The place where the army once stood had become a desert. Hupo walked into the vast expanse of ash, which stretched further than the eye could see. The soft ash shifted with every step he took. Kneeling, he scooped a handful of the dark, powdery residue with his hand. Most of it slipped through his fingers. He could see bits of bone among the ash.

I did this.

He clenched his hand into a fist and lowered his chin. The thought of being responsible for the destruction of so many lives overwhelmed him. He felt tightness in his chest. It worsened and spread to his throat. Breathing became difficult. When he tried standing, he felt dizzy and fell onto his hands and knees.

His stomach contracted violently. Its contents sprayed from his mouth, spraying the ground. The foul stench of vomit filled the air.

He heaved again, but only clear liquid came up. The stomach acid burned his throat and left a sour and bitter taste in his mouth. He wiped his lips clean, as he surveyed the mess he’d just made with watery eyes.

“Hupo!”

Raising his head, he saw Alana descending toward him.

She rushed toward him as soon as she landed. “Are you alright?”

“Sorry to worry you. I’m fine. What are you doing here? I thought I told you to wait for me in the city.”

She took hold of his arm and lifted him up to his feet. “I was watching you from afar. When you fell, I came as fast I could. What happened to you?”

He looked at his hands. “I’ve tainted these hands with the blood of tens of thousands of lives. It’s an act that cannot be undone. Those knights that I’ve killed are gone forever. Because of me, they’ll never see their families again.”

“The burden you bear is great. I wish I could help you carry it.”

Hupo shook his head. “There’s no need for both of us to.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

***

Dubin village hosted a feast, upon Hupo's safe return. Everyone gathered in the village square to share food and drink.

While Dugu waited in line for food, a fragrant smell wafted through the air. His mouth watered and his stomach growled.

Erwin, the man ahead of him, laughed and turned around. "Someone's hungry."

Dugu wiped drool away from his mouth. "Smells a whole lot better than what I'm use to eating."

"That's the stew you're smelling. It's made with chicken, sausage, spices, and a whole whack of other ingredients. I'm glad the villagers can remember the recipe. I take it you don't cook either?"

Dugu pointed to his back. "This sword isn't for cutting vegetables."

"There are many pretty ladies here. I'm sure one of them can give you a hand." Erwin winked.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Dugu sighed and showed his hand.

Erwin narrowed his eyes. "Is that a wedding ring?"

"It's a slavery ring."

"Aren't they the same thing?"

Dugu nodded. "My point exactly."

They both laughed.

After Dugu had his food, he searched for a spot to sit. Many of the women he had rescued were sitting around a camp fire, dancing and singing songs.

That looks fun, but my wife wouldn’t want me going over there.

He sighed and continued his search. His gaze fell upon the silhouette of a man, who sat alone in the darkness under a tree. Looking more closely, he realized that the man was Easton.

He could use some company.

Dugu noticed an untouched bowl of stew next to Easton. "Aren't you going to eat that?"

Easton raised his head. "Huh?"

He wore a vacant expression.

Dugu tapped the bowl on the ground with his foot. "That bowl of stew isn't going to eat itself."

Easton's gaze slowly moved to the bowl next to him. "Hupo brought it for me. You can have it. I'm not hungry."

The trauma he endured recently must still be fresh in his mind.

Dugu sat next to him. "I'm also a torture survivor."

"Really?"

Dugu nodded. "After I was captured by the werewolves, they beat the living daylights out of me. It was payback for all the werewolves I had killed. The daily beatings got so bad that I thought I was going to die. And do you want to know how I dealt with it afterwards?"

Easton stared at Dugu in silence.

Dugu leaned toward him. "I kept myself busy. I was so busy honing my sword skills that I didn't have time to think about anything else. Those painful memories will always be there, but over time, they'll become more tolerable."

"What can I do to keep busy?"

Dugu recalled what the old man in his dream had told him. “That's something you'll have to figure out on your own. The world is a big place. As long as you never give up and keep searching, then one day, you’ll find your place in it. Keeping yourself busy, doing something that you’re meant to do, will bring you a sense of fulfillment.”

He handed Easton the bowl of stew. “First, you'll need to eat to feed that brain of yours. It's hard to think on an empty stomach."

Easton took the bowl of stew and began eating.

***

Alana's healing magic was able to heal Easton's body, but not his mind. The horrific torture that he’d endured left him with traumatic memories. His demeanor became quiet and somber. His appetite had also changed. He used to be so excited about food, but now he hardly ever touched it.

That was why Hupo was surprised to see Easton chowing down a bowl of stew. A few words from Dugu seemed to be all it had taken to get him to eat again. Hupo wanted to know what those words were.

When Dugu left Easton, Hupo approached him. "Dugu, how did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Get Easton to eat."

"I just told him one thing."

"Which is...?"

"My deepest and darkest secret."

"Oh..." Hupo cleared his throat. "Whatever you did, it's working. You've brought some light back into his eyes. And for that, you have my gratitude."

Dugu gazed at Easton. "He reminded me of myself, not too long ago."

Hupo could see a deep sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry to hear to that."

"It's alright, I'm just glad to be alive. Surviving a near death experience gifted me with a new appreciation of my own life."

"It's good to have a postive outlook. Everyone encounters adversity, but not everyone can deal with it as well as you can. Any news about your wife?"

"No, I haven't heard back from the werewolf holding her hostage."

"Then what do plan to do?"

"I have to return to Ferdania. Something is wrong."

"Let me come with you."

"Are you sure?"

Hupo nodded. "I want to help you save your wife."

A big smile spread on Dugu's face. "Thank you, you'd be a big help!"

"It's the least I can do, after all you've done for my companions."

"What about the girls and the villagers?"

"Alana will stay behind to protect them."

"She won't be happy about that. She didn't seem so thrilled when you went off by yourself to the palace."

"I know, but she'll come around. I just need to do some convincing, like last time."

"By the way, can I ask you question? I have one that's been burning in my mind."

Hupo was certain that it was a question about his relationship with Alana. He forced a smile. "Go on."

"How did the prince die?"

Whew.

"How do you think he died?"

"In the most painful way imaginable?"

Hupo shook his head. "No, nothing like that. What do think I am, evil? Let's just say, he died of a broken heart."