Sahshir was in a good mood now that it was all over. Of course, a few more enemies could be dead, but he wasn't complaining.

It was a serene day within a grove on the city's outskirts. The flames had been removed, and reconstruction was only the beginning. From where he kneeled with his sword over his knees, Sahshir sensed the work.

It would be challenging, but adding those he had brought with him was helping. Moreover, the refugees had come when manpower was badly needed. So, for now, they were tolerated.

"...Then, I returned here," he finished.

Kushina sipped her tea, waiting. She still wore a few bandages but was making a full recovery. "You seem remarkably calm, given that you more or less failed to accomplish anything of note."

"Don't be foolish," said Sahshir. "Tuor, Zigildrazia, Typhos, and Dinis all combined their might for a singular purpose. They were destroying Dinis. And yet they failed. I saved many of the citizens.

"An avatar of the God Typhos manifested directly without the world, and I wounded it. So much so that it was forced to withdraw."

"So, you regard this as a victory?" asked Kushina, looking surprised.

"Of course," said Sahshir. "Had I not slipped onto that airship, all within Zigilus would be dead. But, because I was present, by Baltoth's will, some were saved. Nor would the Grail of Immortality have been retrieved.

"What if I hadn't confronted the Legions? All within Zigilus would have perished. And with them, many brave men among the legions. Likewise, had I not destroyed Typhos' heart, she might have arisen in greater power.

"And when she manifested directly in the world, I cut one of her limbs from her body. I achieved what I wanted; the Blade of Chaos is ours again."

"I suppose if your standards are low enough, anything can be victory," mused Kushina.

"And what would you have considered a victory?" asked Sahshir. "If I killed Zigildrazia, Typhos, and Garacel by myself? Three gods, whose proper form would destroy the minds of those who gazed on them? Me? Is an inexperienced warrior fresh from his first battle?

"Survival alone should have been worthy of song. But, as things stand, I am well enough content to have bloodied their noses."

"A fair point," said Kushina with a laugh. "So, how was the return journey?"

Sahshir shrugged. "Easier than I expected. The legions left behind vast numbers of supplies, and we were able to take many of them as part of our deal with Marius. We saw no more signs of Typhos. And the Blade was quiet."

"I expect she destroyed her avatar once she had finished what she set out to do," said Kushina. "She could hardly afford to keep it alive as things stand. She is a pale mockery of a true deity and will be until she regains herself. That may never happen.

"Her Avatar allowed her will to manifest once again. If she can find allies, she will go west."

"Why west?" asked Narcissa, who now wore concealing white robes.

"To Artarq," guessed Sahshir.

Kushina nodded. "Yes. Most of Typhos' spirit has been cut off from her and sealed far to the west. However, the ruins were long ago lost. I doubt the Harlenorians will just let her return, however.

"It isn't any of our concern now, of course."

"Then why did she stay to fight at all?" asked Narcissa.

"For publicity, of course," said Kushina.

"Publicity?" asked Narcissa.

"Yes," said Kushina. "Had she disappeared into the night, there may have been some rumors, but the focus would have been on the battle. However, she reshaped the whole landscape and destroyed an army by doing what she did.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"From now on, anyone who looks at those lands will think of Typhos. That is a faith of a kind, and it will lend her strength. So far and wide, people will know that Typhos has returned."

"So what can we do?" asked Sahshir.

Kushina shrugged. "Educate people as to how weak she truly is. Preach that what appeared above was the last gasp of a dying god."

"That is well for you to say," said Sahshir, annoyed at her downplaying his accomplishments. "But you weren't there."

"I suppose I was not," said Kushina. "Still, I have some questions of my own. First, why did you invite them into Kalthak?" Her gaze turned to Narcissa, who averted her eyes.

"I felt Baltoth desired it," said Sahshir. "And had I not let them in, they all would have died.

"I have already made arrangements."

"Yes," said Narcissa, "as soon as Sahshir is coronated, the leads of my people will pledge loyalty to him. And only him."

"Ah, I see," said Kushina. "So it was politics."

"I also feel that it would be best to keep Amysta close," said Sahshir. "No offense."

Narcissa bit her lip. "None taken."

Kushina shrugged. "I can't say I would have done the same. But you are in luck. The Emperor sent messages before your arrival, commanding us to receive them. So, I expect he was working through you.

"Though I do not see his purpose in all this." Then she looked at Narcissa. "And perhaps through others."

"Tell me, how is my father?" asked Sahshir.

Kushina sighed. "Absent, as usual.

"He has received some essential news that drew him west to Ruscow. Lightning Trail has been drawn, and the Heir of Kings has declared herself ahead of schedule."

"Her?" asked Sahshir.

"What's the Heir of Kings?" asked Narcissa.

"The heir of Anoa the Bright, a great hero of the west," said Kushina. "The Harlenorians believe that he will one day kill Baltoth. And there are prophecies to support their beliefs.

"And yes, Sahshir, it is a girl. By no means, a great warrior, but the name alone could be a threat."

"Then we should kill her," said Sahshir.

"I believe that is why Tuor went to Ruscow," said Kushina. "To discuss strategy. Unfortunately, other complications make the whole thing difficult. Baltoth has plans for Harlenor, and killing her at this stage may cause more problems than it will solve."

"How is that even possible?" asked Sahshir. "Baltoth himself may die if she is not destroyed."

"Peace, Sahshir," said Kushina. "You must learn to have faith in the Inexorable One. He has schemes within schemes, and they are in motion even now.

"You may yet have an important part to play in them.

"I'm certain of it." She sat back down and poured herself another cup of tea. "Two gods have manifested, and the world's monsters have roused from a long slumber. I have gazed far afield and seen them rise. Already, news has reached me of chimeras and hydras emerging.

"There will be much work ahead for us."

There was silence.

"...Garacel has returned?" said Narcissa.

Kushina narrowed her eyes. "I did say that before. Are you hard of hearing?"

"What is his domain?" asked Narcissa. "I know he was the Lover Eternal, but that has been taken from him by that goddess, Safara."

Kushina shrugged. "It is possible that the domain is contested. Such things have happened in the past. He may well be Lord of Hatred, or at least filling the role. The post has been absent for some time, and he is a relation of the one who held it.

"Hatred and love are brothers. Both lead to obsession. Both have you lying awake at night, thinking of one without regard for you. Both can consume you.

"Or perhaps revenge instead.

"This is mere speculation, of course. The ancient wars led to many fatalities among the lesser gods. And not all were replaced. Nevertheless, I expect he will return one day soon.

"Do you intend to wield that axe still?"

Narcissa raised the blade in one hand. She kept it with her always. "...I can't get rid of it. I tried to throw it away but had to return for it. I feel like it is a part of me. Anyway, it's a perfect weapon."

"I'm certain it is," said Kushina. "However, I suggest you stay out of conflict for now.

"The new clothes I had sent to your people, have they begun to wear them?"

"Yes," said Narcissa. "We don't have much choice in this place. How can you bear to have all this covering you?" She pulled at her robes.

"I've never known anything else," said Sahshir. "In any case, enforce upon them that concealment is essential in this place. Then, if you hope to dwell within our domain, you will adapt our customs."

"I understand," said Narcissa.

At that moment, Schzara rushed out of the bushes. "Big sister, could you help me with my archery?"

Kushina sighed. "One moment, Schzara, I'll be there." She rose. "If you'll excuse me, I've got things to attend to."

"As do we all," said Sahshir.

Life was good.