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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

IN WHICH THE PARTY MUST DECIDE WHAT COMES NEXT

We’d thought we were prepared for any outcome. None of us were prepared for this.

I stared for a long while, unwilling to believe what my eyes were seeing. Where did we go wrong? Could I have prevented this? How dare they, how dare she—but Savreen was a crumpled form not far away, and there was no one left to blame.

A hand on my shoulder brought me back to the present. My throat burned as if on fire. Luthri squeezed, telling me he was there, that it was okay to take things one step at a time.

Putting my hands out, I dropped to my knees and crossed to Hohem on all fours.

The nightmarish scene wavered in my vision as I blinked back tears.

I tried not to look, turning my attention to Hohem instead.

He let me put my arms around him, buried his face in the crook of my neck, and released a quavering cry that started low and climbed to an unbridled scream.

“Not like this,” he moaned between gulping breaths. “Not like this.”

Heart a solid lump in my throat, I squeezed my eyes shut and held him tighter, rocking back and forth as he trembled like a mother with her babe. My hands moved in methodical circles along his back. What could anyone say to ease this kind of loss?

Dropping the tenuous hold on my emotions, I joined him in shedding tears, and we keened together to grieve our friend, brother, and companion. Lu wandered off to free the people he’d trapped during the fight, leaving us in peace.

Dusk fell before Munarzed’s people began to stir.

Citizens shook off the stupor as though waking from a hundred-year sleep.

One by one they stood, stumbled, and sat back down to get reacquainted with their limbs.

Some stayed where they were, staring into the distance.

Some let their emotions spill over right away, curling into a fetal position and bawling like children.

A few chose to let their anger out by kicking and pounding at the walls of Rugaveld’s manor.

One of them made for Savreen’s body, fire in his eyes.

Luthri gently but firmly cut him off before he could get too close.

The air filled with scattered wailing, restrained sniffles, and violent curses.

It soothed me—the reaction, so human, reflected the turmoil in our hearts.

We had something in common now: we all lost something irreplaceable on this hellish island.

A tentative shadow blocked what remained of the sunlight.

“My deepest apologies,” Narille began, her red eyes swimming with sorrow.

Lu’s somber gaze met mine with a question, but I shook my head. I’d have to pull myself together eventually. It took several measured breaths to find my composure and put some steel back into my spine, but I patted Hohem on the back one last time before getting to my feet.

Clearing my throat, I led with, “You’ve nothing to apologize for, my lady; we’re aware of the situation. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance for real this time. Are you… Well, I’m not sure how to… Do you remember everything that…?”

Narille bowed her head. “The Lady of War smiles upon you, Mar. Yes, I remember what was seen through my eyes and done with my hands. I imagine it was the same for everyone here. While a… unique experience, it is not one I would ever like to repeat. ”

That was putting it lightly, going by the haunted expression she wore.

“I’m sure. In that case, I suppose we should ask you again, now that you’re in full possession of your faculties… Would you leave Munarzed with us and return to your family?”

A single nod, and we had her answer. “I will. I cannot wait to be home.”

The hard knot in my chest unraveled, my next breath coming easier.

Having the next steps sorted was something.

That gave us direction, even if it would be temporary.

The beginnings of a plan formed: we’d escort Narille home, collect the reward, return to Jük and Vee in our camp outside Vhalder, and take the next while off to process things.

Having that figured out momentarily quelled the rising panic. “Excellent. I’m not sure when the next ship will be here, but we’ll leave as soon as we’re able to secure passage.”

“I will need to collect my things and find my guards. I should speak with the villagers as well… Assuage what concerns I can.” Narille’s eyes drifted to where Hohem knelt by the maimed body of his brother.

Her features softened along with her tone.

“You are heroes, all of you. I will do what I can to ensure your friend’s sacrifice is not forgotten. ”

A muscle ticked in Hohem’s jaw. “Brother. He’s my brother.”

“Brother,” Narille quickly corrected herself. “I thank you, and my family thanks you.”

A loud crash drew our attention to the manor.

The front doors had been pulled off their hinges, leaving the entrance open to the elements and whoever dared set foot inside.

It proved to be many. People from the main part of town rushed past us, eager to get in on the action, many toting large boxes or bags with the intent to fill them. I couldn’t blame them.

I attempted to bring some levity to the situation. “Well. We’d best get out of their way.”

“I will find you later,” Narille stated, a grim set to her jaw. Before she left, she paused, adding, “I suspect it will be a late night. Look after yourselves, if you can.”

“Same to you.”

Her focus lingered on Hohem, as if she wanted to say something else but thought better of it. She nodded once more and sauntered off in the direction of the main street.

One looter rushed out of the manor with the first haul of the night. Someone else had made it their mission to tip over each and every planter along the cobbled hill leading into town. It was the beginning of the end. Poetic, all things considered.

Breathing deep, I pivoted to return to Hohem’s side, only to walk straight into Luthri. “Heavens above,” I exclaimed. “How long have you been there?”

“Not long.” He pulled me into his side. “You all right?”

No. I’m crumbling like an old foundation . “I will be,” I told him, returning the half-hug. Examining his wounds out of the corner of my eye, I asked, “You?”

He didn’t appear too injured, but it was easier to worry about others than myself. The cuts on his arms ought to be cleaned. In fact, a mender should look at us all for good measure. Surely there was one somewhere on this island? Then the dead should be buried or burned?—

Ah, great, I’d missed his response. “I’m sorry… I wasn’t listening.”

“Don’t mind me,” he urged. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

I expressed my gratitude with a light squeeze. “Will do.”

That brought me to the next order of business.

Approaching Hohem, the lump returned, constricting my throat.

I came to stand behind him. Misery marked every part of his body, from the slouch of his shoulders to the defeated set of his mouth.

It would have been best to leave him to his grief, but some things couldn’t wait. Gently, I set a hand on his shoulder.

“We should think about what to do with the body,” I said quietly .

Not a muscle twitched. “I need more time. Please.”

Who was I to argue? “Okay. We’ll be here when you’re ready.”

Not wanting to stand there, I set off toward the manor stairs. It was a good place to keep an eye on things, and Luthri had already gotten comfortable. Mainly, I needed to sit. I could only push myself so far, and I’d reached that limit some hours ago.

Lu’s arm came around me as I collapsed on the stoop beside him.

“It wasn’t your fault, you know,” was the first thing he said.

The beginnings of a protest formed on my lips, but without the energy, I settled for a grunt of agreement. The only way to avoid this would have been not coming here in the first place, and that line of thinking made my brain hurt. What a lovely mess we’d gotten ourselves into.

I rested my head on Luthri’s shoulder and shut my eyes.

In the distance, a string of cottages burned, turning the airspace above orange and red.

Smoke billowed into the air, a testament to the darkness being released.

The acrid fumes carried all the way to where Luthri and I sat.

Prompted by the harsh reality we faced, my thoughts turned bitter.

Trauma, grief, pain—they had varying effects on people, and almost never kind ones.

Were they taking things too far? Maybe. Maybe they weren’t taking things far enough.

Another set of looters scurried past, clutching bags to their chests and lugging a small, ornate box between two of them. Any other time, I’d be tempted to join in, to pick that stolen house clean of riches that weren’t deserved. Funny how priorities changed.

More and more people joined those outside, gathering in groups to confirm that their oppressor was truly dead and contribute to the celebratory destruction.

Leaning on each other for support, Lu and I watched the townspeople scream their defiance into the sky, jump for joy, and embrace in the streets as the town burned around them.

Munarzed’s brief reign of prosperity had ended.

As Narille predicted, no one slept. Sleep deprivation blended with tender bruises, broken spirits, and the dull throb of overworked muscles. When the sun rose, we were more zombie than Savreen’s victims had ever been. As such, we had to prioritize, taking things one step at a time.

Murmuring words of support and compassion, Luthri and I were forced to pry Vyrain’s stiff body from his brother’s arms. We built a small funeral pyre in the courtyard to lay him to rest. Narille came to join us, saying a few words of thanks and a northern prayer for his spirit.

With friends old and new present, we burned the body, scattering all but a small amount of the ash into the sea come dawn. The rest Hohem kept on his person.

“To bring him home,” he said, “wherever that ends up being.”