David Gemmell - Knights of Dark Renown

Elodan moved to him. ‘Why did you let me live?’ he asked. ‘Why?’

‘What happened to that glorious young knight? ’

‘I died… a long… time ago,’ whispered Samildanach, falling forward into Elodan’s arms. The Lord Knight laid the corpse on the grass and rose to a roaring cheer from the rebels.

A stout middle-aged man walked out from the King’s army. He halted before Elodan and bowed.

‘My name is Kar-schen. The war is over, sir Knight. I offer myself — and my regiments — to your cause.’

‘I have no cause,’ said Elodan. ‘I am the Lord Knight of the Gabala.’

‘Welcome back,’ greeted Kar-schen.

Llaw Gyffes refused the opportunity to march on Furbolg and seize the crown, and Kar-schen returned to the city and the Ebony Throne. Errin and Ubadai surrendered their armour and rode back to Errin’s estates. Kar-schen gave Errin the Duchy of Mactha and the new Duke asked Sheera to be his Duchess. She pondered the proposal for four months, and they were married in the temple of Furbolg on the last day of autumn.

Arian and Llaw were wed in a simple ceremony attended by Bucklar, Ramath and the other rebel leaders, after which they journeyed deep into the mountains to build a home where the air was clean, the rivers pure and the stars close.

Lamfhada renounced his role as Armourer and became the Dagda, the Guardian of the Colours. He roamed the Forest of the Ocean as a Healer and a Seer, and waited ninety-four years, eleven months and three days to pass on the mantle to a surprised youth who did not want it.

Elodan and Manannan rode through the Black Gate to aid the Nomads brought as victims for the Vyre.

They did not return.