"Then they probably won't be able to enact much of a war of vengeance but it'd be a good idea to know if we need to be prepared against the onslaught, so getting one out and checking and then proceeding is probably wise?"

"Sure, but regardless of what they say or what we find out we're still freeing them, is my point."

Shrug. "Probably."

"Okay, let's go free some Qactuars."

It's at this moment that Rin shows up from a back room. "Oh, Lord Summoner, what a pleasure." Pause. "Is that by any chance Sir Auron?" he asks in a low voice, looking at the legendary guardian standing off to one side.

"Why do you ask?"

"I met him briefly ten years ago, and had not since seen him."

"– Oh," responds Theo. "Yeah, it is."

Sir Auron can fend for himself.

"Ah, as I thought! I've been wondering since I saw him at the Mi'ihen Highroad branch. Sir Auron!" he calls, walking up to the man. "I wonder if you remember me? Ten years ago, at the beginning of Lord Braska's Calm?"

"Yes, I should thank you."

"Not at all. I could not leave a wounded man to die. However, I was surprised when I saw you gone the next morning, with that wound. An ordinary man would not have been able to walk."

"I'd rather... drop that subject, Rin."

Pause. "As you wish."

He bows to the rest of the party and makes his way out.

"– Care to share with us?"

"No."

"'Kay."

Theo turns to Kaede. "Back to the statue?"

"Wait! Can't we stay here a bit longer? I don't wanna go back yet."

"I mean, we're not progressing. We could come pick you up after."

"Okay. Yes, that's good. I'll wait. But don't you move on without me!"

"This is a waste of time."

"Summoner's prerogative so suck it up."

Theo rolls his eyes. "Why exactly is it a waste of time?"

"There is a pilgrimage to be done."

"This is probably not going to take on the order of days, though, and could be important."

He declines to reply.