[The Sixth Wizard]

"What has happened? Why does it seem like all life has been struck from you?" asked the blue-eyed woman called Cordelia. She spoke kindly, and filled Garnae with hope. But his tragedy had almost broken him, and he didn't answer. Still, he was moved.

When Garnae didn't answer, she continued to inform him on all of the goings on while he was away that night. He listened silently as she described the new members of their group, suddenly exclaiming as she mentioned General Hama.

"Hama? The Hama?!" Amazing that a leader of his stature should assist in a venture such as this. Perhaps that betrayed something of his personality, simple yet great. As much as Garnae was annoyed that he might have to act bravely or disciplined while Hama was present, he admitted that it would help the group to have an older adult on hand. They were all so young, too full of passions and life and rash decisions, and an experienced warrior would be needed.

As for the other members, none really attracted his attention as much as the General, but they all had fascinating histories. Elfride, the woman on the other table, had a tragic past, but her strength encouraged Garnae to stand up to fear once again. Léoflic, the boy other than Thomas, also made him feel this. Edhener struck no thoughts, other than hope at having such talent on board.

He almost laughed when she spoke of Mayonette and Thomas kissing on the first night they met, after not seeing each other for so long! How their hearts must have burned for all those years, until their world was filled with the lust, or it was crushed under the weight of circumstance and duty.

Then the strength came over him again. Time to stop living in stories, he thought. Change is at hand, a darker day, but a bright morning.

Without warning he spurred Crean ahead. He felt himself laughing with Cordelia, as they galloped, cantering back to the others.

A bright morning.