[center][b][u]The residence of the new Boyar of Lrev, Benoroux Longview Unchix[/u][/b]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]



	The the newly appointed Boyar, Benoroux, and the former prisoners of Dernov sat in the warm glow of the sun outside the extravagant manor. The gardeners were on their dinner breaks, giving the group a shocking amount of silence in the flower embroidered gardens that overlook the pink and green apple trees in the orchard. 

	The air was sweet as an inland breeze brushed away the salt of the sea and brought with it the smell and pollen of the various fruits and flowers. It was an auspicious scene for the group, as if the garden itself came alive to herald in a new age for the noble houses of Lrev as well as the brightening path of Stephan. This silent herald did not go unnoticed as Benoroux breathed in the sweet sun soaked air deeply, sending vibrant energy throughout his elder body.

	“So,” his voice dilluded the silence, “You five are now free men, at the cost of your ship and property, and at the cost of my nephews honor and very life, but free none the less. When I had told you, Stephan, that I was your only friend, I did not think it would go this far, but it had, and probably for the better.”

	Benoroux looked away and put his still blood speckled face directly into the bursts of wind, as if soaking it all in while the others simply watched him, Stephans four comrades silent, and unknowing what to say. 

	It was a funny thing, to move from such violence to the serenity of the garden. Though he still had doubts Stephan felt as if the worlds weight was lifted. It as if whatever curse had held him vanished with all he owned. Perhaps his freedom was not a merely physical thing. Yes, since the day he left Stephan had been slave to a master of his own making, anger, revenge, it felt like what was once all he desired was now so little. He broke the silence then, “Do you know what I thought when I was forced to dock here Benoroux? I thought there was curse on me, no matter how hard I had fought against it, there I was, sitting at a dock assured my future would be a short one.”

	Stephan looked over at the new Boyar whose face still bore the blood of his own kin, he had done what was needed and Stephan felt in some small measure he understood the man. Benoroux had killed someone close and Stephan wondered if that made it easier, knowing that it was the right thing to do. To not be crushed by the doubts of your own actions, or fear that your own hands had betrayed you. Maybe it made it worse, the knowing. He continued, “Now... I'm not so sure. Fate, call her cruel or kind, but for the first time in a long while I think I understand what freedom means.”

	Stephan looked back to the orchards and admitted, “I owe my life to you now, as do all the men beside me. I know not what will come of this, or how if ever I might repay that debt but please know, you have my thanks and in time I feel you will have the boys as well.”

	Benoroux smiled softly at the mention of the boy, “I had taken him to my own home while you were imprisoned. He was crying when the paladins handed him over to me, and my wife slapped me for not rushing him to her faster when I in turn handed him to her.”

	“As for debts,” The Boyar’s face returned to a serious stare, the flowers of the garden definitely comforted what strong thoughts darted in his mind, “I won’t hold anything against you, I have already taken your ship. However, if any of you want a job in Lrev or anywhere under me, consider it done, I’d like to keep an eye on this situation for a while, but I will not force anyone to stay in my sight or employment. Though, if you want a normal Charlinite life, where better to start?”

	Stephan mused over the idea. He had run long enough, and the boy would never grow a man if he lived such a life. No he had known revenge, hatred, he would not see Ricken fall down the same path that had nearly destroyed Stephan. A year at sea was enough, “I... I am no Charlinite, but I am also no fool. The boy needs a life, he needs a home. What words he speaks now are few, he has spent most of his life so far on the sea locked away in his cabin and I fear my efforts to aid him have done anything but.”

	He turned to face the Boyar once more, “What work you have I will take, but I do have a request. You see, Rickens mother is dead and I a poor substitute, if you would continue to care for him so that he may know what little comforts he had right to before this all began you would have my gratitude. I may not like Justinians, Benoroux, but as you say, here you are my only friend.”

	Benoroux nodded, “I feel that in such a fanatical world, people easily forget to judge a persons individual honor rather than their affiliations; I try not to forget that. As for Ricken, the wife will make sure he gets all the mothering he can ever want, and I’ll make sure to help him escape from her as soon as he can run, perhaps he can help me escape.”

	A smile crescented across the old mans face, betraying a short laugh, “So you can rest easy he will have a true home, as for work, I can see what we need to be filled.”

	He scanned the group, “you are all able men so I’m sure it won’t take long to find your niches. However, I warn you now, you five are yuwanist but I am open-minded, so I do not care, but I would keep it on the down low around some of the more fanatic.”

	The Boyar stood up, the sun casting his tall shadow across the flowers, “feel free to stay in the guest quarters as long as you need, Lrev is open to you now, as are my doors.”

	Stephan gave a short smile and stood along with all his remaining his comrades, “You have my, no you have our thanks.”



[hider=Things to know!]
-Stephan and comrades are free, but have decided to stay in Lrev.

-Benoroux has taken in Ricken as his son.

-Benoroux’s wife has a mean left hook.
[/hider]