"I see," He sipped his drink and set it down on the table, "Do you have any memory beyond the orphanage, Serna? I will be honest with you, my wife and I always wanted to have a daughter but fate only gave us sons. So, would you consider being adopted?"

"Well I--wait WHAT?!" The Shield Maiden looked completely flabergasted, "What did you say?"

"Would you like to be adopted, Serna? To have a family who's cares and loves besides your friends, and a place to call home." He asked her.

"I--I--I don't even know you!" Serna shook her head is pure disbelief, "I mean, you seem nice and kind. But I don't really know you or your wife. And what would she say if you brought me back to Asylum with you and brought me into your home like a lost stray puppy that you found on the street?" The Shield Maiden smacked herself in the forehead, "And I didn't tell you this before, but I have been labelled a 'Disturber of the Peace.' Do you really want to get mixed up with someone who has that title hanging over her head?"

"Surely you've seen some of the orphans in Deeping Dale get adopted from time to time. Most children long to be a part of a family when they were left behind for one reason or another. I would be over joyed if you accept and so would my wife but the choice is truly yours." He lowered his head slightly.

"Well, I have seen some of my old friends at the orphanage get adopted," The Shield Maiden added, "But I never thought I would ever be one of them. No one ever picked me. And after awhile, I just gave up hope that I ever would."

Captain Lion addressed the Shield Maiden calmly. "For starters, Serna, word travels fast in the city of Asylum but I don't judge. I look at it as someone trying to solve a problem set before you by the Bronze Man. There are more subtle ways of causing a distraction besides irritating those who sell and trade their wares in the Merchant District. Besides you're a smart girl, you've wouldn't have done it otherwise."

"Thanks!" Serna smiled back at Captain Lion, "And I suppose you are right. There were more subtle ways that I could have approached that problem, but we were pressed for time so I did what I did. I didn't do it to irritate people, I just did it to help a friend. That's all."

"Perhaps a more subtle approach would be advisable should you need to do it again," He sipped his drink, "don't feel bad, the Bronze Man has called my situations unorthodox because of how I like to handle them."

"Really? You seem so calm and organized. I just don't see you being unorthodox," The Shield Maiden sat for a minute in silence and then turned back to the Airship Captain, "Captain Lion, can I at least have some time to think about your offer?"

"Of course. Of course, young lady," Captain Lion smiled softly.

"Thanks!" Serna smiled back, "Can you give me one night to think it over? Then I can give you my answer in the morning. Okay?"

"Certainly, young lady. Take your time." He tipped his hat to her.

"Thanks!" Serna smiled once more.

********

Mandur and his fellows all stood up helping the bronze man to his feet, "I know you favor the hard drink of my kin, Grand Cleric but taking on a contest with the drow swordsman may not of been a wise choice."

Lazheros merely nodded in agreement as he stood up and headed back up to the banquet hall with Mandur and his kin.

The dwarves went over to the buffet and filled their plates and sat down across from the elementalist except for Mandur and Lazheros who greeted the princes three with a courtly bow. "Hail to the Crown Prince of Winterfall, to the Horse Lord of WestFall, and to the Ranger of the Southern Valley! Hail!"

A chorus of cheers from the dwarves erupted with their steins raised high.

Prince Willow looked towards his older brother, Crown Prince Ash, to deliver a responding cheer of his own. It was customary that the oldest and highest in royal or noble rank would do so first only to be followed by his subordinates.

Ash gave a nod which was followed by Yew, "Hail to new allies of Northaven! To the victory of our kingdom and the defeat of our foes! We honor those who came to our aid when our need was dire, and we shall honor it in kind when that day arrives!"

Willow added with a raised chalice, "Hail to our brothers under the earth, in the sky and across the sea! For those who stood with us this day are our brothers in all but blood! We honor those who died for us! We celebrate those who fought with us! And we will stand by those who stood by us! From now until the ending of The Realm!"

The bronze man said nothing as his head was still ringing from the mild hangover and loss of drinking contest proposed by the elementalist. He walked over and sat down next to her whispering, "Give me a heads up next time, Alyson."

She cracked a smile, "I did but you drank too much in a short amount of time. Perhaps if you paced yourself..."

Lazheros narrowed his eyes at her grumbling, "I see this is payback for dropping you in the water at the bathhouse isn't it?"

"Maybe," Her smile grew larger followed by a giggle.

Ash and Yew joined Mandur, Lazheros and Alyson at the table now. The crown prince addressed the guardian of Asylum, "I must personally thank you for all the aid and heals you were able to provide for my kin during the battle."

Prince Willow joined his brothers at the table with their allies.

"I would gladly do it again in your time of need, your highness should you ever need the aid of Asylum." Lazheros replied with a nod.

Lazheros turned to the ranger, "And what path has been laid before you now, Prince Willow?"

The Ranger responded, "The path that leads home, Lazheros, I shall remain in Northaven for a time to assist my brothers and our father in rebuilding our kingdom and restoring hope to our people. Once I am finished here, I shall rejoin all of you at a future time. But until then, my family needs me as much as our people need us to reign and to rule as The Sons of Sunrider."

Alyson looked over at the ranger, "Are you sure about this Willow? I mean if that's what you must do for your people because I don't know how Serna is gonna take it."

"I will explain it to her," Prince Willow admitted confidently, "And Serna will understand. She's smart and wise beyond her years. She will see the wisdom and truth of my decision."

"Oh, okay." The elementalist shrugged, ~Smart and wise beyond her years...I believe it when I see it.~

~ Agreed.~ Lazheros glanced over in Serna's direction, "It would seem Captain Lion is having an interesting conversation with the shield maiden. My advice Prince Willow is tell her before we leave your homeland."

"I will," The Swordsman agreed with a firm nod, "I will."

Mandur spoke up now, "Aye, it will be good to see you, Prince Willow. My fellows often speak of how you were able to seek aid when the time required it. Two, I am sure King Sunrider is pleased that you're staying on for a bit. He often mentioned you after you left referring to your keen insight on matters beyond the cities and towns of the kingdom. "Into the wilds, my youngest has gone. For it calls to him as it did our ancestors."

"I am surprised that my father thought such things of me during my exile," The Ranger admitted somewhat reluctantly, "The last time I was here our parting was not a happy one. I stormed out of his presence and went into exile over a political marriage that I neither desired nor wanted."

Prince Willow added with a warm smile, "But these are happier times. The sons of Sunrider have come home, the kingdom is safe and the long hard work of rebuilding our lands, re-planting our fields, and restoring our towns remains. But what of you, Lazheros? Do you plan to return to Asylum or seek to explore other lands?"