Star's Chambers, Residential Corridors, Tamaran High Temple, Morning.

The sun came peeking into the window of her chambers. Pattou awoke to a sight of orange hair around his eyes and his mouth. He brushed it away and saw that his betrothed had slept on top of him, with her hair on top of his chest. Pattou moved slightly, when suddenly, Star felt him move and opened her eyes and looked up at him and said,

Star: Good morning Lord Patriarch!

(A/N: This wakeup is inspired by the following authors whose stories I have read with similar wake up: alexrelatado Punisher4life JohnnyWriting)

Pattou in his mind thought,

Pattou: (mind)This would make quite a story but I need to get used to this.

He then greeted back,

Pattou: Good morning Star!

Star felt all warm deep inside but realized her positioning, so she got off him and she asked her future husband,

Star: What will you be doing today?

Pattou: If we are allowed to use the refectory, we will be making plans in our liberation of Eastern Torrs. Despite all that has happened in Tamaran, we cannot let away from our original mission to free Torrs and remove Baron Corrvin from power.

Star then felt a tinge of disappointment as she noticed the change in his tone. Pattou then said,

Pattou: I know this might be all new to you but, can you help me with my armor?

Star giggled then helped him with his armor. As she did this, Pattou told her,

Pattou: You can call me Lord Patriarch when we are around everyone. But when it's only the two of us, you can call me Pattou. That was my name from when I was orphaned.

Star, helping him fasten his chest armor said,

Star: Yes Lord Patri...I mean Pattou.

She said giggling finding it weird that someone like him had a different name.

Once Pattou had been armored up, he left the room and waited for Star to change her garb. Quasar happened to be walking across the corridor then greeted his soon to be brother by marriage,

Quasar: Hey there brother.

Pattou: Quasar, your sister and I have yet to be wed. You need not look too prospectively.

Quasar: - laughs - At least so you will get used to it. Given that my little sister has finally found someone who can protect her and someone she finds worth protecting. You brought out the happiness in her apart from the happiness she does in relation to her duties in the temple. Give yourself some credit!

Pattou: Quasar, about today. We will be needing the refectory to plan and...

Solaris: - jumps in - Say no more, my son.

Pattou was surprised.

Solaris: - laughs - Relax. But yes, you have told me of this yesterday that you needed to plan. I thought that the refectory will be a good place for you all to plan the next step for your mission. Quasar has already asked for your allies to meet you and my daughter there.

Pattou was grateful to his soon to be brother and father by marriage, but was then stopped by Solaris.

Solaris: Pattou, my soon to be son by marriage, as a father, I ask that before you and Star depart for Eastern Torrs. I wish to impart my blessing to all of you guests and friends of the Tamaran for fighting for causes beyond your own. A true act of nobility that the Goddess will for sure smile upon. Also, it is by tradition that I present you and my daughter with a sign of your betrothal to one another.

Quasar: Father, when did that tradition come to existence?

Solaris: Just now, our people at this time must realize that our traditions must be adequate and appropriate with the present time. Just as you have shown along with Pattou in the Sacred War that traditions and views can change.

Star would leave her room and see that Pattou, Solaris and Quasar were gathered there. Pattou then said,

Pattou: Shall we head to the refectory with our allies?

Star nodded in agreement. As the couple walked away, Pattou turned his head to Solaris and Quasar

Pattou: -mouths- Let's talk of the betrothal ritual later!

Both nodded in agreement.

Refectory, Tamaran Main Temple.

Pattou and Star arrived to see their allies already gathered there. Sayfuro and the rest stood up until Pattou sat at the middle with Star by his left. As they sat, Pattou began the talk,

Pattou: Before we begin the plans Eastward, I must know since I was not around for this. How did the tour of Tamaran go?

Jinzy: It was splendid. I was kind of sad that I did not go around earlier on account of drinking too much back in the Inn. But so long as my Wildman Liger here was able to tend to my needs, I am perfectly fine.

Jinzy said this with a lot of inflection when she referred to her "Wildman." Pattou was chuckling when he told Liger,

Pattou: Alright 'Wildman' anything of note from yesterday's tour?

Liger, embarrassed at his new title by Jinzy, only said,

Liger: Nothing of note but everyone enjoyed. We have Sayfuro, Gerard and Zo here to thank for recreating the tour for us.

Riff finally joined in,

Riff: Oh and some of these Tamaranean women really opted to show me the best places for....'inspiration.' A lot of muses that I can create beautiful music and art for. Such splendor and majesty.

Clara: -flatly interrupts- We get it Riff...

Riff: - whispers to Zo - What is with that woman? She acts like a stubborn iron flower.

Pattou: I am glad you all got to see Tamaran in its beauty and entirety. But sadly, we must return to the task at hand. We need to take the East but we only know sparse about it apart from those troops that reinforced Huo Lan were, per Zo, straight from the Eastern Governor's forces.

Star: Apologies for the rude interruption. What I know of the East since I have been journeying to and from, I cannot even describe it. It is a region supposedly of cultures melded to one another. But for such a place to contain temples, but not the same as ours here, there are a multitude of what they call as pubs...

Jinzy and Clara felt a tinge of shame upon the mention of that. Zo then joins in,

Zo: Lady Star. If I may add, and I take note of what you have said since I am born and raised in the East. Our side of Torrs has been known to be the cultural melting pot. That is why Eastern Torrs and Tamaran are beside one another. Star here goes to and from to speak with our High Priest as part of an inter-faith dialogue. As for the pubs... - turns to Jinzy and Clara - Would you ladies like to shed light on the Eastern Torrs Pubs by any chance?

Jinzy felt the most uncomfortable but with Liger beside her, she mustered some courage to tell her story,

Jinzy: The pubs that the Lady Star and Zo refer to are.... well they are like entertainment centers. Working men, nobles, merchants frequent our pubs to try to rid themselves of gold and their day to day worries, but use it on us... As I've told Liger here, I have almost ended up on the wrong side of dances where lecherous men already under the influence of the spirits have already made attempts...

Jinzy could no longer say anything more and was on the verge of tears. Bad memories came back of the maltreatment attempts from some abusive clients who had wanted her.

Clara would then continue on,

Clara: What Jinzy here is trying to say is, we dancers have had to work in these pubs. Servers, entertainers, you name it. She was the one most frequented from your lowly sellsword to even nobles.

Riff: - interrupts - But isn't that exactly why you're there? Your art involves you enticing these ...men, cultured or not, with the rhythm of your movements and hips and....

Clara: - stands up and cracks her whip towards Riff - Those thoughts are exactly the problem here! I do not know how you ended up joining this honorable cause when you yourself are dishonorable!

Jinzy, with Liger holding her hand, told Clara,

Jinzy: It's the truth. It's why we became dancers. To give a better life to our families.

Clara, softening her harsh stance for snapping at Riff, then said,

Clara: I know. But our other troupe members were not so lucky. Some became mothers who need to leave their children in an orphanage or sell them or even need to bring them to the bar. That is to those who were abused but still left to live. The others are no longer known or have disappeared.

Zo: Oh yes, the ever growing problem of forced disappearances. Apart from that, with all due respect to your craft, Eastern Torrs is also a religious center as well. Given that a cultural melting pot will include exchange of religious ideas between Tamaran and Torrs. The only problem we have now is that under the current governor and regime, the East has corrupted itself. Sure it is still a cultural hub but now, the only culture persisting is the culture of debauchery, corruption and immorality. That madman governor with Corrvin's blessing had enforced laws to turn our temples, dedicated to the great God creator to become pubs and prizefighting arenas. This led to the formation of my crusaders. Most of my men may be in hiding. We swore to protect High Priest Veda Augustine but even he is in chains for speaking out against East Governor Don Patricius.

Liger: I can tell this Don Patricius figure has the utmost backing of the Corrvin's now does he?

Zo: As of late, I saw more Corrvin troops enter forcing temples to be these dens of immoral activity. Those soldiers even join in on the evil festivities. They even had some of the clergymen who wishes to stand against the Governor fight in these prizefighting battles. Obviously, the clergymen die as they know not how to fight. Even pit them against armed soldiers for sport.

Pattou could not believe what he is hearing, the degrees of madness and the lows the regime can go.

Pattou: We need a plan. Zo, Jinzy, Clara, as you three are residents of the East, how do you plan for us to infiltrate the East?

Zo: Us all going in at the same time is a crucial step. But given that Dino Corrvin may still be in the East hunting my men down, security will be at its tightest.

Clara was able to let out an idea,

Clara: Milord, I understand that everyone going in will not be advisable as these soldiers will still remember that your men aided in dispelling the ambush. What if Lady Star, Jinzy and myself returned to the East as part of an 'inter-faith detachment' and report what we can find thus far? We are the 3 least to be suspected to have any involvement with the Blade Empire.

Pattou: - asks Star - Are you sure about their idea? I will not be around for to protect you should anything happen...

Star then told her lover,

Star: This is beyond me. I can convince the guards that Jinzy and Clara are with me as envoys of my Father. There is no need to worry. We will get back in one piece.

Star ends her plea, staring at Pattou's eyes with the same eyes of a puppy.

Pattou can only nod in agreement.

Pattou: It is understood then. Our ladies will infiltrate and gather what they know. They will then return to us here in Tamaran before we move to our next step.

Everyone gathered was at shock but understood that for now, the frontal assault approach is ill-advised but that this scheme will be their crucial step and its success lay in the hands of the Blade Empire's female newcomers.

Sayfuro then tells Pattou before everyone leaves,

Sayfuro: Milord, if stealth is all we need. Why not add me to the advance party? Surely the women need protection...

Pattou: Sayfuro, I know your assassin skills are more than a fit to the mission. But we need to minimize casualties for this stage. Right now we know not much about the dealings in the East. But if need be, head there as added security. I will not ask that you not be caught as I believe in your ability to cloak yourself.

Sayfuro merely salutes Pattou. He then adds,

Pattou: Will that be fine with you ladies?

The three nodded, at least some form of security will be of great aid should anything untoward occur.

Chief Priest Solaris's Chambers, Tamaran High Temple, Noon.

Solaris and Quasar met with Pattou once more regarding the planned blessing and betrothal ritual, but Pattou recalling their plan earlier informed the two of the change.

Pattou: Chief Priest Solaris and Master Quasar, I thank you both for granting me an audience. But I must inform you, per our meeting, we will not be leaving together first. Star, Jinzy and Clara will be heading out first to scout on the situation of Eastern Torrs. But not to worry, Sayfuro will be on their heels as he will sneak into the East as well.

Solaris and Quasar were initially shocked then Solaris asked him,

Solaris: Upon their return, then you all will leave to proceed with the liberation?

Pattou: You have my word.

Solaris then asked of the Blade Empire leader,

Solaris: Then I believe the ritual will have to come first given all of you will not be leaving here first.

Pattou: Then that will be what we will do. Before the four depart.

The men agreed upon this.

Liger and Jinzy's chamber, Residential Corridor, Tamaran Main Temple.

Jinzy was still pretty shaken after all that occurred in the meeting hours earlier. Liger was behind her. She tried to shoo him away,

Jinzy: Please you might think I am dirty.

Liger comforted her, going a bit forward placing his hands on her shoulders,

Liger: No. I don't think like that. What makes you think that I would see you any less than you are?

Jinzy faces him, shrugging his hands away

Jinzy: You heard Clara. I was nearly abused by those dirty men. You might think I have....

Liger: No. Trust me, no one deserves to be treated that way. I was an orphan, a rebel leader. I know how it is to be treated less. I lived off the forests before reconnecting with Pattou and going through this liberation mission.

Jinzy was shocked to hear Liger's empathy in all this,

Liger: I know we suffered from differing lows here but we can bring an end to this. Your suffering is mine as well at this point,

As Liger said this, she proceeds to hug him then cries on his chest.

Liger: It's okay.

Liger comforts the dancer who had grown fond of him while hugging back and rubbing her back.

Liger: At the very least, once this ends, you will get your measure of justice over the lechery that you've suffered.

Riff and Clara's chamber, Residential Corridor, Tamaran Main Temple.

Riff was behind Clara,

Riff: What was it I said? If this was about your art, then I apologize.

Clara had none of it, after Riff basically insulted her plight,

Clara: You have some nerve! Stay away from me you inconsiderate oaf!

Riff was about to enter their chambers but Clara slammed the door. Riff then said from behind the door,

Riff: Look, I know what I said was true. But I did not realize immediately that I was besmirching on your reality. The reality you walked under before throwing your lot with Lord Patriarch was of self-inflicted dissonance. If anything, I apologize for making light of your situation. I don't know what it is...

Clara was trying to shut the Bard off her mind but his words still manage to reach her. Riff continued on, not knowing that behind the door, Clara was indeed listening.

Riff: The world, the stage you ply your craft upon, is quite ugly. The necessity of you doing and improving your craft for the eyes of those who can afford and do not appreciate it properly. It is vile and disgusting. Maltreatment is where our common note is. I was once a rebel leader.

Riff then began strumming on his guitar some gentle notes,

Riff: I've seen hell itself. I've seen my men sacrifice for my sake for me to sing on and for their elegy. I do not want to see that again. I do not want to see suffering, it is horrendous. This is why I became a Bard. As a tribute to those fallen and could no longer sing from their own voices. To ensure their memories live on in song. That history never forget their bravery despite only the victors being the once to mold history to cast aside the truly brave ones. This is why I sing.

Clara was shocked to hear this exposition from someone she had deemed beyond honorable, perverted and earlier, disrespectful and out of place. She saw through the song and found not a playboy bard, but a bard with reason. She was nearing the door and unlatched the lock.

She then saw Riff sitting with his back against the doorway, playing his guitar while some tears flowed down his eyes. Clara knew no words are enough after all that. She only danced to Riff's strumming, but upon him stopping, she held him whilst seated. Clara also weeping after all the harshness from earlier, now melted into reassurance for one another.

Star's Chambers, Residential Corridor, Main Temple Hall

Star had already procured the extra priestess garbs for Jinzy and Clara for tomorrow. Despite her bold suggestion, she felt a bit afraid. Sure she has already gone to and from Eastern Torrs previously, but this time, she will be doing this inter-religious dialogue as part of the liberation forces. Pattou came into the chambers and saw her standing by the window.

Pattou: Is this about the plan? Look, I am as worried as you are but you told me that you can handle this. You gave me your word.

Star: Yes, but did you need to add in Sayfuro? He could ruin our cover...

Pattou: You may be forgetting what Sayfuro is aside from an adviser. He is an Assassin. Assassin's have the unique skill of cloaking and if endangered, he can escape easily. He can find his way around a place and he will be of great help for you three.

Star: You seem to be all high on Sayfuro.

Pattou: If it weren't for him, this liberation would not be happening. Nor would I even be here. I could have been either in chains right now or dead not knowing that I am of a royal bloodline. He had been tasked with all this before my parents passed on.

Star: But don't leave yourself out of this too. If it were not for you, no one will take up the mantle for liberation as you say. No one will unite the voices of those who can no longer stomach the ills of the current regime.

Pattou was taken aback and already took his armor off, leaving him in his inner clothes. He then asked her,

Pattou: Before you all leave, Chief Priest Solaris asked that we gather at the Main Altar below the Goddess's statue. It must be a tradition as I know not of this.

Star thought that this will be the usual prayer before heading out, so she said

Star: Alright. Let us pray together for the Goddess's protection and guidance for our mission to be successful.

Little did Star know, Pattou feigned ignorance of tradition as this was actually a set-up discussed between Star's father and brother.

Chapter 26 folks.

Hope you all enjoyed.

Keep safe and stay awesome!