Under a bundle of blankets, Jale’s gaze rested on the distant mountain ranges. His sat along one of the verandas of the temple, out of the wind and close to a small fire that had been lit a short distance away. For the most part, he was warm and content when he didn't think of what had befallen him.

The weakness in his body made him frustrated. He had always been strong and healthy, recovering from illnesses quickly. It had been several days and yet, he still struggled to walk around the temple without running out of breath or having to lean on a stone pillar for support while his body coughed the last traces of the plague from his chest.

Footsteps tapped on the stone. Jale turned his head to see who approached.

This was it.

Prince Rathner had spoken to Galton and informed Galton that he had invited Jale to join them in Talbec. The rage of his disagreement was heard throughout the entire temple, but after a heated debate just as Prince Rathner predicted, Galton agreed only if he was able to interview Jale. The three would sit together while he was under the influence of the Talekan truth serum, and Galton would be allowed to ask Jale whatever questions he wanted.

"You're looking much better," Prince Rathner said with Galton standing slightly behind him.

"I do feel better,” Jale agreed. “But I feel impatient at how long it is taking me to regain a resemblance of the strength I had," Jale responded.

"Are you sure you still want to go ahead with this right now?" Prince Rathner asked. "We can wait longer if you wish, until you are stronger."

Jale shook his head. "We need to do this now so my remaining soldiers know it is safe and to keep this man happy." Jale said the last part grudgingly and with an off-handed wave in Galton's direction.

Galton glared but didn't respond. He motioned to a solider that was standing a short distance away, and the soldier approached with a tray. Jale spied a matching ceramic jug and cup and a small box on its surface.

"How do I know that you're not secretly planning on poisoning me?" Jale asked Galton as Galton retrieved the small box and opened its lid. Inside was a small vile of blue liquid. Galton held it up into the light as if he was assessing what he saw.

Prince Rathner answered, "Galton knows that his life would certainly be shortened if he even attempted it."

Galton gave Prince Rathner a scathing look and then to Jale he said, "The Prince has assured me that this arrangement would be very beneficial, but have you considered Jale, what it will be like serving under me in Prince Rathner's army?"

Jale rolled his eyes. "No, that is not something I had considered, actually."

"Hmph," was all that Galton responded with.

He twisted the tiny cork and tipped the vile towards the water. Jale watched as one tiny droplet dripped into the water, disappearing almost immediately. It was hard to believe it would be enough to have an effect.

Without preamble, Jale took the ceramic cup and swallowed its contents. He had never used truth serum before, but he wanted to get this over and done with.

"How did you get your hands on this?" Jale asked.

"I came to an agreement with the Talekan Assassins," Prince Rathner responded.

Jale suspected there was more to that comment. He kept his mouth shut however. "I have not had truth serum before," he revealed. "So, I'm unsure of how I will respond."

"The amount we have given you should not make you feel too different,” Galton stated.

"How long will it take?"

"Not too long," Galton said. He settled in his chair, hands crossing over his chest and began to tap his foot impatiently.

Jale ran his finger over the rim of the cup and gazed at the view. He wondered what would happen to him if he somehow stated something they didn't like.

"How are you feeling?" Prince Rathner asked a short time later. "It should be starting to take affect now."

Jale's eyes left the scenery he was gazing so longingly at. "I'm fine," he replied. "I'm actually feeling quite relaxed."

It was the truth, after all.

"The attack at the pass," Galton started, getting straight to point. "Were you involved?"

"No, not at all," Jale responded straightaway. "I never saw it coming, and I never knew someone could hate me that much."

"What were your plans for coming to pass?" Galton asked.

"I wanted to protect the pass, and it was also an avenue for me to start anew?" Jale answered.

"Start anew?" Galton asked suspiciously.

Jale sighed, he really couldn't lie on this serum. "I was planning on heading off on my own at the end of my post. Even if that betrayal hadn't occurred, I was still going to leave. I was going to slip away and disappear into the Talbecan Empire."

"You planned to simply leave your life?" Galton leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "I find that hard to believe."

"My father is a despotic and arrogant man," Jale continued. "We do not get along. He believes that everyone should follow his words, no questions asked."

"Hmm," Prince Rathner murmured to himself. "I'm sure we can arrange some scrolls to be sent stating our deepest condolences that unfortunately, Prince Jale has succumbed to the wounds he received during the battle. And due to current policies amongst the plague, his body was burned until all flesh had disappeared."

Galton didn't acknowledge Prince Rathner but continued with his questioning instead. "Is the Keglar Kingdom trying to start a war with the Talbecan Empire?"

Jale's eyebrows rose in surprise. "If they are, I know nothing of it. The only thing I thought was if some of the Keglan's had a cure for the plague and knew they would be safe, it would be a perfect way to start a war."

"Just like our suspicions," Galton stated, giving Jale a disgusted glance as if he was responsible. "And you never knew anything about a cure beforehand either?"

"No," Jale said, shaking his head. "I would be surprised though if Prince Yernal did this with support from other members of the Royal Family. As far as I'm aware, they do not hold enought ill will towards the Talbecan Empire to start a war."

Prince Rathner sat back, placing his hands together, his fingertips touching on opposite sides as he thought. He looked at Galton. "Anything else?" he asked.

Galton’s brow furrowed. "He appears to have the same ideas that we've had." He sat forward suddenly in his seat, and asked, "What are your intentions with Prince Rathner?"

"Galton!" Prince Rathner blurted as Jale began to open his mouth to answer. "That would not be an appropriate question at this point."

"How not?" Galton argued. "I've watched you two draw closer and closer together. How do I know this isn't another plan to get close to you so he can plot away your murder?"

Prince Rathner tried to contain a sigh. "I'm pretty confident that is not the case."

"How can you be so sure?" Galton argued.

"Because I can," Prince Rathner bickered back.

Galton huffed and turned back to Jale, "Are you going to serve in the Talbecan army and vow to protect the Talbecan Empire?" Galton asked.

"I vow to do anything that will install peace and that includes the Talbecan Empire," Jale answered.

"Well, that settles it then," Prince Rathner stated firmly, rising to his feet, trying to draw Galton's interrogation to an end. "Jale and his men are coming to Talbec."

Galton went to argue further, but with one last deathly glare from Prince Rathner, he closed his mouth. "Fine. But just so you know," he said to Jale, "be prepared to work your ass off. I don't take slackers or except half-hearted efforts in Prince Rathner's army."

"You are a grouchy ass, aren't you?" Jale responded, still unable to prevent his truthful thoughts from being hidden.

Prince Rathner turned away and tried to hold onto the laugh that wanted to escape at the sight of Galton's mouth gaping open at Jale's remark.

>>

It wasn't until several weeks later that the men believed they were strong enough to venture on the journey back to the Talbecan Empire. Much discussion had occurred on how the travel would take place since there was so much uncertainty regarding whether anyone still wanted Prince Rathner dead. It was decided that the small group of men would travel as a group of traders, seeking refuge in Talbec knowing it was far from the plague. The pomp and acknowledgements of their positions would be hidden away until they reached the Talbecan border.

They had one last consult with Menelt before they left, who had stated that due to their inability to become sick, the Dratlin Clansmen would continue to monitor the pass. They grimly hoped the remains of Prince Tolder's party would be enough to prevent more people from wanting to attempt to cross.

Jale was pleased the remaining Talbecans were maintaining a polite and civil manner towards his men. They had also been sworn to secrecy as to Jale's true identify. Whether it would last, Jale didn't know, although he was sure the Talbecans would keep their mouth shut long enough to get their Prince safely back onto Talbecan soil.

The Talekan Assassins continued with their hospitality and ensured they received hearty food to rebuild their strength and stamina. It was still viciously cold, and their bodies would have to be able to endure the trials of being on the road.

It was a cold, crisp morning the day they planned to head out. Delba stood patiently with the Talekan Assassins ready to bid them goodbye. In a surprising turn, while Prince Rathner's invitation to travel to Dalenia had been extended to Delba, she turned it down.

"Are you sure The Prince can't convince you to join him in Dalenia?" Jale asked.

Delba shook her head and took Jale's hands in both of hers. "I would like to learn more about these Talekan Assassins, but one day I may travel to Dalenia. I hope that you will show me the sights of such a wonderful, far away land."

"Of course," Jale said. He stepped forward and embraced her warmly. "Thank you again for saving my life."

Delba smiled, and Jale stepped away towards his horse to allow Prince Rathner to say his goodbyes to Delba in private. He mounted his horse and a rush of excitement flooded his body at the adventure that lay ahead. His horse turned, and Jale spied a group of riders approaching their small party. There were about thirty men from Jale's first guess, but they were not mountain clansmen. Jale could recognize the colors of the Keglar Kingdom from miles away. He called the alarm and Prince Rathner turned, his eyes widening at what he saw.

The remaining men moved swiftly into action only to stop as a call came up from the entrance of the temple that caused them to pause.

"There is no need for alarm," an assassin spoke. "The Talekan Assassins have arranged safe passage for Prince Rathner."

Prince Rathner and Jale turned back to the approaching men with intrigue.

"Move to the back," Prince Rathner stated to Jale. "I don't want anyone to recognize you."

Jale nodded and swiftly moved his horse to stand behind the other horses. His horse pranced, feeling the nervous energy, and Jale tried to sooth the animal, stroking its neck with a gentle hand. He stayed alert though, his other hand not venturing far from the hilt of his sword, every fibre in his being ready to fight.

The Keglan men stopped on their horses and faced the small party in the snow. A young man with confident and calm features eased his horse forward two steps. He was covered in armor and wore a large identifying signet on his hand.

"My name is Prince Weston, second in line to the throne of the Keglar Kingdom," the man spoke. "I have been ordered here by my father. He received news of the deceit by Prince Keglar from the Talekan Assassins. He wishes you to know that Prince Yernal acted alone and in no way had the support of the rest of the Keglan Kingdom. I am here to escort you through the Keglan Kingdom and to the Talbecan border to ensure you safely reach home."

"You work with the Talekan Assassins?" Prince Rathner asked.

"No," Prince responded.

"How can I trust you?" Prince Rathner asked.

"I can only vouch that Prince Yernal has received the highest of stern warnings, and if he attempts anything like this again, he will be disowned from the Royal Family and tried for treason, penalty being death by hanging.” Prince Weston reached into the satchel on the side of his saddle. “At present, Prince Yernal is being relocated to our remotest town on the far reaches of the Keglar Kingdom and will be under house arrest for the next two years, guarded by King Victron's own personal guard. King Victron values the current peaceful ties it holds with the Talbecans and wishes for these ties to stay constant." Prince Weston held out a scroll towards Prince Rathner. "Here is a written declaration from the King himself, stating what I have just told you."

Prince Rathner shared a look with Galton and nodded to one of his men to retrieve the scroll for him. "Thank you for your words," he stated after reading its contents and passing it to Galton for him to peruse as well.

"Please," Prince Weston waved to the path they had used to arrive. "We have far to travel to make it to our first safe post. If you would join us."

Prince Rathner shared one last look at Galton who was now pocketing the scroll inside his jacket.

"Any other actions of ill will to Prince Rathner will be seen as act of war against the Talbecan Empire," Galton stated in a loud, authoritative voice.

"Of course," Prince Weston replied, bowing his upper body in his saddle.

Prince Rathner offered a smile. "Let's ride," he said. "It's time to start a new beginning." He turned his head to look over his shoulder at Jale, and Jale nodded his head in agreement. "A new beginning for everyone."