The sounds of the parade slowly drifted away as the reunited families stood in the alley. They all wanted to say so much, and yet they couldn't speak a word. Their excitement and relief from none of their fears being realized flooded out of them in the silence. It wasn't long after the parade sounds had ended that Torrin noticed his fathers ears twitching slightly and then lay on the back of his head.

"What's wrong father?" he asked slightly concerned and saddened knowing that his father would have to leave once more after only a short time together.

"Nothing is wrong Torrin. We must simply be heading back to our squad, i can no longer hear our rear scouts and so we have some catching up to do. Will you be able to bring your mother back here for the ending festivities? I can meet you by that pub just up the street from here." his father asked, letting his tone slip a little in anticipation to be able to see his wife for the first time in a few years.

"Yeah, we can do that!" Torrin yelped in unhindered excitement at the thought of his family being reunited once more as he glanced over at Matton, then over at the bunny saying goodbye to her father. Saddened slightly by that sight he looked back to his dad and added, "Will he come too?"

After a small pause, and a quick look over to his partner his father smiled and let out a small chuckle, "Of course he will son, we never go anywhere without our partners. Squad rules." his father gave a quick wink that bad Torrin blush slightly even though he did not know why and he quickly threw his gaze to the ground.

"Dad, we have not been to this festival before. When is the final festivities?" Matton chimed in not wanting to miss the meeting time, or come too early.

"As the sun touches the horizon the last drums will sound, and the final bonfire will begin. Our squad will be placed on reserve duty and we will be able to meet with our families until the fire has ended." His father smiled and placed his hands on the shoulders of his sons. "I will see you soon my sons, but for now we must get going."

After finishing this the wolf nodded to his companion and donned the hood of his cloak once more, and they walked out the alley at a brisk pace. Once they had disappeared the three kids were left standing in the now darkening and silent alley. They were still shocked at seeing thier fathers again on such a random chance. They snapped back to reality and turned towards eachother.

"D-Do you want to...um...come with us to get our Mother?" Torrin asked awkwardly looking at the bunny standing across from him tears still slowly moving down her cheeks. He realized he didn't know her name yet but was afraid of asking it of her at such a time.

"S-Sure..." she replied quietly as she rubbed the tears from her eyes with the back of her paw. "I-I'm Lavani. I-I'm sorry I don't remember what you two called eachother."

"My name is Matton, and this is my younger brother Torrin." Matton chimed in releaving his brother from his potential blunder before he could even say a word. "We live in the valley about an hour run from here. If we leave now we should be able to make it there and back before the sun meets the horizon. You may come with, I am sure you could keep up with Torrin, but I run a bit faster, so i can have Mother ready to head out by the time you two get there."

Taken aback by his bluntness and slight taunt at how quickly she could run she nodded, "I will come with you two, and I promise I will not slow either of you down."

"Alright, fair enough. Let's head out then, we do not want to miss our meeting." Replied Matton as he turned and began to run towards the outskirts of town. Torrin looked apologetically at the bunny and as they both began to run together. He gave her a quick apology for his brother.

They ran on always keeping tabs on the suns position but never stopping. They were fueled by the desire to see their famaily reunited and talking about everything they had missed. Not one thought went out to the inevitable goodbye that would happen when the sun began to rise once more rejuvenated from it's long slumber. All they cared about was the night, and the happiness that a meal at that pub would bring them.

Torrin was thrown to the ground as his assailant slammed his body into him. His sword was thrown from his grasp as he hit the ground the wind knocked out of him. Instinctively he rolled to the right and swung his legs swiping the feet out from under his overextended opponent causing him to drop his weapon and slam to the ground as well. The falling sword narrowly missed Torrins arm but still managed to cut off some of the fur.

"Malyk, why are you so eager to put an end to me and my family. What could we possibly have done to draw such malice and hatred from one who used to be so kind!?" Torrin yelled as he slowly got back to his feet and warily walked over to where his sword lay.

"HA! You can't remember what you did? You can't remember the mindless slaughter of the innocent of my town that day? You caused so many of my family and friends to be hunted and slaughtered by the horde that assaulted us. You did nothing! You ran away like cowards while I was forced to watch them fall." Malyk scoffed, spitting in Torrins direction as he pushed himself up. "I guess I should thank you though. Leaving me there let me get captured by them. They tortured me relentlessly and forged my into who I am now!"

"It does not have to be this way Malyk. You know as well as I do that we were following orders. I hated the thought of leaving so many innocent townsfolk to die. I loathe my commander for it even now!" Torrin snarled at his old friends allegations towards his family. "Your loyalty is in the wrong place, Malyk. They have twisted your mind and soul to fit their own desires, they have no care if you were to die!"

Malyk scoffed and sneered at Torrin and his petty attempt at reconciling with him. Picking up his weapon once more and drawing his extra shortsward he spread his arms wide. "I do not need to hear anymore of your petty excuses. This ends here and now, Torrin. You will pay for what you and the Royal Squadron has done to me, I will have recompense."

Hearing this Torrin braced himself for the inevitable clash of steel and prepared himself for the all-too-familiar dual swordsmanship of his friend. He knew that without help soon he may not live to see the new sun rise from the horizon.