When the Savvy Strays finally returned from their adventuring, I stepped out into the main hall to greet them. There was something off with their mood. They weren't cheery or upbeat. Nothing is worse when they come home from a quest with a bad outcome. One by one, I saw their solemn looks as they stepped inside. Emoru, Rosanna, Evantil, Bremigan, and the one who seemed upset the most, was Sen.

That half-elf alone dumped his bag onto Festus, our blether butler, "Here, just get it sorted for me." He then stormed off to the backyard.

I looked over to Evantil, who bowed to greet me first, "I'm sorry, sir, we couldn't save everyone at Oleerkai. We were caught off guard by how sudden the orc attack was. We evacuated many to safety but those who were caught in the first moments of the fighting... perished..." Evantil gets a pained look, "I think it's best you talk to Sen, Remus. He respects you far more than I, sir."

I shook my head at the thought, "I'm honored but you're wise, Evantil. I'm sure he will listen."

The elf sighs, looking at the ground, "I do not wish to say you are entirely wrong. There is some accuracy to your claim as I have calmed him down before we arrived. I simply think it may help even more if you reached out to him as well."

I nodded my head, "Very well. I'll go see Sen." I then stepped outside, heading to the backyard of our adventuring hall.

Padded cloth gets pounded by fists repeatedly as Sen punched at the dummies. A bit of the wood post even creaked as it tried to stay standing from the force of the momentum. His face looks scrunched up, angry, and bitter. He pants after throwing a few more blows.

"Well?" I started, sitting nearby on a set of stairs leading up to the storage, "I see you're frustrated."

"I failed the avians, sir." He punched at the head of the dummy, spiraling it around.

I let out a sigh, "You and I have served in the military before. We both know you can't save them all..."

Sen then punches one of the dolls with great force, knocking it over. He pants, turning to me, "I failed a family! I promised to their children they would be safe! When the orcs came, I was too slow in reaching them. I saw their home ablaze. I saw those innocent faces reach out to me before it all fell apart on them..."

I nodded my head, "I understand."

He started getting in my face with teary eyes, he starts waving his hand about, "No, you don't, Remus! I failed my promise to keep them safe!"

I grabbed his wrist, "I do, Sen, I was a captain in the Auxiliary. Do you know how many spouses, parents, and siblings I've had to promise I'd keep their loved one safe? People your age, mind you? I do know loss, boy. You know what I have to come to terms with? I can't save them all."

Sen looked down to the ground in shame.

"But know this, you can keep grieving over every loss and be buried by the body count. Instead, remember their names. Remember each person you lose, Sen. Because you want to make things right, don't you?"

He stays silent, still looking down.

"Answer me, boy."

"Yes, sir," he meekly responds.

"Good. Because there are undoubtedly more battles to go through before we defeat the orc martial. When that time comes, you carry their names in their honor. Because when you strike down that monster with your sword you will not only redeem yourself but you give peace to the lives needlessly taken by all the fighting. So pick yourself up, boy, the fight is far from over. The lost need you still," I then patted him on the shoulder, watching him train on the dummies.

This time, he wasn't giving in to anger as he punched the simple things. He put some actual thought into his timing and stances as he punched them off their stands.

I folded my arms, proud of him once again.