Another short piece, like the last one.

But this time, it's Sebastian and Konall.

 
Konall finished loading up the last of his goods into the ox cart. The load was light, he hadn't kept much in the castle of KoKoL, but now he was leaving that place behind.

"Konall," came a nearby voice. "We should talk before you go."

Sebastian Dash stood there, resting on his broadsword, Bad Beats. Shirt on.

"What's there to talk about?"

Dash took a sharp breath. "I'm sorry about what you saw back there. I didn't realize how much she meant to you."

"It's okay." Konall turned his back on Dash and went back to securing the already-tight straps holding down his furniture and weapons collection.

"If it was okay, you'd be yelling at me," Dash said, no trace of humor in his voice.

Konall shrugged. "Probably I'd punch you in the arm."

"Probably." It took Dash a second to gather his post. "So this's your goodbye to KOKOL? Always figured you'd go out with a public speech. I don't know. Make some noise somehow, not just walk away one evening."

"I decided not to make a fuss. It's time I moved on. I really don't agree with management and it's time I focused on my duties as a leader. Besides, I'm getting tired of the beer at this place."

"Blahking already wants to set up a trade agreement with.." Dash paused. "What's up with the outpost, anyway? Someone said they heard rumors there's a Feline Empire presence there?"

"Not sure. Guess it'll be a target-rich environment. Maybe I'll get to visit Valhalla sooner than I thought."

"Why would you want to get involved with the Feline Empire, though?"

"If they're attacking the outpost, then I'm going to defend it."

"You should talk to the prince before you go, then." Dash looked around, then lowered his voice. "They're calling you the 'third faction.' They'll want to negotiate something in their favor. If you stand your ground early on, before they gain momentum, you'll probably be able to get more out of them without giving up as much. If you're interested in negotiating at all."

"Third faction? We need a better name. Well, I need to head out before it gets dark. Say goodbye to Mtiger for me."

"Will. And when they decide they're going to meet you in person?" Dash didn't give him time to answer. "I'm guessing I should tell them you'll spare a guest room if you have one, but not to expect the royal suite?"

Konall thought about shouting something over the oxen's hoofbeats, some last thing to say that things between him and Dash were okay, or maybe weren't okay. He didn't.

This one was very much a companion piece to the Kadlin/ Aleena piece. Of course, since the history between Dash and Konall is much more positive than the history between Kadlin and Aleena, it comes off rather differently. We have two more pieces before the Finale. A third faction action special and Dash, Cyber Sunset and Aleena.