"Look at them lying there."

"At whom?"

"Domenic and Pepper."

"What of them?"

"He loves him so much."

"Are they asleep?"

"Yeah."

"Wake him up. It's time for us to gather."

Savadra enters the room her husband and cat sleep at and gently lies next to them on the bed. She smiles lovingly at her husband's beauty while her gaze softens up. There is jealousy in her heart that her favorite cat has almost completely forgotten her and now spends all its time with Domenic yet knowing Domenic she could fully understand why it did so.

"Domie..." She gently nudges him. "Domie, wake up."

"Ugh!? What? Uuh, what is it?"

"We're gathering at the table."

"Oh, already? Nice."

The cat jumps off my chest and bends its back out to stretch it.

I can tell - the evening is a pleasant one. Candles are shining softly over the many objects of furniture and plush toys that mother loves to stitch. Fireplace is lit, filling our cozy village home with warmth. The family is gradually gathering as grandmother and grandfather slowly walk into the room. It is only when we sit at the table, my brother joins along us and together with my parents we are finally all gathered at the table.

Father takes the word first as usual. "I want to congratulate our family for making it through another difficult year. We always held on to each other and our love was binding us stronger through all times. This year Savadra has joined our family and our dear son is now making a family of his own. This is not an easy task, but I am sure that as he carries on the lessons of our family, his' one will be just as strong, while we will always be there for you two. Now - A toast. For us all. May we always remain healthy, sound, and protected by Alra's mercy."

"You are forgetting, it's your son's birthday." -My grandmother adds with a judging tone while holding a cup.

"Yes, yes, happy birthday Domenic. We are glad to see you and your wife with us and we wish you the best of happiness and success in your union."

"Thank you all. I am honored to call each one of you my family. As always, my good father has already said all the best things , but I want to add that I wish I could see you all as often as possible. You know, the war may have us separated, but I promise you, what ever happens, we wll always be gathering safe and sound to sit down again just like this in our loving family circle."

"May Alra hear this and punish those filthy Fehtl worshipping scum forever! -Adds grandmother with a fiery voice."

We finally bring our cups together to the toasts, as I hear several more congratulations on my birthday, then we all proceed to help ourselves to the well-cooked meats and side dishes.

"Were you already told you may be sent away somewhere? -My mother asks after having one bite of food. I notice a obvious yet hidden worry about her."

"Let's not talk about that now. The war is not here today. Our family is." - I use my well-known approach to shut conversations I don't want to develop.

"Yes, that's right. But you know, we'll certainly have them defeated, it's only a matter of time. Their forces are nothing in comparison to our great military." -Our veteran grandfather proclaims with certainty.

"And yet they are wreaking destruction upon the elven empire. Don't forget that they can raise the dead, and with each battle they win, they double in size. -My wife replies to it with cold calculation so usual for her."

I silently take a good bite from the well-cooked chicken, savoring all the rich juices it's filled with, yet not completely enjoying the food to its fullest, imagining hordes of zombie elves.

"Yes, yes, yet we have won them before and that's with them having hordes of demons on their side while we barely had any angels. Besides, we were divided and now the kingdoms are supporting each other. We'll gather up and quell their little cultist uprising."

I want to say that we are probably more divided and weaker than we ever been yet instead I give it a slight nod and continue my meal.

Having satisfied our appetites others continue sitting at the table while I help my wife with cleaning off from it. Soon there will be tea and cake.

When we are done and my help is no longer needed I walk outside the house and smell the forest air. Feral cats look at me from a distance which is all the company I need right now to be alone with myself and think.

Things are bad in the East. -I remember. Only around three major cities are left out of ten. When the death god's hordes overwhelm the last of the elves one can guarantee that they will be coming west to take care of us.

Sigh...

As much as I love my family and my wife, I cannot sit idle and wait until the dead come with a greater host. Besides, the good, noble elves need our assistance. I will do it. I will join Lord Luciron's holy crusade and see that darkness will not reach our homes.

Door opens and closes behind me.

"Savie."

"Domie. What are you doing here?"

"I'm just thinking. Let's go for a walk, my love."

"Sure."

We make it to the village road and quietly walk alone under the warm evening sky. It's difficult for me to hold my wife's gentle hand not having told her yet that I decided to head for war in a couple of days. Even if I have great certainty in our victory, I want to make sure that I and my healing skill will assist in it. Yet how do I tell her and when?

"Not today. Not today. Today is for my family." - My mind decides.

"I love you so much" - I say, looking at my wife's big blue eyes when we stop at the edge before a great red sky.

"I love you too, Husband. May nothing ever separate us."

"That is my plan, I always told you. When it's our time, we will lie together in a single grave."

"Yes. I know. But I go first. I would not bear losing you." - Savadra never forgets to add.

I smile. "Let's go back. The cake should be on the table now..."

"Yes. I have already seen it. It should be delicious!"