Chsensera was studying for second year, second semester finals; there were two left to take.

After agonising over a choice of schools two years before, she had settled upon Arrhazon College, where Jahrae was an alumnus. The choice came down to the added advantage offered by attending Arrhazon: Chsensera would be closer to home and to her mum if her mum needed her.

The funding llhaesa and Jahrae set aside for Chsen years before easily paid for her education. Jahrae was right, she had plenty left to pay off her mum’s mortgage; Jahrae was wrong in one respect: there was a whole lot more left even after the mortgage was paid – a whole lot more.

Even fully two years after this revelation by Jahrae, Chsensera remained incredulous over their quiet act of kindness, love, and caring. Almost 14 years after llhaesa’s death, even after living two thirds of her own life thereafter, Chsen missed llhaesa. Her heart ached for the person whose memory was stored indelibly in her mind.

These thoughts ran through Chsen’s mind as she studied for the next exam, a particularly difficult course in trigonometry. The numbers on the electronic tablet seemed to merge and blur, and this would send her mind into subjects in clearer focus: Jahrae and llhaesa.

The previous semester, Chsen was taking an advanced class in Arrhazon government and society under Brellian. Naturally, the central element to this history was the role of llhaesa, both actively and later as martyred inspiration, and of Jahrae.

Eyebrows raised throughout the room as Chsen shared personal stories from her childhood. People were stunned she knew both llhaesa and Jahrae, stunned that they paid for her education, stunned that she remained connected to Jahrae, and stunned at the little nuances she shared that vividly showed the intricacies and sheer beauty of llhaesa as a person, not some statuesque historical world icon.

Classmates wished to know more, and more, and more, and Chsen graciously fielded their queries and satiated their interest, but there were things meant to be private between friends, and those things she guarded zealously.

Her remembrances stopped as her mobile called her back to the here and now. “Good morning, Jahrae!” Chsen saw Jahrae’s name appear on the screen, followed by her image as Chsen accepted the call.

“Good morning to you, Chsen!” Jahrae replied in a rather excited and upbeat voice. “My, you are quite smiley for such an early time in the day. Reminds me of some other morning person we both knew!

Why I am bothering you at this early hour… last night, Chief of Government Gl’nsiel called Saehressa and I and asked us to come to her office immediately. Gl’nsiel said nothing more before ending the call, but obviously, it was very urgent, and so we left immediately, arriving at her office 20 minutes later – we used my personal transport, and we both know the security staff, so that part did not take long.

I will share all of the details later, but the bottom line is I will be going away, possibly for years… and am asking four others to join me. An army could not keep Saehressa from going, nor would it stop my own mum Hrilleae. M’traliel is also firmly committed to going, and… I am inviting you as well.” Jahrae knew what the answer would be, and Chsen confirmed it immediately.

“Whatever it is, you can bet I’m going!” Chsen gave her commitment, fully trusting Jahrae that there was very good reason to do this.

“You must be in finals now, and that is ok… please complete your finals; we will not be leaving for a minimum of another week. You will need to take a leave of absence from school, but I will help you arrange that element with Arrhazon College. In fact, if we work this right, there might be substantial school credit in what you will be doing, perhaps… not perhaps, likely a thesis of some note.

Take two suitcases of things with you, clothing, other necessities, a few things that you cannot be without, both for practical purpose and for emotional purposes.

There is one more thing, Chsen.” Jahrae’s expression changed into a wide grin. “I’ve already spoken with your mum, and she absolutely insisted you go, that if you did not, she would tie you up and personally see to it you were placed in my care!”

“You… spoke with my mum about this?” Chsen’s tone of voice reflected how she sensed Jahrae really wished for her to be involved with this. Along with this element, she was at once curious, amused, and befuddled.

“Yeah, I wished to see if Khaehala had some idea on whether you would wish to go before I extended the invitation.” Jahrae explained. “I did not wish to ask and create conflict within you over whether to go or not. When she shared what I suspected – that not much could hold you back, well… then I felt safe calling. I will catch up to you once your finals are complete, and outline the reasons why and what we will be doing.”

“I’m so excited, who cares about finals?” Chsensera initially replied, before adding a second statement. “Yes, I know schooling is important, and I will do my best on the two exams left!

Thanks much, Jahrae. Thank you for your friendship, for your caring, for your including me as someone to be involved in this, for everything. Thank you. I cannot wait to meet up with you! Please take care!”

“It is I who is grateful you wish to join with us, and let us hope we meet with resounding success. We will see you soon, Chsen. Best wishes with your studies, and I expect to hear of good results… byeee!” With that, the call disconnected, leaving the completely excited Chsensera with the dichotomy of a distracting obstacle to studying and a great inspiration to study.

Whatever Jahrae – they – might seek, it was important. After all, the Chief of Government initiated this whole thing. Chsensera sensed new Arrhazonan history was about to be made, history of which she would play a part; time would prove this thought to be quite on the mark.