A soft grin beamed from the young monk as he took the jade necklace from her hands, proudly holding it up in front of his face as the small jewel caught the rays of light, refracting it into a myriad of shades upon Asychis' face.  It had been a long time anyone had bothered to give Asychis a gift, and while the precious jewel was already nigh on joyful on its own right, what really made the lad's core melt was the string of short words-- easily could have been missed, but held all the meaning as every grain of sand in Ibzya.  Yin had intended to give it to him before he left the Order; in other words, even when no one gave a damn (and, rightfully so) about him, the small and silent girl from their youth still believed that the brooding Asychis was someone worth giving a memento to.  The smile on Asychis' face was almost too wide, the feeling of being deemed important enough for someone to provide him a token far too ridiculously good.  So, with but a wide grin, Asychis wore the necklace around his neck, just within the radius of the prayer beads-- as if the prayer beads were protecting the jade gift.  "T-thank you,"  Asychis stammered due to an inability to contain his euphoric emotions.  A deep sigh escaped from his lips before Asychis chuckled.  "I feel much, much safer now."  The lad nodded in agreement before motioning for Yin to follow him as the duo began their tour around the festival.

The two checked out the stalls and booths that led to the Palace.  There was an unlimited number of products and entertainments, ranging from singing minstrels to steaming cinnamon rolls to spiced breads.  Although without much resources on him, the mendicant monk failed to resist throwing a few silver pieces in exchange for some souvenirs and some treats that he munched on.  He also offered some of the sugary baked goods to his companion, feeding her a piece here and a piece there from time to time.  "We have nothing like these in Ibzya."  Asychis remarked at one point as he was mesmerized by a pouch of sparkling water that only costs a few pieces of silver while in Ibzya, it would have been sold at a price that of a small hovel.  Then, as the two neared the Palace, a small stall at the more isolated parts of Isamanca caught Asychis' attention.  He dragged his partner by the hand as he stood in front of a small ibzyan stall that sold some of the most terrific and authentic ibzyan treasures for a cheap price.

There were a few bracelets, a few necklaces, and some rings.  But, what snagged his eye was a small bracelet with the seven sands of Ibzya in seven miniature transparent, marble spheres.  He tossed a piece of gold in the vendor's hand before turning to Yin, lifting her left hand as he tied the bracelet around her wrist.  "This bracelet has the seven sands of Ibzya, and they all different meanings,"  Asychis pointed to the sphere with large grains of sand.  "The sands of Baako, which reminds us that in life, there is always a first."  Then, he gestured to the sands which glowed with a rich beige tint.  "The sands of Fahim, telling us of the importance of wisdom and scholarship."  His finger landed on the sands whose colors bordered on red.  "Farouk tells us that in life, there is right and wrong that will change the way we live."  Then, he rotated the brace to show a sphere with pure white sands.  "Here, Nakia gives us the idea of purity and chastity in the way we go through our days.  The sands of Askari, Aida, and Sahar came next, but Asychis failed to elaborate on them all as he realized that they were probably running out of time.  "The sands remind us that there is meaning in every grain.  There is meaning in each one of us."  Asychis grinned before nodding at Yin.  "I suppose we should meet the others."

With that, Asychis and Yin walked towards the Palace as the duo met the ones who were already there:  Master Lethodus, Master Carlo, and Master Balthier.  The three were famous veterans of the Order whose names inspired dread in the wicked, and awe in the innocent and righteous.  They were legends, so to speak, and even the expelled Asychis could only hope to also become as famous as them.  The aura of the three proved to be nigh on intimidating and terrifying as the young monk stopped in his tracks before daring to continue.  As he and Yin arrived in front of the three, Asychis couldn't help but bow in their presence before introducing himself.  "Masters,"  Asychis began.  "I am Nefer of Ibzya, member of the Monks of the Sun.  Once a member of the Order as well."  he spoke calmly, and without pause.  "I come here as part of Master Lydic's dying wish as he fell to the cruelty of the gnolls in Ammut.  As proof, Asychis pulled out the bloodstained copy of the letter with Lydic's handwriting and signature, stating his last intention for his student, Asychis, to take his place.

Asychis rolled the letter back before glancing at the three.  "I understand that my presence is not welcome, but I would like to request that Master Lydic's request be honored.  He was a good man who served the Order until his last days, and I believe that this could lay his soul to rest."