"My lovely daughter," King Tharyn said as he held Nyella tightly. His voice shook with relief. "I thought I lost you. I am so sorry for what happened. I heard you were captured. You must have been so scared."
Nyella cut him off gently, lifting her chin. "I was not scared, Dad, and I am fine now. I can take care of myself. You raised a warrior, remember?"
"Yes," Tharyn said, his eyes glistening as he pulled back slightly to look at her. "Yes, I do. I remember it well. But even a warrior is still my daughter." His voice cracked.
Nyella gave him a small smile before stepping away from his arms. She turned toward King Rollo, who sat on his throne. Alongside Aeron, she walked forward and bowed deeply before him.
"Welcome back," Rollo said. "I welcome you all from this great journey. Tell me, was it successful?" He paused and looked past them as though expecting someone else to appear. "But wait… I do not see my general. Did he perhaps divert somewhere?"
