Quest for Lost Heroes

EPILOGUE

Kiall and Tanaki did not wait to be wed in the Gothir fashion. They cut their palms after the Nadir way, and pledged their troth before witnesses at Bel-azar. Then they rode from the fortress, back to the Steppes and out of the pages of Nadir history.

Chien-tsu and Oshi journeyed back to the Empire of the Kiatze, where the ambassador was covered with garlands and given lands of great wealth and greater beauty.

Harokas journeyed with Salida to New Gulgothir, where the Lord Regent grudgingly gave the Captain a fine award and a promotion.

Seven years later three riders halted before the first great gates of Castle Tenaka.

'Once, my son,' said Chareos, 'this was Dros Delnoch, the mightiest of the Drenai fortresses. In those days it was ruled by the Earl of Bronze. One day that title will be yours.'

The boy turned his violet eyes on the six massive walls rearing back along the pass. 'I will take it from the other side,' he said softly.

Chareos smiled and turned to his wife, Ravenna. 'Do you have regrets?' he asked.

'None,' she said, taking his hand. The boy twisted in his saddle and stared back over the northern steppes.

A thousand miles away another violet-eyed child stood, staring south.

'What are you looking at?' asked Asta Khan.

'The enemy,' whispered the boy.