After his speech, he said goodbye to Alice with a brief gentle squeeze to her hand.

After that, Kazius went off to meet with Isolf and Damon, but not without motioning Caleb over with a finger.

“Is something wrong? I thought I brought everyone.” Caleb stated, his yellow eyes showing the anxiety he felt. He was better than how he used to be, but he still had a long way to go. He was far too timid.

“No, you did very well. That is why I want you to come with us to Isolf’s home.” Kazius explained with a grin as they walked. He had to restrain his joy around Isolf, who was depressed, but he wasn’t here now.

“G-Go? W-With you!? You mean… As in outside of Vargstam? Outside, Outside?” Caleb questioned in alarm, pure horror in his voice and face.

“Yes, outside. You are smarter than that, Caleb. Don’t tell me you intend to never set foot outside of Vargstam? Azanor told me about how Eve and your father ran around gathering any magic they could find… Do you really only ever want to cast defensive magic? To be helpless whenever something bad happens? Vargstam is about to change, Caleb. I promise you, far worse things will come our way.” Kazius admitted. After all, Caleb didn’t know about the return of Azanor’s kind and his brother.

“But… I… I don’t want to become like Luna… What if the Frost Giants see me as a threat? They could also just assume I am like her.” Caleb admitted in shame. After all, Luna was his opposite. What she had done had caused a lot of damage.

“Damon and I won’t let you get harmed; I promise… Not to mention, you do not have a personality like hers. Your father made a lot of mistakes, but it has nothing to do with his magic. Eve wasn’t like that either… Damon is also no longer in a position where if you do well for yourself, you will somehow end up hurting him. Things have changed. You need to stop hiding, Caleb.” Kazius reassured firmly, sighing a little.

Caleb needed to change his habits to try and not be too much in the light. The situation for Damon used to be awful, but they were no longer competing for the position of Chief. He needed to realize things were different. He vowed to be a better brother, but he should also be willing to be a better Wizard for his own sake.

“You will probably not even have to use magic… But you need to not be afraid… Who knows, maybe they have some magic you have not heard about over there. Just because Frost Giants don’t use magic it doesn’t mean they haven’t stumbled upon some interesting tomes and held on to them. Luna could have even hidden some there.” Kazius pointed out.

At the mention of books and tomes, Caleb’s expression seemed to brighten.

“You… You might be right… You know… It is still weird to think about it… I… I still can’t believe Eve is my aunt… She is so different… From how my father describes her in his journal… Do you really mean to expand Vargstam even more in the future? Make it such a big place?” Caleb questioned hesitantly.

“I meant every word. I will find more places and ways to expand our kingdom… But first, we have to resolve things with the Frost Giants.” Kazius assured with a smile.

“We might be able to get many more books when you do that… I could learn so much… But… Also… I could… Maybe there is a book out there that could help Eve.” Caleb stated, sounding determined.

Kazius perked up at his words. He never thought about that possibility.

“I hope so… I think Azanor would be very happy to hear that from you, you know?” Kazius admitted.

“I just… I know my father died with a lot of regrets… I… I want to just be a good brother to Damon… To be a good Wizard… But more than everything… I want to make it so my father can rest… Without regrets… And even make up for what Luna has done to The Frost Giants… I have a long of wrongs I want to make right.” Caleb admitted earnestly, his voice full of resolve.

Kazius smiled at that. He hoped he would be able to do just that. That is what he wanted… Damon, Azanor, and him would get their hands as dirty as they had to… And then Alice, Eve, and even Caleb… They would all be able to live their lives knowing they were doing good… However, Alice did not make protecting her easy.

He really hoped one day she would step back. She was very capable, but he did not want her to get her hands dirty. One day, if he was the only one getting his hands dirty… He would be okay with that.

“I think that is a good dream.” Kazius agreed as they arrived.

Damon and Isolf looked awkward. Then again, it wasn’t like they could communicate with each other verbally. By the time they arrived though, it looked like Reimdir was ready to be sent off into the water.

Damon seemed to try and not to grin too much when he spotted Kazius. After all, Remindir’s death was supposed to be a solemn moment… But not only was Damon likely feeling relieved to have his brother and his best friend here, but things were also just going so well. It was probably difficult for him to hold back his odd but endearing loud laugh. After all, it would be out of place in front of Caleb and Isolf.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

In the end, Caleb, Kazius, and Damon chose to simply greet each other with a nod.

“Everything is ready.” Damon stated, confirming things.

“Thanks, Damon.” Kazius stated with a small smile.

Kazius then turned to look at Isolf.

“How are you holding up, Isolf? I don’t know your customs… So I am sorry your father can’t get a funeral based on your customs.” Kazius stated.

Isolf didn’t look much better at all. If anything, his eyes were red from crying. He looked absolutely miserable, and it showed that he blamed himself for what happened.

“It… It is alright. I am very grateful that you are doing all this for me… Kings are normally allowed to fight one last time so they can die in battle… Then they are placed to rest in the frost caves near the castle… My father can't have an honorable death now… The Eternal Mountain is out of reach for him permanently… At least this way… He will still have an honorable rest… Even if it is by your customs.” Isolf stated in dismay, his voice oh so quiet for someone so tall.

“Don’t say that… Isolf… You made mistakes… But your father died saving you… He died with honor… At least that is what I think.” Kazius assured.

That much was not a lie. To some extent, Kazius was even a little jealous of Isolf. After all, Kazius would consider himself lucky to never meet his father… And as far as his father figure in his life went… The closest thing that he had was High Priest Jordan.

‘Honestly, he would be very proud of me… Except for what I am, but what can you do.’ Kazius thought to himself in amusement. To some extent while he resented the misery that High Priest Jordan caused him… He was grateful to him as well. His influence was essential for what he was doing now… Whether that was a good thing or not… That was a different story.

“…Thank you… I… I hope… My people will forgive me too… And show the same amount of leniency to me for everything I’ve done…” Isolf admitted in dismay.

“Don’t think that way, Isolf. Your father loved you, that is something a lot out there can’t say. You also chose what was best in the end… Don’t act like you are done. Your people have a future… Anyway. I do think we should send him off.” Kazius stated before looking over at the massive raft.

Damon handed over Isolf a torch so he could light the raft up and push it himself. To make sure that Reimdir could burn up properly, he was wrapped in bandages soaked in oil. So, despite his size, he would become ash in the river just like all those before him.

Kazius, Caleb, and Damon were quiet, letting Isolf grieve as the smoke blew up. Unlike last time, there was no interference from Vind.

Not like there would have been a point for her to try anything though. Vargstam was his now, not hers. There was nothing for her here… Not even her champion.

Kazius found himself looking at the new symbol on Damon’s spear. In all the chaos that happened, he had still not found a chance to ask Azanor about it. Perhaps when they come back… And he is calmer.

“You know, Kazius. Reimdir was a good dad, at least I think so from how Isolf has reacted to everything… But in the end… He ended up on a raft just like my father… I guess I never thought about that…” Damon admitted, his face deep in thought. His yellow eyes looked distant, almost like he was having some sort of personal realization. What it was, Kazius had no clue. He looked almost… Relieved?

“Death can come to anyone, Damon. Even good people.” Caleb assured Damon. He seemed to not say anything regarding his own father out of consideration for Damon. Zelphar probably got a similar burial… As well as their mother… Who neither seemed to ever bring up.

“I know… I… I guess… I never realized… It is about winning.” Damon stated, a small smile on his face.

Caleb seemed to stare at his brother in concern. Even Kazius was a bit confused… Then again, it wasn’t like Damon could tell Caleb the truth, so he was likely saying vague things on purpose hoping he understood what he meant and not his brother. His words were so vague though that even someone who could read people very well like Kazius was struggling.

Something about his words concerned Kazius… Even if he could not figure out why.

“There is more to life than winning, Damon. There is no winning at being a father or anything like that.” Caleb stated, furrowing his brows in concern. It seemed he misunderstood what Damon meant, Kazius could tell his words had nothing to do with fathers themselves, but rather life in general.

It was then that Damon grinned widely. It was his signature, goofy grin… But there was something off about it. It reminded Kazius of his own smiles when he was being dishonest.

“I know that. I was just thinking out loud.” Damon stated, his gaze remaining distant.

“Okay, good.” Caleb stated, relieved.

Kazius grew concerned, frowning a little. He supposed that they had agreed to do what they needed to… Even if they became terrible people… It was for a good reason… But Kazius hoped Damon would not lose himself either. Then again, he was likely overreacting to a simple lie.

It would be fine.

Their conversation was cut short by Isolf turning around, his icy eyes looked pained… But there was a hint of determination. It seemed he wanted to truly right his wrongs.

“Let’s go. The walk is less than a day… If we head out now… We might be able to make it before nightfall.” Isolf stated firmly. He sounded distant, like he wished he was doing anything else. Still, it seemed he was almost eager to be rid of the burden of his position as prince. Then again, if it was not for Alice, he would have offed himself by now.

They had manipulated him and Kazius pitied him for it… But he still had no regrets. It was necessary and if he was fooled so easily by someone like Luna… This was truly for the best… Or so Kazius told himself.

He seemed to fail to include himself in the list of people that manipulated Isolf… He used his intention to befriend Isolf to establish himself as different from Luna.

“Alright, let’s go.”