"If we pass through the Canyon," Sir Elys jabbed at the map with his finger, "it will only be a good ten day journey to Ithia."

"Ten days is good, but, Sirs, I was told by Rhys that his younger brother and sister are missing. We're to look for them as well. That will tack another five or so days onto our trip. So, the ten days to travel down, ten days to search, and ten days to come back." Xavier leaned back in his chair. "We'll be back in a month."

"Sure the kingdom won't fall without you, sire?" Sir Balian joked, taking a long sip of his wine.

"Never has before, Balian." Xavier smiled, holding up his goblet, laughing along with the knights. "A toast. To a hopeful alliance with Callenda, and a successful mission!"

All five men cheered and joked, eating their dinner, a tradition for the knights of Yna before a mission.

"That's enough for you, my friend." Xavier took the wine pitcher away from Sir Balian, who was pouring the wine slightly to the left of his goblet. "Head to your chambers, all of you, and get a good sleep. We leave at dawn tomorrow, hungover or not."

The knights roared as they left the Great Hall, Sirs Gabriel and Elys supporting each other on the stairway up.

"I don't see your need to get them drunk all the time, Xavier." King Leon stood at the end of the long table. "What good is it to have a bunch of bumbling idiots defending our kingdom?"

"Oh, come on, Father! Don't say you haven't gotten your men drunk before." Xavier leaned against the door.

"Just try to quiet them down next time. You'll wake up the whole citadel." King Leon shook his head, grinning slightly. "You go get some sleep, too."

Xavier nodded, "Good night, Father."

"Good night, my boy."

As Xavier left the Great Hall, he stopped at the window, looking out at the dark streets of the citadel. The movement of a cloak caught his eye, then the cloaked figure moved, and under the moonlight, Xavier could see Amharic leading a horse outside of the castle gates.