus began to speak and then was cut off by the sound of marching feet and the opening of the portal chamber’s heavy door. General Menisis val’Tensen entered with a small entourage of men. “Welcome back from your mission. I’m sure you did not expect to arrive in Nevanne. However, his Eminence, the Archprelate of Beltine, felt it might be more prudent for you to come here rather than for you to return Enpebyn. Please tell me, did you succeed in finding the val’Emman’s Mentagi?” Quintus saluted Menisis.  “How do you know of this mission?  Why are you interested in it?”“Those are all legitimate questions. Decimus’ patron, the Archprelate Morushun val’Ishi, told me of your mission. The Emperor is either under the sway of malignant forces or has gone insane. His Holiness believes that should the Mentagi fall into the Emperor’s hands, he will allow those of the val’Emman family access to it only if they swear fealty to him. I do not wish to see a people freed from the mists of history only to be enslaved as janissaries of a madman.”“So it is open rebellion then,” Quintus said quietly. “You must understand that I have reports of legions deserting their posts and returning to their founding city. Further reports tell of small clashes between Coryani legions in the outskirts of the Foundry as well as a very troubling mention of the disappearance of an entire legion in the Western Marches.  With such chaos rippling through the Empire, I’m sure you agree that Nevanne is a far safer place for your discovery than those contested regions.” He nodded at Decimus. “Decimus has a letter from the Archprelate corroborating what I just explained.” “About our payment…” added Vlad.“The artifacts are property of Quintus’ expedition and by extension, they become the property of the Archprelate. You will be compensated as promised and be given leave to go as you wish.” Quintus cleared his throat.  “I have nowhere else to go.  I would stay here and help, if you will have me.”Menisis assessed Quintus.  “You look different, Quintus.  Stronger.  We would be glad to have you. And the rest of you?”“We’ve got a friend to catch up with in Altheria,” said Sebastian.  “We need to leave at once.”“I understand.  You will be escorted with all due haste.  The sooner you’re out of Coryan, the better.  The Emperor will not soon forget this slight.”The esteemed general nodded again to Decimus and then marched out the way he came. Decimus and the others followed after him. “Ilmarė, wait.”  The elorii paused. Quintus and Ilmarė stared at each other for a long moment. “When I had heard you were poisoned in Milandir, I feared the worst.  I went on this quest with the hope that I would find you.  And then this all happened.” Quintus hugged her to him.  “When I was in that closet, when they were cutting me up…all that kept me going was the thought of you.  You were all I could think of, even though I knew you were a thousand miles away.  And you found me.  You found me.”“I'm sorry,” said Ilmarė. “I'm sorry...”“Hey...hey...it's okay!” He hugged her tighter. “Your new body is different…so thin,” said Ilmarė. “Am I hurting you?”“No…no…it feels good...” He hadn’t been hugged or barely touched in so long. Ilmarė disengaged and looked at him with a familiar smile.“Back soon, you said you'd be back soon.”“I know. I was on a mission I couldn’t share with you. With anyone.  The contubernium were my family.  With you gone, they were my world.  Now they’re gone too.” Quintus met her gaze, looked her over with a smile. “You look...wonderful.  I like your hair.”“I’ve…I’ve found someone else,” Ilmarė said softly. “An elorii.”“I thought you might have.”“I would never –““I know.”“I didn't want it to happen.  It just did.  One day Persius was there.  He took care of everything.  He took care of me.  I was…broken.”“It’s been so long. Are you married?”Ilmarė shook her head.  “It’s more complicated than that. Some day, I will explain it to you.”Silence. “We’ve changed a lot, haven’t we?”“We have indeed,” said Ilmarė.  “You and I are more different than ever.”“And yet, far more alike.” Quintus laughed.  “Now I’m a val in service to a rebel army. And you are trying to help save humans from ssanu.”Ilmarė’s expression turned serious. “Umor has grown so bold as to manifest as a Valinor before the Emperor. The Gods War is at hand. We may not see each other again.”Quintus smiled sadly.  “Then this is goodbye.  Farewell, Ilmarė.  Take good care of Kham and the others.”“Someone has to.”  She squeezed his hand briefly.  Then she turned and walked out of Quintus’ life.Quintus stood there, uncertain and unwilling to step into his new life right away.  Decimus stuck his head back in the room.  “Come, Quintus.  We’ve got much work to do and little time to do it.”“Right,” said Quintus. He approached the two legionnaires who flanked the doorway. They both saluted him. “For duty and honor!”Quintus blinked back tears of surprise.  Finding his voice, he shouted,”For duty and honor!”</blockquote>

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