A silent night it was in Biggerton. In his room in the shabby inn, Senn took out his Song and looked at it. The blue cube was pulsing around its core. Its faint humming was quite audible in the still evening air. The blue reminded him of home, of Sendaria, of his books, of Ria.
Something moved outside the door. Senn quickly tucked his Song away. He looked up to see Thalleous awake as well, standing on the balcony. Senn opened his door and walked to join his mentor.
"You should be asleep, Senn." Thalleous said. His sword leaned against the wall and he was supporting himself with the railings. He looked tired, and old.
"So should you." Senn replied.
Thalleous gave a small chuckle. "If only." He said. "A lifetime of wielding Songs has had certain…adverse effects on my health."
Senn had heard of that. Though the Songs endow the Ardoni great power, they also take something in return.
"Thalleous," he began, "what was the Great War like?" He sat down beside the blue warrior, who seemed to be lost in thought.
"They call it the Great War." Thalleous finally said, "but few things about it were great." Thalleous thought back to those turbulent times. "Many lives were lost, and the Ardoni?" He paused to recollect his thoughts, "The Ardoni were nearly brought to extinction."
It was so different from the way Sulliman told it. War, it seemed to Senn, was much more brutal than it sounded. He did not to pursue it further.
"Did you ever meet the Tidesinger?" He asked.
"Oh, yes." Thalleous replied, picking up his weapon and admiring it, caressing it as if it was his beloved companion. "We fought together on occasions." For a moment, Thalleous seemed to go back in time, and a rare smile broke across his face. "His true name was Achillean Nestoris, and he was the greatest Song wielder I have ever known." He put his sword back and gazed out into the starless sky. "His true power, however, lay in his ability to unite and lead so many diverse people and factions."
"And he was killed by the Deathsinger?" Senn pursued.
Thalleous turned away from Senn and cast his sight in another direction. "Nobody really knows who killed who…but yes," he continued, "both were killed."
Senn looked puzzled. "How could this be?" he ventured.
"When an Ardoni dies," Thalleous explained, "their Songs are left behind. After the battle, the Songs of both the Tidesinger and Deathsinger were found. Some people questioned what really happened, but most were just glad the war was finally over."
Senn changed the subject again. "Thalleous," he asked, "do you know where I'm from?"
The blue warrior thought for a bit, as if considering what to tell him, and began, "Your," his voice stuck for a bit, "parents, were both killed by the Voltaris, and you were the only one of your brothers and sisters I could save. I could not raise you myself with all the traveling I did, so I looked for someone who would be willing to take in a child. But no one would accept a clan-less child, apart from Osivian." Thalleous looked long and meaningfully at Senn. "He raised you and cared for you, and even though you may not have been Sendaris, he named you after the clan." He placed one hand on the white Ardoni's shoulder. "Senn." He concluded, "so you would always have a place to return to."
Senn knew he was not like the others growing up, but he never knew, quite so clearly, that he was the last of his family.
Thalleous tried to comfort him. "I know this is not what you wanted to hear." He turned his gaze back to the mountains, "but perhaps the truth will help you one day find peace."
"I understand." Senn's voice cracked as something got stuck in his throat. "Thank you for being honest."
The two Ardoni set off early in the morning. Senn rode Timber, and Thalleous followed. The morning smelled of dew and mud. The familiar bird song of Sendaria quickened their footsteps as they meandered along the gravel path.
"I recognize these trees." Senn said. "We're near Sendaria, right Thalleous?"
"That is correct." The warrior replied. "Your home is just ahead."
"This was quite an adventure Thalleous, thank you for having me along." Senn turned on horseback to admire his mentor.
Thalleous tried not to laugh. "I would hardly call this trip an adventure, but you are most welcome."
They reached the shoreline of the boundary river of their village. The trees lining the coast blocked the orange sunlight from their view. Senn dismounted, and ran to greet his home again. Timber whinnied nervously. Thalleous knew something was wrong. Animals are, in some ways, more sensitive than Ardoni.
"Senn!" He shouted. "Senn, wait!" He chased after the white youth.
But it was too late. Senn stood at the gateway, dumbfounded as he stared at the village, or what's left of it, aflame against the scorching sun overhead.