Tavern, Ceres Inn, Tamaran. Night.

Pattou and Star had arrived to see their allies already at a table getting festive over the food and mugs of ale being consumed, mostly Riff, Jinzy and Rikkou are the culprits of consumption. Riff, inebriated then shouts, 

Riff: Finally, enter Lord Patriarch Blade WITH THE LUCKY LADY OF THE... 

Clara: -shouts at Riff- Settle down, Riff! 

Pattou looked oddly at his allies

Pattou: So, what did I miss exactly?

Sayfuro moved seats to give Pattou the middle seat, 

Sayfuro: We were all here in the tavern awaiting for you to come to. And it seems the priestess had done her job well. 

Pattou: Actually, when I went here, I needed her to still help me down the stairs. So, paladin, you must be Zo Virtue, am I correct? 

Zo then stood up and reached his hand out to Pattou, 

Zo: Yes, and you must be Lord Patriarch Blade, the great liberator of the West and now the South? 

Pattou: -nodded in agreement- Yes. And I thank your party for rescuing me and reinforcing us from that Corrvin ambush. -looks at his companions- I believe my allies here have introduced themselves" 

Clara: Oh yes, an honorable bunch of men you all are 

She then looks at Riff beside her strumming drunkenly and in her mind, 

Clara: (in her mind) Mostly honorable... 

She then introduces herself, 

Clara: Clara Mannequin, at your service Lord Patriarch. And beside your friend Liger, is....

Jinzy:  -stood up, inebriated - Again you have to introduce me to someone else on my behalf, I CAN TALK WOMAN! 

Liger can only laugh as how loud Jinzy is getting. 

Jinzy: Jinzy Aerhart, dancer at your service. And Lord Patriarch, on behalf of MYSELF - stares daggers at Clara before turning to Pattou- I thank your good ally Liger here for saving me from those Armored morons. 

Jinzy then fell back on her seat with Liger guiding her down to ensure she does not hurt herself.

Rikkou: Alright cousin, who's the lady? Did you do any..he he... 

Pattou: Cousin you had way too much to drink, you too Riff. 

Riff recognized the reprimand but drunkenly shrugged it off. 

Pattou: -gestures to Star- Will you do the honors? 

Star felt her heart aflutter when Pattou did this and said, 

Star: I am Star Fierrio, daughter of Chief Priest Solaris Fierrio. Also, welcome to Tamaran everyone. Not to worry, we are a peace loving people. 

Pattou was at ease upon hearing this, while the rest of his company were shocked to know that they had traveled along with someone of her station.

Star however had a worried look, 

Star: Oh it must be night time. Father might have already sent out some of the acolytes to come looking for me 

Pattou: If it is late, then would it not be dangerous for you to be by yourself by this time? 

Star then allayed his fears, 

Star: Need not worry Lord Patriarch, I am actually of this place so no harm shall ever come to me, the daughter of the Chief Priest even. But I do appreciate your concern. I shall see you all in the morning. Good night friends!

Pattou: Good night Star! Keep safe!

As Star left the Inn, Rikkou commented, 

Rikkou: Pretty 'smooth' cousin haha. 

Gerard: Knock it off Rikkou! Clearly you and the rest have enjoyed our treat that dealt a heavy blow to our resources. 

Tavern Keep: Kind Sir, no need to worry for payment. Per orders of Lady Star, it is on us. So are the rooms for tonight.

Everyone at the table breathed a sigh of relief. After some more festivities, everyone had settled down into their rooms. Jinzy and Liger learned they were going to stay in the same room, much to Liger's surprise and Jinzy's enjoyment. Riff and Clara had the same arrangement as well, to Clara's obvious disgust but she had to care for her room mate who is drunk beyond belief. Pattou was left alone in his room and he was still enticed, unable to keep Star away from his mind. 

Pattou: I do hope she is okay on the way back to her father's house.

Ceres Inn, Tamaran, Morning, Next day.

Pattou's company had awoken, although Jinzy, Rikkou and Riff rose up to a searing headache. Pattou, Sayfuro, Liger, Clara, Zo, and Gerard were at the table when Star had arrived along with her brother, Quasar, to the tavern table to join them for their meal. 

Star: Good morning friends -turns to Pattou- Good morning as well Lord Patriarch! 

Pattou turned to face her, and the lights have aided in adding the shine to her emerald eyes, but was quick to snap out of it and greeted back, 

Pattou: Good morning Lady Star. May I know who your acquaintance is?

With a stern look at Pattou, the guest said,

Quasar: Quasar Fierrio. Star's brother.

Quasar looked intimidating with the same orange hair, green eyes, but he was wielding an arm gauntlet crossbow. 

Pattou: My apologies, Master Quasar. 

Quasar acted like he did not hear anything and sat beside his little sister. 

Star: It seems some of you are missing from last night. What of the rest? 

Pattou: Jinzy, Rikkou and Riff are downed by a hangover from the ale the previous night.

Star: - laughs a bit - Quite a shame, I thought you would all be together in showing you around Tamaran. 

Quasar now joins in the conversation, 

Quasar: Are you sure about this little sister? I don't trust these outsiders one bit. For all we know they are troublemakers, and you shouldn't be so welcoming to them as you are about to...

Star then begged her brother, 

Star: It seems only fair to show them around. Maybe they are not troublemakers that you speak of. 

Quasar seeing Star beg in tandem with her eyes widening eventually gave in to her request.  

Pattou: Well we would appreciate that, once our other companions are able to....

 Liger then sensed something and told Pattou, 

Liger: Lord Patriarch, I shall stay behind with Clara to tend to our bedridden comrades. The rest of you can join Lady Star's tour. 

Pattou was surprised then Liger whispered to him, 

Liger: (whispers) I know how you look at her. Like back in the orphanage with those other girls, go for it. We will take care of the rest here, 

Liger ends his reassurance by striking Pattou's leg to drive his point across.

Pattou: We will gladly join you. -smiles-

Star took the affirmation with glee and walked out of Ceres Inn. Pattou was going to join Star, but was stopped by Quasar for a bit. 

Quasar: I don't know what she sees in you outsider. But you so dare harm her, I will not hesitate to end you here. 

Pattou: Master Quasar, you have my word that I shall not harm her. 

Sayfuro, Zo and Gerard followed suit.

Tamaran Town Square. Late morning.

Star was walking and serving as a guide for Pattou and his allies, well those who joined along. Star and Quasar were leading the group, whilst Pattou and his allies were not far behind. Star had wanted Pattou beside her, but Quasar would move his arm to barricade Pattou from his little sister, to which Star was not taking lightly but had to. The siblings showed them around the Town Square, the schools, recovery huts, residential areas and the marketplace. Gerard's eyes widened upon seeing the marketplace, seeing goods and provisions as far as the eye can see.

Tamaran High Temple, Noon.

Star then leads Pattou's group to the main temple. This serves as both the high temple and residence of the Tamaran Chief Priest. Everyone entered into the temple to marvel in its majesty. Inside lay a statue of a winged entity with four wings. She was being referred to as the Goddess, the Creator. Star and Quasar knelt down with their hands joined together at the palms and remained silent for 5 minutes. Pattou and company were at awe and felt like any sound they made at that point will be a disservice.

Out of nowhere, a middle aged person, who was near balding but still had light orange hair and was quite well built for his age was approaching the siblings with a staff. Star opened her eyes and ran towards the man and hugged him. 

Star: Father, you are here! 

Quasar walked near and the man patted Quasar's shoulder. 

Chief Priest: It is quite soon to see my daughter back here quickly. 

He then sees Pattou, then his voice from one of lightness turned to a stern one, 

Chief Priest: Who are you all supposed to be?

Pattou: I am Lord Patriarch Blade, Ruler of the Blade Empire. With me are my adviser, Sayfuro Wuyong, my supply officer, Gerard Cooke, and paladin Zo Virtue. 

The chief priest was shocked to hear the name Blade. 

Chief Priest: Are you deceivers? The Blade empire no longer exists! Not since Corrvin has defiled Torrs Castle by his uprising. 

Sayfuro now interjects, 

Sayfuro: Chief Priest. Lord Patriarch here is indeed the leader of the Blade Empire. In fact, we have liberated the West and South of Torrs from Corrvin's clutches.

Quasar: Hearsay! These warmongers are here to conquer us. To make us go against our peaceful ways. 

Chief Priest: Quasar, behave! I am aware of the legend. You who claim to be a part of the Blade lineage, do you happen to have the heirloom of the Blade? 

Pattou then brings out the Legacy Sword, the Chief Priest is now amazed but needs another form of affirmation. 

Chief Priest: Draw the blade from its scabbard or be on your way and leave!

Pattou felt no nervousness as he drew the Legacy Sword, the necklace around his neck shone and the Fierrio siblings and chief priests were in amazement. Sayfuro and Zo knelt down to pay homage as Pattou did this. The chief priest's stern facade now was down and said, 

Solaris: Clearly, you do not lie. My apologies for being cold towards you. I am Solaris Fierrio, Chief Priest and Father to both Star and Quasar. I am aware of the Legacy Sword as it had been consecrated by the Goddess and her priests since time immemorial.

While Solaris was welcoming Pattou, suddenly a fireball was flung towards Pattou's direction but was dissolved by Quasar's spirit arrow. The source of the fireball, a blue haired man with blue eyes, spoke, 

Blue-haired man: Get out of here outsider! You defile this holy land by your mere presence. 

Quasar: Huo Lan, stop trying to approach my sister. Clearly all of us in the family do not find you suitable for her.

The one called Huo Lan approaches with some disciples of his own, 

Huo Lan: Oh, so the Great and Strong Huo Lan is still not worthy to be Chief Priest and groom to Lady Star Fierrio? Then I prove myself here. By tradition a Tamaran must lead the people of Tamaran. I fit the bill! Not this pretender wearing armor.

Huo Lan then points at Pattou, then punches him in the gut with a fist engulfed in fire magic, and for good measure, kicks him in the groin. 

Huo Lan: Where's your glory now? You pathetic clown! 

Star: Stop it! Stop harming him!

Huo Lan: -approaches Star like a man possessed-  Now Star, don't tell me you've fallen for this wretched outsider. You have always avoided my glances and swat away my advances. What does this fool have that I don't? Has he taken you already? Has he already ... 

As he kept listing every vile and insult to her purity, Huo Lan shot fireballs at Quasar, Solaris and Zo. Huo Lan was already inches away from Star when he finally said, 

Huo Lan: Why not end up with me, we're both the same now aren't we? You love me, just admit and awe at my strength to lead this wretched tribe. We belong toget.... 

As he was about to finish the sentence, Pattou struck Huo Lan, pommel first, then smacked his gut with the flat end of his sword. 

Pattou: The woman said no. And... 

Pattou continued on with effort as the fireball shot earlier reawakened his injury, 

Pattou: For you to think that litany of insults will make her love you is beyond disgusting. You should be ashamed to call yourself the strongest!

Solaris and Quasar are surprised at the scene, an outsider they have met and given the cold shoulder to, was protecting their own. 

Huo Lan:  -stood up surprised- You will pay for going against me having Star as my own. You will pay! 

Huo Lan ran away. Pattou after making his stand was feeling weak from that shot and nearly collapsed, but was helped up by Quasar and Sayfuro. Star and Solaris knew Pattou will need to heal in the temple.

Eastern Governor's Mansion, Night.

Governor Don Patricius and Dino Corrvin had waited for their Tamaranean asset and as if on cue, he had arrived. Governor Don Patricius greeted their guest, who was none other than Huo Lan, who entered the mansion humiliated and embarrassed. Governor Don Patricius then said, 

Don Patricius: It seems your attempt to have the Tamaranean's hearts did not go so well. 

Huo Lan: If only those bastards did not have to be there, traditionally I should be able and be the one to succeed as Chief Priest. I already ensured his daughter should end up with me, but no. That bastard pretender knight had to be there to ruin my attempt.

Dino: -stirred in his seat- Bastard pretender knight? Oh so he does live. Will you be needing my men then? I have full trust in you that you can win her heart, your kind's heart and end the Blade empire's rule. 

Huo Lan: I accept. And by any means necessary, even if I must appear to be the hypocrite here. I must rule! I must have it all!" 

The covenant between allies ended when Governor Don Patricio and Huo Lan shook hands. Dino can only smile in glee 

Dino: Blade Empire shall end.

That was Chapter 20. Saga continues next weekend.

Keep safe and stay awesome!