David Dalglish: A Sliver of Redemption

“You’re…you’re…you,” she said, then flung her arms around him. Qurrah looked at a loss for words. Taking a careful step, and wincing against the pain, Harruq reached for his brother.

“Do I have you back again?” he asked.

“Apparently, yes,” Qurrah said, accepting his embrace.

“Look,” said Aurelia, gesturing out the door. “Dieredon’s come!”

Elves rode through the city atop winged horses, flitting through the scattered demon army and shooting them down with their bows.

“He’s late,” Harruq said, laughing despite his pain. He hugged his brother once more, holding him as the last of the demons fled Avlimar, their war god defeated, their army broken.

A urelia and Harruq watched the last armies of Ker march south, back toward their homes.

“Shame how much he mistrusts Antonil,” Aurelia said.

“They’ll get over it,” Harruq said, holding her hand. They stood outside the walls of the city, waiting. The rest of the Eschaton waited with them, thick packs in hand.

“We’ll march with them for a while,” Lathaar said, embracing Harruq and Aurelia. “But it is time we returned to the Citadel’s rubble and see to rebuilding it anew.”

“Not going to be cheap,” Jerico said, shooting Tarlak a wink.

“We’ll see about money once Antonil pays me back,” the wizard said, smacking both across the shoulder. “Stay safe now. I’ll make sure to visit, especially once you get a class full of snot-nosed brats to try and brainwash.”

Together the paladins trudged south, their armor shining in the light. They weren’t gone long before Dieredon landed, Sonowin’s wings blasting them with wind.

“About time,” Tarlak said, joining Dieredon atop her back. “I thought you’d left without me.”

“The Ekreissar will find it odd I ride with a human,” said the elf.

“Then they’ll really find it odd when we share the same bedroll.”

Dieredon gave him a mixed look of humor and horror. Aurelia curtseyed to them both while Harruq waved.

“Don’t be gone too long,” Harruq said.

“I just want to see what shape Veldaren’s in,” Tarlak said. “And I’ll be back. Someone’s got to raise your new baby properly, and I doubt it’ll be the big lug. Keep Antonil in line while I’m gone.”

“I’ll do my best,” Harruq said, laughing.

With a great flap of wings they soared into the air. Harruq and Aurelia held hands and watched until they were just a speck of white across the blue sky, one of many as the elves flew toward their homeland.

Not long after, Qurrah approached from the city exit, Tessanna with him, clutching his arm.

“Are you sure you have to go as well?” Harruq asked. “I swear, no one seems content to just sit back and relax.”

“We need a chance to start anew,” Qurrah said. “In Ker, we might be free to find a place of our own. We’ve hurt too many here, and in Neldar as well. But none begrudge my name there, and Bram has promised me a small parcel of land of my own.”

“If you must,” Harruq said, giving him a hug. “But make sure you visit.”

Qurrah shifted his pack across his shoulders and stepped to leave, but Tessanna lingered. She lowered her head and looked bashfully at Aurelia.

“I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me,” she said. “But…but you know I loved Aullienna. I always will. Please, when your new baby is born…may I visit her? I promise to be good.”

Harruq squeezed her hand, and that seemed enough comfort for her.

“You may,” she said.

Tessanna’s face lit up, and she wrapped her arms around Qurrah’s. As they left, Aurelia called out.

“What do you mean, ‘her’?”

Tessanna only smiled.