Tears of Nytena, ticked slowly against the window. Arion was sitting at the edge of the straw back inside this broom closet, it didn't even deserve the title of bedroom. It was too cramped for that, there was not even room for a decent single bed. He couldn't believe that someone let his child sleep in here, but then again he had seen the man that put her in this room beat the crap out of her. Kiara moved in her sleep, clearly dreaming. He didn't know where she was, inside the Realm of Dreams, or the Realm of Nightmares. After the day she had, he hoped it was the former, hoping that she would find at least some peace while she was fast asleep. He sighed, he wasn't able to sleep. Not after what he had seen, not even with his own men guarding the door of this apartment. Benjamin had offered his father's room, but Kaira declined. Maybe she was still afraid of that monster's ghost, or maybe she wanted to comfort of her own room. Arion didn't know, and he didn't want to ask. A small knock landed on the door, which was open. Emma looked into the room, Arion hadn't seen her after she left to collect the children and elderly.

"I heard what happened, how is she?" she asked. Arion gazed went towards Kiara.

"I honestly do not know, that monster was her father. But still she killed him, in order to protect me. She killed her own father, to protect me. Yes, he would have killed her after the battle, if he had the change." he said softly. "She is so strong, but also so fragile. That monster has broken her over and over again, she has scars on her soul that she would carry for live. And tomorrow she needs to address the ones that let it all happen to her. She needs to lead this order." his gaze went back to Emma.

"What are you going to do, after all of this?" he asked. Emma smiled.

"Benjamin, and I are going to leave. He wants to join the local Society of Alchemy, to learn more about magic and to teach others about the Rifts and Riftwalkers. And I, I am going to focus on my own small family. Now knowing that I can raise it without the fear that it needs to battle a never ending war." she said, Arion was able to see the fire of hope burning in her eyes. He was happy for her. "Bjarne and his family already left the compound, he said something about farming." Well there were enough farms that needed new owners. Emma's gaze went towards the ground. "Do you really think that the war is over?" Arion shrugged, he didn't know. He hoped so, he wanted it to be over.

"All we can do at this point is hope it is, and prepare for the possibility that it isn't." he replied.

"What will you do if it is over?" she asked.

"I am going back home, with Kiara if she is willing, and I want to marry her." he said. "Again if she is willing." Emma nodded, and smiled.

"Something tells me that she is more than willing," Kiara's soft voice said. Arion's head snapped towards her and looked straight into her gray eyes. Those beautiful gray eyes, who were still a bit clouded with sleep. "And I really believe that the war between the Core of Protection and the Riftwalkers is over. Every inch in my body tells me that it is, and so does my magic."

"My magic is telling me the same thing," Benjamin said. Great now he has joined the conversation. "And I prepared something to eat and drink. So we can talk a bit more comfortable inside the dinning room."

"I didn't know that you were able to do that," Arion said mockingly.

"Ohh, I can't cook. I never learned how to, but every fool can open up a bottle of mead and cut some cheese into small pieces." Benjamin said. He was right about that, every fool can do at least that. Kiara smiled and got up from the back of straw.

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"Good, but I am going to make some tea instead." she said. They made their way towards the kitchen, Kiara put on a kettle and started a small fire inside the stove with her magic. Benjamin and Emma took a seat at the table. Arion placed himself near Kiara, not willing to let her out of his sight. "You know that I am not going to break if you took a seat at the table right?" He chuckled.

"I am not willing to take that chance, thank you very much." he replied. "I love you a bit too much for that."

"Besides, your mother is still here. Kiara." Benjamin said. "And she can still do her worst." Arion narrowed his eyes, Kiara's mother. He had seen the woman while Kiara's father was beating the daylights out of his own daughter, and what did her own mother, nothing. To give that woman some credit, nobody did something to stop that man. But then again, he has not heard one single pleasant thing about her either.

"She wouldn't be stupid enough to attack Kiara now, she is the leader." Emma countered.

"And before that Kiara was her own flesh and blood, and that fact didn't stop her either." Benjamin said and Emma frowned. "That woman stole everything that my mother left Kiara. She is just like my father." One more person they didn't need to invite to the wedding, what a relief. The kettle started to whistle, the tea water was done. Arion followed Kiara towards the table and sat down.

"I do not want to talk about her or about father," she said. "I want to talk about anything under the sun, but not about them." Which in his mind sounded like a fair request. And clearly Benjamin and Emma thought the same thing.

********

"The war between the Riftwalkers and us might be over, but that doesn't mean that we can sit down and relax. The Snemåne estate has suffered a great deal. Businesses, farms, and homes need new people to occupy them. And for those among are own who feel that their days of defending the estate are not yet behind them. Arion, captain of the Snemåne army has offered to take them up into his ranks." Kiara was standing in the middle of the large square, the members of the Order of Protection were surrounding them. Because Arion was not leaving her alone for one second. "I know that change is scary, but we all need to find a new calling."

"And what are you going to do, sit behind thick walls inside the city. Bowing over seating charts, for the next great event?" a woman shouted. Arion's gaze searched the crowed, he locked eyes with Kiara's mother.

"My mother will never let that happen, she loves that task a bit too much." Arion said, and he can hear his men chuckle. They know that what he said was the truth. "Kiara can do anything she wants to do, and I as her future husband, will support her in any way that I can. Even if she decides to battle my mother, over that task." She smiled towards him.

"Thank you, but I am going to join you inside the army." she said. "Someone needs to train you, and your father trusted me to do so." He grinned and wrapped her into his arms.

"And so that you can put me in my place, when ever you want." he whispered in her ears. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." He let go of her and locked once again eyes with her mother.

"That is all I have to say about this, you all are free to do what your heart desires." she said. Benjamin and Emma bowed down and grabbed their stuff.

"We are leaving, I want to learn magic, and teach it as well. Society of Alchemy, here I come." he said, while he walked towards the gate. Other's started to murmur and went back into their own houses, only to come back with a few of their belongings. Leaving the compound, the only place they called home for years. To look for another place to call home.

"Your father always said that you would destroy us, and you did." Kiara's mother said. Before she left the compound, which was the last time Kiara and Arion seen her. A few men and women came to them, asking if he was indeed willing to take them into his ranks. He quickly let Tom handle the rest.

"So, we are done here. Are you ready to go home and share the good news with my parents?" he asked. She nodded, and it didn't take long for them to saddle their horses. And to take off, on their way to Cagra Kodon. To their new live together.