By daybreak, Jowy returned home safe and sound. No one made a grand fuss of his return. Marcel Atreides, the current head of the Atreides clan and Jowy's father, did not make any motion to see him. Instead, he kept himself buried in his study to concentrate on his work. Jowy was typically silent, he was used to this kind of treatment. Inwardly he was saddened. He wished that his father would at least bat an eye his way. Rosa, Jowy's mother, was estatic to see him, and treated him with a warm hig and kiss. Jowy's brother, Marco, was not present, having left to visit friends in Toto. Life returned to normal. Jowy wondered how Nanami would react to her brother's return. He was jealous. He wished he could have all that love and attention from his father.

Life returned to normal. Jowy wandered around the large halls on his way to the library when he overheard his father speaking. By the study he saw his father speak to two well-dressed businessmen. This was no change from the ordinary - many businessmen come along. However, their clothes appeared strange. Jowy got a bad feeling. He hid behind a wall, only peering around slightly to see what was going on.

"But surely you must take this proposition." the first businessman begged. "No business dares to make a move without the consent of the Atreides Clan."

"You mean without the use of our grand fortune." Marcel shot back. "If your company is as grand as you say, you should be able to gain fortune without the use of our family fortune. It's true the Atreides Clan has funded many successful business projects, but we cannot afford to keep this up. What if we come across an unsuccessful business that causes us bankruptcy? It will be all because of you."

"We are not asking for any extravagant favors." said the second businessman. "All we are doing is requesting a small fund for the research of the Sindar ruins. If we are successful, we will pay you half the profits."

"I am busy." Marcel growled. "Ask some other guinea pig to go on a young boy's treasure hunt."

"Then why do you not ask your heir, Jowy, to go on your behalf?" the first businessman asked. "He is a bright and intelligent young lad. Surely he will..."

"Jowy is inadequite for the job." Marcel snapped.

"But sir...."

Marcel turned his back to them. "My servants will see you out. Good day."

Jowy closed his eyes. He didn't have to see his father return to his study, no, his little solitary haven.

There was another knock on the door. The study's door swing open as quickly as it had closed. "What is it you want?" Marcel snapped.

The messagers made their presence known. Marcel stopped dead in his tracks. They were two guards from the Imperial Highland Army itself! Clad in full armored regalia, their strict faces showed they meant business.

"This is a message from King Agares. It seems that the Unicorn Brigade has been destroyed on account of Jouston." said the solder to the left. His tone was strictly businesslike.

Destroyed?! Jowy gasped.

"The massachre was horrible. The young trainees were brutally murdered and all evidence of the brigade's existance was scorched to the ground. To our records, there were only two survivors, one being your son."

Jowy's heart raced, his breathing short. his mind was a blur. All he could think of was Makoto. Only two survivors. Please let the other be him. Please....

"Highland will be attending a meeting in Muse about this conflict. We request that your son, Jowy Atreides, accompany us as a survivor and possible witness."

"No, I re---"

"My partner and I witnessed your refusal to let your elder son partake in your business affairs." the second soldier cut him off. "However, the matter is evident. Now you must allow Jowy to come with us."

Marcel clenched his teeth. "Fine. Do as you will."

The first soldier saluted. "Thank you for your time. We will return in an hour to fetch the boy."

The soldiers promptly left. Passing beside them was a very somber Jowy. His head hung low, looking as if he was about to cry. Guilt overwhelmed him enough to foolishly approach his father. "Father, I..."

Marcel lashed at Jowy's face. An echo of a hand slapping water rang throughout the halls. Jowy winced, tenderly thouching the side of his face which slowly flushed into a red hand mark. He bore the pain, crying in his heart, not on the outside.

"What the hell were you thinking, you foolish boy?!" Marcel screamed. "How dare you abandon your fellow soldiers at their time of need? And what of the urchan orphan that you consider a friend? You are a selfish fool, Jowy, who bring shame upon the name Atreides! I should have known better than to adopt you into the clan. Pack up your things and get out of my sight. You are going to Muse in an hour. The sooner you leave, the better."

"Yes, father." Jowy whispered.

Marcel growled. "Get a move on, Jowy!"

The head Atreides slammed the door to his study, leaving Jowy in the cold. Jowy did not cry. He knew that his father did not love him. His father was right. The sooner he leaves, the better. He went to his room and fetched some clothes and a few essentials, and placed them in a knapsack. He sat in silence, thinking nothing except how foolish he was to have left on such a short notice. If he hadn't left the Unicorn Brigade, maybe his friend would still be alive.

"No...he's alive." Jowy said to himself. "I know it."