After stopping Peter's bleeding, Tom and Juan had created a poultice from their store of hesparia and bound it around his forearm. Even in his weakened state, he'd attempted resisting their efforts to take him back to Monterayne, but ultimately to no avail. Since he'd refused to tell the other knights where he'd left his horse, they put him on Verity's back and galloped off. 

Five or so hours' travel later, they had come to a spot a few miles from the first foothill of the Monteraynian ring. There, they'd set up camp. After nibbling on a biscuit for a few minutes in front of the fire, Peter had declared he was sleepy, so he'd set a bed-roll down and commenced his slumber. 

Now Tom and Juan stooped a few paces off in gathering new wood to refresh the fire. Picking dry pieces out from the midst of their drenched counterparts proved a tedious process. As they worked, they conversed, the subject matter mostly concerning the question of the unmarked swordsman's training. 

"So," Tom began, "you truly believe Sir Raska is guilty of training that murderous bastard, even despite the raging hatred he showed towards him?" 

"That could very well all have been an act on his part." Juan replied, "You can see for yourself that he holds to radical opinions and has no problem disobeying orders. I would put nothing past the man." 

Tom frowned as he kicked a soggy branch out of his way. "I suppose you have a point there, but their styles hardly match. This unmarked swordsman has a distinctly acrobatic twist to his fighting that Sir Raska displays no trace of." 

Juan shrugged. "Peter's not as young as he used to be. He could very well have secret techniques he holds in his head, but can no longer perform with his own body." 

"That's true, but I still found his vehemence a bit too extensive to be merely an act. One can only stretch fakery so far before it grows thin." 

"Oh, believe me, Tom, I've seen deception stretched much farther than that without snapping." 

"Even if I concede that you have, there's still more evidence to the contrary than for it." Tom asserted as he hoisted a dry bough over his shoulder, "You and I both saw his railing against the swordsman before he could even see us. So how could that be an act, if he had no clue of our coming, and why would he go so far?" 

"You only assume he didn't see us. And why did he go so far, you ask?" Juan paused for a moment. "A man terrified at the thought of discovery will stop at nothing to save himself. Besides, Tom I'll ask you this: Who else could do this thing?" 

"Why, any other Raskan warrior could have done it!" 

"You even consider me a suspect?" Juan asked with an amused smirk. 

"I consider it highly unlikely, but not impossible." 

"There aren't many of us Raskans, remember, and all of us learned directly from Peter himself. So I hardly consider it likely that a second-tier fighter could—" 

"That's no proof!" Tom snapped, "What prevents...Sir Cornelius, for instance, from acting as a traitor, merely because his skill isn't as extensive as his teacher?" 

Juan snorted. "Cornelius would sooner give himself up to a lion than betray his countrymen." 

"I was only trying to make a point. My main assertion is that we should refrain from passing judgement until all have been examined." 

"I must respect that." Juan said thoughtfully, "Most of us would do well to emulate your spirit, slow to judge, quick to think well of others, and wholly dedicated to others' welfare in all. In fact, I just realized something, Tom." 

Tom tossed a branch into the fire and listened to it crackle for a moment. "What's that?" 

"You remind me of a blessed man I once knew. Robert Holt was his name." 

**** 

The two days dragged on as the trio trudged through the increasingly snowy landscape of the mountains comprising Monterayne's border. Keeping warm became a continual issue, as lighting fires grew difficult when all the wood around was either wet or frozen. With less to graze on, the horses tired quicker, forcing their breaks to become far more frequent. 

As if that weren't enough, Peter complained constantly throughout their journey back to Monterayne, moaning about his wounded forearm one moment, the freezing cold the next, and still later, the injustice he asserted it to be for himself to be seized in this manner. At first, Tom and Juan had contended with him, but when the onslaught of bitterness continued, they began to ignore him. 

At the end of their second full day, they finally descended the last foothill and found themselves solidly in Monteraynian territory. And one more day of travel took them to the center of the country, where the capitol city dominated the landscape. Darkness had overtaken the land long ago, but a pair of outside lanterns at each entrance to the knights' hall helped them find their way. 

Tom and Juan settled their respective horses into the stable before escorting Peter Raska through the doors to the knights' hall. An eerie darkness greeted them immediately upon entering, only the minimal number of lanterns and candles having been lit. Their footsteps echoed through the hallway, completely empty except for themselves. 

Juan shrugged. "It's too late to assemble the High Council anyway. We'll hold the trial tomorrow at noon." 

Tom nodded, but when Juan turned his body leftward at a fork in the path, he frowned. "Where are you going? The rooms are this way." 

"Who said I was going the rooms?" 

"Common sense. Where else?" 

Juan blinked. "The holding cells?" 

Tom narrowed his eye. "He's been compliant, sir. I find such a gesture entirely unnecessary." 

Juan glanced over at Peter. "I'm not sure I can trust you not to run off in the middle of the night." 

Peter snorted. "If I wished to flee, surely I would have done so already during our journey over here." 

"Exactly!" Tom agreed, "If you remain paranoid, you can set a guard over the door to his quarters, but if you insist on confining him in the holding cells, I'll promptly remove him." 

Juan nodded and turned the other way, leading the trio down to the knights' living quarters. In a solemn silence, they let Peter into his room, and to Tom's surprise, Juan made no move to place a guard over it. Instead, he continued down the corridor and unlocked his own door. 

"I pray you have a restful evening, Tom, and a rejuvenating sleep." Juan said with a charming smile. 

Tom returned the grin. "Thank you, Juan. I wish the same upon you." 

With that, he turned and headed to his own room. If he knew himself as well as he thought he did, he'd fall asleep promptly upon laying his head on the pillow. 

**** 

Tom arose early the next morning, stretching his arms as he sat up and releasing a contented sigh. The night's slumber had restored his energy and left him now feeling ready and eager to conquer a new day. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, and after briefly rubbing his eye with the back of his hand, he rose. 

After getting dressed, Tom headed out of his quarters and into the hallway beyond. He made his way outside, finding the idea of enjoying the first rays of the rising sun and breathing in the pure air of a new day very appealing. Once he stepped out, he closed his eye and inhaled deeply, a smile drawing to his face at the realization of his desire. The earthy scent of grass treated to a recent rain inspired gratitude in Tom's heart, and he prayed a thankful prayer to his Creator. 

Tom settled himself down and sat on a small grassy mound not far from the fence to the horses' pasture grounds. With quiet satisfaction, he watched the peaceful creatures grazing the dew-laden grass. Exuberance stood a ways off, and between bites of his food, he nuzzled a white mare standing nearby. Tom smiled when she finally raised her head and nuzzled back. 

Then Tom's gaze climbed to the horizon, and melancholy descended over his spirit. His vision of joyful parents returning, pushing their mounts to their fastest gallop and beaming at their son returned, and the figment of his imagination agitated him. He dropped his face into his hands and took several deep breaths, the exhalations consisting of sighs. 

Soft footsteps squished in the grass behind him, so drawing in some air, Tom turned to look. His forehead wrinkled. Senator Alice Delquez of the Alcontean Republic walked across the moist grass and headed straight for him. In contrast with her usual demeanor, head held high and bearing elegant, she now walked timidly. Her eyes trailed along the ground, and her hands loosely clasped together, fidgeting all the while. 

Finally, she finished her approach and ventured a glance at Tom's eye. He gave her a grave, wordless nod, but nothing else. Her lips twitched into a brief, placating smile. 

"Good morning...Sir Holt." she said, "May I sit here?" 

Tom glanced down at the mound he sat on, and with a nod, he scooted over. Alice settled herself beside him, and then after brushing several strands of her blonde hair from her face, she made eye contact again. 

"So...it's been quite some time since I've spoken with you, Tom. I hope all is well with you?" 

"Relatively speaking, yes." Tom replied dryly, "Business as usual." 

"Ah, I see." Alice bit her lip, and a long silence followed. While her eyes remained fixed on Tom, his gaze rested on the horses, his body faced slightly away from her in his seat. She cleared her throat. "Well, I actually came to see you...because I wanted to tell you something." 

Tom still didn't look. "I'm listening." 

Alice let out a long sigh. "Well, there's something that's been gnawing at me for the past couple years, following me around wherever I go, and stabbing my heart with guilt. And when I see you, even from afar, it only grows worse." 

"What's that?" 

"I...was a terrible person toward you, Tom. You remember the trip to Mintfeld two years ago?" 

"Yes." Tom answered curtly. 

"Well, I was very rude and disagreeable toward you the whole time, and for no good reason at all. Not only that, but I neglected even to thank you for your efforts, above and beyond cold duty as they were. The guilt has been eating away at me, and I can't help but imagine how it has haunted you even more. After all, you exerted yourself—" 

"I try not to think about it anymore." Tom said, "Maybe you should do the same." 

Alice swallowed hard. "I cannot will myself to simply not think about it. I've done you wrong, and I now offer you my profuse apologies." 

Tom turned to give her face a closer look. Her lovely brown eyes stared back up, filled with a mixture of sorrow, hope, and shame all at once. A slight pout lingered on her lips. 

"I forgive you." Tom said with a minimal smile. 

Alice leaned closer to him. "I don't wish to apologize in word only, but in deed as well, if that be possible. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" 

Tom shook his head slowly. "I'm not sure there's anything I desire that you have to offer." 

"Are you sure?" 

"Very sure." Tom sighed and hung his head. "What I desire above all is to see my mother and father again, which you, Lady Delquez, cannot provide." 

After a moment's hesitation, Alice placed her hand on Tom's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine what it must be like to go through that, but if you'd like someone to talk to, I'm willing to listen." 

"What's there to say? They should have returned months ago, but still, they haven't. And I'm convinced they never will." 

"What...what makes you so sure?" 

Tom sighed. "They would have loathed banishment, and surely they wouldn't stay away a moment longer than they had to, for my sake at least. So I can only conclude they can't return, despite all their desire to do so." 

"Again, I'm sorry to hear that, Tom. I truly am. If there's anything I can—" 

"Where am I supposed to go from here?" Tom demanded, "I have nobody! All I've got is Grandfather, and his kinship is only in body, not in spirit." 

"That must be incredibly difficult to cope with. But I know you are adequate for the struggle. You're a strong man." A smile crossed Alice's features. "I should have appreciated it far more two years ago, how you have such a dedication to righteousness, no matter the cost. The wonderful things you've achieved since then...they astound me. They've made me sorrowful for ever giving unwarranted grief to such a good man." 

"What're you saying by that?" 

Alice took in a deep breath. "Your loneliness is understandable, but I'd venture to say it is unnecessary. You seek kinship in flesh and blood, Tom, and there, you find yourself sorely disappointed. But what if you sought that same companionship elsewhere?" 

"Where's that?" 

"Why, you could search for it spiritually! A strong and pure soul like yours will readily gather companions of the same nature, if you only open yourself up. I'd venture to say you have people in your life already who would love and cherish closer companionship with you, if you would only let them in. Undoubtably, vexing trials and hard decisions lay before you, but if you would only reach out a figurative hand when you need it, I think you would readily find another to support you." 

Tom closed his eye and nodded, the full weight of her words sinking in. A joyful tear slithered down his face, and when he opened his eyelids again, he dropped his gaze down to Alice's dainty hand. Finally smiling, he took her delicate digits into his own and lifted her hand to his lips. 

"Thank you, Lady Delquez. You have vanquished my despair and given me hope, and for that, I am grateful." 

She grinned and leaned forward, laying a kiss on his cheek. "I hoped I could bless you in some manner. I myself feel blessed I was given the chance." 

Tom squeezed her hand. "We all have different strengths, I suppose, and taking care of others instead of myself would be my greatest weakness." 

"And I find myself rather opposite. I could only wish to be as truly altruistic as you." 

"All balances out in the end." 

Alice smirked. "It appears so. Now, I must attend to some business right now, but after this morning, I am in Monterayne to visit for leisure, and not to attend to any political duties. I'll have a week until I must depart. Coincidentally, I also find myself without a tour guide." 

With a hearty chuckle, Tom rose to his feet in sync with her. "I'll have to see about my own availability, but I believe Grandfather would much prefer me to do something much less...combative for a change." 

"I sure hope so." 

"Well, farewell, Lady Delquez." Tom said, "You have been a blessing to talk to." 

"Likewise. I shall see you sooner than later, I hope." 

Tom acknowledged her words with a nod, and then he stood still and watched her walk away with a fond smile on his face. When his gaze swept back over the horizon, he envisioned himself galloping that way with a group of friends, smiling and laughing. A whinny drew his attention back down to Exuberance, who stood right against the pasture's fence. With a grin, Tom stepped over and ran a hand over the horse's snout. 

"God, you have indeed been good to me, and I thank you. May you be blessed."

**** 

A/N: Well, conflict and tension were to be found in this chapter, and in no short supply, so I hope it was entertaining. But we also ended it on what I think is a lovely positive ending note, which hopefully makes the whole thing a nice little emotional journey. 

Maybe you could give me a nice little emotional journey by voting and commenting? I'd really appreciate it. 😂 

Anyway, I'll just have a couple quick questions before I dash to post the next chapter. First, any thoughts on Alice overall? And second, any predictions concerning this upcoming trial of Peter Raska's? 

I'll be excited to hear your thoughts. Until then, I must dash to post chapter 8. See you soon!