The Palace. Morning.
William woke to silence.
The sun was rising, painting the stones gold and red. The yard was empty. The dummies were gone—splintered, scattered, destroyed. The bench where Lira usually sat was empty. The door to Grog's room was open.
He walked to the window. Looked out at the courtyard.
The horses were gone.
He dressed quickly. Strapped on his sword. Walked to the stables.
The stalls were empty. The hay was fresh. The water was clean. But the horses were gone.
"Where is everyone?" he asked the stable boy.
The boy blinked. "They left, my lord. At dawn."
William's jaw tightened. "Who left?"
"The barbarian. And the scout." The boy paused. "And the quiet one. The one who never talks."
Ken.
William turned. Walked to the Duke's study.
---
The Duke was sitting behind his desk, reading reports, his face lined with exhaustion. He looked up when William entered.
"You've heard."
William stood in the doorway. "They left."
The Duke nodded. "They did."
"Without telling me."
The Duke set down his papers. "Mirena sent a letter. She wants Grog to help with the guild. In the capital."
William's jaw tightened. "He didn't say goodbye."
"He said goodbye to me."
William stared at him. "He didn't say goodbye to me."
The Duke was quiet for a moment. "He probably thought you would try to stop him."
William shook his head. "I wouldn't have tried to stop him."
The Duke met his eyes. "Wouldn't you?"
William was silent.
---
He walked to the training yard.
The volunteers were already there—Mei, Tomas, the others. They stood in a loose formation, their weapons drawn, their eyes on William.
Mei stepped forward. "Where's Grog?"
William met her eyes. "He's gone. To the capital."
Mei frowned. "The capital?"
"The guild. He's going to help build it."
Tomas lowered his sword. "Is he coming back?"
William was quiet for a moment. "I don't know."
---
He found Mei in the armory.
She was sharpening her sword, her face calm, her hands steady. She looked up when he entered.
"You're staying."
William nodded. "I'm staying."
"The others are leaving. Grog, Lira, Ken." She paused. "Mirena is already in the capital."
William leaned against the wall. "I know."
Mei studied him. "Why aren't you going with them?"
William was quiet for a moment. "Because someone needs to stay here. Someone needs to train the volunteers. Someone needs to protect the border."
Mei nodded slowly. "The Duke?"
William shook his head. "The Duke needs soldiers. He needs people who can fight. The volunteers are good, but they're not ready. Not yet."
Mei set down her sword. "And you're going to make them ready."
William met her eyes. "I'm going to try."
---
He wrote a letter that evening.
Grog,
I heard you left. I wish you had said goodbye.
I understand why you didn't. I would have tried to stop you. I would have argued. I would have asked to come with you.
But I can't. Not yet.
Someone needs to stay here. Someone needs to train the volunteers. Someone needs to protect the border.
The Duke needs soldiers. The people need protection. The creatures are still out there.
I'll join you in the capital. When I'm ready. When the volunteers are ready.
Until then, find him. Bring him back.
William
---
He sent the letter with a messenger.
Then he walked to the training yard.
The volunteers were waiting. Mei stood at the front, her sword drawn, her face calm. Tomas stood beside her, his hands steady, his feet planted. The others were behind them, their weapons ready, their eyes on William.
"Again," he said.
They began.
---
Ken watched from the shadows.
He had been watching for days—Grog in the yard, Lira on the bench, William with the volunteers. He had not spoken. He had not said goodbye.
When Grog and Lira rode out at dawn, he had followed. Not with them—behind them. At a distance. Watching.
He didn't know why. He didn't know what he was looking for. But he couldn't stay.
The palace was empty without Aldric. The yard was quiet without his voice. The halls were silent without his footsteps.
Ken followed the road east.
Toward the capital.
Toward whatever came next.