Epilogue
“You could stand to stay a little longer, y’know,” Skadi said.
Liz smiled. “Not this time. I want to bring him home.”
She glanced over her shoulder. A coffin sat in the bed of the roofless carriage behind her, with Cerberus curled up mournfully beside it. Within it lay Tris, in a deep slumber from which he would never wake. She would have to give him a lavish funeral once she returned to the empire. In the meantime, she could only hope that he was sharing a drink with Dios on the other side.
Seeing Liz cast a fond glance at the coffin, Skadi gave a shrug of resignation. “That so, eh? Well, if you ever need anything, just send word and I’ll come running.”
“Won’t you have your hands full with the duchy for a while?”
“Give us a chance to sit down and we’ll talk it out. Neither of us can take any more bloodshed.” Skadi grinned. “But we beastfolk don’t forget our debts, and by the looks of the empire, you could do with whatever help you can get. If you ever need us, don’t think twice.”
Liz’s smile had a wry edge to it, but she nodded. “I appreciate it. If the time ever comes, I’ll be counting on you.”
“I’ll probably pay you a visit before too long, anyway. I’ll be representing Steissen soon.”
“Then I’ll be the one treating you to dinner next time. I’ll show you a proper imperial banquet.”
“Will you, now? Well, maybe I’ll bump that state visit up a few weeks.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
With a parting wave, Liz turned her horse about. She glanced up at the sky as she rode away. It was clear and blue, without a single cloud.
Tris von Tarmier had not lived a blessed life. Despised by the nobility for his support of an unwanted princess, he had been denied his rightful rank and died a third-class tribune. Once, she recalled, she had tried to take a despotic noble to task, only to draw criticism in turn. As she had lamented her own powerlessness, Tris had addressed her with a stern gaze and a kind voice.
“If you’re so angry you could cry, if you want to change their ways, there’s only one thing to do. You’ll have to get stronger. But that’s a hard road, Your Highness. Harder than you can imagine.”
Liz, burning with self-righteousness, had instantly replied that she didn’t care, that she would be stronger. Tris had tousled her hair and smiled wryly.
“You’re still a child, Your Highness. Some things you can’t do yet. But until the day you can, I’ll be your sword and shield, and I’ll serve you until my bones are dust.”
With those words, he had fallen to one knee, taken her hand, and bowed his head. “I will weep with you. Smile with you. Fight with you.” At the last, he had broken into a grin. “I’m your most faithful servant, after all.”
Many years had passed since that day, but the memory remained deep within her heart, as fresh as the day it was made.
“Come on, Tris. Let’s go home.”
There would be no time to rest once she returned to the empire. The liberation of Faerzen was about to begin in earnest. If she spared any effort, her most faithful servant would frown down at her from the halls of Valhalla. There was no time for grief. Had he been there, he would have said the same thing.
She gripped the reins tighter. “Just watch me. I’ll be empress one day, I swear it.”
Her childhood dream was coming closer to fulfillment with every passing day. The sun blazed in the sky above, lighting her way ahead.
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