Two weeks passed. The kingdom breathed. Roads were reopened, fields replanted, forges relit. Soldiers trained. Merchants traveled. And in the palace, Kael worked tirelessly.
Then, one morning, a guard came to announce a visitor.
"My king. A woman. She says she comes from the marshes."
Kael set down the report he was reading.
"Let her in."
"She's already in the courtyard."
Kael rose. Kira, seated in a corner, followed suit.
They descended.
Serya stood in the center of the courtyard, dressed in a simple grey robe, her hair loose. She had grown thinner. Her washed-out eyes gleamed with a strange brightness, as if she had emerged from a long sleep.
Kael stopped a few paces away.
"You came."
"Yes."
"You're ready."
"I don't know."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I couldn't stay in the marshes anymore. Not after what I learned."
"What?"
"You defeated Maëldor. You broke the Vorlath. You retook the lands."
"Yes."
"You did all that without me."
"I needed you. But you weren't ready."
"And now?"
"Now you're here."
Serya lowered her head.
"I'm not sure I'm still useful."
"You're useful. You've always been useful."
"You don't know what it's like to remain alone for years."
"Yes, I do."
Serya looked at him.
"The dream?"
"Yes. And the awakening. And everything that followed."
"You lived through that."
"Yes."
"And you managed to return."
"I'm here."
Serya stepped forward.
"Then I can return too."
"Yes."
"But not as before."
"As what?"
"As someone who no longer runs."
Kael smiled.
"That's all I ask."
He extended his hand.
Serya took it.
"Welcome home," said Kael.
"Thank you."
Kira stepped forward.
"Good to see you, Serya."
"You too, Kira."
"You look terrible."
"So do you."
"It's the fashion."
Serya almost smiled.
"Then I'm in fashion."
---
They went up into the palace. Kael settled Serya in the old generals' quarters, the ones she had once occupied. Servants brought clothes, hot water, food.
"Take your time," said Kael. "The kingdom won't collapse in an hour."
"You've become patient."
"I learned."
"That's good."
"Sometimes."
Serya sat on the bed.
"What do you expect from me, Kael? Truly."
"For you to be here. To advise. To protect."
"And if I'm no longer strong enough?"
"You are."
"How do you know?"
"Because you came back."
Serya looked away.
"I saw things in the marshes. Reflections. Shadows."
"What shadows?"
"Fragments of the world. Kings. Battles. Deaths."
"You had visions."
"Yes. And some were dark."
"Tell me."
"Not now. Let me find my bearings first."
"Alright."
Kael walked toward the door.
"Kira will stay in the corridor. If you need anything."
"I need nothing."
"Then rest."
He left.
Kira followed.
"She's different," said Kira.
"Yes."
"Calmer, but more unsettling."
"She saw something."
"You think?"
"Yes. And she doesn't want to talk about it."
"Will you force her?"
"No. She'll speak when she's ready."
"And if it's urgent?"
"Then she'll say it. She's still a general. She knows her duties."
They walked through the corridors.
"You trust her," said Kira.
"Yes."
"As much as me?"
"Differently."
"What does that mean?"
"You are my brother in arms. She is my memory. And sometimes, memories are heavier."
Kira nodded.
"I understand."
"I know."
They reached the map room. Drakk and Thorgar were already there.
"Serya has returned," Kael announced.
"Good," said Drakk.
"Finally," said Thorgar.
"She needs time."
"We have it," said Drakk. "The borders hold. Alliances are forming."
"And the messages?"
"Varka insists on a meeting. He wants to hunt."
"He'll hunt without me."
"Selyna sent a gift. A carafe of water that never freezes."
"Let her keep it."
"Osskar sent an ancient bone."
"A bone?"
"Yes. Without explanation."
"He likes symbols."
"Xelphar, still nothing."
"He observes."
"And Sylva killed one of our scouts."
Kael froze.
"What?"
"On the northern edge. One of our men was found dead. Claw marks. Bite wounds."
"That's an act of war."
"No. It's a warning."
"She has no right."
"She's a queen. She does what she wants."
Kael clenched his fists.
"Send a messenger. Tell her that if another of my men dies, I'll come."
"She'll wait for you."
"Perfect."
Kael sat.
"And Valdrek?"
"Still locked away. He speaks of you. He shouts. He demands battle."
"I'll have to go see him."
"That's risky."
"It's necessary."
"When?"
"Soon."
Kael turned to the window.
"The kingdom is strengthening. But shadows remain."
"Yes," said Drakk.
"Then let's light fires."
He stood.
"Prepare an expedition north. I want to see the edge of the Black Forest."
"You want to meet Sylva?"
"I want to show her I don't bend."
"She's wild."
"So am I."