Kingdom Fall: Epilog

 

Epilog

The Woodsman could not believe he was still alive. He had forgotten about the elven cloth shirt he was wearing during the battle. Even if he had remembered it, he never would have thought it could have protected him from a spell going off at his chest. A part of him had wanted to die. Then his pain and heartache would be over. He would finally be with his true love, his beloved Melanie. He smiled as he thought about how she had found the garment in the citadel and being worried about him she made him wear it always. He did not realize that she had never told Queen Hellicus about the material. If she had, then the queen would have been wearing it too. His beloved wife had reached from beyond the grave and saved his life. She would not have wanted him to end his life; that was not her way. The fact that she was the reason he was alive today reminded him. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his cloak. It had been made for him by the dwarves when he had lived with them, and he found it surprisingly warm in the cold weather, despite it being thin. Someone had taken the time to clean it as the eight years of grime had been washed away and once again the bright green and gold colors shined through. Someone had even repaired the tares in it. It was Queen Nerla that had given it to him. She and her husband had treated him so very well. They were the first rulers that he had met that he did not think completely self-absorbed. Then he met Queen Bellfourth, the woman who during the first war had been his enemy. He had spent hours plotting against her only to realize now that she was the better queen.

He then noticed that his boots did not look the same. He examined them closer and realized that they were new. Someone had given him new shoes. It was a nice gesture, especially since his current ones were starting to wear thin in the soles. He sat there for a minute, staring at the cloak and shoes when he realized they were perfect for him as he was just like them. He had left Emos to try to find some way to get over the loss of his wife, his heart broken. He had returned much the same way but now, here at the end of it, he found that he was not as broken as before. Something had happened, and a part of him felt renewed. It was not complete but still it was a start. And there was still another part that felt completely new. He had left feeling like all rulers were corrupt and could not be trusted but now, after meeting examples of good kings and queens, he realized something new. He realized that people are people, regardless of what their position in life is. People will be good, and people will be bad. He had always thought somewhere in the back of his mind that as a ruler, you should hold yourself to a higher standard, but now he understood that not everyone thinks like that. He was not fully over the loss of his wife, but at least now part of him knew that he would go on and learn to live again.

He carefully stood up and reached for the new boots. He sat back down and attempted to put them on his feet. He found it very painful as his ribs were still very sore and probably not fully healed. As he gingerly slipped on the second boot, he heard a chuckle for the door. He turned to see Topher standing there, leaning on a cane.

"Do you think you are ready to go wandering the woods again? You can barely put your shoes on." Topher said.

Without looking at him, the Woodsman said, "Well I still a match for you and your cane."

Topher smiled. They were quite the pair. Then he said, "Seriously, though, it has only been a month. You need more time to heal. At least another month."

The Woodsman stood up, having both shoes on. He walked over and grabbed his cloak. He did this trying to show as little pain as possible, even though it was still painful. He then turned to face Topher. It was then he noticed that Topher was not alone. Next to him was Private Corval and she was holding his pack and bow. The Woodsman mustered a smile and said, "See no problem. I am more than ready."

Topher shook his head and said, "You are even more stubborn than me." Then Topher added, "What about your family. I know your brother would love to have you around a little longer."

"My brother has visited me several times. He understands even if he does not like it. Besides this is not permanent, I will be back."

This made Topher feel better.

The Woodsman walked up to the two and reached for his pack. He noticed that the private had a look that indicated she wanted to say something but was not sure if she should. He had seen it before in other soldiers, and it made him smile. He said to her, "What it is private?"

She looked at him with amazement that he knew she had something to say. She said, "Sir, I just wanted to say 'dat all 'de stories and songs 'dat my people sing about you, well 'dey do not tell half 'de story. I never 'dought 'dat I would meet a real hero but I have now. 'De songs and stories will long outlive you, 'dis I can assure you like 'de rains fall in the spring, and 'de acorn will always sprout a tree."

The Woodsman smiled. Hero worship was something new, and he found it a bit uncomfortable. Then he said, "You know how your people tell those stories and sing those songs about me?"

She nodded.

"Well, they will be telling stories and singing songs about Jenny Corval from the Shawcross clan too."

She shook her head and said, "No, I am no hero and 'dose songs and stories are about heroes and 'de great 'dings 'dey have done."

The Woodsman smiled and looked her right in the eye and said, "Let me tell you a truth. There are no heroes." This produced a look of confusion on the young woman's face. He continued, "Heroes are nothing more than ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations. Heroes are the ones that come through it better than when they went in."

She smiled big at him and then she reached out and gave him a big hug. The gesture was appreciated if not the act. Even so, the woodsman tried not to flinch during the hug. She then pulled back and said, "Sorry, sir. I forgot my place."

Both Topher and the Woodsman smiled. Topher said, "That is alright. Now that you have delivered his pack and bow, you are dismissed."

She turned to her general and snapped a salute. He returned it, and she turned and walked away. The two watched her walk away. The Woodsman said, "She is something else is she not?"

"Yes, she is. She is going to make a great leader one day." Topher said.

They stood for a minute more, and then the Woodsman said, "So what is this meeting I have to go to all about anyway?" He picked up his pack and bow and the two started walking.

"It is about your payment. Remember, you took on this mission with the promise of payment."

"Yes but Queen Bellfourth could have just come to my room and given it to me."

"Well you know kings and queens, they like to make big things out of little things." The two shared a chuckled over that. Then Topher said, "So have you heard what is happening with Emos and your brother?"

"No, my brother said nothing about it. What is happening to them? Is Emos going to be divided between the kingdoms?"

"Emos will continue as its own kingdom." This surprised the Woodsman. Topher continued, "But it will be unlike any other kingdom I have heard of. Queen Bellfourth is calling it a governing experiment."

"So what is happening to Emos? Will Queen Bellfourth appoint a king to rule over them?"

"They will not have a king or queen. Instead, they are going to have a 'Prime Leader.' This person will be determined by the people of Emos electing him. He will be the figurehead of the people and in charge of the armies. However, he will not be able to do anything without the approval of another group of elected people that represent the people. It sounds complex, and I am not sure it will work. Queen Bellfourth is not worried. She says that with that level of government, they will never be able to attack and invade. The only one that seems not to like the idea is King Childs, but I think he is scared of the idea of the people ruling themselves."

The Woodsman was amazed. He had heard thinkers talk about such a government before he left but then Queen Hellicus outlawed such talk, and he never heard of it again. He said, "So what does all that have to do with my brother?"

"He is the first 'Prime Leader.'"

The Woodsman stopped. His brother had not told him that.

Topher stopped and looked at the Woodsman and said, "He did not tell you that, did he?" When the Woodsman indicated no, he added, "All the more reason you should stay around a while longer."

The Woodsman gave him a wry smile and then started walking again. The two walked on talking together like old friends. Topher led him out of the medical tent and to the Tent of Meeting that had been set up on the battlefield. There was now several inches of snow on the ground, but someone had dug out paths for people to move around in the snow.

The Woodsman did not know what to expect as he entered the tent of the meeting but was surprised to see the leaders of all five kingdoms standing on a short platform. Along the sides of the tent, in full dress uniforms, were generals and other high-ranking military officers from the five kingdoms. As he entered, the soldiers all snapped to attention. Had Queen Hellicus been on that platform then he would have thought this a court-martial. As such, he was not sure what to think. Seated on the platform, going from right to left was Queen Bellfourth and her husband, the Duke. Next to her was King Childs, who did not look happy. Next to him were King Kolker and his son. Next to them was King Rolland and his wife, Queen Nerla. And at the end on the left was his brother.

Finally, the rulers all stood up, with King Childs being the last to rise, and Sara said, "Raymond Ayojaik, also known as the Woodsman, please step forward and present yourself."

He found comfort in the smiles of most of the leaders before him. He set his pack and bow down by the door and walked up to Queen Bellfourth, stopping in front of her but not stepping on the platform that was only six inches high.

Sara stepped forward and said, "Raymond Ayojaik, the kingdoms that stand before you all owe you a debt. Thanks to you, we have ended a war and now have the promise of peace. That is a debt that I am not sure we can ever repay you. As such you have our deepest gratitude." She stopped to look at the man before her in the eyes. She was pleased to see that the deep pain she had always seen before was now not as deep, and there was something else. A spark of hope now could be seen. She then addressed him directly. "I know that we had a bargain. You were to provide us with your services as a guide in exchange for something. However, just as you modified your promise during the mission, I now modify your reward. I owe you my life and the life of my husband. I know the great sacrifice you made, and the Duke and I are alive today because of it. As such, I will give you anything thing you want if it is within my power to give you, up to half my kingdom."

A gasp emanated throughout the room. The Woodsman had a complete look of surprise on his face. He collected himself and said, "Although I appreciate the most generous offer, I have no desire to be a ruler. If I can have anything, then I will take what we agreed upon originally. It will do me the most good."

Sara smiled. She knew very few men who would have passed up such an offer, but a part of her knew that he would turn her down. He was a very special man. She said, "Very well." She turned, and the Duke handed her an amulet. She then showed it to the Woodsman. "This amulet possesses the mark of each kingdom. Each kingdom has agreed that the bearer of this amulet will be exempt from paying taxes and swearing loyalty, just as we agreed." She then handed the amulet to him.

The amulet was made of gold and round. Along the outside rim were the symbols of each nation along the kingdom's name. In the center was a giant green stone and glinted in the light. The workmanship was very impressive. He looked back up to Sara.

Sara said, "I promised I could get all the kingdoms to agree to it, and I have. Like you, I am a person of my word."

The Woodsman smiled. He had to admit that he did have his doubts that she could get all the kingdoms to agree when he made the bargain. He said, "Thank you. I consider this payment in full."

Sara then added, "Also, you are always welcome in Carriland and my home. You will be treated like the honored guest you are."

The Woodsman smiled and said, "Thank you. I might just take you up on the offer someday."

The two shared a smile and then Sara stepped back to her chair. It was then that King Childs sat down. The Woodsman looked at the queen and her Duke with respect. He was about to turn around when Prince Kolker spoke, "Raymond Ayojaik."

The young man was wearing his royal robe and was standing at attention. The Woodsman smiled and stepped in front of the prince. He said, "Yes your highness."

The prince stepped forward and said in a very official sounding voice, "Raymond Ayojaik, you should know that word of the Woodsman had reached the palace of Doorshire before this war. It was known to us of a man who wanders the woods and renders aid to people in trouble. Now we will make sure that all the people Doorshire know of what you have done for them. If you are in need of anything, food, shelter, aid, or sanctuary, then you know you can come to Doorshire and such aid will be given to you. It is my honor to present you with this metal." The young man stepped forward and placed a medal around his neck. He then continued, "It is the Friend of Doorshire medal, and it is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon someone that is not from our kingdom."

The Woodsman looked at the metal that was hanging around his neck and then looked back at the young prince. He said, "Thank you very much. I am pleased to be given such a metal and consider it an honor to be considered a friend of Doorshire. Your offer is also very generous."

The young prince had a smile on his face that was matched by that of his father standing behind him. The Woodsman smiled and then said to King Kolker, "I am glad to see that the future of Doorshire is in good hands." This made both the king and the prince smile more.

The Woodsman then looked to the left of the prince at a smiling dwarf. He moved to where he was in front of the dwarf king and the two just looked at each other for a moment. King Rolland said, "When I first heard that my son had rescued a human, I just knew that you were going to be trouble. As I got to know you, I came to like you and thought maybe I was wrong, but when you came to cash in your king's debt, my fear was realized. Asking for a group of humans be allowed to pass through my kingdom was no small request, but I think you knew that. I now find myself in a position where I must thank you for that." King Rolland smiled and walked forward presented the Woodsman with a jewel encrusted short sword. The same one he the king had presented him before.

The Woodsman said, "But your highness, your debt to me has been paid in full. You own me nothing."

The king smiled and said, "It is true that I have repaid my King's debt to you, but this is not a king's debt. What you have done now is break a centuries-old curse that my people were under. Instead of hiding from the rest of the world, my people now stand here as equals with the humans. You have freed my people from self-imposed isolation. This is not a King's Debt; this is a Kingdom's debt. And I must admit that I am more than a little scared at what you will ask in return for that sword."

Honored, he took the sword from the king. Queen Nerla stepped forward and said, "I wish you would reconsider and stay longer. I am sorry Jok Main could not be here."

"Jok Main came to see me before he left. We said our goodbyes then. Besides, I am sure I will come for a visit. I did once already, did I not?"

King Rolland let out a chuckle and said, "And I can hardly wait to see what that brings."

The three shared a smile. Then the king and queen stepped back. The Woodsman then looked to his left and saw his brother standing there and smiling. He stepped in front of his brother and said, "So do I address you as Prime Leader now?"

Thomas smiled and said, "You can still call me Thomas." The brothers shared a smile, and then Thomas stepped forward and gave his brother a gentle hug. As he pulled back, he said, "I wish you would stay. Trish and the kids would love to see you. Trish still makes that venison stew that you like so much."

He smiled and said, "As tempting as your wife's stew is, I am not ready to rejoin society yet. Do not worry, though, I will be back. This is not the last you will see me."

"Well do not take so long this time."

After a long moment, the Woodsman nodded. He then turned and started walking away. He did not look back as he knew it would be hard. When he reached the door, Topher snapped to attention and gave the Woodsman a salute. The Woodsman stopped and faced him. After a moment, he returned the salute. He then turned, grabbed his gear, and walked out the door and towards the woods. As he walked away, a song came to mind that Melanie used to sing while she was cooking. The song began repeating in his head, and he found a small bounce in his step. He still missed his wife, but this journey into the woods felt different. This time, would not be the same as before. This time, he felt hope.