It was a long while before Cecil answered her. Much like before, this was a tricky subject for him to talk about in front of others, but with Mjrn, the words came without too much difficulty. ‘Talking about it helps’, he had told her. He was taking his own advice, which he found a little amusing. Hopefully she would not mind another story.

“I do have family,” The paladin began slowly, gazing back out at the lake. “I have an older brother, though I did not know it for the longest time. Strange, isn't it? To be tied by blood to someone and yet not even know they existed as long as you have?” He laughed softly, without mirth.

“Our parents died when we were very young. I don’t remember them at all. My brother abandoned me not long after. I was found and raised by the King of Baron, a place I still call my home even now. This man took me in of his own volition and raised me as though I were his very own son. He taught me how to wield a sword for the very first time. Eventually I became a Dark Knight for him and was given command of the Red Wings, Baron’s prized military airship fleet. I fought for the man, both knew and loved him as a father, but it was not to be.”

Here he paused, a pained look spreading across his features.