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  “This is the reality,” Thimeon replied. “The battle is over, though it did not end without grief. Though none died in the final turmoil when the Daegmon Lord arrived, many fell earlier to the spears of the soldiers or the claws of the Daegmons. Neither Aram nor Kachtin will return to their homes, and I will have to bear news of Lluach’s death to his father Lluanthro.”

  “The Undeani warriors Arreg and Kreeg also fell,” Tienna added. “And Keet’s mother will now have two sons to grieve. I came too late to save them. Healing I could bring to some, but not to those who had already passed to the other side of death. And yet they all died well.”

  Elynna thought of her brother Lyn. “Yes,” she agreed. “They died well.”

  Thimeon put a hand on her shoulder. “Many times our quest hung on a thread, and not one member of the company was unimportant. Even your brother died well in the end, giving his life to save Jhonna’s. Had it not been for him, Golach might have won without the help of the Daegmons.”

  Elynna nodded, but suddenly she could not speak.

  “And as for me,” Thimeon concluded, “I grieve for even the Citadel soldiers who died attacking us. They should never have been our enemies.”

  They all fell silent after that. A short time later, the other companions began to awake. One at a time, or in twos or threes, they sat up and looked around. Each in turn registered the same mix of joy to be alive and stunned amazement at their surroundings, and several times over the next hour Thimeon or Tienna had to explain what little they guessed of what had happened. The last to awake was Jhonna, whose head lay nestled in her sister’s lap. She did not ask for any answers. When she opened her eyes and saw Corandra alive and gazing down at her, she rose to her feet in joy, giving first a long hug to Corandra and then to Thimeon a hug and a kiss on his cheek.

  When all had been convinced that the battle was over and the Daegmon Lord defeated and departed, Dhan turned to Thimeon. “I believe what you have said, that the battle is done, but much work remains ahead of us. My father still holds the throne, and the companies of Golach and El-Phern we defeated here are less than a tithe of Citadel’s armies. Perhaps now, with Koranth defeated, we can reclaim Citadel.” He smiled. “Prince though I am, we are still little more than a band of outlaws.”

  “That may be,” the duke said, “but Koranth is gone and he was the real evil in Citadel.”

  Dhan shook his head. “Koranth may have wielded all the power—and at the end, I think he did—but my father is not without blame. He will not relinquish what power he has left.”

  “But Golach and El-Phern are gone too,” Jhaban said. “I cannot believe there are many others like them. You were always better loved than your father. If you return to Citadel, many will come to your side. Maybe no battle will be needed.”

  “We will not find out by staying here,” Dhan said. “Let us get out from this wall of stone and find what has become of Terrid and his men.”

  “And the Andani hunters who came with him,” Bandor added.

  It took close to an hour for them to clamber over the rocks. When Elynna dropped to the ground on the far side and looked around, the sight of the devastation horrified her. Boulders—some bigger than the ones that had enclosed them—were strewn across the slope for fifty yards in every direction. The few trees that had stood uphill of them had been smashed to splinters. Although the Daegmons’ physical bodies were gone, the hill was scarred by five blackened patches of burnt earth. Smaller burn marks scarred the ground where the power of Koranth and the Gaergaen had erupted.

  Elynna looked once more in amazement at the circular wall of boulders standing like a small fortress. She realized then that she had seen no signs of the dead. No bodies lay along the hill—not her brother, nor Keet, or Aram, nor any of the enemy soldiers either. She did not have the will to ask why. How would she have buried him if she found him? It would have to remain a mystery. She turned and followed the others down the hill.

  As she arrived at the edge of the trees, she saw that the devastation had been localized. The woods where the enemy had camped, showed barely a hint of the battle or the avalanche. Not a single boulder had come that far down the hill. She saw only pieces of fabric torn from blue uniforms, or sections of tents and banners torn by the wind and hung up in branches.

  They marched on down the hill, following a southwesterly line as the sun rise climbed behind them and to their left. Twenty minutes later, led by the prince and Banthros, they came upon a large encampment set up in the midst of the woods. A mix of blue uniforms and men in the garb of Andani hunters milled around, or stood warming themselves by fires.

  At once several officers rushed over to greet the prince, who returned their greetings warmly. Elynna recognized Terrid, the officer who had come to their aid earlier. Several Andani hunters knew Thimeon or Theo or Bandor, so another flurry of greetings followed. Minutes passed before the scene quieted. Finally, the soldiers dispersed and began breaking camp and preparing a morning meal from their dwindling supplies. Dhan and most his followers gathered around a fire with Terrid, a handful of his men, and a dozen of the Andani hunters. Elynna stayed with the prince, Thimeon, and Tienna.

  “Your company has grown somewhat,” Dhan commented with a smile. “I had heard from Banthros of your swift victory, but I did not expect to see this much success.”

  Terrid waved it off. “Do not credit any military strategy of my own. Many of Golach’s men were ready to surrender before we even arrived.”

  “Surrender to whom?” Jhaban asked. “And why?”

  “The animals!” Terrid answered. “It was a terrible sight. Sheer panic. I’m glad I wasn’t on the other side. Grown men were screaming. The animals were merciless. I found body parts.” He shuddered, then went on. “Most tried to flee, but I doubt many escaped. I was afraid to pursue them for fear I’d meet the same fate. Besides, the only one I really cared to catch was Golach.”

  “You needn’t worry about him anymore,” the prince said.

  “Who had the honor?” Terrid asked.

  “His own master. Koranth killed him when he ceased to be useful.”

  Terrid shrugged. “He earned that fate. But you’ve jumped to the middle of your story. Start from the beginning. What happened after I left?”

  “That was when the real battle began,” Dhan answered. “But it is a battle I still do not understand. Our Andani friend will have to explain.” He turned toward Thimeon.

  Thimeon sighed. “What can I tell you? None of us may ever fully understand it.”

  Terrid looked impatient. “I’m not asking for the reasons. Just tell me what happened. Did the Daegmons attack?”

  Thimeon nodded, and while Terrid and his men listened wide-eyed, he described the battle up through its final moments when the Daegmon Lord arrived. When he described the sense of death and fear, he faltered for a moment. Then he resumed and told about the earthquake, and the scene that greeted them when they awoke in the morning.

  “We wondered what happened,” Terrid said. “We knew only that a great darkness fell upon us, and with it came an indescribable terror. For some time—whether minutes or hours, I don’t know—I lay cowering on the ground. Then the ground shook. I rose and tried to run, but I couldn’t go two steps without getting knocked to my feet. It went on for a long time. Finally, the earth stopped quaking, and the terror went away, but the sky grew darker still, so black I could not see my hands in front of my face. It took time groping around and calling one another, but we managed to light torches and set up tents. Then we waited. It seemed a terrible storm raged, but I’m not sure where that sense came from. We felt no wind or rain or snow. And when it ended, we all felt a new hope we had not felt in many days or weeks. That, I confess, was the first time my thoughts turned away from my own terror and to your plight. Fearful for your lives, I sent scouts up the hill with torches, but they could not find you. I expected to have t
o search for your bodies this morning.”

  “From that trouble, at least, you are saved,” Armas said. “Other troubles, however, may still be coming.” He turned to the prince. “What is next? Where does our path take?”

  “We’ve had little time to think about this since the battle ended,” Dhan answered.

  “The battle has ended,” Thimeon stated, “but much healing is needed in this land.”

  “Yes,” Dhan agreed. “And as I said before, it will not start while my father still rules.”

  “What of all those who were taken slaves?” Corandra asked. “My parents. And others. Will they be released?”

  Hearing Corandra’s question, Elynna thought for the first time about her own future. She had no home to return to. Her parents her gone, and her brother with them.

  “I will do all I can,” Dhan promised. “But before I seek to right the wrongs done in the land, I must first right the wrongs in Citadel itself. Little though I relish the task, I must see what can be done about my father.”

  “Oh!” Terrid spoke up suddenly. “King Eughbran. That is part of the story I’d forgotten.” He paused and looked Dhan in the eyes. “Whether you will take this as good news or bad, I do not know. I wish I were not the bearer.”

  “Whatever the news, I hold the bearer blameless,” the prince replied.

  “Your father is dead.”

  If Dhan was surprised, he did not show it. His voice remained expressionless. “How did it happen?”

  “Nobody knows for sure. One of his servants found him dead in his throne room. His guards were nowhere about. The official word is that he died naturally after ordering his guards to leave him, but one rumor is that Golach assassinated him. However it happened, it was convenient for some. Since you had already been proclaimed dead and there were no other legitimate heirs, Koranth took the scepter and named himself ruling regent.”

  “Who else?” Armas said with a grunt. “He was after the scepter from the start, and was ruling in everything but name for the past year anyway.”

  Terrid shrugged. “That may be true,” he agreed. “Still, the fact that Koranth claimed the throne may have worked to your favor. Many even of Golach’s men hated their Lord Chancellor. I’m sure it helped them to decide to come over to our side yesterday. That, and the discovery that you were still alive.”

  “No,” said one of officers who had not been part of Terrid’s company. “That was not the chief thing. The real reason was that many of us had never truly believed in the Daegmons. We believed the lies circulated around Citadel. It was only a few days ago, when we saw the creatures for ourselves, that our eyes were opened. Then we learned that Golach served them. After that we began to doubt everything we had heard from Eughbran or Golach or Koranth, and we remembered the tales of horror that had come from our villages. When we realized we were not alone in our thoughts, we acted.”

  “Who?” asked the prince. “Who acted?”

  “Well,” the officer paused. “Quite a few of us. Many continued to follow Golach, of course. Koranth had promised to name another king, and hinted it would be one of the captains, so I suppose Golach’s officers could taste a share of the power for themselves.”

  Dhan thought for a moment. “Though Gondisle has cause to rejoice, I am not without grief. My father was behind much of the evil in this land. Nonetheless, he was my father, and I had held some hope for his repentance.” He stared at the sky for several seconds then asked, “what then is situation in Citadel? Are we still outlaws?”

  “And what of my parents?” Jhonna’s rose in dismay. “If the land is without a king, who can help us now?”

  “Yes,” said Corandra. Her voice was quieter but no less passionate. “What hope do we have to ever find my parents? What hope have any of those who were taken slaves, or suffered under Koranth’s injustice?”

  But the duke rose to his feet. “The land is not without a king. We have a king. He is sitting right here.” All eyes fell on Dhan. “Here is our hope of justice,” he said. Then he drew his sword in salute. “Long live the king,” he shouted.

  Elynna stared, not sure whether or not to believe what she had just heard. Armas repeated his call. “Long live the king.” At once, all the officers in the company and several others jumped to their feet. “Long live the king,” they repeated. At the sounds of excitement, others poured out of their tents or left their other fires and gathered around. Within moments all in company stood on their feet chanting for Dhan.

  The prince rose slowly. “My friends,” he began. “I am honored by your confidence, and blessed by your friendship. We have won a great battle today, but the glory is not mine.”

  His last words were drowned by another uproar of cheers. He quieted the cheers and continued his speech, thanking all of the officers and companions who had stood by his side, and giving honor to those who had died in battle. He praised the Undeani for their help, and the Andani hunters who had come to Terrid’s aid. He praised Namha, the last of the Amanti. Last of all, he praised Thimeon as the one whose hand was most important in all the events that had brought about the victory.

  Elynna remembered her thoughts about Thimeon so many weeks earlier—weeks that seemed like years. Impotent, she had thought him, well-intentioned, but powerless and doomed to defeat. Yet he was the victor. The Daegmons were defeated. She had been wrong about him. She had been wrong, also, about her feelings. Even as she thought this, his hand found the hand of Tienna who stood beside him. Their hands clasped, and held.

  Some time passed before the company quieted down, and the soldiers returned to their tasks, packing the tents and preparing for their return to Citadel. Enough supplies remained from Golach’s company for a warm and hearty meal. Elynna filled herself, though with little memory of what she ate. A blanket of soft grey clouds spread across sky, and snow began to drift down first slowly then with more vigor. Elynna, having nothing else to do, stood next to a fire warming herself, and watching Thimeon and Tienna walk around together, hand in hand.

  At midday Dhan gathered his officers and some of the leaders of the company around the fire where Elynna stood. Armas was there, with Jhaban and Banthros along with Thimeon, Bandor, Cathros, Noab, Braga, Tienna, Anchara, and Hrevia. Cathwain, Jhonna, and Corandra came too, though they sat quietly in the back of the circle. Elynna, without moving a step, found herself standing next to the prince.

  “You have cheered me as your king,” Dhan began, “but if king then I am a king without a country.”

  “Maybe,” Armas said. “Maybe not. We don’t know the situation in Citadel now, but we do know that Eughbran is dead, and Koranth is gone. At least a quarter of the officers in your father’s army were here. Those who don’t follow you lie dead or sit in yonder tent as our prisoners. I think there would be nothing stopping you from marching into Citadel and taking the throne.”

  “You may be right,” Dhan said. “In any case, there is one way to tell. If we escape these mountains before the snow buries us, we can be in Swage in three days. Even moving slowly with a big company, we can be at Citadel less than two weeks after that.”

  “Yes,” Jhaban said. “And you will come through the gates with no small company of soldiers at your back. Who will oppose you?”

  “Jhaban is right,” Armas said. “Even so, we needn’t take any chances. Let me return more speedily to Citadel with a handful of officers. Terrid managed to rescue a dozen horses that broke free. Give us leave to go, and we can reach Citadel many days before. We will begin spreading the word that you have been crowned king and will soon be returning triumphant in your battle against the Daegmons. We will begin with those whom we know are loyal to you, and let the momentum build from there. Look for the banners on the front gates and high towers. If your family banner is raised with mine below it, all is well.”

  Dhan nodded. “It is a good plan, and a good man to carry it out. Choose whom you
want to bring with you. At Swage, if all goes well, you might add a company of twenty mounted.”

  “We will also send messages to the Andani,” Bandor said. “And throughout the Highlands.”

  “And to the Plains,” added Tienna.

  “And to Anghata,” Cathros finished.

  “My people already know,” Cathwain said. Elynna stared at her confused, until she remembered once again the young woman’s gift. “They know what the prince did for them at Gale Enebe. They do not forgot. For the Ceadani, Dhan is already the king.”

  “Alas, I cannot speak for all the Undeani,” Braga said. “But I will follow you also.” Then he smiled a wry smile. “At least as much as I have followed any king.”

  “So be it,” Dhan said. But then he turned to Thimeon. “Even if I am able to return to Citadel and take the throne without battle, there will be much work awaiting me. My father has put many evil men in power. His slave trade has made fortunes for some. It will take time to root them out, and to restore justice. One of my first tasks is free the slaves, and that may take time. I do not know where they have been sent.”

  “Southward,” Terrid interspersed. “Your father had many slave fields in the south of the land, near Entain. Others were sold across the water to Entain where they work the mines. Or so I have heard from more than one source.”

  “The former we can free soon enough,” Dhan said, glancing at Jhonna and Corandra as he spoke. “Those sent to Entain may be harder to restore, but we will not fail for lack of trying. That is why I need you,” he said, turning back to Thimeon. “I want you to be my advisor.”

  Thimeon looked surprised. “In Citadel?” he asked.

  “If you are willing,” the prince answered. “Were it not for your counsel, our company would have failed long ago. This victory belongs to you more than to any, and I would reward you for it.” Then he laughed. “But think not that the reward is given in generosity. The truth is, I need wise men and women in the days and weeks go come. I desire your counsel.”