That return trip back home was neither short nor pleasant. It wasn't exactly adventurous either though. For the better part it was just tedious. There was no better way to describe it. That simply was the way things were. It was the sad truth. After all the adventures I had gone through I could have done without it to be honest. Too bad that teleportation was not a viable option. Sure that kind of magic existed, or at least there were stories about it, but it wasn't an option. Those stories mostly focused on the mishaps that could happen with magic like that after all.

Thus we had to take the long way home. Curiously enough the first part of our trip, through the deadly desert, back south to meet back up with our goblin allies was the easiest. The idea to light a fire that would serve as our beacon paid off. During day time we headed towards the smoke column and once night fell we were close enough to head towards the light. We weren't as fast on our way back though as we had the freed Ganarl with us. By the time we finally reached their hideout Gib and his squad were already worried sick. The reunion was all the more touching after wards though.

It was what came after that was worse. We decided to head for the western mountain pass since it would allow us to return the freed Ganarl to their home. This meant another trek through the desert. Thankfully Gib and his squad with their additional supplies decided to accompany us. The Ganarl had looted some from their captors as well but that alone might not have been enough. We didn't head for the caravan road that crossed the desert either. Instead we kept closer to the mountains as we would have a better chance to find water there.

The trek through the simmering wastes was quite uneventful. That didn't mean it was nice though. As the days passed I started to realize that the fine, damned shimmering dust had a tendency to get everywhere, including places you really could do without. When we finally got out of the desert it was a great relief despite the fact that we had to cross the mountain pass in winter. At least it wasn't too high. We did get to hunt some fresh game as well, a welcome change from our dwindling supplies.

We soon came to realize that not all was well outside the desert, beyond the Ringwall Mountains either. Well, it was obvious before we reached the world beyond the mountains. There wouldn't have been Ganarl captives marched to that ziggurat if all would have been well after all. It really hit home though once we descended back into the lowlands that were the home of the wandering tribes of the Ganarl. We came across more than one site of battle, most of them not very old.

It quickly became obvious that the Devourer had divided her forces for a two pronged attack and the Hyena like people of the west had not fared as well as us. Individually the Ganarl were fearsome warriors. Their tribal society lacked a unifying government though. As a result they hadn't been able to face the invading orcs and ghouls as a single force. Instead the first tribes had fallen one after the other, fighting battles they couldn't win by themselves. Their warriors had fought fiercely for sure and none had surrendered. It explained why there had been none among the captives we had freed. In the end it hadn't done them much good though.

The Devourer's forces had rolled over them like an unstoppable tide leaving only death and destruction in their wake. In the end the refugees pouring into my father's lands had prompted him to take his war host to the west where he had met up with the last of the Ganarl still fighting to put a stop to the enemies advance. I had no idea how things had worked out in detail but he must have been victorious. We came across several smaller war parties cleaning up the last stragglers but no one could provide much detail beyond the obvious.

At least we were able to leave the freed captives with the refugees of one of the makeshift camps that had popped up in the devastated land. The old couple running this one had reassured me that eventually the displaced and orphaned would form new tribes. Apparently this wasn't the first time their society had been on the brink of destruction. Seeing them in such a sad state still hurt though. Hopefully things would change for the better for them soon. They certainly didn't deserve all the hardships they had to suffer recently.

The rest of our trip afterwards was even more uneventful, at least until we drew closer to Bleak Peak. We had just settled in at an inn in Caer'ina, which was similar to Caer'zha only that it was to the west of Bleak Peak instead of to the east. The place even had the hot springs I had been longing for. I couldn't really enjoy them though, as the news from the capital hit us. There had been rumors about my father being wounded during the fighting in the west but that had only been rumors.

I dropped my spoon into the bowl of heavenly flavored mashed ash root with butter and bacon and almost fell of the bench I had been sitting on when the ashen faced patrons arrived, telling about the royal messenger arriving at the town square just now with the news that the king was dead. They almost ran when a heart wrenching scream tore itself free of my throat. Half the town must have heard it. With that the last of my energy left my body and it was only thanks to Gash'zur and Xue that I did not in fact actually slip under the table.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Gash'zur and Xue saw me to the bath and to bed afterwards. I barely took any notice of any of it at all. I must have fallen asleep but I wouldn't have been able to tell when. I didn't really matter, as I didn't get much sleep anyway, as we left early the next morning before the sun had a chance to make it all the way over the horizon. I hadn't known my father all that well. I had only met him once after the battle of the Gap after all. I had always greatly respected our king though. I had essentially grown up with the stories of his heroics and other great deeds. He had been the symbol of an age of peace and prosperity and now it ended in fire and war.

Hopefully our home would not descend into chaos though. That hadn't happened in ages. Not since we established a system to elect the next king or queen from among the last one's children. An election mostly based on merit already earned but also potential for future growth the nobles of the realm still saw in the candidates. I just had never even thought that I would be part of it one way or another.

We didn't speak much as we made our way to the capital. Not even the sun rising behind it, bathing it in golden light could brighten my mood today. The others must have noticed my mood. It was hard on them. Especially the goblins who had taken in everything new to them with great enthusiasm so far. We didn't have to wait long at the gate, as not many travelers were about this early. From there Gash'zur guided us to the palace, as she was the one most familiar with the city.

The city was much changed, compared to my last visit. There were no crowds cheering for me this time, although we certainly drew some attention. Neither my Titanium gear nor my goblin companions went unnoticed. No one was in the mood to do any cheering today though. Instead people were busy putting up black and white banners and streamers. The city was putting on its mourning dress.

I wasn't the first at the court of course. Many other nobles must have been in attendance ever since the king was wounded, paying their respects or performing whatever last tasks he had for them. Most of the goblins and their forgeborn comrades were ushered into one of the gardens where they could wait for our return. Only Gib and Gash'zur followed me deeper into the palace and the grand hall at its heart.

The last time I had been here the circular hall had been mostly empty, the few courtiers, guards and servants present not able to properly fill it. Today things were different. The place was filled to capacity. The landed nobility and their entourages filled most of the floor around the raised dais at the hall's center. I could make out many of the banners I had seen as father held court in his camp at the Gap and still more.

Despite the sheer number of people present it was surprisingly quiet though. Thus I had no problem taking notice of the herald's gasp as she caught sight of me. She was about to raise her staff to announce our or rather my presence. Her hands trembled slightly and her eyes, locked onto me, were wide. Before she could say anything I put a finger to my lips to silence her and she slouched with relief as she finally managed to look away. Bloody tears were dripping from her eyes. Whatever powers had been bestowed upon her apparently were not always a boon. What she saw when she looked at me must have more than just shaken her.

I made my way deeper into the hall, brushing past all the nobles gathered here. I was looking only for the banner of my own domain and when I finally found it my heart beat so fast it almost leapt from my chest. Standing there under the banner was Kaele with at least some of my old friends. There were some of the mercenaries I had come to call comrades as well. It felt as if a heavy load was lifted from my shoulders. I corrected my course slightly, even as murmurs started to spring up as I passed the nobles from other domains.

I could see that time had not left my sister untouched, even if it had only been a few months. It might not just be time though that was weighing heavy on her. Her grief probably weighed heavier than a few months ever could, even if these months saw her well rounded, much more than me even. I lightly put a hand on her shoulder as I reached her, squeezing it lightly. As she turned to look my way she fainted almost right away.

I winced. Thankfully Eld'tide caught her before she could hit the ground. I would have liked nothing more than to just stay at her side but I had other things to take care off first. I flashed my friends and comrades a brief smile before continuing on my way.

That way led me past the rest of the gathered nobles, my numerous siblings and half siblings and even father's wives at last. None of the guards so much as moved as I ascended the dais where our king had been laid out in his war gear. He looked as if he would open his eyes at any moment, except he was so terribly pale.

I brushed my fingers over the back of his right hand before sinking to my knees. I pressed my head against his hand, that terribly cold hand and let my tears flow freely. I cried for the great king we had lost and the father I had barely gotten to know.

The hall was abuzz with murmuring by now. I couldn't hold it against them though. How long had it been since the last time someone saw someone in full Titanium war gear in these halls? I couldn't even begin to guess. As I rose again, not entirely without problems, I pulled another little surprise from the pouch at my belt. A shimmering gem the size of my fist, the soul gem cut from a dead dragon months ago and half a continent away. I placed it in his cold hand, carefully wrapping his fingers around it.

The murmuring picked up even more. Some must have realized what I had placed in my father's hand. Murmurs of dragon slayer made the round and as I turned to descend from the dais again one of my older brothers, Raetho if I wasn't mistaken, stepped forward, calling out loud and clear.

His voice easily silencing the grand hall. “The king is dead! Long live the Queen!” Only moments later others joined him and within moments the hall reverberated with their call. “The king is dead! Long live the Queen!”

It didn't take long for most of those present to pick up the call. It was a good thing I had my glaive to lean on. I didn't even need to feel the weight of the crown on my head to feel the burden of responsibility settle on my shoulders. I wanted to sigh but I didn't. Instead I straightened myself, standing as tall as I could and I was plenty tall to begin with. As I spoke the hall fell silent in the blink of an eye. “Are you certain that you would have me as your queen? Are there none you would have rather than me?” No one, not a single soul spoke up to object. Instead they fell to their knees. Well, it looked like I wouldn't be getting out of this one. So much for some quiet and peace.