Ixander went back to his room, dressing simply for the celebration with the officers of the Livinian Army near Sankobar. Ixander was being watched by Khatana Tanya as he dresses.
The gauze of his wound was smaller than before as only a certain patch of his shoulder where the bullet was is still healing.
"Oh, do you need a room, Tanya?" Ixander asked.
Tanya did not respond, but Ixander said "There's a certain room just in front of my room, you can take that."
"No, I want to be in your room, we'll sleep together" said Tanya.
The aids around Ixander was taken aback and looked at each other, then giggled a bit. Ixander looked at them, and the aids then became silent.
Ixander sighed, saying "Alright…alright."
Ixander went to the party of the officers via the carriage. He then arrived at the town of Sankobar to attend ceremonies of the solemnity of the Glory of Khova of the 35th Saharmia.
As Ixander arrived, the officers immediately bowed to Ixander, and one of them which represents the rest of the officers there said "We are grateful that you have accepted our invitation to attend our humble party, and we will be bold enough to thank you for your generosity to save our kingdom, sir."
Ixander nodded at the complement of the officer. The solemn but joyful music was being played by the Sankobar Military Orchestra. Ixander saw the performance of the Orchestra and they were magnificent.
After they performed their central piece, Ixander and the others in the hall clapped in awe of their performance. Everyone then greeted each other in the greetings of the festivity.
Ixander was talking to another officer when he was approached by another officer, saying "Happiest Khova's Glory to you, great Grandquester."
The officer was no other than the conductor of the choir, officer Vilexus.
Ixander replied "Well, Happiest Khova's Glory to you too, sir."
"I am officer Vilexus… and I have a bit of a request to you, sir."
Ixander replied "Well, I'd be most happy to know it, and as long as it is within my powers why not?"
Officer Vilexus then popped the request "I actually wanted…to motivate some of our frontline troops in the trenches. If his greatness would permit, that I will choose some of the members of my band to join me and play music for our fellow Livinians in the trenches."
Ixander laughed, touched the shoulder of the officer, saying "I shall permit you then, it is after all, the holidays with which the soldiers must have a share, aside from their rations!"
Vilexus was overjoyed to hear his request be accepted. Ixander smiled as he allowed some of his men to motivate the men of the trenches.
Meanwhile on the other side of the room, Ixander hears some officers despairing of the situation the Kingdom of Livinia is in.
"To be honest, we do not know how many Khova's Glory we are going to spend in this war. I hope the war ends soon."
"I know, I do not know however if the Albanese are willing to end this with just a stalemate. We have been betrayed by two of our grandquesters, who knows how many more are going to betray the progress of our Kingdom."
Ixander was only listening at the distance, but he can relate as to how they are desperate to end this war. Ixander can only look down as he drinks on the glass he is holding.
Ixander suddenly felt a chill, saying "Damn, this thing is strong!"
The officers laughed, even those who were despairing. Ixander smiled at the officers, thinking alone of the warmth of the fireplace while they are celebrating.
Ixander then spoke up, saying "It is true, we do not know of the end of this conflict, and the truce we have with the enemy is quite fragile, but we must do what we can in order to become stronger in the face of the enemy, for the sake of the Land we fight for. Everyone, I wish you once again the happiest Khova's Glory."
Ixander then led the toast, raised his glass, saying "For the Victory of Livinia, and the brightness of the future, Cheers!"
The officers then raised their glasses in response.
Meanwhile, Vilexus and some of his bandmates arrived at the trenches. The soldiers there, despite not being allowed to go back to their families, gave each other warmth as the cold night progresses.
"Quite cold, but I'm sure this hard liquor can take on this cold" said one of the soldiers.
"Well, everyone, let's just say, it may be rough, but our drink is DAMN STRONG WOHOO!!" said one of the soldiers, being drunk. He then raised his musket to the sky and fired a blank shot.
One of the officers in the trenches heard of the shot, and approached the soldier and grabbed him from his collar, saying "You undisciplined man, you want to--…" he was interrupted by Vilexus, saying "Officer, chill a bit. We came to give music."
The officer loosened his grab and let go of the soldier. "Welcome, Vilexus. It's just we have to practice some bit of discipline around these parts" responded the officer.
"Well, Mikail, your men can relax while we perform some music for you" said Vilexus.
On the other side, on the other bank of the river, the Albanese are also celebrating the festivities.
"Well, sir, we ran out of some the strong stuff. Should we ask the soldiers to get some?" asked an Albanese soldier.
"Ah, oh well, just go to the nearest village, buy some liquor…and stuff" said the officer.
As the soldiers on the Albanese trenches look quite tired in their positions, they still remained over there. Suddenly, a music rang throughout the entire night sky. It caught the attention of every Livinian and Albanese soldiers.
The Livinian soldiers were singing in tune with the solemn music:
"Oh dearest thee, who rose the great sun of glory
In the middle of the blankets, so cold and so white
In a manner where there's quiet humility
Your soul, for all the decades and years come, so light
Give us your greatest gift, the joy and peace with friends
The kind warmth of the sun, the sorely wounds be healed
As all mane that makes your world, become the symbol of love
In distant night of hours, we wish you happiest.
The su--…"
The soldiers in Livinian trenches suddenly stopped singing when Albanese soldiers continued the song loudly in their trenches. The band also stopped playing music.
"The sureness of your love, makes my poor back all content
You're the happiness and pride of every man here…"
The violin on the band then played the melody, and he was followed by his entire group.
"Where lines exist not, on faith that is only yours
And as I walk through it, you're with me, I feel no fear…"
The Livinian soldiers then sang as well together with the soldiers of Albanese, albeit still on their trenches.
"Descend thine miracle, make it holy, this ground
Unite those that are tattered, heal those that are sick
In this glorious day we will sing your holy sound
On the sky your star shining, it goes flack-a-flick."
Both sides of the trenches suddenly cheered and whistled in the middle of the night.
An Albanese officer was curious "What's going on?"
"They're singing along Khova's Glory carols, sir" said the adjutant
"Oh, I see… let them be…" said the officer.
"But sir, if we let them then we might be told to conspire with the enemy…" said his adjutant
"Shut it will you? It's the Feast of Khova's Glory, and you're shutting yourself! If you don't want to join, it's up to you. Damn you!" said the officer.
A soldier from the Albanese took out his flute, then played a carol, where the Albanese Soldiers sang along:
"The sky is dark right now
We wish we would be home
The time is moving slow
The lonely hearts now roam
For my wife, my children
My warm, sweet fireplace there
Through green rolls, through all glen
I smell the scent of where
The baked rolls are for me to consume
I miss my dear home
I wish I am home…"
Meanwhile, an Albanese soldier went back to the trenches, carring racks of wine and strong liquor.
"Now, boys, we can't consume this all, can we?" said the Albanese Officer.
Back to the Livinian trenches, a soldier suddenly sang:
"O Khova's morn, the night with stars so bright
I can see now the great face of Khova
From this place, I see his holy light…"
That soldier then stepped out of the trenches, went through the bridge on the Livinian River. The Livinian band, being confused, played the music of the song he is singing. The sole flautist in the Albanese trenches also played the melody. The Albanese soldiers looked at him, and they all smiled.
"Grenze! Come back here!"
"I see it bright, but it's so far away
Can I reach such, the holy morn emblazing?
The vict'ry stand, where on that day he sat
Humble yourself, as all his tones are ringing
Oh Lovely, the night where all evil is now gone
Oh Lovely, the night where all evil is now gone!"
The Albanese soldiers cheered, and also the Livinians as well. "Grenze! What are you thinking?!"
An officer from the Albanese army went up to the bridge and said "Well, good day to you…you might be the enemy but it does not mean that fighting is permitted at these moments."
The Livinian Officer, Mikail then went up from the trenches to go to the bridge. He went near the two men. Vilexus then followed shortly. The Flautist from the Albanese Army also went to the bridge.
"Happiest Khova's Glory to you, sir" said the Livinian soldier who sang.
"Happiest Khova's Glory to you as well" the Albanese officer replied.
The officers Mikail and Vilexus also arrived to say their greetings. "I'm honored to meet such a valiant officer, sir, what is your name?" asked the Albanese officer to the Livinian soldier who sang.
"Jules, sir" said the Livinian soldier who sang.
"I'm Alorius" said the Albanese officer.
The Livinian officers then caught up with them, then introduced themselves.
The Albanese Flautist then brought with him a bottle of the hard liquor they just brought in. "Sirs, the trenches are cold, this may all warm you up" said the Flautist.
Suddenly, all of the soldiers from both sides, all unarmed, and left their rifles on their trenches, went to the middle of the frozen river to meet each other in peace…