People were watching her. Ernest could feel their eyes on her back when she looked away. She supposed it was only natural - she was very out of place here - but she didn't like it, nonetheless. She was used to hiding in the crowd, not drawing attention. Calm down, she told herself. Nothing is going to happen. She resisted the urge to hide, to find somewhere - anywhere - where she could be alone. But she knew that would only draw more attention at this point. Right now, she had to pretend she was comfortable here. She saw the woman walking toward her, and again fought her instinctual response to run. She had nothing to fear. 

The woman introduced herself, and Ernest remembered Silanus mentioning his cousin at one point. Illia wished to know why she was here, and who she was. It was a logical enough request. Illia was right that Ernest did not fit in. 

She met Illia's eyes, and smiled faintly, trying to look comfortable. "I think the rumour mill has gotten ahead of itself," she said. "I have not been playing with anyone's mind. And anyway, I've never even been to Parvpora." She considered telling Illia that she wasn't a mage, either, but she decided against it. She had used magic, and she was pretty sure that Illia would hear about that at some point. 

"I'm no one particularly important. I helped Silanus once, and he invited me here. I mean no harm. I'm just visiting."

Unsatisfied, but not unhappy with that answer, Illia's hostile look became a simple, serious glare. "You better be… You are… Behaving normally, keep acting like this and you will soon be slowly accepted. Perhaps the rumors will…" A deep sight took place before she could finish talking: "Perhaps the rumors will simply vanish… Carry on." Said Silanus' cousin, before she, along her bodyguards, walked away, leaving Ernest alone.

Meanwhile, on the campaign to eradicate the hostile orchish clan, the Fratians, after a small and unsuccessful skirmish, decides to engage on a full combat once again. This time, they attacked at dusk, when the Sun would not lighten the way and the fog might cover the soldiers. This way, the archers of the orchish stronghold will have trouble shooting at them. This combat would most likely be the last one.

The orchish patrollers informed the stronghold army about the approaching batallion, and thus, they prepared for battle. Both sides in a full, all out combat for the second, and hopefully, last combat they'd have. However, this time, the battle seemed to favor the Fratians, as their foes were dying as fleas, slaughtered by the heavy armored infantry. The reason why this time the orchish clan was losing is because of a strategy Silanus himself thought of. While the main Fratian soldiers attacked, the ally orc berserkers would attack their flanks. This simple tactic made the battle much easier for them, a devastating, humiliating defeat for the orchish clan, truly!

After the last archer was down, the orchish chieftain refused to surrender or drop his mace, and was eventually killed by the Fratians. With the leader dead, the Stronghold was left intact, this way the enemy would learn that the Fratians are as generous as they are mighty. It was finally time to return!

The gates of Amiternum opened, and the first men to enter were the trumpeteers, then Silanus and his top soldiers, after that the rest of the troopers and at last the injured one, carried by their fellows. Naturally, a huge, cheerful crowd surrounded them… It was a glorious day! 

After the long victory parade, Silanus walked alone through the upper district; the people were with their families celebrating this victory, so it was usual to see the streets so empty. Of course, the general was not expecting Ernest, as he was sure she had left the city during the campaign. This moment right here was truly relaxing and soothing for the governor. Alone, without that heavy armor, only clothes.

Ernest watched the woman go, unsure entirely why she was so uneasy. Maybe it was simply her way of questioning. She didn't know, and didn't intend to find out. She had more than enough trouble in her life without seeking out sources of it.

The hours slid by, and Ernest felt herself slipping back into her old habits, half hidden on one of the roofs, watching the people wander by. She nibbled on a strip of jerky from her bag. She wondered, at one point, why she stayed. She wasn't quite sure. Perhaps it was the city, in all of its beauty. Maybe it was just the fact that she didn't want to go wandering again quite yet.

The sun was starting to lower when she noticed a figure, walking all alone. She slid to the edge of the roof. It was Silanus! And, by the look on his face, he had no idea she was here.

She couldn't help her grin. As silently as she could, she dropped from the edge of the roof to stand a few feet behind him. "Looking for someone?" she asked. 

As Silanus walked without purpose, when suddenly an unexpected person fell from the roof of a house, it was Ernest! Surprisingly, she was still there, who would have thought that? With a serious face, Silanus stared at her and said: "I must remind you that wandering in the roof of a house is forbidden. You are under arrest." Then, after some seconds of raw silence, a cheerful smile appeared in the governor's face as he opened both of his hands and pointed them at Ernest, he was truly elated to see her once again.

"Of course I am toying with you! I did not expect to see you here, in fact I was sure you'd have left!" It was probably the first time Ernest saw Silanus without his usual heavy armor, but with normal clothes instead. Dressed with a white-purple tunic with a thick fur cape; this was the noble outfit among the Fratians. 

Looking at Ernest with arrant comfort, Silanus, with a dearth of unease, mentioned "I must admit I am quite delighted to, well, speak with you once again, Ernest. Back there, I was almost murdered by some savage orc… A slinger hit me in the head… If it wouldn't be for my helmet, I'd be dead right now." He gave a brief sight, before continuing to speak: "When you are in the damp mud, stunned by such a hit, you truly miss the peaceful moments, you know?" The general turned and walked towards the usual fountain of the upper district, one they have seen the last time most likely.

While they were walking, Silanus asked Ernest: "Tell me, did you believe I would come back from there? Anyways, why did you stay… How much, a week or two? I thought you were no city folk." When saying the last thing, Silanus turned his head with a mocking smirk in his face, awaiting for Ernest's answers.

Ernest stood frozen for a minute, then Silanus's face broke into a smile and she realized he was kidding. "You shouldn't joke about that! I've got arrested once for skulking about on rooftops. Apparently I was disturbing the peace." She smiled, though. It was nice to not have to worry about guards chasing her.

She was actually quite surprised to hear that any of the orcs had been able to hurt Silanus. He was a fighter by trade, that she knew, and she'd assumed he would have guards. Still, she agreed with his sentiment. "You always appreciate the good times more when they're gone." 

She looked at him in shock. "Of course I expected you to come back! Why wouldn't you? Fighting is a strength of yours, from what I've seen." She grinned.

"I wanted to look around more," she said. "There's no sense going somewhere if you aren't going to look at where you've gotten." She paused. "Anyway, how was the battle. I mean, you survived, but did you win? How did it go?"

When Ernest mentioned how Silanus was a fighter by trade, he could not help but smirk. "You flatter me, Ernest. Nevertheless, few people can sense a stone coming at their head… I am not one of those." It seemed Ernest was not finished exploring the city, which made Silanus' pride shine; the city was indeed large, it was no doubt she enjoyed looking around.

"Hope you didn't cause any trouble." Said Silanus, in a mockery tone, before answering Ernest's last question. It was quite odd that she asked if they had won, perhaps she wasn't able to listen the parade and celebration? "Fortunately, we did triumph against them. Their chieftain was defeated, even though he fought bravely till' the end. Even I have to admit it." For a brief moment, Silanus turned his face to look around while he was walking; they had arrived at the fountain, which was still pouring crystalline water.

"I didn't ask you, but do you like the marble fountains? These were carefully made through a complex system of underground sewerage; This land is rich in mountains and rivers, so we take the water from there. Clean as the sky, and they give the city a beautiful detail too." Silanus leaned to see the water of the big marble fountain, which was the biggest of the whole city. It was quite astounding, the only cities who had fountains as these, were thanks to some magic spells. At these times, sadly, magic outmatched their technology.

A curious smile appeared on Silanus' face when he remembered the urban tales and poems that people say and sing about these fountains. "You know, these fountains are also important culturally. Since I was a child, at the times of my dear father, may he rest in peace, there has been talk about them." After a brief moment of silence, the general washed his hands on the water, then continued speaking: "There is a belief that each drop of this fountain is sacred, as they come directly from the mountain's heart, which produces  the. The water, hailing from the hills' heart, affects your own heart… Sounds quite awkward right now, but these curious myths say that they forge bounds…" Raising his eyebrows, Silanus realised that his words were quite flamboyant.

"I well, excuse me if I sound too pretentious, these are just some beliefs about the fountains, which are so loved by our citizens. Although I assume few people still believe in that, but it's still a story I heard as a child… Curious, if you ask me." Finally concluded the general, with a short sight after he finished speaking. He was starting to sound awkward. 

A small part of Ernest was surprised that Silanus had any vulnerabilities when fighting, although he had a point about being unable to sense objects. Ernest had, in the past, wished that she had such an ability. "Neither am I," she said, "although I have wished to be on occasion. It would be very useful to know where everything is all the time."

She laughed. "What? Me, cause trouble? As if I did that ever." She knew her reputation as a troublemaker, though, even though it may not have been here. "I'm glad to learn you won, though."

She was still smiling when she answered his question. "They're beautiful. Do you not use magic in them at all?" It sounded like they didn't, which was surprising - Ernest hadn't known that was possible. "The things people can create are amazing."

It was hard not to giggle as he talked about the myths. He was so clearly uncomfortable that it was a little funny. "Yes, curious," she agreed. "Myths are always interesting, though. Even if they are a little odd." She considered this. The things she was learning today.

"Oh, did I tell you, I met your cousin today," Ernest said. "I don't think she likes me very much."

Before answering Ernest, Silanus stared at his image, which was being reflected in the clear fountain water. "Yes, the myths say that. Sometimes parents wash their children in fountains like these to forge a bond with them, lovers do the same, or in rare occasions, brothers wash their hands and shake them after a disagreement. That way, their discussion won't weaken their family bond…" Said Silanus, who stopped looking at his reflect and looked back at his guest. 

"It's a nice belief, although I don't know if I'd believe in it. It's just water from a mountain, after all." Finally said the general, as he walked around the fountain. It didn't surprise him that Ernest met his bothersome cousin, even though he didn't even know she was still in the city, as she usually leaves often. "It's no surprise, given the fact that she hangs out with these… Ladies who enjoy spreading rumors and gossip." After he finished saying that, Silanus stopped walking around and sat on the fountain's edge. "I hope she was not as venomous as usual. A Gorgon she is, I dare to say."

The general stood up and walked away, assuming Ernest would follow him, but not checking if she was. It was a short walk they had, a silent one too. They arrived at the military barracks, a place Silanus was sure Ernest had not been in to. Turning around, the governor mentioned: "May I ask you something, Ernest? I think I have not asked this before, as it is a rather serious question… But, what do you think, that your purpose is? You gather money to eat and find a place to sleep, but what would you truly like to do, uh?" His face was calm, rather confident, most likely. Truth is, that Silanus enjoyed talking about serious, quite deep topics instead of the usual chatter. "I'd say my purpose is to bring a little order to these people, obviously. But that's not secret, honestly. What is your quest here, ah?"

Ernest smiled. "That is an interesting myth. I will remember that." She paused, considering. "I can see where, if you believe the myth, it would be very useful for ending disputes and the like." She grinned. "I wish I knew something that simple to end fights."

"You don't care for her much, I take it?" asked Ernest. She had been careful not to insinuate that she didn't like Ilia much either, just in case Silanus really liked her or something. "I didn't find her very… welcoming, that's for sure. Venomous… probably not. She wasted no time in telling me what everyone is saying about me behind my back. There are some pretty wild rumours out there."

Ernest followed Silanus to what looked like the barracks. He surprised her, though. Instead of telling her about the history of the place, he asked her what she wanted to do. She raised an eyebrow. She figured she could tell him. "It's probably crazy, but I decided I want to learn everything about the world. How it works, what it does… everything." She grinned. "I suppose I have big dreams, but no one criticizes me. Granted, almost nobody knows, either."

"To travel and explore the world?" Asked Silanus once again. "Curiously, that is something I hear a lot in the barracks. These ones you see right here. It's a popular saying among the soldiers, to explore unexplored lands…" Then, with a mocking grin, he continued to speak: "Little they know I'd put them in guard duty ha-ha!" 

After saying that, Silanus kept walking, surrounding the barracks. It was a large, sturdy place; it had to be because it was the home of many young soldiers. "Here, young men and sometimes women prove their valor and join the legion. The best ones are taken to far away, foreign lands…" 

After a brief moment of silence, Silanus turned, with a sarcastic smirk on his face and asked: "Oh, I wonder how you survived without me all this time. Did you gather your own food, bought it? Or simply said you were my guest and claimed free food?" A short laugh took place. "Where will you go then, Ernest? To resume your exploring I assume?" Asked Silanus, once again.