We reach the gates of the Royal City. Nobody makes a sound. No cheers. No screams. No sighs of relief. Bit by bit, people are beginning to notice us, as we make our way to the Palace. No signs of being welcomed back. Only deafening silence and piercing stares follow us as we drag ourselves through the streets of Araneum. I don’t even bother barking out orders. Laira does the job for me, as she guides the troops to the Army’s Infirmary. I go straight to the throne room to see the King. I figured the word had already reached his Majesty, that his soldiers are back. Sure enough, the looks I get walking by the Royal-Robes is a dead-giveaway. It’s either that or the stench coming off me. I’m tired. Dirty. Most importantly I am pissed. Let’s get this over with and fast. I enter the throne room. Tahon is already here. Alone. I make a quick bow and wait for him to make the first move.

“Well?” He asks.

“Well what?” I stare him down.

“Did you succeed? Is it over? Is the Rebirth over?”

“Did we succeed? Well;” I take my time for no other reason just to rattle him… “that depends on how you look at it. I do believe we succeed in bringing back most of the troops…” I see the glare he gives me. I pretend not to notice and continue. “Is it over? Well yes, for now. Is the Rebirth over? Yes and no.”

“Don’t toy with me, Crile! Did you eliminate the Castle of Despair for good or not?”

“No. We failed.” I give him my blunt stare… The King doesn’t seem pleased. I wait a few moments longer and ask.

“Would you like to hear the details of the battle, perhaps?” He waves me off. Bastard. Doesn’t even give a damn, does he…

“Where’s Skyrider?” He asks. Oh?

“Dead. Killed in action.” I watch his Majesty… He murmurs something but I don’t bother tuning in on it…

“Will that be all?” I ask calmly.

“Yes, of course. Get some rest. We’ll hold a welcoming ceremony in a few days.”

“Can we do it tomorrow instead?”

“Why the rush?” He finally graces me with a glance.

“Because I’d very much would like to retire from my services as your aid, your Majesty.” I pause. The stare he’s giving me makes me smile. Didn’t see that one coming, did you?

“Why?” He manages to let out one word.

“One Rebirth is more than plenty for a person to experience in a lifetime. I dealt with two of them. I’d rather not live long enough to go in a third time…”

“Ah, yes. Of course. Then we shall hasten the ceremony. You can be excused afterwards.”

“You have my gratitude.” I bow. The King mumbles something again and waves me off. I leave and go straight back to the cabin. Axe barely holds out but he manages to get me there and crashes in the stables. I go to the cellar. I see the block of ice in the middle of the dark and damp room… I put my hand on it. A chill runs through me, from the tips of my fingers, up the arm, spreading across my entire body… I watch the candle light cast dancing shadows on my Breeze, as she lays there… Frozen… I feel nothing. Only horror… I’m nothing but an empty shell… Don’t do this me… I press my forehead on the ice and close my eyes… My body trembles from the cold… I turn around and walk way. I get back up to the kitchen and look around. Nobody’s home. I go straight for the bathroom and strip. I struggle to get the gear off. The sweat has the fabric glued to the skin… I pour the freezing water over my ragged body… I’m too lazy to worry about getting the water hot… I wash up quickly and slip into some light leather gear that we always have set up on the shelves: all range and size, specially left here lying around for emergencies. I go back to the kitchen and look around for something edible. I grab a piece of left-over steak and wolf it down in three bites. I wash it down with a jug of wine and go upstairs. I crash in Breeze’s room and fall asleep.

A knock on the door wakes me up. I can’t see anything.

“Crile?” Laira’s voice reaches me from the hall. I get up and open the door. It’s too bright.

“What is it?”

“Nothing really, just wanted to make sure it was you here…”

“Everything ok?” I ask her. She’s a mess too.

“Yes. We had everyone admitted to the infirmary, just to be safe. The first half of the troops have already healed up nicely.”

“Glad to hear it.” My voice does not match my words… I feel it… Oh.

”Did you hear? We’re having a welcoming ceremony held for us tomorrow.”

“Oh, yes. I heard the talks. The others are informed of it as well.” She nods.

“Perfect. Saves us some trouble. Is there something else?” I ask the girl.

“You told the King Breeze was dead?” She carefully looks at me. I open the door wider.

“I thought you agreed to this?”

“Yes. It’s just… It feels weird… Having so many people talking about it… Again…” Her eyes bounce around as she speaks.

“I’m not a fan of this either. But it’s for the best. Get some rest. You’re turning ugly.” I pat Laira on the head and smile. She gives me an exhausted smile back and walks away. I crash back in the bed and pass out.

The next day Laira, Marcus and I take the dragons and go straight to the Palace. Percival, Jack, Rixa and Culebra meet us by the stables. Each of them wearing some fancy looking robes.

“Must we do this.” The hag hisses at me.

“The sooner the better.” I tell her. The Mancer clicks her tongue at me and we make our way to the throne room, where his Highness greets us in all of his glory…

“Ah! The mighty warriors are here! Perfect. The Public awaits.” He walks out on to the balcony, facing the main square of Araneum. We follow him out and line up. Percival, Jack, Rixa and Culebra on my right. Laira and Marcus on my left. The square is packed...

“My fellow citizens of the Royal City! It is my honor to be the one to announce to you that…” I zone out of the King’s speech. I have no intention of listening to that farse… It’s enough of a humiliation already that we have to stand here in the stupid get-up. Hurry up.

“This feels wrong.” Percival whispers…

“Bear it. It will be over soon…” Laira answers.

“It’s not that.” The Cleanser hesitates. “Commander should be here with us…”

“She’s dead. Remember?” I bark out. The boy doesn’t say anything back. I hear a giggle.

“You ok, runt?” Jack.

“I was just thinking what Tonso would say…” Percy answers.

“He’d be annoyed, that’s for sure.” Marcus seconds him.

“I can just hear the old man scowl about the fancy robes…” Rixa…

“Standing here like a bunch of idiots…” Jack pitches in too.

“He lived like a fool and died like one too…” Culebra.

“I liked him though.” Percival whispers again.

“So did I.” Laira agrees.

“He may have been a drunk but he knew his stuff…” I hear my own voice… “He died protecting a friend. Tonso ended his life as any war hero should. We need to respect that…”

“I’m not so sure about that…” The doubt is evident in Laira’s tone.

“What do you mean?” Marcus asks.

“I’m not sure that Burla was our friend…”

“Because she got possessed?” Percival asks.

“Or because she hurt Skyrider?” Jack turns his head to Laira.

“Both.” She exhales.

“I don’t know… I saw her as friend… So did Tonso… He wouldn’t have jumped in to save her otherwise…” Percival lowers his voice at the end…

“Regardless of the circumstances of what happened. I think it’s an insult to Tonso’s memory, nonetheless, as Burla is the one who killed Breeze… The same one that he died protecting…”

“Enough.” Mancer speaks up. The King glances quickly over his shoulder at us and goes back to his rant. Culebra continues.

“The old fool did not just save a comrade. He even managed to earn the respect of his Shaman core. We need to acknowledge that. Let the fool rest in peace.”

“I never thought I’d see the day.” Rixa stares at the Mancer.

“Watch it.” The hag hisses.

“Now please! A round of applause for our Champions!” The King turns to us with his arms out. The crowd roars down below.

“Say what now?” Marcus asks.

“Assassin?” Jack stares at me. I sigh…

“Congratulations. From now on you’ll be the Royal Hounds.”

“Shadowkill, I did not sign up for this!” The Mancer complains. I shrug my shoulders.

“Don’t look at me. I’m retired. Take it up with his Majesty over there.”

“Well, it can’t be that bad… Maybe we’ll even get a raise?” Rixa steps forward and waves to the crowd.

“Nonsense.” Culebra’s upset. Not my problem.

“What do we do?” Laira asks me.

“Smile and wave.” I tell her. “Just smile and wave…”