Aftermath

The cheers still echoing in their ears, the group follows Lord Greyheart back into the palace. He beckons them to follow, and leads them into a sitting room. Food and drinks are set out on a table in the center of the room, with couches and chairs are set along the walls. The champions and their partners are still a bit dazed, save for Bernal, who looks as amused as Lord Greyheart.

Lord Greyheart takes a glass, pours himself some wine, and drinks it in one long gulp. Setting the glass back down, he smiles. “I apologize if I caught you off guard with all of that. I wanted genuine reactions.”

Bernal rolls his eyes. “Right. You weren’t playing up the drama at all.”

The one armed lord shrugs. “If I’m going to be a king, I may as well practice my theatrics. Regardless, I have an apology to make.”

He looks at Kael. “Champion Kael, I was too harsh with you when you broached the subject with me. In all honesty, I should be thanking you for opening my eyes. You were right all along, and now I have a chance to right a great injustice that I’ve allowed for far too long.”

Orin speaks up first. “My lord, you truly mean to free them? All of them?”

Kael notes the surprising tone of hope in the younger man’s voice, and the way he keeps ahold of his lamia companion’s hand. Glancing at her, she’s clearly trying to stay stoic, but a glimmer in her eyes betrays much the same hopeful feeling. Lord Greyheart smiles again.

“Yes, Champion Orin, I do. In fact, though it will take some time to arrange the details, all of you ladies can consider yourselves free. Slavery will be a thing of the past.”

There’s a collective gasp, as if this pronouncement makes the previous one real. Kael, holding hands with both Evie and Gabby, feels them both tense up, with Evie immediately looking up at him with a soft smile. Gabby seems mostly just stunned, though a tear runs down her cheek. Kael releases her hand, reaching up to touch her shoulder, and she turns and hugs him in response.

Around the room, the reactions of the other companions are similar. Koa is practically tackled by the orcish sisters, who are laughing happily as they shower the big man with affection. More surprising, however, is Orin’s companion Lyssa. Orin seems about to speak again when the regal lamia delicately touches his chin, turning his face towards her. Before he can say anything, she silences him with a passionate kiss.

Lord Greyheart chuckles at the display of emotion. “I’m glad to have your approval. This is what I want my legacy to be.”

Ria, who has an arm around Evie’s waist now, glances around the room before speaking. “My lord, you knew we would be on board, but, what about the rest of the people? You have to know there will be pushback.”

Lord Greyheart nods. “Of course. I may be foolish sometimes, but I’m not a fool, Champion Ria.”

Ria blushes. “That’s not…”

Lord Greyheart laughs. “I know you didn’t mean that, don’t worry. Yes, there will be issues. But you saw the response yourself. The support is there for this, especially now. And anyone we lose over this isn’t the sort I want in this new kingdom anyway. My hope is that word of this will travel, and the few nonhumans hiding out will realize that this is a haven for them. That would more than offset any losses.”

Ria nods, placated. Naturally, she’s also a bit distracted as Evie hugs her tightly. Lord Greyheart is about to speak again, when a messenger appears in the doorway.

“My lord, there are several people who wish to speak with you. What shall I say to them?”

Lord Greyheart sighs. “It begins. Tell them I am on my way. My champions, I thank you for…everything you do. I expect some celebration will be in order. Help yourself to the food and drink, and I will call upon you when I have need. Enjoy yourselves.”

With that, he leaves the room, with Bernal close behind. Despite the food and wine available, everyone seems too excited to partake. Kael notices, as he chats with a grinning Koa, that Ria has that spark of mischief in her eyes. She spends some time whispering with first Evie, and then Gabby. Finally, she approaches Kael, hugging him from behind and whispering softly to him. He shivers as her lips brush against his ear.

“Hey big guy. How about we get out of here and have a real celebration?”

The sultry tone of her voice leaves no doubt as to what this ‘celebration’ will entail. And it seems that Ria isn’t the only one with that plan. Orin and Lyssa leave the room without a word, eyes only on each other. Meanwhile, one of the orcish sisters, the blue haired Kiera, is trying to drag Koa in the same direction, while the purple haired Mari giggles behind her. Koa and Kael share a sheepish look, and say hasty goodbyes.

Kael is hustled out the door by Ria, with Gabby and Evie close behind. It seems like they’re all in a hurry to get back home.