“WHAT!!”, the younger sisters exclaims in shock all traces of her hiccups gone.. “After all the hurdles you’ve both been through to be together, Why?”

In a low raspy voice Scarlet replies,“He told me after careful consideration, he felt that it was best for Sootscale Tribe if he ruled them as a kobold. He ranted on about needing to do this to be redeemed and finally made a flowery speech expressing his gratitude for all my efforts and my wisdom.”

She heaves a sigh of despair, “I can not forget the look on Nicholas’ face when he realized Tamara will not be duchess.”

“Well what did you tell him?” Abigail asks with a subtle tone of frustration..
The hoarseness in Scarlet’s voice becomes more pronounced as she responds defensively.

“Wh…What could I do! He already made his choice. Nothing I could say would dissuade him.”
A tear trickles down her cheek. She busies herself by stuffing all of Abigail clothing in the her backpack.

“I was devastated. “ She continues, “The only thing I could say was that if it pleases him. I hugged him and finally gathered the courage to tell him that I loved him. Before he could say anything, I ran off. I went home to pack my wine and rode here.”

Scarlet begins to whimpers. “And the worst part is most of the wine did not make it here…I sniff..I destroyed.a perfectly good bottle of Sanguine Fae by hurling it at my mirror.”

Abigail gasps.“Oh Scarlet I am so sorry.”

The priestess kneels on the ground covering her face with her hands and burst into tears.
“What is wrong with me?! Why am I undeserving of happiness? ”

Abigail rushes over to give her older sister a great big bear hug.

“Nothing is wrong with you, sis…. it’s this place – it’s cursed. I mean how could so much go wrong in one duchy. Maybe you’re right, leaving Tuskany will be good for our well-being.”

They hug a while longer before Abigail abruptly stands up.

“Oh my goodness why didn’t I see this before!”
“What?” Scarlet looks up at her sister with a puzzled expression.

“Turning down Deirdre …ending the marriage with Lulu. Nothing became of Lilith or Jaiy.- his first love. Changing his mind with you…refusing Beppo’s mother’s advances”

Abigail presses her fingers against her temples in attempt to contain her excitement. “Oh my goodness It’s so obvious.”

“What is it?!” Scarlet asks urging her sister to explain.

“Faisal fancies men!”

An imagery of a naked Faisal leap frogging over a naked MicMek appears in Scarlet’s mind.

She quickly dismisses that thought and finally says, “What! That is ludicrous! Why profess his love if he does not mean it? Why would he toy with my emotions? ”

Abigail shrugs. “Perhaps he is sexually confused or has commitment issues. But doesn’t it seem odd to you that he turned down all these women?”

She kneels beside her older sister and whispers into her ear. Her lips curl into a devilish smile. ”I mean did you ever wonder what he was doing all those times with Armando in private? Why Armando was always in pain afterwords. Rumors have been told Faisal likes it rough!”

The priestess face flushes red at the disturbing thought. She gasps in horror.

“Abby!! You are so wicked!! Shame on you for thinking so ill of Faisal! Those rumors are absolute rubbish!”

Scarlet adds, “Besides there were sound reasons why his former relationship did not work. In my case, he truly believed it was his divine calling to remain a kobold and to rule Tuskany. Perhaps this is the Goddess’ way of telling me it was not meant to be.“

After a brief pause, she quietly says to herself riddled with self doubt, “And Faisal does not fancy men … at least I do not believe so…”

Abigail blushes red with embarrassment. She pulls out another bottle of wine and pours her sister and herself a drink. She offers her sister a glass interrupting her sister’s reflection.

“I’m sorry, sis. I did not mean to disrespect Faisal. It’s just Dorian had really upset me and I can’t help being spiteful especially after what Faisal had put you through. How about we forget about the foolish men in our lives and drink to our future?”

“Agreed.”, Scarlet replies and raises her glass. “ To new beginnings. ”
The sisters clink their glasses and gulp down their drinks.

After a moment of silence, Abigail asks, “Do you think we will ever find our true loves on our travels?”

Scarlet replies, “We will never know unless we take a leap of faith. The Goddess works in mysterious ways.”

After the sisters finish their packing, they step outside the house one last time ready to embark on their journey.
Scarlet gazes up at the castle in the distance. A flood of painful memories overwhelms her as she reminiscences about her father’s betrayal, Deirdre’s hatred, Carson’s suicide, Talreth’s death, Valainistima’s cruelty and finally Faisal’s rejection. The desire to flee Tuskany has never felt so strong.

Tuskany was never my home

“Scarlet, Scarlet!” Abigail calls out disrupting the priestess’s reverie.
“Do you wish to say goodbye?” She asks giving her older sister a knowing look.
The dawnsister’s gaze never leaves the castle.

“No” she replies with a tinge of bitterness in her tone. She turns to her sister and sharply says ,”Let’s go.”

On that final note, the sisters ride off into the sunset.

The End

An hour and two bottles of wine later…

Feeling slightly woozy, Abigail takes a break and lies supine on the bed. She watches her older sister pack her belongings.

“Whooaa..” Her head spins as she briefly glances up at the ceiling..
She blurts out turning her attention to her sister, “You’ve told me about the others but you left Faisal out. Any particular reason why?”

Unresponsive, the priestess focuses on folding her sister’s clothing as if Abigail had never spoken.

Annoyed by her sister’s silence, Abigail sits up right and in her wobbly state attempts to glare at Scarlet.

“Scarlet, I asked you a question. hiccup What happened with Faisal?”

Fixated on Abigail’s dress in her hands, the priestess answers in a low voice, “It is complicated”

Wavering, Abigail crosses her arms. “I have all day to understand. Besides I’m not hiccup going anywhere with you unless you tell me hiccup what happened.”

Scarlet lets out a deep sigh and drops the dress on the bed.

“Very well”

She turns to her little sister and says, Faisal had professed his love to me. He wanted to free Lulu from their marriage contact, abdicate the throne to Tamara and seek redemption to become human. I offered him my assistance as repayment for my past transgressions but warned him of the possible consequences for his proposed actions with the Sootscale tribe.”

“Despite my forewarning, we went to visit Chief Sootscale. I was reluctant for I feared that Sootscale tribe would declare separation from Tuskany. My fears were confirmed but after grueling negotiations, we managed to make him an offer he could not refuse.”

The younger sister asks in suspense, “*hiccup* What was the offer? ”

“A gnome sacrifice once a week”

Abigail gasps.

Scarlet snorts with laughter and apologetically says, “Sorry, I could not resist.”

“We appeased him by offering Lulu a position as Second in Command in the Tuskan military and granting Mikmek a prepended name to his title. He is no longer the ‘Royal Assassin’ but now known as ‘Most Royal Assassin’

Faisal was free from the bonds of marriage and duchy responsibilities but he was still a kobold. Fortunately we recovered a spell book once was possessed by Ildrim’s mentor, my grandfather.

In that spell book, contained a spell powerful enough to turn Faisal into his human form. Ildrim spent several days training and studying the spell until he could commit it to memory. We had all the elements needed to successfully cast the spell, an experienced wizard, the spell and the diamond.”

“And?!!”Abigail asks anxiously prompting her elder sister to conclude her story.

Scarlet briefly closes her eyes and shakes her head.

“Except for the target. Faisal changed his mind.”

Abigail frowns and her eyes water at the thought of her beloved. She begins to hyperventilate and attempts to speak with much difficulty forcing the words to roll off her tongue.

“Nnnoootttt wwweeelll. ….gulp ….ev..everry day I..I’ve waited for Ddddoooorrrrrian come ho…ho…. home. I…I haven’t slept or ate much. Sssis, I .mmmmiss him sooo mmmmuch.”

Her older sister wraps an arm around Abigail and draws her little sister’s head to her chest.
Abigail sobs uncontrollable in her sister’s embrace while Scarlet attempts to console her.

When the crying dies down to whimpers, Abigail looks up at her older sister and asks, “ Sniff Any news of Dorian? ”

Scarlet slowly shakes her head.

“The last I heard he requested to be stationed in Freeport. He spends his free time at the broth…” Scarlet’s voice trails off quickly realizing her mistake but immediately corrects herself, “…tavern with his drinking companion Armando who was released from the dungeon after the favourable verdict that was reached during his trial. There are others among Dorian who despises Beppo and have formed an anti-Beppo alliance. I only pray that Dorian has not joined and if I were Beppo, I would watch my back.”

Scarlet looks her little sister in the eyes and tells her with a hopeful smile, “Do not feel bad Abby, there are other women like you who fell prey to Beppo’s charm. You must not beat yourself up about it.”

Abigail reluctantly nods. “I know…I know but it doesn’t take away from the fact that Dorian has left me. ”

Suddenly Scarlet’s emerald eyes lights up with an epiphany. Unable to contain her excitement she says,

“Ohh Ohh!! Why not come with me! Father is gone and so is Dorian. Once I leave, nothing will bind you to Tuskany. We can travel to distant lands spreading my Goddess’ word. We can feed and shelter the poor, heal the sick and wounded and redeem the sinned and the damned. You can be my apprentice. I will teach you everything I know. We can even visit father and the baby in Kyonin or Brianne and the children. What do you say?”

An expression of skepticism crosses Abigail’s face. “Umm.. I don’t know. What if it’s too dangerous? What happens if Dorian comes back?”

Her older sister lets out an impatient sigh and tells her, “Oh Abby…. It is well over a month since he left. Do you not see that Dorian is never coming back. I understand he suffers from a wounded pride but it was foolish of him to leave you in the first place. And to mitigate the dangers, we will stay on the main routes, hire body guards and I will train you to defend yourself against any threats. Believe me, you are in good hands and I swear to the Eternal Light and Wisdom I will not let anything happen to you. Now get packing!”

<<To Be Continued

Abigail flings her arms around her older sister. Scarlet drops her packed belongings and returns the hug.

“Oh Sis!” Abigail cries. Her hands shake in hysteria. Tears of sadness stream down her cheeks.
“I wish you didn’t go. Wh..what am I going to now that you and father are gone?! ”

Over a month had passed since the battle with the spawn of Rovagug. During this time Sadrion had returned to Kyonin to father Valainistima’s baby. The last she saw of her sister was during their father’s parting dinner.

Before Scarlet could speak, her sister wipes her tears and clings on to Scarlet arms.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been out. Tell me what’s new with you and the others.”

Well Scarlet begins, “ I am terrible sorry Abby for not visiting more often. It has been hectic training my replacement Sigmar as the High Priest. The congregation is really pleased with his direction. He has done a wonderful job cleansing our tainted reputation. Five new members have already joined since his commencement day. However a few of our members have approached me in private expressing their concerns with his unorthodox methods of confession.

Nicholas and Tamara have been busy tending to their son Thorne who as you heard is quite the handful. Tamara have been having difficulty breastfeeding. The other day he nearly bit off her nipple. Now he has begun chewing all the furniture. Last week he has learned to cast darkness just as Nicholas was walking up the stairs. Poor Nicholas, caught by surprise, fell down the stairs and sprained his neck. I tell you there are many days where I would be inundated with house calls.

The last I seen of Beppo was during our council meeting two weeks ago. He has been spending all his time with his wife, Lucinda and his dragon Benny. Some of the town folks have complained about their roof and cloth line being set on fire whenever Beppo and Benny play. Every night they would light up the sky with fireworks above the castle disrupting Thorne from his sleep… which ultimately disrupt Nicholas and Tamara from theirs.

Yesterday I watched Brother Shin meditate in the castle garden. He tells me he is preparing for a spiritual retreat on a quest to master the four winds. Truthfully I would not know how far he has progressed but it will be the day to everyone’s relief when he learns how to master his passing of wind.

Ildrim has spent his days and nights studying. Several days ago I have learned that he formed a book club welcoming only young maidens. From what I gather these meetings can be quite lengthy. In fact these meetings will usually last all night. Rumors have it that Soletha rarely sees him and is not too pleased with the amount of time he spends at the book club reading.
”
Scarlet adds, “I believe that is it.”
She eyes her sister with a look of concern and asks,”You do not look well. How are you feeling?”

“It required several years, but they finally managed to destroy the creature permanently. Its remains lie beneath the Radiant Temple as a reminder of The Lady of Eternal Light’s triumph over the forces of darkness and chaos.”

The two children sit with rapt attention as she concludes her story. The younger of the two sits up, and tears glistening in her eyes.

“I miss grandpa.”

The woman gathers both of them into her arms. “I know, sweetheart. I miss him too. But kobolds do not live as long as humans, and it was his time to return to The Goddess and enjoy a rest.”

“Why didn’t he get someone to turn him back into a human?”, asks the older child.

“Well, sweetie, that is complicated. Your grandfather eventually understood Dawnsister Scarlet’s wisdom in having a kobold on the throne. The Sootscale tribe grew and prospered and was a strong support for Tuskany over the years. When Lady Lulu took control of the tribe after her father’s passing, her friendship with your grandfather brought the kobolds even deeper into the fold. Even the gnomes eventually gave them some grudging respect and friendship. That might not have happened if he had become human again.”

The younger girl shakes her head, her voice tone slightly whining. “But he could’ve married Scarlet and been Happily Ever After.”

The woman smiles sadly. “Perhaps. But I suspect that was another reason that he did not seek the transformation. He understood that the Dawnsister did not return his feelings, and he did not wish to cause her any further discomfort or grief.”

The child folds her arms across her chest. “That’s dumb.”

“But what happened to Scarlet and the others?”, asks the older girl. “What about the Devil-boy? And Deirdre and Lilith? Did they get punished?”

The woman smiles indulgently and rises. “Those are stories for another night. It is bedtime now.”

“Aaaawwwww…”, moan the two girls in unison, even as they rise from the bedside.

“Go brush your teeth and hair, and I will be back to tuck you in.”

She leaves the room, turning the corner to find her husband leaning against the doorframe, a smirk on his face.

“They always want the same stories. I thought girls were supposed to like unicorns and rainbows and mermaids. Not fearsome monsters, armoured knights and sorcerers flinging fireballs.”

The woman shrugs. “They are their mother’s daughters. I was only ten when I was given my first blade. Fifteen in my first command. What else would you expect?”

He smiles, “I would be nice if they would stay little girls for a bit longer before they go off to slay dragons. They don’t need to become Lady Sera Salaam, Knight Protector of Tuskany and Holy Warrior of The Sarenrae, just yet.”

The sounds of small voices raised in argument intrudes on the conversation. Sera sighs and gives her husband a pained look. “Not to worry. They still have plenty of growing up to do.”

The young woman returns to the bedroom to find both girls sitting up in bed shouting at each other.

“DID NOT!”, yells the younger child. “She died and then he fell in love with Scarlet and he forgot all about her and loved Scarlet more!”

“Jaiyana was his true love!”, counters the older girl. “Just because she died doesn’t mean he stopped loving her. He didn’t even love Scarlet enough to stop being a kobold for her!”

“Enough!”, says Sera, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the din. “It doesn’t matter who your grandfather loved more. He loved them both, at different times and in different ways. Just like he loved you both, but never one more than the other. Now lie down.”

Both girls mumble quiet apologies and settle into bed, saying goodnight. Sera tucks each girl in, giving them a kiss on the forehead, first the older child, then the younger.

“Good night, Jaiyana. Good night, Scarlet. Sweet dreams.”

Faisal bows his head briefly, unwilling to risk Scarlet letting go of his arm.

“If you feel that my presence in this form serves The Eternal Light of Compassion, I shall consider the wisdom of your words. I do ask that you reconsider and allow Tamara to take her proper role as Duchess. They are a fine couple, and with a proper heir on the way, our land would be far more stable.”

They continue in silence for a few moments before the kobold stops abruptly, his amber, draconic eyes intent.

“Scarlet, you are far harsher on yourself than I ever was, even in the depths of my anger and foolishness. You blame yourself for being less than perfect, as I once did, but you are beating yourself with what should be nothing more than the reality of being mortal.

“The Book of Forms has a verse:

Accept the flaws and failings of yourself and others.
Strive toward perfection, knowing that it can never be achieved.
For if each were born to never fail,
We would sit at The Eternal Light’s right hand
Rather than struggle toward the Light.

“Perhaps I understand the wisdom of these words now. I recognize the harm in expecting perfection from others, you must do the same for yourself. I hold you blameless in these events for which you whip yourself mercilessly. They were consequences of circumstance and my own poor choices. If, in retrospect, you believe you should have acted differently, this is no more than the reality of our imperfect lives.

“You may not feel worthy to be loved, but you are wrong. Whether you are able to reciprocate or not, you should at least recognize your own value.”

The paladin raises his hand to cup the young woman’s cheek, careful not to allow his claws to scratch her creamy skin. Scarlet’s eyes widen and her heart races in panic as she realizes what Faisal is about to do.

Nicholas bursts into the clearing, face red and lungs pumping.

“Tamara has gone into labour early! Something is very wrong! We have to return to Tuskany right now!”

Overcoming the shock of Faisal’s out pour, she was relieved it was not followed by waterworks for as tough and strong Faisal was on the exterior deep down he was a delicate flower with a fragile psyche.

She nervously shift her attention to the onlookers, Bepo, Brother Shin who appeared green in the face and Nicholas clearly standing a yard away in plain sight. They gawk at Faisal in astonishment after eavesdropping on his confession. The dawnsister blushes red in embarrassment before gathering the nerves to shoo them away.
With a wave of her hand she threatens, “Please! For the love of the Goddess, give us some privacy will you! Otherwise there will be no treasure upon your return!”

“OH NO! We left Ildrim with all the loot”, Nichlas announces to the other two. The three immediately scurries back to Nyrissa’s lair to squabble over the remaining loot.

Once they are out of sight, she gulps in dismay as she glances down at the paladin bowing humbly before her wishing she had packed more wine.

Drawing on strength, dawnsister leans over and gently offers him a hand.
“Lets go for a stroll, shall we?”

He looks up in astonishment to her beaming smile and nods. Without a moment’s hesitation he takes her hand and she helps him rise to his feet. As they stray further away from the party, Faisal notices Scarlet’a hands securely fastened around his scaly arm yet welcomes the gesture. A huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For once in a very long time, he felt at peace and was not bothered by the awkward silence while he saunters along the trail with his companion..

Meanwhile Scarlet feeling feeble in the knees clings onto Faisal for support as she rack her brain for something meaningful to say.

Several paces later, she musters the courage to speak.

“Tis the first time you call me by my actually name”, she muses but quickly adds,

“It takes great courage to speak from the heart. Others like myself would rather poke their eyes out with the blade than to undergo this self torment”, attempting to make light out of the intense situation.

“Some may consider dying a less severe punishment than what you have done. I truly admire your bravery.”

She smiles warmly at the enlarged kobold. Her smile quickly fades as she continues to speak.

“I must admit I was not cognizant of the extent of your misery. Instead of coming to your aid like a good friend or brethren would, I dismissed your sulking and deemed you as a pessimist, overdramatic perfectionist, and an arrogant ass. When you asked for my assistance for your redemption, I turned my back on you. When I watched Deirdre and Lilith lead you astray from the path of light, I failed to intervene in time. For that I am profoundly sorry. You have expected as much as one would expect from a decent friend or brethren of the Eternal Light would but I have failed you nevertheless.

After your heroic sacrifice and transformation, I wanted to make it up to you for my past transgressions to prove to you I am not a delinquent friend and to earn your respect as member of the clergy. Alas I have failed you once more with the marriage to Lulu. You have put your faith in me and I let you down, again. Initially I did oppose the marriage but once I saw how blissful Lulu made you, I was truly happy for you. I did not accept your gift because I was undeserving of your kindness. Not only have you done so much for me, I refused to inform you that your marriage was a sham in fear of loosing your respect. My ploy to make you Duke was backed by my selfish motivation for I could not bare your sulking in the Cathedral any longer.”

As her emotional barrier strengthens, she releases her grip from Faisal’s arm and tells him, ”And I do not believe the source of your turmoil is you are in love with me. Your expectations are reasonable and your reaction to disappointment is understandable. How you react to them is part of your nature. I like everyone you are close with, you regard in high-esteem. However unlike everyone else, I continue to let you down repeatably. My point is the reason for your turmoil is I am a terrible person and an incompetent spiritual leader yet you remain close and supportive to me out of loyalty or an inexplicable sense of obligation. For after all you are a paladin and it is in your nature.”

Before Faisal could speak, Scarlet turns around and heads back to the party. The kobold follows her movement.

She resumes,”But if you truly wish to terminate your marriage and return to human form, I will wholeheartedly support you and do everything in my powers to make it happen to repay you for my past failures. It will be the very last thing I do before I leave Tuskany… However I would like you to consider the consequences of these actions. How they will impact Tuskany particularly the Kobold community. Perhaps we could save this discussion for another day…”

As Scarlet stands speechless, her face growing even paler in the perpetual twilight of the First World, Faisal hastily continues.

“Please understand, I only wish to properly express an apology for my behavior and offer some insight into the underlying motivation. It is not my intention to discomfit you, or place any burden of response. I have no expectation of reciprocation, especially given my current form.

“Once we return to Tuskany, I intend to secure Lulu’s release from this union, and ensure that our people are safe and prosperous. Then I plan to continue service to The Eternal Light in hopes that someday I may redeem myself and be allowed to return to my true form. Perhaps that service will return me to Qadira, rooting out the corruption that has entrenched itself in the Brethren. Or perhaps it will take me to other lands to seek out hatred and injustice.

“Thank you for allowing me to confide my thoughts to you, Scarlet. I feel a true peace that has eluded me for many years.”

The kobold steps back and holds a deep bow, his saggital crest almost touching the fresh earth at his feet.

‘Assalamu aleikom wa rahmatoh Sarenrae wa barakatoh, habiba’

Beppo sitting in the tavern nursing his hot coca glances at his dinning companion. He picks at his meal and says “It’s so nice to be finally done with this adventuring thing”. “I am really looking forward to spending time with Lucinda, even though I do find it a bit intimidating being married to a woman smarter than I”. He stops for a second and stirs the coca in his little hands. “Well and Benny is very happy, with Ildrim’s help we created a proper cave and I have filled it with treasure, admittedly copper and silver but there’s lots so he should be happy for some time”. “My apprentice is coming along nicely, and being immune to fire is definitely an asset working with him, although I am going to have to get some elevator shoes or he will start towering above me.” He pauses and takes a sip of his coca “It’s also nice to not have to spend every working hour crafting and be able to hang out with my friends”. “I can watch Scarlet and Faisal pretend not to be in love with each other….” At this his companion snorts and says “Faisal married, Faisal no can be in love with another”. “Yes, yes of course he is married to Lulu but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love Scarlet”. Beppo mutters “All we need is some affair to tear this kingdom apart, but hopefully Faisal is too virtuous for that and Scarlet, well….. Hopefully she is too busy redeeming someone or too drunk to come through”. “As for Nicholas and Tamara well they should have an interesting parenthood”. “I understand the stools of the child are….. pungent, orange and sulfuric”. At this Beppo shudders a little, “We have seen worse things in our travels, but that is just nasty!”. “Well Shin seems pretty content to ponder and explore the mysteries of the universe, the other day I caught him studying a single flower for over an hour”. “Dwarf silly, dwarf odd but Dwarf is a dwarf so that explains it” croaks Mik-Mek. “Ildrim seems quite happy learning every possible bit of arcane lore available” “The other day I caught him theorising about spells beyond the 9th degree” “Seems like a lot of work though, I prefer just embracing the power myself rather than all that tedious studying”. Beppo pauses for a moment and studies the kobold in front of him. “As for you and your folks MikMek” Beppo pronounces “I have to say the urge to burn you all up has slowly faded and I find a gradually fondness for you” Mik-Mek looks back at Beppo and crunches on his roast rat “And me no longer want to kill slit your throat in your sleep, me even sort of like little (highly scaly, dragonlike) gnome. “Good good” beams Beppo, “you sure you don’t want to join me and Benny in play time? I can make you and stoat fly and you can join us in three dimensional tag. It’s a lot of fun!” For a brief second MikMMek seems to actually contemplate the idea but then says “No no MikMek very important and have important work to do….” “You go play while MikMMek works hard for kingdom!” “See you around then Mik-Mek, we really must have these conversations more often” At that the gnome puts on his top hat, throws some silver on the table as a tip (not noticing MikMek sliding one of them into his purse) and strides out of the tavern whistling a jolly tune….

As Nyrissa’s dying scream fades into the background and Nicholas and Shin begin arguing over pale green stones, Faisal rises and invites Scarlet to accompany him to a quieter area of the glade. After a moment’s hesitation, the young woman sighs and reluctantly follows the oversized kobold.

“I have been helped to realize”, begins the warrior, "that I was insincere in apologizing for my behavior toward you. Since the day of my arrival, I have been unreasonable and unkind, causing you hurt and distress at every turn. I have resented and opposed your teachings and beliefs without recognizing their wisdom, clinging to what I believed was the One Truth about The Sarenrae and Her teachings. I failed to defend you from threats too numerous to count, and it is only by the Grace and Wisdom of The Eternal Light of Compassion that you have returned to guide and protect us in dealing with the threat to our people. I failed to recognize the damage that Deirdre was causing, and then rejected your attempts to open my eyes to the truth. You tried to protect me from my own foolish pride when I finally understood the depth of the woman’s treachery, and there I also caused you unnecessary pain.

“It may have required a long time, and a very harsh lesson from The Lady of Eternal Justice, but I have learned much about myself and my failings. I wish to clearly and unequivocally express my regrets for the many times I have failed to uphold my duties as a feda-ghazi, as a friend, and as a person. I pledge, upon my honor and that of my ancestors, to endeavor offer the respect and duty that you deserve as a Dawnsister, as a person, and as a friend and companion.”

Scarlet swallows dryly, growing ever more uncomfortable with the paladin’s flowery monologue, and opens her mouth to protest. Her words are halted by the kobold’s upraised hand.

“My profound apologies, Scarlet, but I ask to finish, that you may understand before you must respond.”

The young woman sighs and nods, thinking wistfully of the now empty wine-flask in her pack.

“I also wish to discuss Lulu, and the union that Chief Sootscale brought about through his manipulation of your good graces. I had assumed that you were aware of the true nature of his ‘offering’, and approved of marriage to his daughter. But Lulu has always maintained that you were as much a victim of his trickery as I, and urged me to discuss it with you. I was hesitant, even when another friend confirmed your opposition to the espousal, because of my own wounded pride at your rejection of my gift. But I have been helped to see other possible motivations for the refusal, and to understand my own motivations in the matter. I wish to give you the respect of being open and direct on the matter.

“While Lulu and I have come to an understanding and mutual respect, neither of us care for each other beyond friendship, nor do we wish to be married. I have been led to understand that Chief Sootscale has offered terms upon which he would retract the union, and I hope that you will offer your blessing and approval when I address the matter with him on our return to Tuskany.”

Forestalling, another attempt by Scarlet to get a word in, Faisal hurriedly continues.

“There is one final topic that I wish to breach, and it is something that I suspect has been true for a long time. Something that I have avoided for a variety of reasons. However, once it was pointed out to me by Lulu and another friend, I have been able to see it as the underlying cause of much of the turmoil I have caused. Expecting more than perfection, yet angry when it was impossible. Assuming the worst possible interpretation of every action, instead of believing the best. Over-reacting to even the most minor of perceived slight or failure. I finally understand the turmoil that I cause and feel in my dealings with you.

“It is because I have been in love with you.”