At the moment when Senna was happily concluding her session with Balaras Castle's custodian, a family gathering was taking place somewhere in the smoke-choked city. Despite the surroundings, it had joyous--even melancholic--airs.

The hostess of such gathering was Eara Velandis, Ukara's wife, and the participants were their children: Azumi, Iruha and Savis--thirteen, ten and seven respectively by the time of their father's long awaited arrival.

Reminiscence was thick in the air, more so when Ukara intimated that he would someday like to introduce them all to the young Prince Vlos.

"That would be splendid," Eara beamed. "About time Azumi enters the army service... as a page, say."

"Soon to be an archer," the youth retorted, "just like Dad. I can shoot arrows just as well, I'll have you know!"

"Now, now, Big Brother, you need not be so hot-headed," his sister Iruha cooed. "If you are as good with arrows as you said, why, then you should be out there defending the walls, where anyone good with any weapon is called for. Why aren't you?"

Azumi flushed. "I... might be turned down for my age. As Mom said, a page might be best at this point."

"I hear that the prince is as the same age as Big Sister Iruha," Savis joined cheerfully. "How can he lead grown men fighting for their lives that way?"

"Savis, you would not want to speak before the prince like that," his father reminded. "Young he might be, but he's got wise, strong and dependable men and women counseling him--myself included."

"In that case, husband," Eara said, "you ought to return soon to the castle by the prince's side. Your service might yet be needed, afield or otherwise..."

She paused as at the knocking sounds on the house's front door, and hesitated.

"I'll go get it," Azumi offered, standing up from his cushion.

"Don't, Big Brother! It might be another bunch of looters..." Savis shivered, recalling the raids.

"Or an officer asking for volunteers," Iruha suggested with some malice.

"Whichever it is, I'll get it," came the stubborn reply.

Indeed, he was soon face to face with an officer--but not, as it turned out, one looking for volunteers.

"Hey, kid," the officer looked down on him, "your papa happens to be here?"

"This is his house. Who are you?"

"An associate. Why that tense look, now?"

"Uh, I... don't believe I know you."

"As do I. Hurry and get him now, my legs are aching from the wait."

The youth nodded with a tinge of fear, and hurried on inside.

"An associate of yours, Dad... that's what our visitor said."

"Why don't you welcome him in here?" Eara suggested. "I'll have some tea ready."

"Actually, Mom, it's a 'she'."

At this, Ukara and his wife stood almost simultaneously.

"Oh my! Could it be the only female officer in our army thus far?!" Eara beamed in delight.

"Whatever could Senna be doing here?!" her husband blurted. They paused then, looked at each other, and immediately turned away in shame at such a juvenile display of manners.

"Azu," his mother said, hoping to repair things a bit, "do show her in. Iru and Sav, help me with the tea."

"Right," came their chorused reply.

***

"So, Senna," Ukara began when they were left alone, "to what do I owe the honor of--"

"Skip the frills, Velandis, I'm no stranger. You're fortunate indeed to be spared some nice moments with your dear ones, when most of our lot are discussing how best to prevent this very city from changing banners once more."

"I thought such a reunion is well-deserved, considering what I've been through."

"Oh, indeed. Sorry to barge in, then. Was that your son?"

"My first."

"Looks promising," Senna commented, "if a bit edgy around officers. Can't blame him."

"Well," Ukara chuckled, "he aspires to someday take my place, I must say. Why are you here again?"

Senna then briefly recounted her experience with Nu'man, what plans they agreed on--or rather, what plans she made him agree--as well as when to implement them.

"Basically," she said, "I've decided that raids through both lanes would be too darn risky. To that end, a wholly new plan must be devised. Remember that agent we captured on the way here?"

"You told me as we were entering the pier. Resna, wasn't it?"

"Sharp memory there. Yes, he's got Prince Vlos to accept his fealty and whatever service he might render... Get it?"

"The highlights, at least. So what? If breaching any of those lanes with an army is, as you said, risky, why the heck would you think the infiltration of one single man would be any safer?"

"When I interrogated him in private after the prince and his lady mother returned to the upper deck, Resna said he's got loyal connections within Varastra's lair, provided he could establish and maintain contact with them. We'll have to bank on that, I'm afraid... and his newfound loyalty."

"You don't seem very sure. If we are going to have him enter Arenda just like this..."

Senna held up a finger. "I never did say his destination is going to be Arenda."

"Then... where?"

"The woodcutting town of Ardis, a short distance from Hospodia's ancestral seat. There he'll garner every support he could to return Arenda to the fold."

"How can we do that, while this city is starving? And just so you know," Ukara leant forward, "my family is among its citizens."

"I recall. Leave the steel work to me. For you I have in mind another assignment."

"Which is?"

She shrugged. "I thought that was obvious. Agents need overseers, don't they? If you wish to sponsor the kid to our army someday, better not get caught." Senna extended her hand.

Her interlocutor hesitated. "Has Sadanastra heard of this?"

"A few times now he's seen eye to eye with Yasnar, advancing the infiltration issue whenever possible. The mayor's grown quite warm to it. If I could now supply him the name of an overseer..."

"I need to think, Senna. One more day, please?"

She consented after some thought, lowering her hand. "We're all far from home here, Velandis."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"One day, then." She reached to her mug of tea, whispered a prayer, drained its contents in three big gulps, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and stood without pomp. "Midday tomorrow, mayor's palace. Thanks for the tea, regards to the family. Good day."

Soon after she left, Ukara began sipping his own tea and recollecting his thoughts.

***

"What did she want, darling?" Eara began. This time she was alone with her husband, having sent the children to bed for their naps.

"You were right about my services being needed, dear," came his somewhat resigned reply. "I'm to lurk near Arenda again."

"And do what?"

"Seeing to an agent's safety."

"Did she mention anything about taking us with you?"

Ukara glared at her. "Weren't you listening? I'll be doing a job that lists secrecy and subtlety at the very top. What sort of spy- overseer would take the risk of bringing his entire family?"

"But you requested a day to ponder, and most likely about your family's well-being. Right?"

He paused. "So you were listening..."

"The children are anxious, Ukara, can't you see that? Years on end without your presence, expected to act like someone he isn't yet, while being held back from achieving his dream... even Azu is restless. He could hardly keep his siblings in line, what with the various daily chores that kept popping up...

"You saw how spirited they all became when you came back--but then there's this seemingly-endless siege! How heartless can you be, to throw away such moments just because a lady whom I've never met suddenly barged in with fresh orders that will keep us apart for who knows how long?!"

He was quite unperturbed. "I thought you're prepared for that, having decided to hook up with an active-duty soldier, Ea."

She leant forward, going so far as to grab his arms.

"Whatever city you shall be posted on, it shall at least be distant from this hubbub of battles and fear, right? Please, would you take us there?"

"Ea... you do know what you're doing, I hope? Adjustments must be made--"

Eara stood up. "I trust you'll see to them... but by its end I hope to get out of this city."

"I can't promise anything here, Ea; and while we're at it, be careful with what you wish for. Sometimes what you already have, while far from being the best, is not the worst yet. Never forget to be grateful."

***

"The heck with that kind of offer?!" Senna stormed when next Ukara brought up the subject. "You don't plan to just relent to such a condition... do you, Velandis? We have barely begun the infiltration, and now this... Not to mention the journey itself, with all the risks involved!"

She paced around the room with apparent distress.

"I'm deeply sorry, Sen, but she just wouldn't budge... and to an extent I saw her point. If you find this too much, then perhaps I'm not your best choice for a handler."

She stopped pacing, glared at him for a moment, then sighed.

"Seems being an officer does not guarantee that discipline could be enforced where we want it, huh..."

"Senna..."

She turned to look at Yasnar, almost forgetting that he was there at all in her frustration.

"Yes?"

"Might I ask why you are being so insistent on this archer overseeing Resna's operations?"

"It's not so much about the person, Mayor. I feel we need to have someone that Resna had known in the first place, as it also serves to remind him of his allegiance."

"Had anyone besides you interacted with the spy at all?"

That gave Senna food for thought.

"No. Not directly."

"Then it seems it has to be you."

Urdin's female aide looked at Yasnar, then Ukara, both with vague uncertainty.

"And who'll keep things going here?"

"There are good fellows such as Nu'man and Ren. Don't you trust them?"

She groaned. "I wouldn't have put it that way, Mayor, but..."

"There aren't any suitable choice from those fellows that came in with you from Elbar? Not one?"

"Well, there is Sadanastra, but... I kind-of worry about him in the long run."

"Why would that be?" Yasnar inquired. "He's your first protege, I recall. His aid might yet be invaluable..."

"So I'm out of the question here?" Ukara interrupted. "If Ea were to hear of this, she might as well skin me..."

"Man up, Velandis," his associate retorted. "You can handle this one, as you did me."

Yasnar was not done. "About my offer..."

"I've yet to ask Sadanastra on the subject, Mayor, but if you think you could get it done... Meantime I'll have some words with Nu'man. Please?"

"I'll do what I can, Senna, thanks for coming."