“So you’re a hero now… a dragon slayer!” His voice was coarse and his speech slurred by too many pints of stout, but the loathing it carried remained sharp as ever, even though he had withered into an aged drunk. “I did what had to be done… nothing more,” Courynn turned to face his father. He thought he’d prepared himself for this, but how does a son prepare to face his own father’s scorn? It was all he’d known for eighteen years and, even after the hardening of six years of military life, it still tore at his soul. Why had he felt so compelled to return to face him… and worse, the hatred of his wife and daughter? “I don’t care what you’ve done… or why!” Folcoerr Telstaerr spat at the living reminder of his infidelity and shame. “I fulfilled my obligation… I gave you a home until you came of age… You’re not welcome in my house anymore!” Courynn stared back at him without flinching. Why had this drunken wretch made him cower before, and when had he ever been welcomed in his house? Better yet… why did he care? He was nothing but a broken, hate filled man, nowhere near the measure of those he had served with and whose respect he had won. Then an epiphany dawned on him, and he finally understood why he had to return to face him. A humorless smile turned Courynn’s lips as he turned to walk away and said flatly; “Why would I care old man… Your sin is your burden, not mine, and I will not bare it for you any longer.” “You left the celebration.” It seemed like all of Relkath’s Foot was crammed into the Taproot, but Talice knew Courynn would slip away as soon as he could and followed him, only to see him confront his father and watched him finally turn his back on the bitter old man; then waited till the drunkard stumbled off before approaching him. “A hot bath and a clean bed are celebration enough for me,” Courynn sighed as he stared off into the night. He had shed the burden of his father’s guilt and was left strangely empty by its loss, but her mere presence lightened his mood as he sensed her slink up behind him. “Is that an invitation?” Talice cooed with a capricious smile, as he turned to face her, surprised by her reply. A sultry smile turned her lips as she laid a hand on his chest and drew his head down to hers with the other. He wasn’t the boy she’d caught peeking at her from the shadows anymore, but a well favored man with an inner strength that she found irresistible. It was like a bolt of lightning when their lips touched and he seized her in his arms, pulling her slender body into his, while returning her kiss with all the desire that had been bottled up in him for so many years. “Sir!” a young maid interrupted, squirming uncomfortably as they broke their kiss to turn to her, flushed with a sudden rush of embarrassment, like children caught being naughty. “Your bath is ready sir,” she giggled before scurrying off in her own embarrassment. “Well?” Talice taunted coyly. “Was it an invitation?”