The war was over.  Victory was achieved despite many losses.  The insectoid race was revealed to be a rogue tribe, and ended up surrendering and being punished for their crimes.  The fighting was over.  The war had been won.  No more blood had to be shed.

Eighteen-year old Hiro Kouen was elated.  He gallantly marched through the streets of cheering elves in the city of Endapano.  He was in wood elf sector of the city, since they knew how to celebrate.  They knew how to party.  The high elves tended to be way too stuck up, with ball dancing, fancy dresses, crappy wine, and so forth.  Hiro decided he wanted to spend his time celebrating with the wood elves instead.  People were cheering in the streets, singing and dancing.  People were happy.  This was what he was training for, all this time.  To bring happiness to people.  Victory was to bring smiles to people's faces.

The armored Phoenix Knight, wearing his crimson armor, pushed open the doors to the nearest tavern.  People inside were dancing and singing, drinking, having a merry ol' time.

"Woo!  Greetings everyone, my comrades!  We won!  My friends, we've tasted victory!  The war's over!  Bartender!  I'll take a Dragon's Breath!  Today we celebrate into the night!  Who's with me?"  A cheer went up as the bartender poured Hiro a tall tankard of spiced mead.  The lad remembered that this was his father's favorite beverage when he indulged himself.  The Phoenix Knight had striking sapphire eyes, and was the spitting image of his father, though his hair was raven with red highlights, instead of brown and red.  He carried himself the same way.  If only his father was here to celebrate this victory with him.  He sat down at a seat in front of the bar and took a drink of his Dragon's Breath.

It tasted strong, and spicy.

The tavern was bustling with activity, positively booming with roaring laughter and the clinking of tankards. A great celebration was on. Brwlyan smirked. I came at just the right time. He had been wandering for some time, since the miraculous event that had brought him to this land.

He had been at the hot springs back in Dae Luin, near the center of the continent of Minya Amar. He'd been carousing with a nubile young nymph, laughing and splashing and drinking sweet elvish cherry wine. The girl had playfully swam away from him, diving into a short tunnel that led to an adjacent spring. Brwlyan followed, but as he swam under the tunnel shimmer and shuddered, seeming to go on and on until a fire burned in his chest. Swimming faster and more desperately, he struggled to hold on as his chest threatened to explode. Just as he felt himself about to gasp he broke the surface, finding himself in a solitary pool in a strange land. 

Brwlyan had explored every nook and cranny of Dae Luin in his time, and the man was no stranger to magic. He knew he had to have come through some kind of portal, and the place he ended up was like nowhere he had ever been before. This was a new world, and for Brwlyan that meant a new beginning. It was unfortunate that he would never get to finish his evening with the nymph, but a grin spread across his features nonetheless at the prospect of a whole new world to explore. Here he had no past, no reputation… He could be whatever he wanted to be. Do whatever he wanted to do. The possibilities were endless. 

So obviously he made for the nearest tavern.

It was not long after entering the elven settlement that he found what he was looking for. First things first, he thought as he entered the raucous establishment, and made for the bar. Ordering a glass of cherry wine, he joined in on the nearest toast and began to make conversation. He soon learned that this land was called Endapano, on the continent of Canelux in the world of Revaliir. Apparently, an invasion of insectoids had just been driven off, and the people were celebrating their victory. Brwlyan was somewhat disappointed to have missed out on the fight, but he couldn't say no to a good victory celebration. The wine flowed like water and mirthy elven maidens pranced about all around him. For Brwlyan, this was as close to heaven as he was like to get.

At one point he heard a somewhat familiar voice place an order for a familiar beverage, though he couldn't quite place what it reminded him of. Shrugging it off, Brwlyan smiled and turned to join in on the newcomer's toast. At seeing the man seated next to him at the bar, the elven veteran froze, his jaw dropping to the floor. The man beside him was the spitting image of his oldest friend and comrade, as he looked during the Godslayer War. "S-sabishii?" Brwlyan asked numbly, unable to control his tongue.

Hiro drank his mead happily, though showing moderation in the rate in which he drank.  He didn't want to get TOO drunk TOO fast, and pass out or some such.  He wanted enjoy his time celebrating with good company, and good drink.  He hadn't really paid any attention to where he chose to sit, choosing to sit next to some elven man who joined him in his toast.  Good times for all!

But then came the unexpected.  The man said his father's name, as if flabbergasted.  Hiro was in the middle of a drink, and nearly choked on it going down the wrong pipe as the man spoke to him.  He pounded his chest, struggling to get the drink down, finally finishing what he had in his mouth, he coughed heavily.

"Gah!  If you're going to surprise me, wait until I finish my drink!  How do you know that name?  That's my father's name.  Are you someone who knew my father?" Hiro tilted his head and looked at the man.  He had a woodsy aura about him.  He knew his father had a few elven friends that he was good buddies with.  "Please don't tell me you're some evil doer who my father stopped in the past, and came for bloody, and terrible vengeance on his son," he said with a frightful tone, waiting for a reaction for a few moments before breaking out in laughter.  "Kidding, kidding!  I guess you could be someone who was friends with him?  Let me introduce myself, my name is Hiro Kouen, Phoenix Knight, I am the only son of Sabishii Kouen.  Who are you, my good sir?"  Hiro had a kindly look to him, and a friendly tone.  he definitely looked like his father, and had his father's friendly attitude.

Brwlyan shook his head, recovering from his reverie by laughing at the boy's attempt at jest. The way we argued sometimes, you'd think we were foes. "Pheonix Knight, eh?" Brwlyan chuckled over a sip of his elvish cherry wine. "Your father used that epithet as well. A little over-the-top, if you ask me, but then again I was once called the Guardian of Oakwood, so I'm not one to judge. Brwlyan Peredhil, at your service." He proferred his hand for the boy to shake.

"Your father knew me by a different name." He said before downing his cup and holding it up for the bartender to refill. "I was born to a noble family in Oakwood. I hated the stuffy life of the Elven aristocracy, so as a boy of fifty winters I ran away and assumed the alias of Ardenator. It was under that name that I came to know your father." The elf watched the barkeep pour absently, a look of nostalgia in his eye. "Thank you," he said as the barman handed him back a full cup, taking a sip and relishing the sweet flavor. 

"Your father and I met in the Eastern Forest, not long after I had come to the mainland. I had joined a clan he was in, Feur Spielen: a guild run by our mutual friend, the dwarf named Gamgi. We engaged an invading Orcish army there, we slew droves of them side by side. What a fight!" Brwlyan smiled wistfully, raising his cup to the fallen and having another sip. "We became good friends after that, and watched each other's backs on many a battle and adventure. During the Godslayer War Gamgi created the Dragon Guard, a third faction dedicated to protecting population centers and caravans from the marauding armies of gods and men. I was made High Captain of the Archer Corps, and your father High Captain of the Mages. We fought side-by-side in many a battle. He even saved my life once, when a caravan I was escorting through the desert was attacked by Tiger Shira's army. Years later, we fought together in the battle that saw Tiger Shira's army ended along with his life, on those very same sands. What a fight!" Another smile, another drink.

Suddenly the elf barked with laughter. "Look at me, going on about past battles and glories like some old man. You've probably heard all these tales already. And it seems a much more recent battle has just occurred. I'm assuming you fought in it, Pheonix Knight? Tell me about the battle. And of your father, how fares he these days? Has he come to this land as well? I'd much love to share a cup with him once more." The elf watched Hiro expectantly, eager to hear of the young man's exploits. Being the son of Sabishii, Brwlyan was sure that he wouldn't disappoint.

Hiro's eyes lit up as he said that he knew his father.  He shook the elf's hand heartily.  "It's a please to meet you, Brwlyan."  He explained that Sabishii knew him as "Ardenator," and they fought many battles alongside each other.  They were familiar tales, he had heard of them.  He heard so many of his father's tales, but it was exciting to hear about them from someone else who fought alongside him.  He heartily shook the elf's hand.

"I remember these stories.  My father told me of you.  And many other of his allies.  Uncle Blaze who was a fire elf, jack of trades and his best friend, God of Wisdom Judge, Elven Archer Ardenator, Steadfast Dwarven warrior Gamgi, God of Light Tsukasa, Aunt Caitlin, Goddess Shadryn, drow mage Jag, Bard Schubaal, Gali, the starter of the Godslayer War, Tiger Shira, the names go on.  He told me tales of Blustersqualls, Sun Wyrms, some Alien God thing that Judge destroyed by collapsing reality onto it, then Judge was struck down by an evil demon with a poisoned dagger.  So many tales lit up my youthful imagination.  Now I get goosebumps that one of my father's dear companions is here in the flesh.  It's a true pleasure to meet you!"  This made Hiro's day, he was truly happy to meet this man, who was a friend of his father.  A truly trusted companion.

But then he frowned, suddenly realizing what he had to tell him.  He did not look forward to having to tell him what he had to.  He gave a heavy sigh, he didn't look forward to having to say the words he had to.

"Brwlyan, Ardy.  I'm so sorry to have to tell y ou this.  I'll have tell you the whole story.  My father was here in Revaliir.  He sent me here a couple years ago, when the sky in DaeLuin turned pitch black and was lit by only fire from the heavens.  That world ended, the story was told, but he sent me here, father got separated from me when we entered the portal.  I imagine you only just got here, so the portals are weird in that you got ended up here like 2 or 3 years from when I arrived here.  Father was looking for Mother who disappeared when this cataclysm happened.  My mother was Seraphia Kouen, who my father married some time ago.  To shorten the story a bit, I managed to track down Lady Moliira, who tracked father down.  He was stuck in . . .  another world where he was stuck in some arsehole's living creature collection.  This arsehole had many guards armed with projectile weapons that shot bolts of lightning.  He was rich, he had many people, of many different races locked up in cages, my father was in a fireproof room.  He also had my dog Ember locked up too.  Lady Moliira and myself, freed my father, Ember, and many other people in the collection.  We returned to Revaliir.  We were reunited at last!  But father was lonely, he knew my mother was out there somewhere.

"So!  He talked to Lord Drae, our God of Magic and Knowledge, husband of Lady Angela, our Goddess of Life and Love (same Angela from DaeLuin).  They worked together to bring my mother, Seraphia, back from where she was stuck in the Void between worlds.  We were all reunited at last!  But then . . . the two evil Gods of Revaliir, Dalanesca of Death and Desire, and Xunatar of Darkness and Chaos.  They unleashed a curse upon the land, Seven Deadly Sins afflicted humanity to test them.  Mother was affected by the sins, driven out of her mind.  Father had to lock her up in the basement, chained her so she couldn't hurt herself or anyone else.  Time was limited, you could only keep someone safe for so long.  So, we took our gear.  We took our weapons and armor, and we stormed the two Gods' castle that they built together.  We fought our way to the top of the tower, defeated so many monsters, we escaped trap after trap.  Then finally, we got to the top of the tower.

"The two Gods were there, we tried to sort through it peacefully, to get the Gods to remove the curse on the people.  To save my Mother.  They refused to remove the curse upon the people, so we were forced into a fire.  I fought Xunatar, while father took on Dalanesca.  We got separated during the battle that ensued.  I used my magic to combat the God of trickery, while Father combated the Goddess of Death.  When the wall of shadow fell, I saw my father there, wounded, afflicted with hellfire.  He grappled the Goddess in a death grip, while the flames of death engulfed his body.  He tried to take her out with him, but, being a Goddess, she wouldn't die, even when confronted by her own magic.  Father, Sabishii Kouen, fell in battle.  I managed to escape through a nearby window.  My memory is hazy about what happened next, but when I got back to the house, my Mother, she was gone.  I found her body later own.  She was mauled to death in a riot.  I went into a training journey for two years, only emerging recently to train with Lord Drae, and to help the land with the threat of the insect army.

"I'm sorry, Sir Brwlyan.  That's the story of how I lost my parents," Hiro had to fight back the tears.  He still hadn't fully recovered from their deaths, even two years on.  He took a drink of his alcohol.  "Sorry to be a downer.  This was supposed to be a victory celebration, but so much for that." 

Brwlyan laughed as Hiro listed the names of many of his old comrades from memory. "Ah, yes. Blaze the pyro, and Shubaal: always there with a drink and a song. Tsuakasa…" The elf spat out the name like a curse. "That uppity bastard turned me into a woman once, to prove a point. Though I did have it coming." He punctuated that with a laugh and another drink.

"Oh my, the Sun Wyrms!" He exclaimed as he set down his cup. "I'd forgotten about that little catastrophy. What a good scrape, that. Another fight I enjoyed with your father." Brwlyan smiled. So many memories. Some happy, some sad, but all sweet with nostalgia. It had been a good run in Dae Luin, that was certain.

His smile soon disappeared, however, as Hiro began to tell the tale of his father and mother. "I had no idea that the world of Dae Luin had ended…" All his friends, acquaintances, that nymph girl at the springs… all gone. All the lands he'd known and loved, and the adventures he'd had on them. The thought brought tears to his eyes. I suppose I was one of the lucky ones. It seemed others were lucky, as well. Apparently Moliira had made it over, and that mad fertility goddes Angela. Brwlyan took note of that and stashed the information away for a later day.

Maybe he had been the least lucky of them all.  Apparently, his portal had sent him years into the future. Too late to meet his old friend. Too late to save him. "Figures," he said with a wry smile, "Sabi used to lecture me for going against the Gods, and he's the one who ends up killed by one." Brwlyan sighed. 

He put a hand on the lad's shoulder and squeezed. "I'm sorry, my boy. What happened to your mother was ugly business, that. You'll have to live with it for the rest of your life. But rejoice in your father's passing. He was one of the greatest warriors in the world, with accomplishments and accolades beyond count. In the end it took a literal deity to bring him down, and from it seems a near thing at that. There is no better death for a man than to die for his family, with his foe before him. A glorious end to a glorious tale.."

The wood elf raised his cup for another toast. "Here's to all the great fallen heroes of Dae Luin. Fast friends all. To Schubaal and Blaze, to Squall Endymon and Kythe, to Gamgi and Caitlin and all the rest. And to Sabishii Kouen, the best man of us all. We shall never see their like again. Hail, the glorious fallen!" Brwlyan raised his cup, tears in his eyes, and downed its contents in a single gulp. As he signaled for more wine he wondered at their fates, and his. It seems I am the last of them. The least of them, and the last. I was the joker: the prideful one, the selfish one. I didn't deserve to live this long, and they didn't deserve to die. Yet they did, and here I am. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you my friends. I'm sorry Sabishii that it took me so long to come over. Had I been there, perhaps I could have saved you. But I wasn't, and I couldn't. But I promise to honor you and all the rest. Live in a way to make you proud and bring honor to our clans. As long as I yet live, you all still live with me. And don't worry, Sabi, I'll keep an eye on your boy. Make sure he doesn't do anything too stupid, though that may be a poor promise coming from me.

As his new drink was being poured he saw that the boy was moping as well. "That won't do at all," he told the lad with a slap on his back. "Your father wouldn't want you to sit around miserable like this. You acquited yourself well in the fight against the gods, you did all you could to save your mother. And it seems you acquitted yourself well also in this fight against the bugs. He'd be proud of you, and would want you to smile and celebrate your accomplishments."

He signaled the barkeep for another dragon's breath. As the man plopped the mug of spiced mead down before Hiro, Brwlyan spoke up once more. "I've always said that the only two things you need for a proper celebration are wine and wenches. We've got the former, but… ah, here we are!" As he looked about he saw a pair of comely elven girls, one brunette and one red of hair. 

"Hey, you there!" He waved, and caught the attention of the brunette, "come here!" As they walked over Brwlyan flashed them his charming signature smile. "Sorry to interrupt you, but my mate here just told me the most amazing thing." He gestured over to Hiro beside him.

His smile turned into a big lopsided grin. "He's a hero of the battle against the bugs, you know, and you know what he just said? He says 'See that girl over there?' pointing right at you, 'beauty like that is what I fought to protect.'" The brunette's eyes lit up as she turned a smile on Hiro. "Awww, that's so sweet of you Ser!"

Brwlyan nodded. "Why don't you ask him about his exploits during the fight? I'll get you ladies a round." He flashed Hiro a wink over her shoulder. Then he turned to the redhead. This one he saved for himself: he had a soft-spot for fiery-haired girls. "And you, pretty lady, I must say I love your hair. Where I come from, they call it kissed by flame. It's supposed to be lucky. It must be, since you found me!" She laughed with him, to his pleasure, and Brwlyan merrily called to the bar for two more cups of wine.

HIro laughed at the thought that this elf was turned into a maiden to teach him a lesson.  He told the story of losing his parents, it affected not just the lad himself, but he noticed Brwlyan was affected by it too.  His friend was dead, and so was almost everyone else he knew of in DaeLuin that didn't make it to Revaliir.

"I'm sorry I had to break it to you like that.  There are some people who got to survive, and there's other people who had . . . dopplegangers in Revaliir.  They look the same, but have different memories.  I met someone who looked like Aunt Caitlin, but it wasn't her, unfortunately, she did not remember me," Hiro explained to Brwlyan, apologizing to the elf.

Hiro looked up as Brwlyan put a hand on his shoulder, and tried to cheer him up.  "I think he would've liked to have died peacefully in his sleep or something, but in a way . . . I guess you've got a point.  No mortal was able to kill him, it took the literal Goddess of Death to defeat him.  I'm not happy at her though, what she did.  Not only did she kill him, she burned him with hellfire, a kind of fire he couldn't resist.  It was dark fire.  Anyway, he did go out in a blaze of glory."  It was a kind of thinking Hiro wasn't used to.  Brwlyan had a kind of thinking closer to what Lord Torn, the former Prince of Epics would have had.  Better to go out in the blaze of glory, than die a slow, agonizing death.  But the death, Hiro believed, didn't serve much of a purpose, because the outcome of the of the fight did not make a difference whether he was there or not.  Dying changed nothing.  "I saw him as he died, it was painful . . . but there was a smile on his face, a peaceful feeling from him.  He tried to take Dalanesca out with him.  He I guess . . . he wouldn't want me moping about.  Neither would he want to get vengeance on his killer.  He advocated to not go against the Gods, unless it was necessary.  He hated that one vampire God, Dimitre.  He was here for a period of time, then fell from Godhood, then disappeared completely.  Thank the Gods that vampire is gone."

Brwlyan raised his cup for a toast.  He dedicated it to all the great fallen heroes of DaeLuin, including his father.  Hiro raised his mug and then took a drink.

Brywlan then called over a pair of women, elven ladies, who were quite pretty.  Hiro felt the blush coming to his cheeks.  It'd been a while since he spent time like this with a member of the fairer sex.  He wasn't a virgin anymore, but it'd been awhile.  The brunette seemed taken with him.  Hiro found himself smiling, without realizing it.  He launched into story about how he took down a group of insectoids when they were ambushed in the jungle.  He was fighting alongside a group of heroes, and the God of Strength Lokir.  Hiro managed to take out two of them with electrified flames before they brought more reinforcements.  He got injured, but jumped back into the fray after downing a potion, and he held the line as everyone retreated back to the fort, where reinforcements were.  The girl seemed impressed by his feats of strength and magic in combat.  He was having a good time again before he knew it.

"Oh gods, Dimitre…" Brwlyan rolled his eyes over a glass of wine. "I hated that bloodsucker. Always hoped that he would fall from grace, so I could put an arrow in his undead heart. With any luck he's gone from the lands for good." It figured with his luck that the ones he hated would make it over, while the ones he loved were forever gone. The elf washed that bitter thought down with another sio of the cloying wine. It gladdened the elf to see the boy start to see things from his point of view. Hopefully that would help him view the death of his fsther in a more positive light. It didn't matter that Sabishii lost the fight, or failed to accomplish his objective. What mattered is that he died fighting for those he loved. That is what distinguished a warrior. That was what made one great. It pleased him even more to see the lad smiling as Brwlyan pulled the maidens in. Soon he was regailing the ravenhaired girl with the tales of his exploit during the fight against the insectoids. The elf nodded approvingly. Sabishii was hopeless with women, but his boy might have some potential.Brwlyan listened with half an ear while he flirted with the redhead. He hated missing out on a good battle story, but he also couldn't pass up on some proper womanizing. With a few questions, jokes and a smile he soon had the girl laughing and telling him all ahout her life here in the city of the elves. It was a bit of a boring existence, to be honest, but Brwlyan had seen enough of the cruel world to know that it was innocently blessed. Better to live happy and naive here than heartbroken and worldworn on the frontier, if civilian life was what you chose.He didn't interrupt Hiro and his wench often, save with a wisecrack here and there or an offer for another round. Keep the laughter and the wine flowing, that was the key to a great party. And Brwlyan knew how to party. He'd been drinking long enough to know when he was at that perfect stage of drunk, where humor and confidence were high but his words weren't yet garbled. The elf was at that point now, so he ordered a flagon of water and set about downing it as he continued to flirt with the redheaded woman beside him. He found that if he drank plenty of water before bed he'd awake without headache or sickness, and would be ready for anything come the morn. He offered some water to Hiro as well, who seemed well in his cups by now. "Start drinking this," he lectured, "and you'll feel right as rain come the morn. In the morning we'll meet back here and treat these lovely ladies to breakfast, then we'll go train. I saw a training yard in my way in. All the dummys and equipment we'll need, and obstacles. Only a couple silver. Your father and I had unparalleled battlefield chemistry. He would be up front with sword in hand, drawing attention while I sniped from cover. Or he'd rain fire down from above while i tumbled this way and that, letting loose with point-blank rapid-fire skirmish archery. We'll have to develop the same chemistry, if we're to adventure together." Brwlyan flashed him a grin."But first!" He announced, pulling the redhead close against him, "I've got to take this fine young lady home!"The girl laughed, pushing away from him. "And what makes you think you'll be taking me home with you tonight?""My home? I don't live here. You're taking me to your home." He flashed her a wink over his trademark lopsided grin. The girl held his eye for a moment, then laughed and turned toward the door. "Then we best be off then, it's getting cold outside!""Don't worry beautiful, I'll keep you warm." Brwlyan trailed off after her, flashing Hiro a wink and a wave as he went. "Good night, Pheonix Knight!"

Hiro laughed a bit. "I don't know what happened to Dimitre other than falling, then disappearing, but he was lucky to be gone by the time I was able to bring Father to these lands, or Father would've killed Dimitre himself." He knew his father would've enjoyed killing that bloodsucker. Alas, it was not to be.

Hiro told stories of glorious battles against armies of enemies, valiant last stands, enemies cut down with blade and hellfire.  A good time was had by all.  Much drinking.  Hiro felt that brunette elf's arms wrap around his arm.  He took Brwlyan's advice and drank water between drinks.  He said after tonight, to meet Brwlyan here, to treat them to breakfast, then they would train.

"All right, I'll see you then, my friend, good luck!" Hiro said with a smile.  Brwlyan then departed with his elven companion.  Hiro turned to his own companion.  "May I accompany you home, m'lady?  The night is long, and the good times need not stop here."  He smiled warmly at her.  She giggled.

"Certainly, m'lord.  The night is long and cold.  I could use some warming up.  Shall we?"  Hiro nodded and held out his hand.  Arm and arm, the two of them walked out into the night.  Hiro was not a womanizer, but he enjoyed good company, good friends.  He was going to treat her like the gentleman he was.  Fireworks would erupt into the night.

In the morning, Hiro and the brunette elf happily showed up at the tavern.  Hiro had promised breakfast, and it'd be his treat.  He expected Brwlyan wouldn't have the money to pay anyway, considering he had just arrived in Revaliir with the clothes on his back.

Daylight slanted in through the shutters, causing the elf's eyes to flutter. He awoke with a yawn, stretching and kicking aside the woolen blankets that covered him. For a moment, he didn't know where he was. Then the memories came flooding back. He looked over, to find the redhead sleeping softly beside him. The elf admired her groggily, smiling at the way her pale shoulder, peeking out from the covers, shined in the morning sun. She had been a fun tumble, the night before. The memory caused him to stir, and he leaned over and began kissing his way up her shoulder toward her neck. She awoke, giggled, and pressed herself back against him. Soon enough, he was taking her again. 

Afterward she fell back asleep: snoring softly as Brwlyan quietly slipped out of bed and donned his clothes. Leaving the bedroom, he went and relieved himself in the privy before stepping into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. As he waited for her to wake he went about his morning routine, stretching to limber up and going through some movement exercises to grease up his joints. The years had taught him to always be limbered up and warm. You never knew when you'd have to run, or fight. 

At last she rose, slipping into the privy before dressing and fixing her hair. When she came out he greeted her with a kiss and a glass of water. "This should help you feel better. Drink up, we're late to break our fast with Hiro and your friend." 

Soon they were strolling down the streets of the city. Brwlyan smiled, taking in the sights and smells and basking in the warm morning sun. Is was a good, clean elven town. Lots of foliage, and animals moving about. Few elves, though. It seemed everyone was sleeping in after a long night of celebrating. All the better: the tavern was unlikely to be crowded. "It's a good town you have here. A good life." Brwlyan observed as they walked. The girl nodded. "'Tis. I've lived here all my life. It's a beautiful place, and so are the people." She took his arm in hers, looking up at him with those big blue eyes. "Will you stay a while?" 

Brwlyan gave her a lopsided smile. "Of course. I've nowhere else to go, and how could I run out on this?" He winked and gave her bottom a squeeze, eliciting a playful squeal. 

They were laughing as they stepped into the tavern. It was noticeably less occupied than it had been the night before. The elf quickly sighted Hiro and the brunette sitting at a table, and approached with a knowing grin. Not quite as hopeless as his father, it seems. "Sorry we're late," he apologized, pulling out a seat for his girl before sitting down himself. "Someone wanted to sleep in." He cast a glance at the redhead. The girl rolled her eyes. "I was tired! It was a long night." 

Brwlyan shrugged. "True. I may have been a little rough on her." He flashed Hiro a wink. The girls laughed, and the redhead playfully slapped his shoulder. "Ow!" he exclaimed, before waving down a serving wench to take their orders. They chatted merrily about everything and nothing as they ate. "So, Hiro," Brwlyan asked as they finished up their meal. "Where are you off to after this? Do you live here? Your father was oft a wanderer, until his settled in Vespora. I didn't see him much after that. Much too prim and proper for a man like me."

Soon the wench came with their bill, and Brwlyan looked to Hiro expectantly. "Sorry mate," he shrugged, "just came to this world, so I'm a bit short on coin at the moment. Care to spot an old friend of the family?" If he was anything like his father, he was sure to do so. The thought of money did trouble Brwlyan, however. How was he to make some coin in this world? It seemed a war had just ended. Peacetime was never good for a bow for hire. Perhaps he could go to hunting and trapping in the forest, skins and furs were always high in demand… 

They would figure that out later. For now, it was time to train. Brwlyan pushed himself back from the table with a satisfied sigh, then suddenly leapt from his chair. "Well ladies, I hate to run, but Hiro and I have some training to do. You never know when he might need to save the world again." He grinned. As the redhead rose, he pulled her close and gave her a kiss. "Worry not, I'll call on you later, my lady." He slapped her bum as she made to go, and flashed her a wink when she turned back in mock-disapproval. The girls were already chatting merrily about last night's escapades as they stepped through the door.

After watching them go, Brwlyan turned back to the new Pheonix Knight. "You did well lad, she's a pretty one. Well, shall we get to training? I saw an archery range on my way in. That should do us well enough." He led the way out onto the street, and turned toward the outskirts of town. "You know, your father and I had great synergy on the battlefield. He would fight up front with sword in hand, drawing the foe's attention and leaving them open to me, sniping from cover. Or he'd rain fire down from above as I tumbled this way and that, rapid-loosing arrows from close range. He knew which enemies to focus on and which to ignore because I would fell them shortly. We could anticipate one another's movements, him spinning and slashing as my arrows flew all around him. Some passed within a hairsbreadth of him, but they never struck him, and he was never fazed by their proximity. We will have to build the same chemistry, if we're to fight as a proper team."

As they came through the entrance of the range they found themselves before a small building. The elf nodded toward it. "Be a good lad and stop in there to pay the fee. I'll start arraying our practice area." He found a spot near the edge of the range with trees, a hill and a mud patch. There he pulled over nearly a score of hay dummies, arraying them in three clumps of five with five others scattered about behind trees and such. Once Hiro arrived, he explained the situation. "Three units of five. The ones at the top of the hill are archers. The ones at the base spearmen in a shield wall. You'll have to get through them to exterminate the bowmen. The ones in the mud are beserkers with great axes and claymores - you can see how they're more spread out. There are others hidden here and there as surprises. They represent rogues who will sneak attack you when you least suspect it. The aim is to neautralize them all in the shortest time possible. Now, I'm sure your fighting style is very similar to your father's, so I will be able to anticipate you to a degree, but everyone is different. Start out doing whatever you would normally do and I'll work around you. We'll see how it goes, debrief after, and start developing our team style after that. Sound good?"

Once Hiro seemed to be on board he gestured toward the course with an expectant look. "Well, what are you waiting for?"