Tamaran Main Temple, Tamaran. Noon.

The Blade-Fierrio forces have gathered in front of the temple for a thanksgiving banquet led by the still Chief Priest Solaris, who was seated at the front of the crowd at a long table. Also at the long table were his children, Pattou and his allied officers. It was a festive meal as allies congratulated one another. Pattou was being cheered the most as he was the one credited for dealing the final blow on the now exiled Huo Lan. Pattou was seated near Solaris, with Star seated between the two, per the family's request. Solaris then interrupted the festivities for a minute or so, 

Solaris: My friends and fellow Tamaraneans, as your just and kind Chief Priest and Tribe Leader, I have and you have also been sticklers to traditions. We all have had doubts when it came to outsiders. But little did we know, that an outsider will ensure that an infidel will never lead us all. That an outsider would defend not just my honor, but one of our very own as well. If not for this outsider, Huo Lan's heresy will have become law and our Goddess Creator might have ended us here and there. 

All the Tamaraneans: Here here

Solaris: Despite it all, that this man would not gain much but put his own life on the line along with his allies. He and my daughter, my son, and some of you brave Tamaran warriors, have worked together to defend honor beyond his own. This is something most admirable that we all must seek to have. For long have we closed ourselves off the world around us, we have left ourselves behind. We must be open once again but remain vigilant to outsiders. But for these outsiders, no, these honorable guests and friends of the tribe, they have earned our favor and trust. 

The Tamaraneans assembled cheered at Solaris's declaration.

Solaris: Lord Patriarch Blade will you accept our apology as a people for the cold welcome from earlier?

Pattou: There is no need for an apology. You said it yourself and so has your son, Quasar. You all had a culture of distrust against outsiders but relaxed this during the time of my late father. But it is now all water under the bridge, as your son Quasar, your daughter Star... 

Upon mention of Star's name and Quasar's, the people were cheering loud. 

Pattou: ...Also for you brave soldiers seated in front of us, who have chosen to throw your lot with me. We have all done our best and Chief Priest Solaris is still the Chief Priest of your beloved region of Tamaran.

Cheers were given at that statement. Solaris then asks, 

Solaris: We can all raise our glasses to that. 

They all did. Pattou then asked Solaris and Quasar, 

Pattou: Kind sirs, may we talk after the banquet? Just the 3 of us. This is about the other condition that we have regarding the victory. 

Solaris and Quasar nodded.

Chief Priest Solaris's Chambers, Tamaran Main Temple, Late Afternoon.

Pattou had asked his allies to go wander about and explore Tamaran, especially those who were unable to join the early tour because they tended to the hungover or were hungover themselves. As for Star, she opted to stay in the main hall to pray for thanksgiving to the Goddess.

Pattou and the Fierrio men on the other hand were gathered in Solaris's chambers. Both sides knew what this would be about. Pattou began, 

Pattou: I thank you Chief Priest Solaris and Master Quasar for giving me some time. But this is something that I must inform you of in my own capacity as leader of the Blade Empire. I thank you for those kind words earlier from the banquet. We will be more than willing to return here often. And this is why I must inform you that we, Blade Empire officers, will be leaving soon once we are able to come up of plans to liberate Eastern Torrs.

Quasar now asked Pattou, 

Quasar: Liberate? What do you mean by this? 

Pattou grew nervous with what he was about to say next but soldiered on, 

Pattou: You see, we from the Blade Empire are fighting to free Torrs from the clutches of Lord Baron Corrvin. So far, we have liberated Western and Southern Torrs. After the Sacred War, we will be planning on liberating the East.

Solaris then asked, 

Solaris: Do these liberations by chance involve war and bloodshed? 

Pattou replied, with memories of the Southern Liberation still reeling back, 

Pattou: As much as I wish to avoid it, it cannot be helped. It's either they spill our blood or we spill theirs. They fight hard for what they believe, we must do the same. In as much as we both used to share that view of piece without needing to spill blood, I feel this is where you may want to shun me once more as an outsider... 

Quasar: - stops Pattou - No no. Although it is frowned upon if this will be for senseless violence, your cause, a noble one, justifies it. 

Pattou was caught surprised and Solaris continued from his son's point

Solaris: My son is right. Based on our history and traditions, we frown upon wars waged for sport or for unjust reasons. Yours is waged to bring in a new era. An era of change, peace, justice, order and prosperity as you are from the Blade lineage. We Tamaraneans share in preserving such peace.

Pattou found relief but had another worry enter his mind, 

Pattou: I thank you both for being accepting and receptive to me. But what worries me is well, Star. Sure I defended her honor. I know per your traditions, that is as far as I go as I cannot wed her. I am falling for her as she is kind, warm, receptive and even calming. She brightens my day with her cheeriness. Oh what am I saying and in front of you both.

Solaris and Quasar looked at each other for a few minutes, then laughed loudly. Solaris then said, 

Solaris: What I saw the both of you do as you re-emerged from the ruins, I told you I will not take against you. And my apologies for overhearing your conversation a few nights ago, I know you two want to be with one another but our traditions forbid it. I know you mean well. I can see in how you two interact with one another that you two want to be more than what you are right now. So what are your intentions with her?"

Pattou: That is the thing. I know I fought for her honor and all but I do not want to hurt her. But I see myself with her, just not now but in the distant future. Which is why, my decision is we wish to leave, but if you, Chief Priest Solaris will indulge me with my request, I hope to have Lady Star join us in the liberation. That is if she wants to join on her own accord, I mean. 

Solaris: - interrupts Pattou - Lord Patriarch. If I must say, I thank you for letting all this out. I appreciate that you do not want to rush into marriage. I get that and understand. You both want to get to know the other more. But can you guarantee her safety? Being liberators and all, danger will always be a present risk. I cannot and do not want to see her hurt. She has seen through enough suitors taken away from her by one dastardly fiend, whom we have excommunicated.

Pattou: I shall do all I can to ensure her protection. As I have promised Master Quasar when we first met, I shall not allow harm to come to Star. 

Quasar: - nods and agrees - And you had better ensure that, not just for me but for father as well. We cannot bear our Starlight to suffer, even if she is under your care. 

Solaris: I still am not as convinced. As a liberator sure I can see you defending her, but with all honesty, I see your worth here. But I do not want to give her away to you if you cannot convince me otherwise that she will come out of all this unharmed. You said it yourself that bloodshed is and will be apparent. I am still her father after all.

Quasar jumps in and vouches for Pattou, 

Quasar: Father, perhaps I saw something from when we fought alongside one another in the Sacred War. From our Tamaran priests, they saw that our friend here ran to her side and ensured none of Huo Lan's disciples would cause her elimination while they were reorganizing their ranks. I know there will be more cases like this. Father, as arbiter I can truly see that our ally here is and will go through any lengths to ensure she is free from harm. 

Solaris as Chief Priest does indeed see his daughter being worthy to be with Pattou. As a father on the other hand, initially he was apprehensive of going through with Star joining Pattou's ranks. But after this plea from both Pattou and Quasar, Solaris makes his verdict, 

Solaris: I have seen enough. I will take both my son's and the Tamaran priest's words from the events of the Sacred War as proof that you do indeed care for her as much or even more than you do your own self. That is what made you different from Huo Lan or any of her previous suitors.

Quasar: - gestures to Solaris - Father, is there not an important detail from the Sacred War we were to discuss together? 

Solaris said: Oh yes, well remember when we have been harping on about tradition barring a Tamaran to marry outsiders, or in your case, guests? 

Pattou was well aware of it but he does not know why this was raised. Solaris after giving some thought, considering the risks 

Solaris: After your victory in the Sacred War, I saw that for tradition to remain ever oppressive to stop a union so genuine, so pure, so admirable as this. It will be the ultimate tragedy of our times. Which is why, with the powers invested and ordained upon me as the Chief Priest of Tamaran, I shall dispense with that tradition. Think of this as a means for our people to learn from the cultures of visitors. Should these visitors mean harm, at the very least my son here will lead the defense after seeing true fighting from you all in the Sacred War. - holds out both hands towards Pattou - I give you, Lord Patriarch Blade, my blessing as both Star Fierrio's father, and Chief Priest of Tamaran, to wed my daughter. Of course, when you two decide upon when to marry" 

Pattou was patted on the shoulders by Quasar and Solaris, 

Solaris: Welcome to the family!

Pattou: It is a great honor. If only my parents were alive to see all this... 

Solaris: Lord Patriarch, they may no longer be here in the mortal plain, but do know that they are watching over you and I feel they shall welcome my daughter into your clan as well with open arms. In due time of course. 

Star then suddenly entered the room and hugged Pattou. She had heard parts of the conversation and was peppering Pattou's face with kisses, until she realized her older brother and father were in the same room. 

Star: Oh my, I do apologize for that. It is not quite lady like to...

Quasar laughed at his sister's affection towards her betrothed, 

Quasar: Little sister, you finally have your complement. You are now on your way to be a queen. You are now someone's beloved. You no longer need to feel ashamed doing that. You did not feel shame upon re-emerging from the ruins in each other's arms and mouths. 

Star and Pattou blushed upon Quasar's mention of their re-emergence.

Solaris: Wow, our bloodline might be a clan of eavesdroppers. Ha ha. I merely jest. 

Pattou sadly had to interrupt the familial laughter just now to drop a question to Star, 

Pattou: I know this is all sudden but, I know you would want me around and I want us to know the other more. This will be too much to ask of you but, I ask not as Lord Patriarch Blade, ruler of the Blade Empire, but as one who wills for whatever this is to blossom further. Will you join me in our quest of liberation? This will mean you leave your father's house to join us to end the corruption of Corrvin. You can choose to opt out. I will understand if our ideas of peace do not coexi...

Star had heard everything from the supposed closed door conversation after her afternoon prayers. She then said, 

Star: I know your intentions are pure. I do understand the weight that you bear on your shoulders. But whatever this is, whatever you may call it. I want to be a part of it. Be there pain and suffering or joys and triumph, after what you have done in the Sacred War and even prior to that to reassure me and keep me safe, you are more than enough for me. I want to know more of you, the struggles, the pains, what you wish to gain. I want you. And Father, brother, if need be, I wish to take Lord Patriarch's offer and join his ranks. I wish to bring the Goddess's message and be Tamaran's envoy in bringing the Blade Empire's goals and dreams into reality. Not just as daughter of the Chief Priest of Tamaran and a Tamaranean, but as future queen and bride to the Blade Empire's ruler.

The men were shocked by Star's resolve and decision. Solaris and Quasar most of all, seeing the usually reserved Star finally finding her voice. Pattou would break the silence, 

Pattou: That being said - reaching his right hand out - I welcome you among the ranks of the Blade Empire Army, Lady Star Fierrio of Tamaran. 

Star shook his hand, but then grabbed Pattou into a hug. Solaris and Quasar can only watch as the obvious outward show of glee was all new to take and sink in. Solaris then said, 

Solaris: Alright, I think it is about time for us all to rest. Now you two had best get going and spend the night together, appropriately!

(A/N: No lemon yet friends. Still way too early for that LOL)

Pattou and Star felt that last bit was out of nowhere but knew that they were concerned and had wanted their relations to blossom genuinely and lovingly.

Star's chamber, Residential Corridors, Tamaran High Temple, Night.

The couple of Pattou and Star are in Star's chambers. Pattou was down to his shirt and trousers as his armor has been taken off, while Star is wearing her night gown. The two lay down and talked to each other. 

Star: I heard all your worries for me. Why can you not tell this to me any sooner?

Pattou: I do not want you to see me any less than I currently am. As a rebel leader and a Lord Knight. I always had this notion that a leader cannot be or show vulnerability as this will lead even his most trusted allies to doubt his capacity to lead and rule. I do not want you away from me. Not after what occurred during the Sacred War and when you found me near the point of leaving this realm. 

Star:  - faces Pattou - That is nothing to worry about. But for us to work, you should be telling me all this yourself. We will be entrusting ourselves to one another down the road. Trust in me as I trust in you. You have already defended my honor and my father's post for him. 

Pattou: My apologies. I am completely smitten by you. I do not want you to see me this vulnerable and weak. I should be strong for all of us, but worries never stray away from me.

Star:  - places a hand on Pattou's cheek - Look here Lord Patriarch, you are a leader. Worrying for all of us is part of the job. I see this with my father as Chief Priest. But you have to be transparent with us. You cannot fight this alone. Remember, you have all of us who will fight alongside you. The truly strong are those who are honest. In that strength, trust will be ever strong.

Pattou: This will take a lot of getting used to. But whatever happens, I want us to work. And I will do anything it takes to ensure we work. 

Star is satisfied with his answer

Star: I shall do the same. When shall we be wed then? 

Pattou: Not now, but perhaps once we have liberated all of Torrs. Speaking of which, will you be okay to join me and the rest of our allies in the liberation? This will not be like the Sacred War. You can get hurt or worse... 

Star: - giggles and kisses Pattou on the forehead - My love, you are the only one of us so far who has been getting badly hurt. You have to stop doing that as you are the one your allies depend on the most. But rest assured, you have a Tamaranean High Priestess who will aid you in your mission. One with the Goddess's light and a healer as well to ensure all of us can fight in top condition. 

They then greeted each other good night and drifted onto slumber in each other's presence and arms.

That was Chapter 25, post-Sacred War and ...man the feels huh.

Chapter 26 will be out in a few hours. 

Keep safe and stay awesome!