Bellona finally approached the southeastern road, the path away from the fighting. From here, the refugees can follow her north to Sentoraya if they can go that far. She felt some relief come over her although a part of her wondered if leaving Arylos and Iris back to handle the dragon was really a smart idea.

“The sky is clearing!” one of the refugees called out with the others exclaiming in joy.

Bellona looked up and she saw the once dark and meteor filled sky clear and show the light of dawn; her fears dispelled just like the shadows. She turned north and she felt even more relief come over her.

Coming down the road was a large group of soldiers in silver armour with several horse drawn carriages with them and a familiar man in blue and gold armour at the head of the group.

“Fashionably late as always, Sentarus,” Bellona called out with a big and wicked smile.

“I believe I am more useful to these people than Arylos,” Sentarus answered, greeting Bellona with a firm handshake before turning to his soldiers. “Get these people some wrappings and food.”

In a coordinated effort, each soldier distributed supplies to each prisoner and treated their wounds and atrophied muscles. Others handed out materials from the carriages and built tents and fires to rest. Within the hour, the disciplined soldiers had built a full camp and were tending to each prisoner’s needs.

Bellona sat on the ground with a deep sigh, her legs finally too worn to walk or stand anymore. As she did, one of the soldiers came over and offered her a bowl of soup they had prepared; a rich and creamy noodle soup with pork, bean sprouts, and seaweed garnish and topped with pepper flakes for stimulation.

She happily accepted the bowl. As a soldier, she would take her pig grilled on an open fire, but this is better suited to the prisoners who need a nutritious meal to get their strength back. As she ate some of the noodles, she saw two familiar people come out from the treeline. Arylos and Iris, battered and broken, but victorious.

The refugees slowly erupted in applause and cheers as they recognised the two warriors. Iris chuckled nervously and hid partially behind Arylos while Arylos continued forward, uncomfortable by the sudden praise.

The duo sat next to Bellona and Arylos began massaging his right hand that he had used to punch the dragon. He then smelled the aroma coming from Bellona’s bowl.

“Do they have any more of that?” Arylos asked, forgetting his hand and eyeing the bowl like a predator who had cornered his prey.

“Is food the first thing you worry about?” Iris asked while taking off her sword.

“I’m hungry, and nothing’s better than food after a fight,” Arylos responded, not taking his eyes off of Bellona’s bowl.

One of the silver-clad warriors came over and offered fresh bowls to Arylos and Iris. “We have enough to feed an army so eat up,”

The two accepted the bowls with big smiles and ate like their lives depended on it.

“So, Oldalthur is no more?” Bellona asked.

Arylos slurped the noodles and swallowed with a nod. “He won’t be bothering anyone any time soon.”

“Deader than a doorknob, that one,” Iris followed up.

“Sleeping with the fishes as some would say,” Arylos chimed in.

“Doing the big sleep,” Iris jumped in.

“Can you two stop doing that?” Bellona cut the two off.

Arylos and Iris just laughed and returned to their food. “But in actuality, he’s gone,” Arylos continued as he ate.

“But what caused all of this?” Bellona asked.

Arylos thought to himself for a moment before answering. “Oldalthur likely wanted to bring back the war and become king himself. Found a way to this world and took his chance.”

“But what about the other Reig?” Bellona asked further, not satisfied with the explanation.

“The Dragon Wars were a massive loss for them,” Arylos continued while eating more of the soup. “I’m willing to bet the other Reig are not willing to commit to the war because of those losses. It was unfavourable amongst the Reig already; their loss just added to it.”

“So this is one Reig acting alone,” Iris summarised. “So we’re likely not due any more visits from angry dragons.”

“I sure hope as much,” Sentarus announced while approaching the group. “I would hate to have to gather my men for another war.”

“But we have professional dragon slayers on our side so we’ll be fine,” Bellona jumped in.

Sentarus nodded before he continued. “Get some rest you three. You have earned it. This group will be returning to Sentoraya in a few hours once everyone is ready to go.”

“About that, can we get a rest from this kind of work?” Iris cut in, desperately wanting some quiet time.

Sentarus thought for a moment. “Winter will be approaching in about a month, so I believe we’ll be fine. Hopefully there are no more emergencies like this though.”

Iris smiled and returned to her bowl of soup as the group rested as the hours passed until the sun was overhead but a chill still weighed heavily on the wind.

“Alright, everyone board the carriages!” Sentarus called out in a bellowing voice. “We will be making our way to the capital for sanctuary.”

Arylos and Iris wrapped blankets around themselves and headed for one of the carriages, Arylos getting in first and then helping Iris in after him and the two sat down next to each other on one of the benches.

“What do you want to do when we get back?” Iris asked Arylos.

“Probably sleep until winter passes,” Arylos responded with a chuckle. “I don’t plan to do anything for a while.”

Iris sighed and moved closer to Arylos and rested her head on his shoulder, to which Arylos responded by wrapping an arm around her.

“What about you?” he asked her.

Iris sighed and closed her eyes. “I’m not waiting until we get back to sleep.”

Arylos chuckled under his breath and looked out across the land as he watched a few snowflakes fall onto the wooden carriage. He had the peaceful and normal life he wanted; he just now had to defend it, and he internally vowed to do so at all costs.