She prattled on happily as I finished my bath, only stopping to fetch me a few simple robes that I could wear until my regular clothes were ready. After I was dressed, we double-backed through a few halls before coming to a guarded private wing. My room was at the end of it, with no other doors noticeable in the hallway. It was much larger but less cluttered than the chambers I had shared with Nora in Castle Amantia. Within it was a four-post bed with a canopy, a small writing desk, a few comfortable chairs for a small gathering, and a large, round table that looked like I could hold a tiny court around it. There were windows, but they were made of stained glass, with nary a way to open them.

He’s making it hard for me to go off on my own.

…I suppose I can admit I have a track record for doing that much.

“Is there anything else you need at the moment, Captain?” Mother Liora asked after lighting a few candles about the room.

I noted that my rucksack had made its way to the table without me. “No, not at this time. Thank you for talking with me… and the advice about the bath.”

She smiled somewhat airily and left after a graceful bow, though I heard her exchanging words with the guards for several minutes after I had closed the doors. I considered trying to use Amity to listen in, but I ultimately decided that I wasn’t sure I would want to hear it anyway. I pulled out a pen, an inkpot, and my new journal, turning a few pages past the kind inscriptions to an entirely blank page. I paused.

I haven’t read what Relias wrote. Maybe I should…

No.

Not now.

I can’t afford to lose my resolve!

With an ugly snort, I started my ‘Chairo to-do list.’ I wrote down the names of my other companions since I had private business with each one of them. I also added Prince Mito and Father Irijah as separate entries. Next was ‘Chairo’s Crystals.’ On the following free line, I added ‘Pravum’s desk.’ After a few moments of silence, I made a note to rendezvous with Captain Corwin, to have a girl’s day out with Nora as promised, and to visit the temporary protestor encampment outside of the city. At first, I felt the list was pretty comprehensive, but there were a few things that required Relias, whether I liked it or not. A bit irrationally, I turned through a few blank pages to hide my second list and wrote, "Have a crucial conversation with Relias - and don’t just apologize or let it slide!'

Then, I began to list everything I needed to do after we started talking normally again as if a miracle would occur.

Hero manual.

Welcome back celebration (with ballroom dancing)?

The Faith of Euphridia

The last item on the list really was final. Once that shield was in my hands, I knew there would be no turning back.

But really, there wasn’t anywhere else to go at this point.

All I could do was move forward and evaluate all the other paths encountered along the way.