Tears began to fall down Arlene's soft cheeks and a sadness filled Ing's heart at the sight of his friend in such a condition. Her eyes began to lower and he found that she could not look at him. What has Oxen done to our friend? “He's gone, Ing,” she began to say. “He left not long after you did. His house went up in flames like the night your mother died. Of the three of us only I have come out of this mess unscathed.”
“He's out there somewhere,” Ing encouraged, “I know he is. We will find him.”
“He's been gone so long already,” said Arlene. “I fear he won't come back. He may be dead. Everyone's dead. King Galfer, the royal priest, your mother, and the Tabberlys.”
“Do not mourn for the death of the royal priest,” Ing said. “He may have been a good man once, but he became vile and evil, a pawn to the darkness. I have been told so. Now, come, let us eat, and enjoy what we can while the light still shines.”
Ing grasped Arlene's left arm in his and led her to a table where Fornath Gondweth and Catrin Gondweth were busy drinking wine and eating turkey. Arlene's father raised a glass to Ing and his wife said, “Here, here.”
Fornath looked upon his daughter and regarded Ing. “I trust you have heard the news?”
“I have, Fornath,” said Ing. “And grievous news it is. But I will find my friend and bring him back here. I may not be able to bring his parents back, but I will bring them justice. In these times I am only glad to see that the two of you and your daughter are safe.”
“You may have come back just in time,” said Catrin. “The business between Chim's rebels and the king's men was only getting worse. You have our thanks.”
Fornath and his wife went back to talking among themselves and Ing spotted Helga across the table from him looking weary. The old shopkeeper glanced in his direction and he nodded at her. From her look he could tell she had had losses of her own.
“Has Helga suffered losses?” he asked Arlene.
“She has,” she admitted. “Helga lost her cousin, Jeremy Var. He joined the rebels when the fighting began and he gave his life and lost it to their cause, but not before taking a few of his own.”
Everyone was busy eating potatoes, and hams, and devouring breads, celebrating the downfall of King Oxen. They said that things would go back to normal in time, as soon as they found a new ruler. But that was a matter for another day.
For now, Ing could rest, but he knew that, in time, he would have to journey to Dharma and get the fabled Sword of Erdwick. It didn’t feel that much like rest to him though. He didn’t quite feel the same as the rest of the townsfolk. He sat anxiously through the banquet, thinking of the day when he would have to continue his journey. It was only a matter of time. He tried to force these thoughts out of his head and not be selfish. The fate of his world, which he once thought was peaceful, rested on his shoulders. The battle against the Dark Lord had only just begun, and saving his town was only a small, more personal step towards vanquishing this larger evil in Eclestia.
When all was said and done and night was drawing near, Ing made his way to his house where he had lived with his mother for all his days. Along the way he encountered someone he had not expected. He thought that his uncle had left, but there Erste stood before him.
“I have not left yet, if that is what you thought,” he said with a smile. “I have come to give you my final words before my departure. Your mother's house is now yours as it rightfully should be upon her death. You are the master of the house now and once again have a place to call your home. Keep Horwin's sword with you and keep it close.”
“Day falls and the night draws close. You may find you have need of the blade in the days to come. The first battle has been one and many more lie on the horizon. I will keep watch over Ganwin as I can and may visit from time to time. For now, you should be safe here and I think we can all take a rest for the time being. Night has not yet fallen upon us and the hearts of men have proven strong, stronger than some would have thought. I give it two years’ time before you must once again call the road your home and take up the mantle of the warrior.”
“Keep your sword close at hand and don't be foolhardy with it. Do not let other people see it. Guard it well. It is not a toy to be passed around and admired. It is yours and yours alone and no one else has a right to it. Horwin has told me so himself. I have been to see him since you passed his way. And with that I will say my farewells.”
“I thank you once again, uncle,” said Ing. And with that the two parted ways, Erste heading for the mountains and Ing toward his new home. I have become a man, he thought. And a warrior. And in time a father and a husband. I wonder how the house will feel without her there. Certainly it will be strange to walk inside it again. I am used to the sound of her voice and it will seem quiet with just me inside. But even so, I have a place to call my home again. And that is enough. I will rebuild what Oxen has destroyed
