The hand stays on Kaelen's shoulder.
For a moment, no one moves.
Then Garen Azurea steps into my field of vision.
"Easy, old friend."
Kaelen turns his face just enough to recognize him. The red gem in place of his left eye keeps spinning, but the Rank SS pressure begins to drop until the air in the room belongs to the rest of us again.
The way he accepts the touch catches my attention.
A man of that Rank, angry and ready to move, doesn't let just anyone lay a hand on him. Garen didn't ask permission, and Kaelen didn't react on instinct.
They've done this before.
Then the name surfaces in my head.
'Tide of Every Morning.'
I knew Garen's old squad from the trenches. What I didn't know was every man who'd survived alongside him.
Kaelen turns his attention back to Joseph.
"Now that no one's interrupting anyone, explain again what was happening here."
Joseph looks first at Garen, then at Kaelen. The smile returns slowly.
