Chapter 154

It was raining in Ashenvale as Riley and Tobias followed two caskets.

Behind them were two distinct companies of rangers, the Black Blades, led by Sabine, Eastmund, Caedmon, and Cid, and just beside them, a company of the Greyblades, the first tiers, led by General Ecbert.

So much had changed for them in a week.

"I bet Darius is pleased wherever he's gone," Riley said, trying to prompt something other than deep grief from Tobias.

A sad chuckle escaped his throat. "If his soul still lives, I think so. Who'd ever think a commoner would be buried next to the king?"

"Oh, I'm sure he's still around," Riley assured.

"They shared, I didn't take them, nor would I want to. Enslaving souls was more Chadrick's thing," Riley replied, hiding, as ever, behind what humor and commentary she could find.

"As is running. There's been no trace of him, no portals, no nothing. He killed my Granda, and he got away." Riley felt the grief turn to rage within his soul.

"And ironically, that's what saved us, but I'm going to miss him too. He was my family. He saved me from slavery and opened the door to a new home. I have you because of him, and I'll never be able to thank him enough," All of the pain Riley had been avoiding hit her like a wave, forcing her ears to droop as her heart broke anew.

"I've died. I know what happens, kinda, and all this still hurts. How can I know in my soul he's still out there somewhere and still be this sad? The same thing happened to me," she mumbled to herself, still sharing with Tobias and staring down at the mud.

At some point, they arrived at the graveyard. Tombstones carved into large crystal torcs pointed towards the sky like uplifted arms waiting for the attention of the Gods they worshiped.

"Because he's there," Tobias pointed to the casket, "and there."

He pointed up towards the sky.

"But he's not here," he pointed down at the ground. "I'll not hear his laugh again this side of life, or see him smile, or pray in the cathedral, and I'm..."

His voice quivered before he found his steel.

"I'm going to miss him. I know everything that you know. I command forces with powers granted to me by the Gods, but I'd fight them all just to get him back," Tobias stared down at the ground again, his eyes haunted and lost.

"That's because he'll always live here," Riley stood on her hindpaws, forepaws dripping with soaked earth, and with a manipulation of her forelegs, managed to tap her chest, leaving a brown streak across her whitening fur.

The autumn had come, and a long winter seemed to loom as an ominous herald for both their hearts.

This hurt. There was no other way to say it. There was no escaping it.

There was only living with it.

"Grief isn't healing, Tobias. It's learning to live with the damage it's wrought. The hole never goes away. The healing comes after that journey," she shared after a former lifetime, now gone, of hard-earned wisdom.

"You lost your family, too," Tobias said, watching them lower his casket down.

"But you haven't. Your Ma and Da still live. Harold made it, as did your Aunt. Darius died not just to give us a chance but for his family. It's what he loved and worked for. It's why he bought me for a silver. Darius knew you'd be sad at his passing, but this was always going to happen someday unless the job got us. I just wish we had more time," Riley, in spite of her logic, wrestled with a pain that was all too familiar.

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This had happened too much across two lifetimes and hurt too much to ever be easy, but with each passing loss, she had gained a twisted kind of experience.

It was amazing what you could get used to.

The time moved by in a blur; the world seemed to shift around them, as water soaked her fur, and prayers were said. It all melted into noise, light and rhythm, of which they were both unwilling participants, like a leaf being carried on a river, towards an inevitable destiny.

"And, by the light of Galdor, go in peace," The Abbot intoned, wearing white robes and an ethereal expression, holding her hands upwards towards the sky.

In a mass, the crowd began moving towards festival tents set up by the coppers of the Valenheim academy, which Riley had not seen since the day of their trials.

"Tobias, a moment now that the dead have been put to rest." General Ecbert demanded, his grey cloak contrasting strangely against Tobias' black one.

"Sir, with respect, I need to find my family. Can this wait?" Tobias asked.

The general bristled, gripping Tobias shoulder, "No, Ranger. The kingdom comes first, always. We'll get you back to them as soon as we can."

Tobias sighed, world-weary, and nodded in acquiescence. "Yes, Sir."

"Ranger Riley, you will follow as well," General Ecbert insisted.

"Like he could go anywhere without me," she joked, hiding behind her humor like a mask.

Strangely, General Ecbert led them back into the castle, entering through a side door in the main courtyard, navigating labyrinthine hallways until they arrived in a large nondescript room, with one table, and seven chairs behind it.

Tobias stiffened as the Crown Prince entered, drawing to attention before kneeling down.

"The Strongest of All; I am honored, sir," Tobias said as Riley held up her paw.

"Hi Boss."

The young man, not much older than Tobias, chuckled, "The reports of you were accurate, I see."

Riley looked down and away, as inwardly she grinned while five more people filed in, including General Kivara, Grandmaster Silas, and one sorcerer that Riley had never seen before, clad in greyish white robes, wearing a crystal torc around his neck.

"We are all assembled. Assess them," The Crown Prince ordered as Riley saw the sorcerer reach out.

A prompt flared to life, and with it, a wave of energy rolled through her.

Kilvoaran, 1-5, has cast True Sight upon your party.

"First tiers, of low ability but powerful, each has untapped potential." He said in a nasally voice that caused Riley's mind to scream, "Nerd."

"May I see your blade Ranger?" The Crown Prince asked.

Tobias briefly looked up and then drew it from his scabbard, holding it up in both hands like an offering.

"There are legends of black blades turning grey. The last are all tales from the Ashen Wars. We all teach that such crossing is impossible, but you have shown it is merely improbable. The legends are true," he said, his voice booming with regal authority.

"As you say," Tobias replied.

"Sire, in each case, the legends speak of an outworlder companion and always a celestial just as Riley is," Kilvoran replied. He looked down at Riley with a face etched with concern.

"But this is not taught?" Tobias replied.

"And what good would it do to fill the second tier with ambitions which generations could not aspire to? Have we not already seen the result of such pointless striving? It is a royal legend that has been kept within my house for two thousand years, and with it comes a warning. The Gods' favor will only shine in this way again in time of dire need, and as we have seen the need is most dire." The soon-to-be king explained.

"We're about to get drafted again," Riley shared with Tobias alone.

He shot her a look of both concern and bemusement, "I think so."

The Crown Prince took the sword from Tobias' hands and then tapped him on either shoulder. "I, the Strongest of All, future king if proven by coming trial and regent of this realm, do establish you and Riley as Knights of the Greyblade, with all noble titles, duties, and compensation thereof."

Tobias turned pale and looked as if he was about to pass out. Instead, with titanic effort, squeaked out, "Yes, Sire."

"You will be given Astor Hall, once occupied by the Viceroy of the Commons, as your familial lands and will report to General Ecbert. Now rise. There is much to discuss," as Tobias turned, the future king, in a show of trust, turned the hilt of the sword towards Tobias with the point facing him.

Tobias nodded in respect and slowly took the blade before sheathing it.

"Get your family and affairs settled, for you'll have little time to mourn. We've been in counsel with General Kivara all week. Your first assignment will be hunting out the network that Chadrick used for his conspiracy. You will not rest until everyone involved is dead for their blasphemies against the throne." General Ecbert ordered.

The atmosphere of the room grew frosty as if winter had come early.

"If I may, sir, I'd like to form my own team and draw from the black blade rangers I've worked with," Tobias asked.

"That can be arranged," General Kivara replied while Riley looked up toward Tobias.

"Yep, drafted again." She sighed, knowing this was only the beginning.