“That was a good thing you did,” Vivienne said as they strolled back through the streets of the plateau.

“It’s not a big deal,” Hump said. “I had the artifact and I thought it might work. It will take me a week or so to refill the leaves with essence, but other than that it has cost me nothing.”

“But it has gained you much. Justine will never forget what you did today, nor will her daughter. Your status in Sheercliff was already high. What you have just done has assured you an ally for life—this is not a family that forgets.”

Hump smiled. “I suppose it did cross my mind, but that’s not why I did it. Countess Daston is one of the good ones—a noble that actually cares. If things go bad in the years to come, we’re going to need her.”

“To protect Nisha?” Vivienne asked.

Hump shook his head. “That too, but it’s the war I’m concerned about. I won’t ever forget the battle I saw in that vision. We’ll need every powerful and competent leader we have if that is the future we have to look forward to.”

“You speak of what Starick, the Three Eyes wizard said?” Vivienne asked.

“He’s been talking often about such things,” Celaine said.

Vivienne gave Hump a concerned look. “It is good to consider all eventualities but worrying about something so far beyond your control isn’t healthy.”

“Better than to be caught unprepared. Luck won’t be enough to survive if this is what the future holds.”

“You really think we’re heading toward another War of the Firmament?” Celaine asked.

Hump thought for a minute. They were nearing the manor now.

“It’s impossible to know, but the world is only becoming worse. The situation in the Fallen Lands is more dangerous than ever, and gods know what the warlocks that attacked Sheercliff are up to. What I do know is that if war happens, I want Countess Daston on our side.”

“You’ve changed, Hump,” Vivienne said. “And it’s not just your strength. I think Seth would be proud to see the man you’ve become.”

Hump turned to her, trying not to look embarrassed by her comments. “It’s only the obvious, isn’t it? Starrick warned us of a war, and we’d be foolish to ignore it.”

Vivienne smiled faintly. “Indeed, we would. It simply never crossed my mind that the little Humphrey I met ten years ago might one day concern himself with such responsibility.”

“Ten years is a long time.”

“It is not so long once you get to my age.” Vivienne looked between them both. “You are both young but already possess such power. It won’t be long until you surpass me. Carry this resolve with you, for if another War of the Firmament does come, it is only your own power that will keep you alive.”

They did not talk much after that, soon arriving back at the manor. They went inside together—Malary had already gone home, leaving them fresh bread and soup in the kitchen, while Joseph and Lara had retired to their quarters.

“It is late,” Vivienne declared. “I shall see you in the morning.”

“I don’t suppose we could see the letters the others left for us?” Celaine asked.

“Oh, good idea,” Hump said. “I’d like to know what they’ve been up to.”

Vivienne smiled. “Of course. Wait in the living room and I’ll fetch them for you.”

There were a dozen letters for each of them, neatly bound by string. Hump glanced through each of the unopened envelopes, each addressed to him, choosing the oldest one at the bottom of the pile to open first. He recognised Bud’s cursive handwriting immediately.

Dear Hump. I hope, or should I say, with any luck this letter finds you well.

Hump smiled. Bud had learned fast—a wizard must never dare to hope.

The letter continued:

Dylan, Emilia, and I are all well. We recently arrived in Blackthorne and have been preparing our knights for the battle that is to come. The meeting with my father went… as expected. We are not seeing eye-to-eye on personal matters, but I have convinced him to give me command of our contribution to the defence against the Fallen Lands. I shall command thirty brave men and women; a responsibility that I must admit comes to me with some apprehension. Your ability to make considered decisions in the heat of the moment will always be one of the traits I most admire in you, and one I must learn to emulate if I am to keep these people alive.

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The letter went on to describe other details of the trip so far—the journey home, visiting his mother’s grave, talks with his father, and the difficulties with his sister knight, Henrietta, following the death of Bud’s cousin, Arthur. The latter seemed to bother Bud most. She still blamed him for Arthur’s death, and from the sound of it, Bud blamed himself too.

“It sounds like Bud’s having a good time with his father,” Hump said.

‘Oh?” Celaine said, happily, then looked up to see Hump’s face. “Ah, you’re kidding.”

Hump gave an exaggerated nod. “I stand by my previous assessment—Bud’s dad is an arsehole. Things didn’t go brilliantly with Henrietta either.”

“No surprise there. It will take time.” She held up the letter in her hand. “This one’s from Emilia. Bud and Dylan are both treating her well. They arrived in Fort Nordric safely and apparently the number of soldiers is staggering. They’re to report to an Overseer soon, as of this letter, to get their assignment.”

“I wonder if Overseer Oswald is still in the north,” Hump said.

“From Bledsbury?”

He nodded.

“Don’t know. Didn’t you say Gerard and his mercenaries were going north too?”

“That’s what they told me.” He didn’t much like the odds of ordinary mercenaries fighting a chaotic battle against monsters. They’d wanted work, but he doubted it was this kind of work they were looking to sign up for after they’d cleared Bledsbury Dungeon.

He continued through the letters. Two from Bud and Dylan described their journey northward, where little of interest happened. Still, it was good to hear from them, even if it was only through letters.

It was perhaps a month later when the next one of interest was sent from Bud.

Dear Hump, today we participated in our first true battle in the Fallen Lands. I thought I was prepared. I thought I knew what we would face and had faced it before, but I had not. The monsters came in a great wave, as if possessed. They threw themselves at our walls while we desperately fought to hold them back. All these years, I thought the fortresses of the Fallen Lands were a great bastion against the dark, but that could not be further from the truth. They are an aging, wearing cog in the mechanism, held together by desperation.

There was no control in the battle. Chaos erupted, and all I could do was desperately hold on. Dylan is fine but Emilia almost lost her arm. The healers are still tending to her. As for my soldiers… I lost two. They were called Kestral and Jena, both of them barely older than we are and with complete trust in me to lead them.

I failed them. I failed to make the decisions when they mattered. I failed to find the path to victory that kept everyone alive.

I failed.

Apologies for sprawling over the page like this. I may not send this letter, but it has helped to put my words to paper. You are missed, my friend. I pray that you, Celaine, and dear little Nishari are well and faring better than us.

Your friend.

Bud.

It was a difficult read. The positivity in Bud’s previous letters was lost now. He could sense the pain in Bud’s words and knew just how hard such a thing would hit him. He truly cared about the people under his command and took his responsibility as one of Kelisia’s Chosen seriously.

Hump continued through the letters, reading quickly, caught up in the tale of his friends. Dylan spoke of how Bud blamed himself for their losses, despite doing all in his power to keep everyone alive. Apparently, he had taken to his role expertly, but that would mean little to their gallant knight. Self-sacrifice was one thing to Bud—he did not fear his own death—but the loss of those around him was another matter entirely. As far as he was concerned, he was the bastion against any foes that might find his allies. The only way past him was over his dead body. Which made the loss of his people far more difficult.

There were many letters of the struggle, speaking of the tiredness of battle. While the three of them progressed quickly, advancing in their blessings, there was an overall bitterness to Bud’s letters. It was unlike his friend to be so devoid of hope. If there was one thing Bud had, it was his optimism and valour in the face of any threat.

Soon, there were only two left.

Dear Hump. Today marks the end of our fourth month in Fort Nordric. The constant battle is exhausting, the terror and loss is heart wrenching, but more than ever I feel like I am where I’m meant to be. This is where I can make a difference, and my lady, Kelisia, has shown me that.

I have reached the fourth circle. I would be most interested in reading the description of my latest blessings granted by your ‘special trick’ when we finally meet again. What matters most, however, is that this is the sign I needed. I am on the right path, and while at times it may be cluttered and confusing, I shall treasure the moment of clarity amidst blood and death.

On to more pressing matters – there is rumour that a new dungeon has opened nearby. The army is already exhausted and there is no end to the battle. We are to be part of an expedition to locate the dungeon beyond Fort Nordric, working alongside Lady Marcela. It will be my first time going so far from the fortress and the danger is great. Rest assured, Dylan, Emilia, and I walk into this with high spirits. If this is the last you hear of me, know that I go without regrets, and that this is a fight I am willing to give everything for. Times are difficult, but we fight on with firm resolve.

Your friend.

Bud.

Hump let out a breath. He was glad he was receiving this letter now, knowing that another would still come. The next was dated only two weeks ago, and went on to describe the expedition, mentioning Marcela becoming badly injured and being sent back to Sheercliff City. Emilia had come out uninjured this time, but Dylan had returned with another scar across his nose, and Bud a few broken ribs. Still, they were alive and well enough.

And the dungeon was confirmed.

“This is from just before they went out in search of the dungeon Marcela told us about,” Hump said. “Sounds like things are getting busy. I think we’ll be going to Fort Nordric.”

“Another dungeon, huh?” Celaine cracked her neck. “I think I could come around to that.”

Hump glanced up at Celaine as she read by the burning fire. He remembered what Joseph had told him about compliments before they’d left that night.

Compliments… Hump’s mind went blank. He swallowed nervously—he was stupid, he knew that. This was Celaine. It shouldn’t be hard to give her a simple compliment, but he suddenly felt pressure.

He cleared his throat. “You… did look lovely tonight, by the way.”

Celaine looked up from the letter she was reading, her green eyes glimmering in the firelight. A small smile touched her lips. “Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

Hump looked down at his black trousers and jacket, both perhaps the finest items of clothing he’d ever worn. They didn’t feel right on him, even after an evening wearing them. It was as if he was borrowing someone else’s clothes—a person that got dressed up and wore fancy things, not some hedge wizard. Not that he’d admit it.

“Well, that goes without saying,” Hump said with all the bravado he could muster.

Celaine rolled her eyes and laughed. “You’re such an idiot.”