The Northern Border. Duke Marcellus's Keep. Evening.
William stood on the ramparts, watching the pass.
The Vargr camp was empty. The tents were gone, the fires extinguished, the figures vanished into the mountains. Scouts had reported that the retreat was complete—the enemy had withdrawn beyond the pass, deeper into their own territory.
It was over.
Ben joined him, his sword at his hip, his face calm. "They're gone."
William nodded. "The hunters were the key. Without them, the Vargr lost their purpose."
"Or their courage."
"Or both."
Ben was quiet for a moment. "What now?"
William looked at the mountains. "Now we rebuild."
---
Edward arrived at the keep that evening.
He had come from the capital, traveling fast, leaving the nobles to their maneuvering. The border needed him one last time before he returned to his crown.
William met him in the courtyard.
"The Vargr have retreated," William said. "The pass is secure."
Edward clasped his arm. "You did well."
"We did well."
Edward looked at Ben, at Lira, at Tina and Davin. "All of you."
---
They gathered in the war room.
Duke Marcellus spread the map across the table. The markers had been removed from the pass, the eastern ridge, the northern camp.
"The Vargr have withdrawn to their own territory," Marcellus said. "We don't know if they'll return."
Lira leaned over the map. "Without the hunters, they're leaderless. It could be years before they regroup."
"Or days." Ben's voice was quiet. "I've seen armies crumble and reform. We can't assume anything."
Edward nodded. "Then we stay vigilant. But we don't stay mobilized."
He looked at William.
"I'm returning to the capital. The nobles need to see their king." He paused. "What will you do?"
William was quiet for a moment. "I'll go to the portal camp. Grog needs help leading the guild while he focuses on exploring other worlds."
Edward nodded slowly. "The guild will need leadership. The adventurers respect you."
"Not as much as they respect Grog."
"Grog isn't always going to be there."
William met his brother's eyes. "I'll do what I can."
---
Lira stepped forward. "I'll go with William. The portal camp needs scouts."
Ben nodded. "I'll stay at the border. Help Marcellus train the soldiers. The Vargr might come back."
Tina moved to stand beside Ben. "I'll stay too. My lightning could be useful."
Davin looked at Tina, then at William. "I'll go with William. My teleportation could help with the portals."
Edward looked at each of them. "Then it's settled."
---
That night, William stood on the ramparts alone.
The stars were bright, the air cold, the mountains dark. The pass was silent.
Ben joined him.
"You're thinking," Ben said.
"Always."
"About Aldric?"
William nodded. "About whether we'll ever see him again."
Ben leaned against the wall. "I'm sure you will."
---
The next morning, they parted.
Edward rode south to the capital with a small escort. William, Lira, and Davin rode east toward the portal camp. Ben, Tina, and Duke Marcellus stayed at the border.
Lira looked back as they left. The keep stood against the gray sky, its walls scarred but unbroken.
"We won," she said.
William nodded. "We won."
Davin glanced at him. "Does it feel like victory?"
William was quiet for a moment. "It feels like survival."
---
They reached the portal camp at sunset.
Grog was waiting at the gate, his axe on his back, his face still. Ken stood beside him, shadows clinging to his feet.
William dismounted. "Report?"
Grog gestured to the pavilion. "Ken found something. A key fragment. It might lead to Aldric."
William's heart quickened. "When do we go?"
"Not yet. Mirena is studying it. The portal opens to random worlds. We need to understand the key before we can use it."
William looked at the pavilion, at the mages working inside. "Then I'll help here. You focus on the portals. I'll handle the guild."
Grog studied him. "You're sure?"
"The guild needs leadership. The adventurers need direction." William met his eyes. "You've been carrying this alone long enough."
Grog was silent for a moment. Then he nodded. "Thank you."
---
That evening, William walked through the camp.
He spoke with the adventurers, learned their names, their stories, their fears. He checked the supplies, the guards, the perimeter. He sat with Lira and Davin by the fire, eating cold rations, watching the stars.
Davin was quiet, his blessing humming faintly beneath his skin. "Do you think we'll find him?"
William looked at the pavilion where Grog stood with Mirena and Ken.
"I have to believe we will."