The journey back was faster than the outward trip. Kael pushed his horse without mercy, and the escort followed as best they could. The landscape flew by—black lands, bare hills, silent villages. The sky, little by little, regained its purple hues above the Neverdie Realm.
Kira rode beside him, his face marked by fatigue. He had barely slept either.
"Do you think anything happened while we were gone?" he asked.
"No. Drakk would have sent a messenger."
"Unless the messenger couldn't get through."
"Then we'll know soon enough."
They crossed the kingdom's border at the end of the day. The guard posts saluted them, soldiers straightening as they passed. The fields were green, the roads clean. The kingdom was alive.
Kael relaxed slightly.
"Nothing burned."
"That's something."
"Don't be pessimistic."
"I'm realistic."
"It's the same."
"No. Realism observes. Pessimism expects the worst."
"And you, what do you expect?"
"For you to tell me what you're really thinking."
Kael turned his head toward him.
"Thinking?"
"Since the Sanctuary, you've been elsewhere."
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"The shadows. The dreams. What Lyssa and Osskar said."
"Do you believe them?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I felt it. There, in the empty space, when I fought Maëldor. Something moved. Something watched."
Kira stiffened.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Because I wasn't sure."
"And now?"
"Now I am."
They rode in silence to the palace. Drakk awaited them in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back. Thorgar stood beside him.
"My king," said Drakk. "The kingdom is calm."
"Good."
"The Council went well?"
"It ended."
"Agreements?"
"Yes. Many. Fragile, but real."
"And threats?"
"Also."
Drakk nodded.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow."
"No. Tonight."
"You should rest."
"I'll rest when I understand."
Kael dismounted and climbed the palace steps. Kira followed. Drakk and Thorgar exchanged a glance, then fell into step behind them.
In the war room, Kael stood before the great map.
"The other kings speak of shadows," he said. "Creatures born of dreams. Fragments of ancient magic."
"Rumors," said Thorgar.
"No. Signs."
"What signs?"
"Emptied villages. Persistent mists. Creatures at borders."
"Here?" asked Drakk.
"Not yet. But soon."
"What do we do?"
"We reinforce the borders. Double the patrols. Warn the villages."
"And then?"
"Then we wait. And we pray."
"You never pray."
"I'm starting."
Kael turned to the window. The sky was star-filled, immense, almost too beautiful.
"Something is coming," he said. "I can feel it. Like a pressure behind the eyes."
"Serya's visions," said Kira.
"Yes. And Lyssa's warnings."
"Then we prepare."
"Yes. Starting tomorrow."
He ran a hand over his face.
"Drakk. Send scouts north, east, west. I want to know if shadows have been seen."
"It will be done."
"Thorgar. Mobilize the reserves. No panic. Just vigilance."
"Understood."
"Kira. Stay with me."
"Always."
The two generals left. Kael sat heavily on a stone bench.
"Do you think I'm overdoing it?" he asked.
"No."
"Do you think I'm becoming paranoid?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"You're lucid. And that's why you're afraid."
"I'm not afraid."
"Yes, you are. Not for yourself. For them."
Kael lowered his head.
"I spent ten years away. And now that I'm back, everything threatens to collapse."
"Nothing is collapsing. You're here."
"And if that's not enough?"
"It will be."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
Kael looked up.
"Why?"
"Because you're no longer alone."
They remained there, in the silent war room, beneath the vast map of the kingdom.
Outside, the night stretched on, beautiful and unsettling.
The shadows were not yet visible.
But they were no longer far.