[center]Acadia or Bust[/center]
[hr]

	The hamlet of Greensprings was less than half a day's travel from Acadia, but to the exhausted Hal of the Order of Golden Light, it was respite -- and home; or it was. As he rode his mottled horse through the dusty dirt road and sparse hovels, he couldn’t help but feel the stares of the residents. His dirty white cape and the deep golden scallop shell that was sewed into it absorbed most of the glares. In his gut he felt the swimming of guilt, guilt for the life he left behind, the people he disappointed -- guilt for surviving Yalin when he should have fallen, but most of all guilt for breaking his will and coming home.

	Shrugging his shoulders high enough that his cloak brushed away his peripherals, he kept his focus on the road ahead -- his brother’s home was just up the bend...


[center]~----0----~[/center]

	“Mmh,” Veronica protested.

	Henry looked down at his wife, her head nestled into his lap. Above him was the canopy of an ancient willow, and above that was the azure sky of a day off. The grass that carpeted around the pair was soft and a deep green, simply tempting Henry’s right hand to continuously thread through it, the same as his left was going through Veronica’s hair as she napped. He shifted again, and she let out another mumble of protest -- eyes firmly shut.

	Sucking in a shallow breath, the man accepted his fate and let his head fall back against the trunk of the willow. Letting his eyes closed he fell into a daydream. He thought of times when his children were still that... children -- before his hair started to speckle with grey, and of his brothers. He felt a sorrow echo in his chest, thoughts of his younger brothers always made him feel hollow. A soft hand threaded its fingers into his, Veronica’s voice entering his ears.

	“Are you thinking about your brothers again?”

	Henry opened his eyes, finding hers staring up at him. He gave her a sad grin and let out an exhale, “Can’t blame an eldest for doing so.”

	Veronica tucked a cheek and patted his chest, “You’re all grown men, Hal and Renny can take care of themselves.”

	“I know,” Henry squeezed her hand and closed his eyes again. This time he let the breeze take his mind far away - far away to the simple idea of bliss. He thought of his fields, his animals. He thought of an imaginary journey across the oceans to visit paradise after paradise, only to come home to his original paradise. He thought of... his stomach grumbled... he thought of food. His nostrils hungrily flared, he could smell his cravings. The buttery tang of salmon, the crisp of well toasted bread, the allure of those herbal spices Veronica is always growing by the window.... The musky scent of a horse?

	Cracking his eyes open, he immediately met the gaze of his younger brother. The two froze in awe for what seemed like forever, smiles hurting they were forced so wide -- eyes watery but then Henry’s eyes whisked behind his mounted brother and a question floated between them

	“Where’s Renny?”

[hr]

	The wooden chair Hal found himself on was as cold as the hollow in his chest. His rump was sore from the ride over, making the seat that more uncomfortable. His stomach was turning and across the table sat his brother Henry and his bride Veronica. Both had their heads in their hands and eyes on the table. A small speckle of tears stained Henry’s cheeks. Hal’s nephews and nieces accumulated by the entryway into the kitchen -- their faces as blank as Hal’s sorrowful heart. 

	His own face was twisted with sadness and guilt. He had dreaded bringing this news to his family. He closed his hands together and bowed his head. “I should be dead, as well.”

	“Thank the light you aren’t,” Veronica intercepted quickly.

	“No,” Henry said, the word as disembodied as his cracking voice, “Neither of you should be dead.” He slammed his fists against the table, causing Hal to jump, “I should have been there.”

	Veronica put her hand on Henry’s shoulder, his son coming to put his hand on the other. Henry shrugged them off and sucked in a deep breath, “I have failed you as your elder brother.”

	“There was nothing you could have done even if you were there,” Hal protested, his defense of his older brother smothering his own feelings. The room fell into another silence as everyone processed. A few more moments went by and then Henry cleared his throat.

	“What now? Are you coming home?”

	“You know I can’t,” Hal craned his neck, the guilt rising again, “I have a task that I need to see through.”

	“Hal.”

	“I need to, I can’t let what happened at Yalin be in vain,” Hal protested.

	Henry gave him a hard stare, “Then what?”

	“Acadia. I need to find the pious of the city and bring them to the grail.”

	Silence again.

	“I’m coming with you, then.”

	Hal felt a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite sort at the suggestion, but his first reaction was to stand up. The chair skidded out from under him, “You can’t!”


	Henry’s own chair fell behind him as he stood as well, “And why not?”

	“You have a family!” Hal’s guilt was pushed back by a righteous anger.

	“You [i]are[/i] my family,” Henry retorted, “Damn your vows.” His words stabbed right through Hal.

	“Henry!” Veronica raised her brows and Hal gave him a long empty gaze. The woman sighed and reluctantly stood up as well.

	“I feel as if our emotions may be riding the fore of our minds rather than our Golden given rationality,” She debated, “Perhaps we should recall the advice of Saint Bartholomew?”

	“When running blind, walk and see,” The two brother’s recited, eyes stuck on each other. 

	“So perhaps we should make our decisions in the morning?” Veronica tilted her head, suggesting heavily. Silence buzzed and she gave them each a look, “Henry, Hal?”

	“In the morning then,” Henry broke his gaze. Hal nodded in silence, that ever present guilt resurfacing.

	“But Hal.” Henry stole his attention. The two shared a looked, a glimmer of happiness finding Hal’s crusted heart.

	“I’m glad you’re alright.”

[hider=Summary]

We follow Hal on his trip to Acadia. He has opted to make a pitstop in his old hometown where his brother lives. He tells his brother of the events at Yalin including the death of their youngest brother, Renny. They then decide to wait until the morning to figure out their next move.

[/hider]