Determination

It has been two months since the last event with the templars and Nero's sister. Time was slowly trickling away and the work never ceases to diminish.

Just looking at the towering stack of documents on the desk while a pen scribbled on the paper near it showed the busy atmosphere.

Finishing up and putting the pen aside to its designated place Nero relaxed and leaned back into his chair.

Only a few steps later with sealing the pergament roll with a wax seal did the deal.

Breathing in slowly he stretched his limbs a little bit and looked outside the window where the sunlight shone through into the room.

Then a fragrant smell passed his nose. A sweet flowery note of spring flowers.

Taking a look to the side, he could see it was coming from a cup of tea that was placed on the table by Syllia.

The elven woman smiled at him and then took the sealed paper rolls into her custody.

"Thank you." Nero took the cup and drank a strong sip from it to calm his tired mind.

His eyes were placed on the body of his comrade. Thinking about it now and looking at this young woman, he somewhat had complicated thoughts. Maybe even a little bit lecherous.

The small girl that looked like any wind could blow her away into the wide world had undergone remarkable changes to become a capable woman that could easily fend for herself.

It has been nearly 8 years now since she came into his service. The deal was more for her to get food and survive until she decides to leave on her own.

But even after such a long time, she stayed with him and his mercenary group.

Closing his eyes he wondered what was going on in her mind. She was quiet and obedient. Never once talking back to him. When his little sister was still here she would take a lot of care in playing with her.

Big sister Syllia indeed. It brought a smile to Nero's face. He would probably not like it if she left now. She became family to a certain degree.

And yet, he felt like he was keeping her away from realizing her own dreams.

With a deep sigh he finished his tea.

"You can take some time for yourself if you want. It's not like you always need to be at my side, you know. It is probably rather bothersome to have to keep track of me, no?" Nero suggested with a small chuckle after thinking about it.

The others under his command did so as well and it would be stupid to believe she was thinking differently.

Syllia who knew it was her that was meant with that just shook her head softly.

"My lord. You don't need to worry. I quite enjoy the work I am doing for you There is also nothing coming to mind that I would like to do at the moment anyway..."

"I see..." Nero was not sure if taking that at face value was such a comforting thought.

"Nonetheless, thank you for keeping at my side." He even grabbed her hand this time to look straight into her emerald eyes.

That got her by surprise and she looked rather lost on what to do next. Her gaze remained on the small of their hands.

Just when Nero and Syllia had a small moment for themselves the door opened.

That let Syllia flinch and her eyes went straight to the door after she retrieved her hand to herself in a fast motion. Her posture was looking as stoic and beautiful as an artistic statue again.

Nero smiled and looked over at the person that had entered. It was a young knight.

The knight looked from Nero to Syllia and back. His eyes seemed to have understood or actually misunderstood something. It was depending on his thoughts, really.

Clearing his throat a little Nero placed both his arms on his table.

"What is it, Ser Gilmore?" Nero brought the young man back to his senses.

"Ah, yes! Reporting, my lord! Lord Aulus came back. home." Ser Gilmore said with a salute.

Nero smiled while receiving that notification. "That is good to hear. My brother was quite a while gone. Thank you for informing me. You may leave."

"Uhm..." The knight still stood there and was not going anywhere.

"Is something the matter?"

It looked like Gilmore was hesitant to say the next few words. "My lord was found...heavily injured. His current status is rather critical. Your father has ordered me to bring you immediately..."

The smile on Nero's face quickly vanished and a deep frown appeared on it. He even stood up and slammed his hands on his desk.

"Say something like that sooner!! What happened to him?!" Nero was agitated now and moved towards the exit of the room.

With Gilmore and Syllia following him they walked to his brother's personal quarters.

Inside the room Nero could see Aulus lying in bed with the doctor trying to do his best in treating the wounds.

Nero's father stood behind his crying mother that held Aulus' hand.

Looking to the side he saw a woman with a small toddler in her arms. Nero went over to her and hugged her gently.

"Don't worry, Oriana. Everything will be fine." He tried to comfort his sister-in-law. Her tears were clearly seen traveling down her cheeks.

Letting her go and gently patting the boy's little head who also seemed somewhat traumatized he walked over to the bed.

"How grim is it, doctor?", asked Nero.

The doctor looked at him and then at his father.

"Spit it out already!" Nero had no patience with this matter.

"I did everything in my ability. But lord Aulus is injured too heavily. He may only have a few weeks to live..."

Those words hit hard. Especially seeing how his mother now was gripping his brother's hand more firmly in worry for his life.

Nero gazed at the rather pale face of his brother and then started to leave the room.

"Where are you going?!" The firm voice from his father had an angry undertone.

Nero stopped for a short moment. "Making sure that debts are paid and my brother's life saved."

That got his mother now scared and she looked at him. "No, it is too dangerous. Stay here with your brother...He needs us right now."

"I know, mother. But just praying won't do anything. You know that. And since I know who did this I will make them pay." Yes, one of the surviving soldiers in his brother's entourage was in his service.

What he got as information nearly brought his blood boiling to an outrage.

"Are you certain? Who is it?" Bryce was also intrigued now.

"Arl Howe...."

"What?! That can't be. He is a long friend of our family!" It looked like his father would still not see reason in that matter until his family lays in blood at his feet.

"Don't make a fool out of yourself, father! The bandit activity has been contained for years by my men. There is also evidence of them wearing armor made in Highever...And if that is not good enough..." He then threw a small metal object to the ground. It was a brooch with a certain insignia on it that was a secret stamp of an organization working under Howe. His father should recognize it pretty easily.

"You know my standpoint with that snake. And this time he overstepped his boundaries." Nero always tried to diminish Howe's authority but his father would stand to his friend. But friendship is a fickle thing. Especially so with ambitious snakes.

"You can't, son! That would end in a civil war!" Bryce still tried to talk him out of his actions.

"I can't!? I will show you what I can and can't do!" Nero suddenly was angered and walked over to his brother's bed. He raised his left arm and let his mana flow through his ring. Blue viscous energy spread around the room and soon changed to a bright golden color.

It softened and closed the wounds on his brother to the point where his injuries vanished. Even his complexion started to improve to a better.

Celebrimbor suddenly appeared and watched this scene.

"Using Galadriel's light to heal...Impressive." A smirk was seen on Cele's deathly face before he disappeared again.

Nero finally used the ring's power. He had no deep knowledge about magic. Or better any at all so using the ring gave him that shortcut.

Everyone in the room looked rather shocked.

"A...apostate..." The doctor stammered.

But before he could leave and become a nuisance Nero grabbed his head and indoctrinated him with the ring.

That or he killed him. The second option would make his family probably not support him and even fear him. He could already discern that fact from their still shocked expressions.

"Now you should know what I really am, father. Are you also going to send me to the circle?" Nero did not wait for an answer to his rhetorical question. "Anyway, it is time I free this household from rats...and traitors...Don't interfere...father."

That was because the information he received before he entered this room stated that some of his men actually defected from the silver hands to Arl Howe.

And Nero would make them pay. If they want to run over to a snake then the lion will eat them. Playing around as a chimera was not his style.

Leaving the room he went ahead and prepared himself for a journey. He needed to act fast now.