The Sea Sprinter carved its way through waves as the majority of the Cypress Alliance headed for their long journey home. Elucard had called for the harekins and his own ARO members to join him down in the galley. The elf rattled his knee under the table and fidgeted with his fingers, nervous with the announcement he was planning to make.

One by one he was joined by Kyzo, Essie, Elisa and Timber. The harekins each funneled down the steps into the galley. Each took their seat on the bench around Elucard. Mave grunted as she struggled to climb down the steps with her crutch. Bruce swept her off her feet with a roguish smile.

“Unhand me you giant oaf!” laughed Mave as she playfully conked Bruce on the head with her fists.

“Sorry Cap, but we want to start this meeting before we turn as gray as you!” chuckled Bruce Brawnwood.

Mave giggled as Bruce sat her down next to Elucard. Elucard couldn’t help but glance at Mave’s gruesomely scarred leg.

Elucard let the buzz of hoots and gossip hang in the air as the harekins and his own men roared in excitement and anticipation to see the shores of Cypress after such a long and difficult mission. Elucard stood and raised his hand until the others grew silent and gave him their attention.

Elucard looked around the room. “You all did an admirable job,” he started. “No matter the hurdles in your way, you cleared them with poise and perfection, no matter how much I tried to drag you down.” Elucard’s eyes landed on Mave with his last words.

“Mave, I know I told you this before, but I truly am sorry I judged you and your men poorly. Had I been a real leader, I would have seen the strengths of your men, but I only searched for flaws.” He paused, swallowing a lump in his throat. “I’ve done this in the past. Not trusting the good in people, not trusting the good in me.”

Mave took a hold of Elucard’s trembling hand. “Mate, it’s alright. We all survived. No one can predict how a mission will really end up. In the thick of things even the best laid plans might come apart.”

Timber rose from her seat. “Elucard, you are your own worst enemy, but time and time again you’ve proved yourself to us.” She looked to Essie for help.

Essie crossed her arms and leaned back. “What are you trying to say, Elucard?”

Elucard turned to Mave. “Are the rumors among the other officers true?”

Mave’s eyes darted to each of her harekins.

“Rumors?” asked Corso.

Mave let out a heavy sigh and placed her crutch on the table. “I thought I’d let us get back to Southtail before telling you lads the bad news.”

“Spit it out, Captain,” growled Bruce.

Mave nodded. She took off her hat and her ears flopped down in sorrow. “The higher command deemed my limp too severe to be able to devil jump anymore. I’m afraid I have to retire from the ole Skyborne Military Operations.”

A wave of protest rushed through the galley from the harekins and even the ARO.

“I know, I know, chaps. I’m as upset as all of you are, but orders are orders. I’ll probably spend the rest of my career behind a desk as a quartermaster or an administrative position.”

“Or,” Elucard said.

Mave looked up to him.

“You join the Anti-Rogue Ops as our new leader,” finished Elucard.

“What are you going on about, Elucard?” asked Essie, just as confused as the rest of the soldiers.

Elucard ripped his red lightning patch from his sleeve and tossed it on the table. “I am withdrawing from the Anti-Roge Ops effective immediately. I’m not cut out to lead. I’ve done more damage than good and the unit would be left in the far more capable hands of someone like Mave Silvertail.”

“Master?” Kyzo said slowly. “Do you really mean this?”

Elucard reached over and placed his hand on the boy’s hand. “You have grown to be a formidable assassin and I can not teach you anymore. You and I are equals now. You are no longer my apprentice, Kyzo.”

A tear swelled in Kyzo’s eye, but he rubbed it away. “I won’t let you down, Master.”

Mave shook her head. “I can barely walk, how am I supposed to bloody jump from building to building? I’m not cut out to lead your men.”

Elucard chuckled. “Your leg will heal in time, and although yes, you’ll always have a limp, Drill Instructor Legion will teach you how to overcome that handicap. A man with that many scars knows a thing or two about fighting with a broken body. He’ll have you somersaulting from the shadows in no time. Until then, my men need true leadership.” He looked at Essie and smiled. “They deserve that much.”

Essie lowered her head. “You’ve done it Elucard. You’ve finally done the right thing.”

Elucard nodded to her in respect. “I’m sorry it took so long, Es.”

***

Elucard leaned on the banister looking out into the shimmering sea. He breathed in the salty air, now a free man without a real direction in his life. What would he do? Perhaps return to Ravenshore as a hero and veteran. He saved his king, would that be enough to be redeemed in his parents’ eyes?

“Watching the dolphins again?” Legion’s familiar low voice cut Elucard’s concentration.

Elucard turned and gave a faint smile to Legion and a heavy bandaged Malady limping behind the elf.

“I am thankful to see you alive, Master.” He slid a glance to Malady who folded his arms. “And to a lesser extent, you as well, Malady.”

“Now that I am a bonafide hero within Long Whisper, I believe I deserve a proper rank like First Blade,” said Malady. His chest swelled up with pride.

Elucard could help but snicker. “It doesn’t work like that, there isn’t a First—oh never mind.”

Legion patted Malady on the back. “I’ll see you are properly rewarded, blade brother.” Legion pointed to Elucard’s sleeve. “Where is your red lightning bolt?”

Elucard felt his sleeve where his ARO patch once was. “I-I left the Anti-Rogue Ops.”

“So the High Blade position is vacant?” asked Malady. Elucard couldn’t tell if that was a question for personal gain or sympathy for Elucard’s decision.

Elucard pulled down his hood and ran his fingers through his blonde hair. “Master, I-I am no leader.”

Legion placed a heavy hand on his student’s head. “Perhaps you just need time to find yourself. Stepping down is sometimes the best way to get the best vantage point.” Legion looked at his blade brother. “Don’t you agree, Malady?”

Malady nodded and sat on the banister next to Elucard. “Whelp, you were a fine Rabbit, and you clearly made a good soldier if you brought the Dawnedge brat back alive. You know what is best for yourself, trust you gut, kid.”

Elucard lowered his head and gave a short chuckle. “Thanks, Malady. You make a pretty good soldier yourself.” Elucard’s eyes twitched as he heard the footsteps of Wiccer behind Legion.

Malady slapped Elucard’s shoulder and gestured to Legion. “Let’s leave these two alone and grab some vile sailor food.”

Legion nodded and together the two blade brothers walked away.

Elucard let out a long sigh. “What do you want, Wiccer?”

Wiccer shook his head in disbelief and rested against the bannister next to the assassin. “Word on the wind said I’d find you here.”

Elucard laughed and lowered his gaze to the dolphins trailing the ship. “Is that all the wind told you?”

Wiccer gave him a small grin. “It also said you resigned as leader of the Anti-Rogue Ops.”

Elucard sat on the banister and pulled down his hood. “The wind tells the truth. I turned my leadership over to Captain Silvertail. She will do the position justice with some proper training.”

A long silence drifted between the two men.

“Is that all, Wicce—”

“If you want to talk about Calsoon’s loss…” Wiccer whispered. “I’m…”

Elucard put his hand on Wiccer’s shoulder. “I’ll come to you… my friend.”

Wiccer cleared his throat and walked away.

“We should have lunch sometime!” Elucard called off to Wiccer. “The Mystic Fang will have their autumn soup by the time we arrive back home.”

Wiccer stopped. He turned his head and smiled. “I’d like that, Elucard.”