Page 111 of Feathers and Thorns

As if reading her mind, Rook whispered into her ear, “Let them go. Returning to Xian-Dao in defeat is worse than death for these people. Bao-Ren will have them executed either way.”

With Soren’s thirst for bloodshed quenched, she pressed her lips together and watched as, one-by-one, the warriors slipped through the gate, never to be seen again.

* * *

By the following morning, the rest of the fallen had been buried, the Celestials assisting in digging a grave for every warrior, from Estelar to Patrivah.

Jai, Erick, and King Elias had decided to label the burned fields sacred ground and a symbol of their newfound alliance. The provinces would keep their borders, but they would govern together. A democracy to lead all of Entheas. Each province would have a leader at the table, and decisions would be made by the people’s vote. They would still have to speak to Shakti, the leader of Dhamtra, to confirm that they wanted to be part of the new world order, but they had high hopes. Dhamtra had always been a peaceful country, and Soren had no doubt Shakti would join them.

The next steps would involve rescue efforts for the people of the Esinian Isles, as well as cutting down crime in Thorncrest, but those things would have to wait until they could heal the wounded and form travel groups.

Jai clasped arms with Abraxos, and Soren gave Luscinia a tight hug before they slipped through the portal, heading back to Anistera. Luscinia promised to visit each month.

It was hard to say goodbye, but Soren didn’t want to risk putting any more strain on Luscinia’s form after she had healed Rook. She wished there was a way to use the Oculus to allow them more time together, but she would not use its powers improperly for selfish reasons.

“Goodbye, sweet Soren,” Luscinia called, stepping through the gate.

After all the Celestials had returned to Anistera, those closest to Baz gathered around the pyre Jai had built. They took turns saying their goodbyes, each person sprinkling a handful of rose petals over his body.

Soren approached and let the petals fall across his still form, circling around to place her hands on his feet and pressing them to her head. If anyone deserved the conveyance of respect, it was Baztien.

Soren could hear Jai whisper, “I’ll see you again soon, brother,” before he grabbed a handful of flower petals.

Enara went last, leaning in close to whisper into Baztien’s ear. Soren knew that wherever he was, he would hear her words and cherish them until they could meet again. However, she could not hear what was said and preferred it that way. Those words were meant for Baz, and Baz alone.

Enara placed one last kiss upon his forehead before joining Soren a safe distance away, taking her hand and repeating the word’s Soren had said to her those few months ago on the hilltop.

“I’m ready.”

Jai lit the pyre, releasing Baztien’s soul to the after to wait for her.

* * *

Three days after the burials had been completed, everyone packed up to say their goodbyes. After spending nearly every day together and going through so much, they struggled to part.

“Come to visit Adaryn and I as soon as you’re able,” Jai said, hugging Enara and then Soren.

“We will,” Soren responded.

“You better!” Adaryn commented, pulling both girls in for a big hug. “I need someone to help me make sure this guy doesn’t get too big for his crown.”

“Well, anytime you need him knocked down a peg, send for us,” Rook replied.

It warmed Soren’s heart to see him being more open with people, even if it was a select few.

They waved goodbye as Adaryn and Jai boarded the ship to Patrivah. Callan and Saoirse had left that morning, Ori and Ikei alongside them.

Soren watched as Everett said a heartfelt goodbye to Erick, planting a passionate kiss on Stelonbriar’s leader in front of the entire congregation. An action that would have caused an uproar in recent times was finally seen as all it really was—an expression of love. For love came in all shapes, sizes, colors, and orientations. After seeing the world burn, they could all use a little more of it, regardless of what form it came in.

The love of a mother for her child, a husband for his wife, and even an owner for his pet. Love made their world of ash and flame burst with new life. The seeds were planted in the hopes that the future would bloom into something beautiful, something new to fight for.

When the boat pulled away from the dock and the rest of the gathered citizens had taken their leave, Soren, Rook, and Enara tightened their packs and mounted their steeds.

“Ready to go home?” Soren asked Rook as the horses found the trail leading back to Vreburn.

Home. Rook thought about what that word meant. He had spent most of his life in Thorncrest Manor and had thought he and Soren would return there after all was said and done, but as they headed East instead of North, his heart knew they had chosen the right path.

He thought of Soren’s house in the woods. The sense of calm that the boards and nails imbued. The warmth that seemed to emanate from the very bones of the place. That was when he realized there was nowhere else he would rather be. Thorncrest represented everything he was, whereas Vreburn was everything he wanted to be.

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