"Hally, is that really you?"

 "Hally, is that really you?"

The sweetest thing I've heard in years. 

Our reunion wasn't exactly how I imagined it would go but what did I really expect? I have no clue.  I'm overjoyed we're together again but also saddened at seeing that Ean is not his old self. He's been hurt more than I thought or imagined. He has an artificial arm, limp, and his left eye doesn't work, not to mention the scars. Why did I leave Bhaile? Why did I not try harder to find other survivors? I could have helped him recover. He's not mad at me for leaving, so he says, but still. 

He figured out what happened to Bhaile. The daughter of Thordak the Cinder King emerged to this plane and in the process burned down our village. He's determined to take care of her to prevent another Chroma Conclave disaster. He brought it up just moments after we finally got back together. He couldn't wait until later when we've celebrated our reunion? He's promised me that we'll celebrate properly after she's taken care of. I'll hold him to it. Now we're on our way to Mount Mentiri where signs of a red dragon's presence are manifesting. Ean used the Map of Desire and yup, it's the red dragon we "want" in that mountain. 

Ean and I have been able to catch up more while I drive and him sitting next to me. He's been studying at the Academy in Rexxentrum the last few years. I'm proud of him and what's he accomplished. I've brought him up to speed about what I've been up to and of our group's deeds, including how I found out I wasn't the only survivor (thanks Jakvar for that tid bit). Though to be honest I haven't told him about speaking with Father's corpse yet.  I don't know how he'd feel about it. I still don't know how I feel about it.  I know I'll have to tell him eventually. I hope we all make it through this upcoming confrontation with this dragon. I'm nervous Ean and I will be separated again and I don't know how I'll handle it.