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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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[color=B2FFC4]"I destroyed myself giving Osprey this chance and now there is barely anything left to give. I thought, just maybe, if I submitted myself to some kind of punishment I might get some of the pieces back...but reality is hardly that fair."[/color]

Izayoi's expression softened at that. Ciradyl was already absolved in her eyes, but this? She understood. More than Ciradyl knew, she understood. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"You are not alone in that matter. The stories and tales circled back to Kugane during the war did not speak of what I had to do to attempt to defend our home. To this day, I regret no small amount of it. I turned myself into a monster to safeguard Osprey, and all of it was for naught in the end. Massacres, mass executions, I held [i]children[/i] hostage."[/b][/color] She exhaled slowly, entirely willing to expose herself in this moment if it helped ease some of the pressure off Ciradyl. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Your sins were at least against the deserving. Mine often were for the sake of expediency."[/b][/color]

Hien coughed, standing up and making to leave.

[b]"Well. As...interesting as this all was, I believe that any hypothetical treachery was entirely deserved against those in question, even if I do feel somewhat guilty for benefiting. Regardless, I know nothing of this, but will have to resort to delivering punishment to appease the masses for killing fellow Ospreans during a time of occupation should all of this ever come to light. So...don't let it. I daresay I could get the sentence reduced to exile at best, but it still is something that all of us would rather avoid. Regardless, you all have a good night. We can begin final preparations for your departure in the morning."[/b]

[color=#736AFF][b]"Indeed. I will see you off. We may not have fought together for long, but-"[/b][/color]

[b]"Oh, you're going."[/b]

[color=#736AFF][b]"...Excuse me? [i]My lord?[/i]"[/b][/color] Izayoi's last two words were punctuated by a slight hiss. 

[b]"You heard the priest. This matter concerns more than just us. Besides, Valheim will be seeking to expand, regardless. As much as I'd like to have you with us here in Osprey, it would be the wrong choice, tactically."[/b]

[color=#736AFF][b]"..."[/b][/color] Izayoi remained silent for several moments before she afforded Hien a single nod.