The following days were dense. Kael inspected the garrisons, the barracks, the border posts. He listened to reports, asked precise questions, noted weaknesses. Drakk and Thorgar accompanied him everywhere, responding with military rigor. Kira, for his part, remained in the background, observing.
In the evenings, Kael returned to his quarters. He reread the notebook, page after page. The terrible spells. The sketches. The clumsy poems. The nameless woman.
One night, he sat by the window and called for Kira.
"Tell me about her."
"About whom?"
"The woman in the notebook. The one whose face I drew."
Kira approached.
"You drew her?"
"Yes. A profile. I don't remember her."
"Show me."
Kael opened the notebook to the right page. Kira leaned in, looked at the sketch.
"I don't know her."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. I've never seen that face."
"Yet I drew her. And not as a stranger. As someone I saw often."
"Perhaps a memory altered by the dream."
"Or a memory the spell sealed."
Kira sat on a stool.
"Do you want me to investigate?"
"No. Not now. But keep that face in mind."
"Alright."
Kael closed the notebook.
"Tomorrow, we leave for the marshes."
"To see Serya."
"Yes."
"Do you think she'll speak to you?"
"She won't have a choice."
"She's powerful."
"So am I."
"She's unstable."
"So am I."
Kira smiled.
"That's why you got along."
"Perhaps."
They were silent for a moment. Outside, the starry sky shone.
"Do you think I can convince her?" Kael asked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because she waited for you. And because she never served anyone else."
"Waiting isn't loyalty."
"Sometimes, it's the only form it takes."
Kael nodded.
"Go sleep. We leave at dawn."
"You sleep too."
"I'm not tired."
"You're lying."
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"About everything I have to reclaim. The kings. The borders. Her."
"You should rest."
"I'll rest when the kingdom is whole."
Kira stood.
"Then you'll never sleep again."
He left. Kael remained alone, the notebook on his lap, his gaze lost in the night.
---
Dawn came quickly. Kael dressed, took a light cloak, and met Kira in the courtyard. Two saddled horses awaited them.
"Drakk is staying at the palace," said Kira. "He's handling routine affairs."
"Thorgar?"
"He's accompanying us to the marsh border. After that, we continue alone."
"Good."
They rode through the still-sleeping city. The streets were calm, bathed in soft light. The roofs gleamed.
"Do you like this landscape?" Kael asked.
"Yes. Very much."
"So do I."
"You never say that."
"I just did."
"That's a start."
They passed orchards, fields, slow rivers. The Neverdie Realm unfolded its beauty beneath the purple sky.
"It looks like a dream," said Kira.
"No. It's real."
"Sometimes reality is more beautiful than dreams."
"You talk like a poet."
"I learned."
"With Lena?"
Kira stiffened slightly.
"Yes. She said I saw the world with sad eyes, but just eyes."
"She was right."
"Maybe."
They rode in silence. The path rose, crossing hills covered in silver trees. In the distance, the border took shape, marked by a watchtower.
Thorgar awaited them there.
"My king."
"Thorgar."
"The marshes are half a day west. The terrain becomes unstable. Beasts roam."
"We'll be careful."
"Serya won't let herself be approached easily. She's placed illusions around the entire perimeter."
"I'll see them."
"She's stronger than before."
"So am I."
Thorgar nodded.
"Safe journey, my king."
"Thank you."
Kael and Kira ventured into the marshlands. The air grew heavy, humid. Trees twisted above dark waters. Mists crept between the roots.
"Do you feel it?" Kira asked.
"Yes. Her magic."
"It's dense."
"She's angry."
"At you?"
"At everything."
They advanced cautiously. The illusions began. Shapes moved in the mist. Voices murmured. Faces appeared then faded.
"Don't look," said Kael.
"Easy to say."
"Watch the ground. Follow my steps."
They progressed slowly. The illusions grew more aggressive. Memories. Fears. Lies.
"She's testing us," said Kael.
"I suspected."
"She wants to see if we're worthy."
"And if we fail?"
"We die."
"Charming."
Kael smiled.
"Are you afraid?"
"No."
"Good."
They continued. The mist thickened. Then, suddenly, it parted.
A small stone house stood at the edge of black water, surrounded by reeds. Smoke rose from the chimney. A silhouette stood on the threshold.
Serya.
She hadn't moved in ten years. The same pale hair, the same angular face, the same washed-out eyes. But something had faded.
"You came," she said.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you waited for me."
"I didn't say I was waiting for you."
"You didn't say otherwise."
She stared at him for a long moment.
"Come in."
Kael dismounted. Kira stayed back.
"Him too," said Serya. "He has the right. He searched for you."
Kael gestured for Kira to follow. They entered.
The house was simple. A fire. A table. Books. Vials.
"Sit," said Serya.
Kael sat. Kira remained standing.
"Speak," said Serya.
"I want you to come back."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I have nothing left to give."
"You have your magic."
"I have my pain."
"You can fight."
"I can die. That's different."
Kael placed his hands on the table.
"You served me. You protected me. You held on for ten years."
"And I'm proud of it. But I'm tired."
"So am I."
"Then why keep going?"
"Because the kingdom still stands. And it needs us."
Serya looked down.
"You've changed."
"Yes."
"Before, you would never have said 'us.'"
"Before, I hadn't dreamed for ten years."
She looked at him.
"Tell me about your dream."
"It's long."
"We have time."
Kael took a breath.
And he began to tell her.