When you wake up, it's in a bed. You're covered in bandages, and though your body aches it seems your wounds are gone. There must be a healer here. In the bed to your right, a person stirs, and you shift to get a good look at them. There lays Bertrand, flipping through a leather bound book. "I see you still live, sir," he says, dog-earing the page he's on and closing the book.

"Sorry to disappoint you," you chuckle.

A small laugh escapes Bertrand's lips. "No, sir. I'm happy to see you're still among us." He pauses. "We got here yesterday afternoon, sir. The healer set to work immediately. You'll be okay if you rest for a few days."

"That so? Where's Caroline?"

"She's still here, sir. Likely in her chambers. She said she'd come visit later."

"Alright." You sigh and close your eyes. You made it to Elkstern Keep, and you and Bertrand are still relatively intact.

You consider what you should do now. You'll be extremely late for your meeting at Castle Oren. The King may not like it, but if he truly needed you, he'd excuse it. Still, something about this... Felt better than fighting some meaningless war you have no investment in. Maybe...

You must have been thinking for much longer than you thought you were, as Caroline steps into the infirmary and immediately gives Bertrand a bear hug. Your servant pats her slowly on the back, and she breaks away after a moment to move onto you. The hug is so tight, it makes the aching turn into a sharp sting, and you hiss in pain. Caroline withdraws.

"I'm so glad you two are alright. Thank you for all that you've done for me, I can't repay you," she says.

You wave your hand and shake your hand. "No, no, everything is fine. Just letting us rest here a few days is good enough."

She gives a worried look. "Are you sure? I can give you supplies, or money, or..."

"Nothing. It's fine. Thanks for visiting us."

Caroline nods. The three of you talk for a while, though it's mostly her thanking you profusely and continually offering help, which you turn down. After about an hour, a man comes in and informs her that she's needed in the entrance hall. Caroline sighs, but nods at the man.

Before she leaves, she turns to you and Bertrand one last time. "I know I've been saying it a lot, but thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you hadn't saved me and escorted me here, I don't know what I'd have done." With those words, she departs.

After she leaves, you once again wonder what you'll do now.

You your plans remain the same. You'll head straight for Castle Oren. You're sure the King needs you, and won't mind.

Yes. The King summoned you, and you won't ignore those summons. Being a wandering hero is appealing, but this way you can help the kingdom in a much more substantial way. Winning a war? You'd save the kingdom, and drive the Kishak menace away from it. You'd be a hero yet again.

You voice your thoughts to Bertrand. "Our plan remains the same: we'll head straight for Castle Oren when we recover. Will I have you at my side, Bertrand."

Bertrand nods. "Of course, sir. We'll get there and finish this war."

You nod your head a few times. "Okay. Okay."

For now, you have a few days to rest. When you're done, you'll leave Elkstern Keep, and head straight for Castle Oren. After all, you have a duty, and you must see it through.

The sun is high in the sky. It's a new beginning.

THE END