Pain was Lith's oldest friend, yet it took him a few seconds to recover.
"I thought you wouldn't leave before spring." Lith was looking forward spending the winter months together at her home again.
"The army is not the academy, silly." Phloria's laugh was low and joyless.
"There are boot camps all year round, so that people can enlist as soon as they become adults."
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier? Why now? Can't you delay it?"
"What would have changed?" Phloria sighed.
"We would have spent the time we had left arguing before you accepted my decision, as I know you will." She slowly caressed his face.
"Then you would be sulking the whole time. This way we had our happiness. As for your other questions, I need to go as soon as possible. Not because of my family, nor for the army. For myself." Phloria stared at the moon glowing up in the sky. Her voice was steeled with resolve.
