Star and The Winter Fire burst through the door, and there was a half second of tension before everyone realized everyone was friendly here. Star, seeing Vel safe, rushed over to her and hugged her tightly. "Are you alright?"

"Of course," Vel said with self-confidence that Star had grown to adore. Ametrine approached her, and they embraced tightly, "Are you alright?" "I've been just here having Lobster Bisque, my love. I'm not entirely sure what is going on here, but it looks like everything worked out," the Earth Gensasi said with a big smile and kissed the elf. Star looked around and saw Elion and Mathew and gave them both a nod, happy to see they were back. Star had a tremendous sense of relief that everyone was accounted for. "We have royal forces sweeping through the city, picking up anyone that gives us a dirty look. If they haven't left, we will have the Xandathar pushed out by morning. I'm glad to see everyone is alright." Star had a tightness in her chest. Something was wrong, and she couldn't put her finger on it. It then hit her. Colt. The redhead was at the bar, and his hat was off. The redhead was tying his hair behind his head, staring at something. Generally, he would be the first person to check in with her, but he had been silent thus far.

Colt finally turned to his old friend and glared at her, "We need to talk," he pushed his hat onto his head, immediately left the bar, and headed to the courtyard where Tharon and Bismuth had fought. Ametrine and Vel could feel the tension between Star and Colt. There was already a bit of tension between them and Star, who had formed a group called The Winter Fire with Rayna. This, however, was different. Star looked to Steo, "Secure the area. I'll be with you in a few." Steo nodded and left. Star looked at Vel and Ametrine, "Let me talk to him." "Something isn't right," Ametrine said softly. "His song is... distorted." Vel crossed her arms, "He knew the person that kidnapped me, I guess. I don't know."

Star nodded and quickly moved outside into Colt's courtyard, looking up into the sky as it began to rain. "I see you got Vel back," she said with a smile. "She managed to get herself back," Colt replied in Royal Elvish, which only the High Court of the Emel Empire spoke. He turned to her, "Clan Tem took her, a man named Silver." For the most part, Star had always been able to read Colt, with some exceptions. This was one of them; she could see he was very upset about something. "Heard of him?" Star paused momentarily and nodded, "I've heard of him, although I don't believe we've met." There was worry on her face, "Clan Tem, huh? They were.... a bit of a problem back in the day."

Colt smirked, "Good, but not good enough." "Are they... here for us?" the exiled princess asked. Colt shook his head, "I don't think so. The Empire is dead, Star. Long dead. Clan Tem are just surviving, that's all." He took a deep breath, and there was a slight decrease in tension between them. "Just like us, my old friend." "Then why?" Star asked, stepping close to him. "Why come after us?" "Ezekiel Yesenia," Colt said crisply. "He's holding Silver's son and using him as leverage to come after the Longshots and me." Silver looked momentarily relieved, "So.. not after us." "No," Colt said quickly. He closed his eyes and deeply breathed, "I am going to kill Ezekiel Yesenia. Burn his body. And scatter his ashes to the wind." "You don't like him," Star said with a smile. "What's the plan?"

"Silver is clearing the board for us. Taking out other bounty hunters and cutting off the Xanadathars from Neverwinter." Colt said, stepping close to her. "I think Clan Tem could be an important ally." He smirked, "They remember you. The Seventh Star. You should make contact. We could use them." Star nodded, thinking momentarily, "I'll put out some feelers." She looked at him, "Then what?" "I'm not sure yet. But after the wedding, we will strike," Colt said. Star nodded but could still see the tension in his eyes. Colt sighed with irritation, "What?" Star put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "Colt.... my old friend. What is going on? I've never seen you like this."

Colt pulled away and turned his back to her. Colt and Star, despite their closeness, did have their fights. It happened from time to time. However, Star felt something was slightly different: "A name.... has come up recently." Colt said gently, "Someone in astral space visited Vel and claimed to be her father. He went by the name of Alistair." Star tensed up momentarily as Colt continued, not looking at her. "Elion, during his time away, met Someone who helped him find peace. This person apparently went by Alister." Colt looked up as rain hit his face, "Tonight, while talking to Silver, he looked at me and said I reminded him of "Crimson" and asked if I was a Raylot?" Star could hear Colt's voice tremble slightly. "And he mentioned an "Ali'Istar," a warrior who had fallen to some infernal conspiracy in the Emil Empire. I couldn't help but think that Alistair would be the common name for Ali'Istar."

Colt turned to look at Star, whose eyes were wide and moist. Her arms were crossed tight, and she looked uncomfortable, "Interesting." "Ali'Istar Raylot," Colt said softly. "Ali'Istar... Raylot." He smiled gently, "I remember when growing up, being educated by tutors that anagrams were a fun way to come up with new names. Ali'Istar Raylot, if put into common, would be Alistair Taylor." Colt glared at Star as the rain began to pick up, "That name means nothing to me." "Oh," Star said softly. "Should it?"

"Captain Midnight," Colt said softly, "And I once had an argument.. that long-eared fuck.. who told me if I only knew who my father was, I would have more respect for the uniform I wore. I said some flippant thing, and he said Alistar before you cut him off," Colt said crisply. There was silence between them. "Star... What was the name of my father?" "No," She said, shaking her head. "I will not break the promise." "You made that promise to me," Colt yelled loudly. Anyone looking through the windows would see this intense argument. "You made that promise to me all those years ago because I wanted to be me. I didn't want to know who I had to live up to. I know you two were close. I saw it in the eyes of everyone around us. I didn't care because I didn't know anything about him and you kept that promise." Colt stomped his foot, "Tell me! Tell me his name!"

A tear ran down Star's cheek, "His name was Alistair Taylor." She took a deep breath, "He was my friend. And I promised him, I would protect you. And I promised you that you would never know about him." Colt took several deep breaths and turned away from her, walking towards the door and stopping, hanging his head and shaking in anxiety. There were several moments of silence between them, "Alistair Taylor.... Did he go by Crimson?" "Yes," Star said softly. "Although when you were born, he changed it to Scarlett and wanted you to take the name." Colt nodded as another tear went down her face, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything." She felt her heart shatter, "Forgive me. Please don't.... don't.... don't leave. We can fix things between us."

Colt took a step away from her towards the door, "You and I took a blood oath a long time ago." He took a deep breath as his face hardened, "I intend to keep it," He said softly. Star nodded in some relief and crossed her arms. She felt the largest rift between them. This combined with her formation of Winter's Fire and not informing him, had caused some damage between their otherwise close relationship. It wasn't the first time they weren't on the same page. It had happened in the past with Vel, but this seemed a lot more personal. "As do I, old friend." 

Colt's face still looked rather irked and emotional. He took a deep breath and said firmly, "No more secrets, Princess." "Secrets are what keep us alive, Captain," Star said. "Including the ones you keep from me, Captain," she said, pushing back. She knew he was up to some things he kept from her. Normally, she looked the other way, but now they were butting heads. "Don't think I don't hear whispers of what you are up to, from time to time." She took a step towards him, "I've never lied to you. I've never done anything that wasn't in our best interest." "Our best interest?" Colt said a little loudly, "Our best interest?" He laughed softly, "All of this has always been in your best interest. You made me who I am, Star. All of me. I always thought we were in this together, but what if I'm just.... a convenient tool for you."

"Colt," Star said with a quivering voice, "Don't say that. I love you." "You should have told me about him," Colt said softly, stepping away from her. "Even if I didn't want to know, it was in my best interest if I knew all of it. Is there anything else you haven't told me about them?" Star looked at him and took a deep breath, "Yes." "Alright," Colt nodded. "I need time to think." "Okay," she nodded.

Colt took a deep breath and gave her a royal salute, "Princess."

Star smiled gently and returned it. "Captain."