Refectory, Tamaran High Temple, Afternoon. 3 days before the Sacred War.

Sayfuro: What are you thinking? 

Sayfuro asked his young ward while all of the Blade Empire officers are gathered at the table. 

Sayfuro: You know we only have ourselves in this fight. For 10 of us to go against that fool with 100 allied force soldiers? 

Liger: I know you aren't really that reckless, but this is a first for you. Are you sure you did not get a strike on the head?

Pattou: I know what I got us all into. But here is my defense, she is important to me. She is someone who means a lot to me. But her honor was being put into question and fallaciously being disputed. All because of one man trying to stake her as his like she was a piece of property and not a human being. 

All his officers raised an eyebrow towards him and then he added, 

Pattou: We are also fighting for the honor of the Fierrio's as well. For Chief Priest Solaris to remain as High Priest. 

Zo: - interjects - I see your nobility in that cause but are you aware of what that sacred war we will all go through is? 

Gerard: I see the purity of your intentions, but you do know the stakes do not benefit anyone else but yourself? I mean what is our role here then? Did you ask any of us before you answered Huo Lan?

Quasar entered the refectory, with Star and Solaris behind them. Quasar told the Blade Empire Officers, 

Quasar: That Sacred War you will all undergo is like your typical war. But within that sacred forest, no one can die. Your lethal blows can only knock a foe unconscious. The magic surrounding that forest will ensure no deaths occur and will transport any unconscious body to a safe haven.

Star: But that condition on not dying will not work for outsiders. What would happen then?

Solaris: Never has it occurred that a Tamaran faced against an outsider in a sacred war. But by what we have in our scriptures, Patriarch, you need not worry as I have amulets that all 10 of you will wear for the Sacred War in 3 days. But you are aware that all you can fight for is for me to remain as Chief Priest and for Star's honor after it had been besmirched by the blasphemer's mouth?

Pattou: I know you can only bend so much of your traditions for outsiders like myself. Should your traditions still not allow me your daughter's hand in marriage, be it now or somewhere down the road, I fully understa... 

Solaris: Nonsense. After you defended her honor, what father would be daft not to give his daughter's hand to such a man? Should traditions permit of course

Pattou suddenly felt a tinge of uneasiness, it's not that he does not want to end up with Star. Rather, the problem lay with the culture shock that Star will be exposed to once the two become man and wife, given Pattou's fight for liberation countering the achievement or preservation of peace. He pushed this sentiment away first to focus on the plans for the Sacred War. 

Pattou: I fully understand. For now, we worry about their numbers as we are outmatched by them. Knowing that your people are peace lovers and peace keepers, I feel that...

Quasar: My apologies Lord Patriarch. You need not worry about finding numbers to outmatch them. I know of some Acolytes (Tamaran knights), Shaman (Mages who use spirit and nature arts), and Priests who are willing to join you. I myself shall join your cause in this Sacred War as well. 

Pattou appreciates the news, 

Pattou: I thank you, Master Quasar. But will the numbers make the difference? 

Quasar: Think of it as making both sides even, while Huo Lan has the need to use outsiders to achieve his goal. You showed us that even an outsider who will in no way benefit as much by our traditions still care to defend Honor, even if it is not your very own. Consider it fair that we Tamaraneans join you in this noble showing in the defense of all our honor. A symbolic act that for once, we must unite towards a common cause. 

Pattou:  - smiles - That last line got to me, there we have something in common. 

Quasar: Know that the men we can muster will not be enough to outnumber them. But we can make do somehow. Given how there will be fog there as well..

Liger: Yes of course. Lord Patriarch remember all those battles we have fought so far. We now have the cover of forests but I am the only sniper around. Surely you can come up with something.

 Sayfuro: Yes Lord Patriarch. All of our strikes and movements will fall upon you. What do you suggest? 

Pattou now put on the spotlight, he was the one after all who was able to coordinate his army's victory in the Liberation Battle at the Delta Marshlands against Yansho. 

Pattou: Given that this will be a forest war with fog and some ruins. - turns to the Tamaraneans - Do you happen to know the layout of that field by chance? 

Chief Priest Solaris was the only one, other than Huo Lan who knew the layout of that battlefield as he had gone through the sacred war. 

Solaris: I recall that land like the back of my hand as I had to fight in one to win my wife's hand in marriage. There will be a maze there that will usually contain fog. Some old buildings that can be used as camps. But remember, once one of your numbers is knocked down, they are removed from the sacred war until it ends.

Pattou: A maze, some buildings, forests. Are there open areas by any chance? 

Solaris: Why yes? 

Pattou: That is an affirmation that I need to know

He then pieced together their strategy.

Pattou: We shall lull Huo Lan into a false sense of security. Believing that he will easily get a victory from us. When all he will be doing is leading his men out of the sacred war. To leave himself surrounded by all of us. 

Sayfuro then wrapped up what Pattou would say, 

Sayfuro: To use his own arrogance against himself. 

Liger: Just like back with those bullies in the orphanage... 

Pattou: Exactly. Here is how it will go. Quasar, you and Liger shall join together along with some of your Shamans. Jinzy, Riff and Clara, you three will draw our opponents to the very middle of the battleground. Gerard, you and Rikkou and some Acolytes will charge to the East. Zo, you and I will charge towards the West with some Acolytes.

Everyone understood but Star suddenly says

Star: Lord Patriarch, since I am also a part of this, allow me to join your side. 

Pattou became apprehensive, 

Pattou: Star, this will be quite dangerous. What if anything happened to you? What if... 

Quasar: - interjects - I see you really have been smitten. 

The officers were audibly chuckling, even Chief Priest Solaris. 

Quaser: My little sister here may be known as a healer, but do not forget that High Priests and Priestesses are known to be wielders of the Light Magics. She will have a congregation of priests from the forces I can gather tomorrow to aid her.

Star corroborates her brother's claim, 

Star: I am capable of fighting too. I wish to also do my part in thwarting away Huo Lan's final advances towards me and his attempt of usurpation. I no longer will to remain a prize in the sidelines. I wish to actively put an end to this.

Pattou was taken aback by Star's show of resolve as did his officers. Pattou could not longer refuse,

Pattou: Then if that will be the case, we rid your people of that cretin. For good. 

Everyone had agreed with the plan as it is and decided to turn in." Star then approached Pattou,

Star: I admire you defending my honor, I know you had wanted to wed me but my traditions forbid you from doing so.

Pattou: That and the pace of our relations, should it be called that. We only met, we have only been together for a few days. I do not want to rush things. Plus there are so much more things that we know not of one another,

Star was saddened by this, he meant the world to her and hopefully the same for him. But all this only made something clear, he did not want any harm to come upon her. 

Star: Lord Patriarch, for tonight, will it be okay for you to join me again in slumber in my room? My father allowed it so long as it is only for slumber.

Pattou: I will be okay with that, rest assure my hands will not linger onto your form.

Riff and Clara's chambers, Residnetial Corridors, Tamaran High Temple, Night.

Riff had set his guitar off to the side and laid down. Clara on the other hand had propped some pillows to form a wall between her and Riff. Riff then asked her, 

Riff: What's with the wall? 

Clara: It's for you not to dare to touch me.

Riff: To touch you? You must be absurd to think that I would even attempt. There are others who would want me to play for them a song. For a song, they eventually will want more and more...

Clara: Will you stop? You always feel just because you're a bard that ladies will want you after a few strums of your guitar. You have it easy actually as you don't use your entire body to draw attention. 

Riff was surprised by how Clara was suddenly opening up to him, 

Riff: Lady Clara... I... 

Clara: Look, the coming war will have us fight together. Don't do anything stupid or regrettable. 

Riff thought in his mind, 

Riff: (mind) This Clara at least has things clear. She holds everyone ever so dear. Sadly I do not make the effort to hear. I may have driven her to fear...all because she cares for even ...me."

Liger and Jinzy's chambers, Residential Corridors, Tamaran High Temple, Night.

Liger tried to get himself set up for bed with Jinzy already propped up, patting Liger's spot on the bed. Liger lay down and Jinzy wrapped her arms around Liger's waist. 

Jinzy: Your friend sure is crazy huh?

Liger: Lord Patriarch ... nah we're not in front of him. Pattou can be quite reckless, even when we were in the orphanage. Somehow he can still make it in one piece out of situations like those. 

Jinzy: So, is he Patriarch or Pattou? 

Liger: I used to call him as Pattou, but upon finding out about his lineage, in public we call him Lord Patriarch. But honestly, Patriarch or Pattou, he is still the same kind and honest person after all these years.

Jinzy shifted in the bed to feel more comfortable, which made her press her body against his. Liger then reacted to this, 

Liger: Look. Do not get this the wrong way but, I appreciate your being forward and all this. It's adorable and quite refreshing. But I only want us to take it slow. 

Jinzy: - shocked - I thought you were liking my advances... I mean I've been used to lecherous dirty men trying to have me but I would refuse. You're the only one who makes me feel safe. You're the one who does not shame me for my craft. 

Liger: - holds her in his arms - Look here, let no one judge you for that. You're a good dancer. You are more than capable of proving those perverts wrong. I know we will be away from one another after me taking care of you back in the Inn when you were hung over. But I trust in your ability and in mine that we can succeed. 

Jinzy: When you meant we can succeed, do you mean just the plan for the war or we as in ...we? 

Liger: - laughs - Whatever you want it to be.

Jinzy's heart goes aflutter and they both drift onto slumber.

Star's Chamber, Residential Corridors, Tamaran High Temple.

Pattou and Star lay beside each other once more but knew they can only keep to themselves. Star then asked Pattou,

Star: Why did you fight for us? I mean you will not benefit in any result. Win or Lose.

Pattou: This is more than anything I can gain. But for honor, yours and your father's. Huo Lan stepped on your father's honor and authority as Chief Priest. He also insulted you and your purity in trying to claim you as his. I could stand no longer as mere visitor to such disrespect and mudslinging. He must be put in his place, exiled if needed.

Star: You have this high sense of honor and nobility. Where do you get this? 

Pattou: Experience I guess. I mean I was once upon a time orphaned due to the uprising. Years later, I was a rebel leader and now came to know of my heritage and what must be done to ensure peace shall return to Torrs. 

Star looked up at Pattou and saw the passion in his eyes as he said this, 

Star: So I guess you have won all your wars now have you? 

Pattou: I would not call them all wins. Before the ambush where you saved me, we have won the Liberation war against Southern Torrs' Governor Yansho. But it only led to a surprise ambush from Dino Corrvin's men who massacred some of Rikkou's forces. We were unable to save them. 

As Pattou said this, tears emerged from his eyes, Star was worried. 

Pattou: Look, I am fighting for your honor but now that you see me all crying and vulnerable. It is a good thing your tradition forbids you to wed someone like me... 

Star: - snaps - That's not what I want! I know this is going a bit too fast but seeing you like this makes me want to know you more. In time should we win that sacred war and finally cause Huo Lan's exile, if tradition can be bent, in time I want to be yours and only yours! 

Pattou was shocked by this, he then said,

Pattou: Traditions can change but it is beyond my control or yours. I also share the same sentiment as you are someone who is caring and your infectious aura makes you bloom. I don't want to ruin this...whatever we have going on. But let us do what we can, shall we? 

Star then nodded and softly whispered,

Star: Agreed!

Outside of her chambers, Chief Priest Solaris heard everything. He said to himself, 

Solaris: Maybe some traditions are open to change. But we shall await for the sacred war's result. You may not know how you've proven that you are indeed worthy for my daughter.

That was Chapter 22. 

For tomorrow: War is on!