In the seventh month of the Umbraan War, Marius' father fell in battle. The only survivor of the conflict was his second-in-command, a great warrior in his own right named Balen. The story he told would hang like a dark cloud over Marius' head throughout his childhood, for he testified that Marius' father had abandoned his post and fled his duty the moment the Umbraans attacked. This decision led to the utter decimation of the entire force. It was a great embarrassment for the Capital, who sent no honors nor condolences to Marius' mother with the news. All anyone could say as Marius grew up was that it was a bitter shame, and that he would have to do better than his cowardly father when he was an adult. It broke his mother, who withdrew from public life after the scandal. It was Balen who raised him, teaching him the sword and how to wield his words- but the man rarely met his eyes. Marius knew not whether it was guilt or something else that held the man back.

"Stay down," Anrai spat, swordtip brushing Marius' chin. The man swallowed and stayed where he was on the ground, his own weapon cast aside. His fists clenched in rage, but there was nothing he could do about his wounded pride. He grit his teeth, willing his heart to calm its staccato drumbeats. Anrai smirked above him, holding the sword still for a moment longer before pulling it away. "Next time maybe you'll hold your tongue." "No wonder Balen abandoned you," Marius muttered. He barely even saw the punch coming.

Anrai's lips trembled, his pale lashes fluttering against his freckled cheeks. "My father-" Marius shook his head, swallowing back his rage. "Don't say it. You can't take it back once you do." But Anrai simply glared, and allowed the truth to splinter a bond still fragile, yet so precious to the lonely Marius. "My father lied. He killed yours and fled, like a coward."