The curse was broken, but he didn't know how to move on. Not yet.

He'd declared the end of Dyna's quarantine measures, allowed his people out of their homes. They stepped out onto dusty streets, the remains of the Cursed that filled the mountain air now, presumably the air all over Avondor. Audren coughed the whole time while addressing his people and telling them about what happened, but didn't mind the itch in his throat. It reminded him he was alive.

He couldn't decide if it was a day for celebration or mourning. Nobody seemed sure.

The mountainfolk had escaped death, yes, a massacre had been prevented. Lives had been saved. Wasn't that a feat worthy of a feast? On the other hand, the weight of their homeland in ruins and the loss of so many other lives weighed heavy on their shoulders. They sought an awkward balance between happiness and grief - a balance Audren wasn't sure existed.

He decided to provide all his people with wine and ale from his cellars in the town square and allowed the lighting of braziers to keep those who wished to stay out in the evening and socialise warm. It wasn't quite a party, but he supposed his people would appreciate the gesture, especially after being forced into quarantine. He felt like everyone looked to talk to him, to congratulate or thank him or ask him questions, and politely engaged in conversation when it was desired of him. Until he had enough.

Weary of being approached, Audren slinked away from the sober gathering, leaving Dyna and the watchmen in charge of keeping order. He wasn't tired, didn't want to sleep; adrenaline still raced through his body and he feared everything he'd seen and done in the past few days would haunt his dreams. But he needed peace and quiet and something to keep his hands occupied. Practicing swordplay was out of the question, for he'd used his sword more than enough. He decided on something more productive.

He found himself a broom and began sweeping his dust-filled streets. It wasn't a very lordly activity, Audren realised, but neither was curse-breaking or slaying the undead. And he had saved his people. What anyone thought of how he spent his spare time mattered little in the grand scheme of things.

"Avondor's saviour, out here sweeping streets. Why?"

If he hadn't recognised Terry's voice behind him, he would've snapped. Instead, he turned to face her, smiling. "Because they're my streets, and tonight I love them. These cobbles could have been painted red with blood, but they're not. They're clean, save for dust. I thank the gods for that."

Terry shook her head, returning his smile. "I'd rather believe we are to thank for that."

Audren placed his broom against the closest wall. "Speaking of thanks... I don't believe I've thanked you yet. For accompanying me on an insane quest and helping to keep me alive. I'd never have returned here in one piece if it wasn't for you. Is there anything I could do for you? To express my gratitude?"

The mage yawned. "Maybe, but that's nothing to discuss now. I'm going home. Not all of us got to rest while being cured from the Wraith's Affliction. I'm going to sleep for, hm... Three days straight."

Yes, rest. She deserved that, and so did he, and so did every survivor of the stressful time they'd lived through. A moment of reprieve to enjoy a life without the Cursed. He glanced at the dust by his feet. It was so strange to think nothing was left of the Cursed, of the people they'd been. The curse might as well have never existed at all. But he knew better.

"Before you go," he muttered, "what are you going to do?"

"I just told you. Sleep."

"No. After that."

Terry raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Audren shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just... Troubled. I'll admit, when we set out to break the curse, I thought we'd... I don't know, I wasn't sure if we'd succeed, but I thought that if we did, the world would go back to normal. The curse is broken, yes, but nothing feels normal. And if the world is, normal, maybe I'm the one who isn't. I don't quite feel like the same person I was before. I've got all these memories and experiences I don't know what to do with, and... don't you? Or do you have no qualms at all about going on with your life as usual?"

The mage thought this over for a while, a glassy look in her eyes. Audren wondered if it was because of his question or her exhaustion.

"That's the ruthlessness of it all," she replied slowly. "We have no choice but to keep on living. It won't be the exact same as before, but still..." she sighed. "My fixation on my diploma was silly, in hindsight. I don't need it to prove my worth. But that doesn't mean I don't still want it. Because what else am I going to do with my life now? It's the same, but different."

"But you can't go back to the Institute, can you? It's in shambles like everything else. It might take years before it's the place you once knew again."

"I know, but I could try to finish my education somewhere else. The Academy of Magic in Esgale could be a good place, but it's in Duraine, so I'd have to get over my hatred of learning languages and learn Duranian. That could take a while, though, so I guess everyone here will have to put up with me a bit longer."

"Nobody minds."

"You think so?"

"I know I don't mind."

"Thank you." Terry moved past him, but Audren thought he caught a hint of a smile. "And what are your plans, Lord of the Mountains?"

He looked up at the dusky sky as if it held all the answers. "I suppose there's a lot of rebuilding to be done," he finally said. "Not necessarily here, but all over Avondor. The mountains can play a role in that process. We could reach out to survivors, help them in any way we can." A concern settled in his chest. "It won't be easy. We might even end up having to wage war. Avondor is so vulnerable now, I can imagine neighbouring kingdoms will prey on our lands... but I suppose that's a bridge we cross when we get to it."

"We've saved our world today," Terry said. "Let's not think about the next way it could end."

That, Audren decided, was a wise idea.

"In any case, goodnight, Lord Audren," the mage said, finally departing. "Enjoy your streets."

He would.

Alone again, Audren looked around, at the brazier fires in the distance, his castle, the sight of familiar buildings and mountain tops. He was home again. He felt for all the deceased who couldn't say the same, but found gratitude in his heart for the second chance he and his people had received.

He took up his broom again and continued sweeping the dust of the end out of his streets.

Once and for all.