Avryn returned from a trip to the bathroom. He took a glance at the dining table where his friends were at and noticed Tvira was looking uneasy. She barely ate her food and asked Valoche to finish it for her. Avryn noticed Tvira was making quick glances at someone. He looked to where she was looking at. It was Oliviere. Avryn put two and two together. He made a mental note of asking her later.

  “Nothing will happen to her, we’ll make sure of it,” Rinna said.

  Avryn was caught by surprise, and recomposed himself. He examined around them. Rinna was alone before he walked near her.

  “Right,” Avryn nodded.

  He leaned on the wall.

  “So what’s on your mind?”

  Rinna paused.

  “Oliviere asked me out a few years ago in this exact place. As I’ve said, he was happy I rejected him.”

  “Real odd. Was it some bet he and some friends of his made?” Avryn asked.

  “I could care less. Just an unnecessary memory.”

  Avryn switched topics to their progress. The squad has gotten a major military operation under their belt. He wanted to know how Rinna felt, if she was happy at what they’ve accomplished so far.

  “It’s rare for a rookie squad to do something like that, sure. I’m happy,” she relayed to him. “As for personal goals, there’s still plenty on the table.”

  “Like?”

  “Surpassing my mother and father,” her eyes shone with determination.

  Of course. How could Avryn forget. It was a side of her he liked. For he, himself, wanted to live up and eventually surpass Sir Iver’s expectations. They both carried those burdens. Rinna excused herself and returned to the table. Avryn continued to wander around and overheard some conversations. He turned around and see an older gentleman around his forties. The man had approached him.

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  “Excuse me, young man. Might you be Avryn Starbright?” he asked.

  Avryn nodded, answering his inquiry. The man bowed and introduced himself as Redorick Sterling, a jeweler in the city. He cited that he wanted to meet him for a very long time. Avryn asked why.

  “You’re my son,” he told him.

  It hadn’t hit Avryn yet. He had no memories of his family. His earliest was him washing upon the shores of Middsborough. He asked for some proof of his bold claims.

  “Your real name is Rerios Sterling. We lost you during a cruise many years ago.” Redorick said.

  “Kids get lost all the time, got anything more concrete?” Avryn crossed his arms.

  “You wear a sapphire necklace. One thing you don’t know was my maker’s mark on it. The initials R.S. right behind the pendant.”

  Avryn raised his eyebrows. He went to grab his necklace and checked. His hands started to shake, but he forced it firm.

  “Let me,” Redorick held out his hands.

  Avryn gave him the necklace. Redorick deftly took our the sapphire out of its socket. Lo and behold, the maker’s mark was there. R.S. was written on the sapphire. Avryn’s eyes widened. He never knew of that, and started to trust him, but something was holding it back.

  “Please,” Roderick produced a card. “Take my business card. I’m guessing you must be busy, being a soldier and all. Give me a call when you’re able.”

  Avryn was left staring at the business card. He was still processing what happened. His hands shook as it held the card. He went to the bathroom again. Splashing his face with water, he tried to regain his composure. The answer to one of his life’s questions was there. He went into a stall and sat in contemplation.

  The man he talked to knew him more than himself. He trusted his words and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to fully believe him. He never gave it much thought, visiting his family, only wanting no business with them. His breathing got heavier. His heart beated so loud, it wanted to jump out of his chest. He leaned back for support. Sweat started to run down from the top of his head.

  “Calm the hell down, Avryn Starbright,” he thought to himself.

  He never thought he could ever be in this situation but now that he had, he didn’t know what to do. Several deep breaths helped calmed him down. He checked the time on his Scribe. It was around twenty minutes since he got in the bathroom, his squad might be looking for him. He splashed more water on his face and adjusted his clothes neatly. He reunited with the squads. Harver was the first to greet him back, and the first to noticed him looking rattled.

  “Hey man, what’s wrong?” he asked.

  Avryn explained his predicament to them all. It came as a shocking surprise to them. Harver was the first to speak up.

  “So what are you going to do?” he asked.

  Avryn shook his head.

  “I don’t know.”

  “You should at least hear him out, maybe get some closure?” Jenilah suggested. “Either way, the choice is yours alone to make.”

  Avryn always stated he could care less about family. But even he knew he was trying to convince himself that, and failed. His mind had plenty of questions. He wondered what Roderick’s family was like. Anger came to mind, and sadness was second. He was abandoned after all, that’s all he knew, at least. Avryn took a swig of his glass of water. He looked to everyone and came to a decision.

  “You’re right, Jenilah. I should at least see what he has to say. But it will happen on my own terms,” he told her.

  “Fair enough,” she nodded.

  The uneasy tension was broken by the sound of a piano. They all turned to the stage to see a woman in a fancy dress. Her lips was a bright shade of blue, and her hair tied up in a bun. She held the microphone close to her hips and begun to sing. Her voice mesmerized the entire dining hall.

  “Who’s that?” Avryn asked.

  “Keliza Mannings,” Leifren said. “The enchanting songstress, herself.”