"Huh. We could try making some, or getting some made, to see for ourselves," he suggests absently, watching as the retreat goes on. 

The Cialin stay gathered on the hill for some time. Eventually, when the Imperials have all retreated, a small party enters the camp to ensure no one is still there, and begin salvage efforts. After some time with no alarms raised, the rest of the force splits off a larger salvage party, and the rest begin marching back into Kiat. 

The Captain who Commander Coen had left behind waits before the gates, along with a small entourage of lower-ranked Cialin. 

"I should probably be down there," Ilek says, reluctant. 

She gives him a squeeze. Why not?

He shrugs, "I don't like the attention. I haven't done anything to deserve it. Though I'm not sure I'd like it then, either," he admits. 

Ah, Celebrity, Stormsinger recalls a few incidents during the uprising, No, I doubt he would like it either way. 

He can probably recognize the kind of smile that means she's talking to the Blade, by now.

You wouldn't, she nods. But it's not about you; it's about your role, your title. You don't have to let them see you to let them see the prince.

Deskyl having a sort of a backdoor into his brain continues to be nice and weird. 

It's good advice, though, he thinks, though maybe not something he can do exactly as she means.

...The person they want isn't Ilek, not as he is now. It's just someone who looks like him - the prince as strong as the king was at his age, the fierce warrior, the angry one. They want to see the future general, not the future healer. He has been that person recently enough that it's not too hard to step back into his shoes, and keep the core of himself between himself and those who actually care about him. It's not even a lie, really - this is a part of him, even if not a part he much likes. 

Sullen, angry, impatient. He nods to her, and then turns to stride into the gatehouse, down the stairs, and out to join the welcoming party.

...I suspect that is not what you meant, Stormsinger sends after a moment, paying attention to her sense of Ilek's emotions. 

We do not lie, generally, he adds, I expect attempting a mask as you seem to be suggesting would be... difficult. 

It's close to what I meant. The best lies are perspectives on the truth like that. But if it'll hurt him - I'll need your help to figure out what he should be doing instead, probably.

He considers. 

I am not sure there is any way for us to live happily except by being wholly our self, he sends after a moment. Hiding who we are does not suit us. 

We'll have to see what happens after the war, then, she sighs.

He sends sorrow, Yes. Likely it will be better once he no longer has to be a prince, as well, once we leave. 

The combined forces arrive at the gates and begin filing in. The visiting Commander leads some of his captains to the party of Kiat staff, settling where his troops can be hosted, while they stay, and how long they'll be here. 

"Your Highness," he bows when he comes to Ilek, "The King sends his greetings - I spoke to him over the mirror before we left. I expected to see you outside," he adds, raising a curious brow.

"Commander Coen requested I stay inside the walls," he says, projecting some annoyance at this decision. 

"We were concerned they might be prepared to target His Highness specifically," Coen mentions as she walks up to the group, "There was an ambush, a few days ago. Prince Ilek only just barely escaped." 

"Ah," says the other Commander. He seems somewhat dissatisfied with this, still, but willing to accept it.

He leaves to inform his troops of their accommodations, and order them to disperse. 

"And where is this mysterious ally who thwarted the enemy's plan?" He wonders as he returns. 

Ilek glances up at the walls - is she still up there?

She is; when she sees him looking she takes DZ's hand and leaps off the walkway, pushing off from the wall and twisting to land neatly some fifteen feet from him with her companion coming to a cushioned stop just after.

The visiting Commander's attention is caught very handily by this, "What skill!" He says, looking her over evaluatively. "Will you be joining the war effort? I expect His Majesty would quite like to meet you - to thank you for defending his son, at the very least." 

Ilek makes a subtle face at his back. Yeah, that's definitely the only reason - and the man's suggesting it out of thanks, too, of course.

Her hand goes to her 'saber hilt as he looks her over; she's clearly not amused at the presumption, and doesn't look to DZ for her translation of his words until he's done.

    "She will be, sir, as an independent agent. She's not interested in leaving the battlefront."

"Hm! Unfortunate, but I can understand the urge to stay and fight," he says, his eyes drawn to her belt by the movement - he doesn't recognize the lightsabre hilt, but he does recognize the Blade as an Artefact. It's inconveniently placed to be drawn, but perhaps her bond to it is new. 

"Ah, an Artefact. I suppose it must be a powerful one, that would explain the tale Commander Coen told." 

Ilek's mouth twists unhappily at the 'it'. One of those people. 

    "No, sir, she won the Blade in that battle. The lightsaber is her primary weapon."

"Commander Maol," Commander Coen interjects before this can go any farther, eyes darting between Deskyl and Ilek, "Would you join me in the Command Center, there are some things we should go over." 

"Oh, of course," he agrees, turning back to her a little reluctantly. He nods to Deskyl, and bows to Ilek again, "Good day to you both." 

Coen herds him away with the aid of her captains. 

...What an unpleasant person, Stormsinger sends. Deceitful, covetous, overly self-important. I certainly hope there aren't many of his type in this military. 

Ilek approaches her, "Loyalist," he comments, "And a noble. He's probably used to using everything around him to get on the king's good side."