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[Sirus]

Harlan decided to leave the two alone and found Harold instead.

: "So you might have mentioned this while I was sleeping, but where are we headed now? Do you or Nikolai have any ideas about what to do now?"

[Solymr]

Harold was wandering around the deck when Harlan found him.

: Hey there. We're headed to Veyriden, shouldn't be long before we arrive. The Lady's there, talking with the mages to get some help. Hopefully they'll agree to it, and now that all of you are back, maybe hitch a ride and start working towards north Alberal.

Harold shrugged.

: Or you know, just stay there doing nothing, but I don't think the Lady will want to stay, which will drag at least some people, and if there's a chance I'm betting Lillian will want to stop by her hometown and help them out.

[Sirus]

: "So in summary we have a bunch of hopes and dreams but nothing concrete. Wonderful."

: "You ever think about calling it quits? Just sneaking back into Ixion and keeping our heads down, letting the world do whatever it's going to do?"

[Solymr]

: Well, this is a war after all and we're a bunch of nobodies trying to survive, except the now regent of an occupied city and her bodyguard.

Harold shrugged again.

: Even if we parted ways and managed our way there, there's gonna be trouble that finds us regardless, and I think I feel safer around all of you even in the middle of a bloody battle... Harold chuckled.

: What about you? Are you planning on doing something when we get to the city?

[Sirus]

: "Maybe get some new knives. Other than that there's not much I can do. Guess I'll just keep my eyes and ears open and hope for some decent information."

[Solymr]

: Heh. I'll do about the same, and then if the Lady moves out... I don't know. We actually got to be friends after what happened, but if you go your way...

Harold stopped, and his face got slightly worried.

: Say, I've been noticing something wrong about you. You got anything to tell me?

[Sirus]

Harlan stared out at the horizon for a time, struggling. Eventually he sighed and spoke quietly.

: "I told you before that I was sick, right? Well...that's true, but it's not the whole truth.
"I'm dying, Harold. Doctors can't figure out what to do about it and healing magic does nothing. I've got maybe a year left and I'm just...I'm tired of all this. I can't sleep more than a few hours at a time, I can barely eat without wanting to throw it all back up. It's affecting my ability to fight, and before long I'll probably be too shaky to even use lockpicks anymore. I wanted to do some good in the world before I die, which is why I've stuck around as long as I have...but things are just getting worse with Ixion's war and this world-gate nonsense. Part of me wants to do nothing more than slip away and try to live my remaining months in some measure of peace."

[Solymr]

Harold was stunned by the sudden news. As he tried to process what Harlan just told him, he opened his mouth to speak but words didn't come out. After a few seconds, Harold finally said something.

: ...Look, after the church collapsed, I thought I lost you. You're the only family I have left, and I thought you died, before I could make it up to you, leaving me all alone. But then you managed to survive all that, I found you again and everything was going to be somewhat alright. And now you tell me-

Harold choked on the words and he had to stop and breathe before continuing.

: Now you tell me you have a year or less left, and I... I feel like I felt back then, except now I have the chance... I can make it up to you before you go. After all you've done for me, helped me get out of the slums and gave me a chance of living a honest life, the least I can do is do the same for you.

Harold took a deep breath.

: If you choose to help the cause against Ixion I'll fight at your side as long as my feet hold me. If you want to leave it all and live your last moments in peace, I'll make sure I do everything I can so you can live somewhere warm and cozy, away from the slums, without worrying about gangs, pirates or soldiers coming after you or anyone that you care about. Brother, I am not going to leave you alone until the end.

[Sirus]

Harlan, the cold criminal and scum of the earth, felt his heart break just a little.

: "Harold...damn, I don't deserve having you around."

: "I'm going to stay with these people and keep fighting. It's not going to be easy, but if they've got the Coronas brothers on their side...well hell, maybe they've got a shot after all. What do you say, little brother?"

[Solymr]

Harold smirked a bit. Then he grabbed Harlan's arm and pulled him into a hug.

: Of course, big brother. Ixion won't stand a chance in hell against the both of us.

After he let go, he suddenly remembered something.

: Oh and I got a surprise waiting at the city. I was planning on selling it but I decided to hold onto it, I hope you like it. If not we can always sell it.

[Sirus]

Harlan chuckled after returning the hug.

: "You're not supposed to tell people about surprises, dammit. It's not really a surprise anymore if you do that. But alright, I will wait patiently until we get to the city to see what it is."

[Solymr]

: Heh, you know how I am. I couldn't keep my mouth shut about it.

Harold went into thinking mode again.

: ...Speaking of me and my mouth, I think I did a bit of a screwup last night...

[Sirus]

: "Was it something to do with Senija attacking you, or did you screw up again?"

[Solymr]

: Well... Yeah it's about her. I might have put my foot in my mouth and... called her "dead" at her face... That's why she, ahem, "attacked" me.

[Sirus]

: "Oof. Yeah. I would have warned you about that if I'd seen you first. She took the whole possibility of being dead pretty hard, especially since she blamed herself for the temple collapsing and us winding up in whatever-that-place-was. If I were you I'd go ahead and apologize once we get to the city. Don't try to do it now, because if you mess up again she might be tempted to toss you overboard."