The princeling, having had nothing more to tell his mother for the moment, had seen himself off--but not before securing a promise to have lunch together alone, which was in fifteen minutes' time.

Such time was sufficient for Lista to scribble at least a few more lines, having chosen the previous ones with care.

While not exactly a private journal, the book was filling up with lines upon lines of her personal impressions on some things in Balaras. However, the one she had been composing so eagerly as her son and Senna came in was a poem for her brother-in-law that--without being too flowery--nevertheless denoted respect.

Needless to say, she enjoyed the seemingly trivial practice of wielding a quill.

O, for he who carved his way with fervor, unwavering loyalty, unquenchable passion--

May your cause be allowed to prevail, for ones you view with such affection;

Are patiently waiting for the day when the banners are one, fluttering all across the span of the horizon!

Then shall you realize those echoes of admiration, said in deliberate, wholehearted unison:

"May your reign be long and prosperous, o ruler of a House rising out of ardent, rightful conviction!"

She gazed fondly at the last two lines, tracing them, even mumbling them a few times.

"Ah, unity," she sighed, "how near, how distant! How formidable, how fragile! Lots died for its realization, but once it is realized, very few would realize it until it's but a distant recollection..."

At length she put back the quill, closed the book, and went to fulfill yet another promise. On the way, however, she ran into her would-be agent.

"My lady. Apologies..."

"And I thought today's surprises are over, Resna. How long have you been lingering around here?"

"Lady Hospodia, do believe me, it was purely accidental. I was going back from this castle's training grounds..."

"The training grounds?" She frowned. "Who allowed you there, in the first place?"

He inclined his head. "Only one besides you possesses the sufficient authority to that end, my lady."

Yasnar again, she thought warily. Why would he do such things without bothering to consult me? First Senna, and now him, and I can do little more than watch it pass by. Nor does my son have enough clout yet to add to anything as it is...

I hope no more betrayals are in the making...

"Come what may," Lady Hospodia resumed, remembering herself, "your timing is not well suited. When might I find you again?"

"My lady, you need only ask. What service might I render?"

"Not right now," she whispered. "Sunset, training grounds. Come alone. That fair?"

"I shall be there, Madam. Good day, for the present."

***

"Say, Mom, do you want to see me fly this time?" Vlos inquired as he put on his napkin. "You were not there when I first revealed my wings, so I gather you would not want to miss it when I use them for real..."

"'For real'? What do you mean?"

"Why, I had first-time incidents too, of course. The very first one was with Senna, and she was as strict as Uncle could be. Made me repeat the same first stance for five times before agreeing to let me rest. Now at last I'm able to perform on my own! I might even show you some new tricks that I've learned!"

Lista smiled. "When do you plan to do it, then?"

The boy beamed. "Right after lunch?!"

"Better not, Vlos. After meal, our body needs time to absorb it properly, and perhaps you'd like a nap. How about just before sunset, hmm?"

"Fine with me, but... will you be able to see it?"

"Recall that we saw off your uncle around that time too. Just don't fly off too high... or I might require the aid of another vampire observer."

He grinned. "Senna, perhaps? Good for her to know part of her work has been successfully concluded, you know. Given she's about to leave, it might also make for a decent parting gift."

Lady Hospodia studied her son who had earnestly begun his meal after saying the prayers.

"How attentive of you..." she murmured.

Vlos looked up at her. "Did you just say something, my lady?"

"Nothing."

Of course, he is a dhampir. His sense of hearing is a tad better than that of us humans... and that of Urdin's would be even more sensitive.

"Then again," Vlos resumed with a pang of guilt, "it is a pity that Dad didn't get to see me fulfilling my promise..."

"He's now in a different realm with dimensions beyond ours, Vlos. He might somehow know of it and approve in ways we could not begin to comprehend. Just be sure to remember him in your prayers."

"I will," the Lion promised again. "By the way, Mom..."

"Yes?"

"I forgot to ask this the first time, but... what was it that you were writing as I entered your study?"

***

While Vlos took his hearty nap, it rained. This, besides substantially reducing the palls of smoke caused by days of incessant raids, resulted in widespread delight and improved morale. Some citizens even gathered to offer their prayers in gratitude for the rain and other blessings. At sunset, thus, the general mood in Balaras was quite festive.

The princeling also took his time performing sunset prayers before actually dressing himself up for the flight. He had gone to one of the towers immediately after lunch, found Senna conversing with Candis with regards to the most recent state of Balaras' defenses, and made clear his intention for another demonstration.

She had expressed approval and agreed to once again be a spectator to this 'blissful moment'.

At dusk, then, two persons dearest to Vlos--aside from his distant uncle--gathered to see the boy fulfill his lifetime promise.

"We're ready, my liege," Senna announced, resplendent in her habitual armor tailored to fit her slim stature, hands on hips. Alista on the other hand was carrying a folded fan, opening and closing it at infrequent intervals; her benevolent gaze fixed on this boy whom but a year ago had been clamoring for a wooden sword to use at Elbar's yards.

Well, he may yet have to further polish and sharpen his skills on that head; but a flying sword-wielder--regardless of what type of sword was used--would prove more of a challenge than a walking one, surely.

"Here I go!"

So saying while standing in the middle of Balaras' not-so-spacious training yard, Vlos now assumed the first stance that Senna had taught him prior to the actual flight: fists clenched on either side of the slightly-crouched body; legs apart; eyes closed, intently focused on the thought of bringing out that pair of dark wings proportionate to the body size. Adjusting his breathing, Senna had added, would immensely help in stabilizing one's emotional state.

Vlos presently did all those, but nothing significant happened. The sun sank almost docilely while the spectators waited.

As it was, from experience, Vlos had realized that the steps he had been taught was for first-timers--veteran 'players' such as Urdin would simply stand and have his large wings out in a blink.

The princeling, however, had no wish to skip stones--not when, also from experience, one false move would've cost him his only life. He dutifully went through each step, praying all the while.

FLAP!

At length, he succeeded once again to reveal those wings. To this Lista gasped in awe while Senna simply nodded in solemn silence.

"This is nothing, Lady Hospodia," she murmured. "It's what comes after."

"Perhaps when you have kids of your own, dear Senna," came the calm reply, "you'd better understand the significance of cheering them on."

The aide had no answer to that and remained quiet, even as Lista urged her boy to take to the air. He nodded eagerly and started to levitate.

"Looking good, Vlos!" Ingeras' widow beamed, her fan trampled on, forgotten. "Keep it up!"

Senna followed her pupil's movements warily as he rose gradually.

"Time to show you the tricks, Mom!"

...Well, darn.

"No need!" his mother shouted from below. "This is impressive in itself!"

"No, I insist!"

Infinite One, please kindly keep him safe.

Senna gulped, ignoring the cold sweat that trickled down her soft neck. Prevent him, or not?

She stepped forward as if to intervene, but Lista's arm barred her way.

"Stay out of this. I want to see what my boy is really capable of."

As the women looked on, the boy began whirling and looping around, circling above the yard a few times, before descending in a straight manner with a grace rare for a flyer of his age, his wings flapping slowly. Even then, Vlos was hovering as he bowed with one hand across his chest. Lista hugged him, causing him to lose balance and fall lightly on to the ground.

"That's awesome!" Lista said as they disentangled.

"Thanks, Mom. Couldn't manage it without your support."

He grinned, then looked over her shoulder to an equally shocked Senna.

"Well, Sen, and what do you think?"

"'Proud' might be an understatement, sir." She wiped off a tear. "The thought of this shall likely warm my journey south."

"Glad I could make it meaningful for you. Now, don't you want to hug me?"

That stunned her.

"I... to you? No, sir, I'm just an officer."

"Yes, but not just an officer. You're my friend, are you not?"

"Prince Vlos..!"

"My uncle is the real prince, and he's getting back home in his own ways," he reminded. "Right now I'm just a kid who wants to have friends, and you're one. Don't forget too that I'm your disciple. Wouldn't you show at least some appreciation in that sense?"

"Then... by your leave, Vlos."

She stepped forward, held his chin, and kissed him lightly on the forehead. It only took seconds for him to realize what was happening; and when he did, he beamed profusely.

"T-that's more like it, Sen! S-stay safe, and m-may our cause be allowed to prevail!"

She nodded without humor. "Viva Hospodia."

Moments after the boy ran off, his mother took a good look at the officer before sighing.

"Vlos would not forget that soon."

"Was that a mistake, my lady?"

"More like a fresh start. In many ways. Now, let's tackle on a more serious issue."

***

"So, Lady Hospodia, what is there to discuss?"

Lista held up a finger. "Before we get there, recall my son's hint that this is to be your parting gift."

The female aide smiled. "Yes, I recall. I'm wondering what my next gift would be."

"Somehow you are... unfazed."

"I would never be a soldier if I'm so easily fazed, Madam, not to mention under Urdin's service."

"Then you are prepared for what I'm about to reveal?"

"It's not like I have a choice."

"Oh, but you do, dear Senna. Turn this down and it will remain secret until the opportune time."

"And who, Madam, would dare turn down Lady Hospodia's offer? Again, I am prepared to accept this gift."

Ingi's widow chuckled. "Never say you weren't warned, then."

She clapped twice. A figure emerged from behind a cart full of hay meant for the horses. Only then did Senna stir.

"You..!"

The figure nodded. "An honor to meet you again, lady."

"Well, and what do you think, hmm?" Lista piped in cheerfully. "Before you both actually hit the trail, why not sort out all that needs sorting? I'm taking my leave now. Stay safe, and may our cause be allowed to prevail."

For once the aide did not follow it up with the usual salute.

"This is... My lady, to think you've had the expediency to bring him here..."

"As to the why and how, feel free to ask him. Good evening, both of you."