The Capital. The Palace. Morning.
The capital was different from the palace where Grog and the others had stayed.
It was older, grander, more crowded. The streets were narrow, winding, lined with shops and homes and temples. The castle sat at the city's heart, its walls white, its towers gold, its gardens green. Flags flew from every spire, bearing the Ironhold sigil—a hammer crossed with a sword, the mark of the royal family.
Edward had grown up here.
He had run through these halls as a child, had hidden in these gardens, had learned to be a prince in these rooms. Now he was returning as something else. Something harder. Something colder.
Gwen rode beside him, her hand on her sword, her eyes on the crowd. She had been quiet since they left the palace, watching, waiting. She knew when to speak and when to stay silent. This was a time for silence.
The gates opened. They rode through.
---
The throne room was crowded when they arrived.
Nobles in silk and velvet, advisors in dark robes, soldiers in polished armor. They parted as Edward walked through, their eyes on his face, their whispers following him.
Gwen stayed at the edge of the room, her hand on her sword, her eyes on the throne.
King Amos Ironhold sat on the throne, his back straight, his hands on the arms of the chair. He was old—his hair white, his face lined, his eyes sharp. He had been on the throne for thirty years. He had seen wars and famines and plagues. He had seen the kingdom rise and fall and rise again.
He had never seen anything like the creatures.
Edward stopped before the throne. Bowed.
"Your Majesty."
The King studied him. "You've grown."
Edward met his eyes. "I've been fighting."
The King nodded slowly. "I've heard."
---
The King dismissed the court.
The nobles filed out, their whispers fading, their eyes lingering. Gwen stayed at the edge of the room, her hand on her sword, her eyes on the King.
The King stood. Walked down the steps of the dais. He moved slowly—his joints ached, his back was stiff—but his eyes were sharp.
"Tell me about the portal," he said.
Edward was quiet for a moment. "It's closed."
"The creatures?"
"Will stop coming. The ones already here will need to be culled."
The King nodded slowly. "And the boy? The hero?"
Edward met his eyes. "He's gone."
The King was silent for a moment. "Dead?"
Edward shook his head. "I don't know."
---
The King walked to the window. Looked out at the city below.
"The people are afraid," he said. "They hear stories about creatures in the hills, about portals that open in the night, about heroes who disappear." He paused. "They want to know if they're safe."
Edward moved to stand beside him. "They're safe. The portal is closed. The connection is severed."
The King turned. "Is it?"
Edward met his eyes. "Yes."
The King studied him. "You're sure?"
Edward was quiet for a moment. "As sure as I can be."
The King nodded slowly. "Then we need to make sure."
---
The King returned to his throne. Sat heavily.
"The Duke's report was... incomplete."
Edward nodded. "There were things he couldn't write."
The King leaned forward. "Tell me now."
Edward told him. About the portal. About the creatures. About Aldric. About Vorlag. About the hunters.
The King listened without interrupting.
When Edward finished, the King was silent for a long moment.
"The portal is truly closed?"
"Yes."
"And Vorlag?"
Edward shook his head. "We don't know. Grog thinks Vorlag is still out there. In other worlds. Looking for Aldric."
The King absorbed this. "The mages have been studying the mana concentration."
Edward nodded. "Mirena told me."
The King stood. Walked to the window again.
"The mana is growing," he said. "The veil is thickening. The creatures are breeding, spreading, changing our world." He paused. "We don't know what that means. We don't know what's coming."
Edward moved to stand beside him. "Then we prepare."
The King turned. "The nobles want answers. The people want safety. The mages want time to study." He shook his head. "I don't have answers. I don't have safety. I don't have time."
Edward was quiet for a moment. "What do you have?"
The King met his eyes. "You."
---
A letter arrived from the Duke the next morning.
Edward read it in his chambers, his back straight, his face pale. Gwen stood by the window, watching him.
"What does it say?" she asked.
Edward was quiet for a moment. "The cult is active. Someone is leading them. Someone new."
Gwen frowned. "Who?"
Edward shook his head. "The Duke doesn't know. But he's worried."
Gwen moved to stand beside him. "What else?"
Edward looked at the letter. "The mages have confirmed it. The mana concentration is growing. The veil is thickening. The creatures are breeding."
Gwen's jaw tightened. "The King?"
"He knows." Edward set the letter down. "He wants me to stay. To help him navigate what's coming."
Gwen nodded slowly. "What do you want?"
Edward was quiet for a moment. "I want to go back. To help them. To fight."
"Then why don't you?"
Edward met her eyes. "Because I'm needed here."