Story Epilogue: Parting ways, then returning home.

It wasn't until midday, when the sounds of some of the Amazon women helping Cielina up wakes you up. Given the heated passion of mating with the Amazon Queen overnight, Cielina's legs--muscular and shapely as they are--feel like jelly, whenever she tries to stand up and walk. The scent of some herbal salves being rubbed into Cielina's legs by a shamaness fills the tent, as you sit up. Cielina sees you awake, blowing you a kiss, then smiles. A few hours pass, as you clean up as best as you can, then put on your clothes and armor, and oversee the breakdown of the expedition's camp. About halfway through the process, you walk with Cielina to the harbor inside Phebis, where the Amazon ships were moored. Some of the Amazon women are busy loading up the ships with goods and luxuries to bring back to the islands. Others are busy checking every part of the ship. As soon as all of the Amazon women have boarded the ships, Cielina turns to face you.

"I will miss you, King Bryce of Itheria." She tells you softly. "Gods willing, we will meet again, soon."

"I hope we do, Queen Cielina." You reply.

You return the deep hug that Cielina offers, feeling her lips on yours again, before she reluctantly breaks the embrace. You then watch her board her ship, watching her walk onto the aft of the ship, as harbor workers unhook the moorings. There is a reasonable amount of sadness in her lilac purple eyes, as her sisters-in-arms open the sails, and row out of the harbor. While they do that, you see her bring her hands to her tummy, rubbing it in circles, in the hope that she conceived a child with you. You wait until the ships are well out of sight, as your advisors, and Akina, join you.

"Do you believe she will sail for Itheria in a few cycles?" Akina asks you.

"We may nae know, until she makes her first visit to our court." You reply. "A part of me believe she will in due time. However, the raid and the ensuing demon invasion only furthers my need to find a suitable bride."

"So I take it that will be your first priority," Sir Garrett asks you, "after our people have had the chance to mourn those that fell in battle?"

"Aye," you tell him, "that will take priority."

"Will our people accept that their loved ones fell to demons?" Vessa asks you next. "Given the size of the Amazon raid, you would think at first that we would only suffer small losses of men."

"They will have to accept such a cruel fate, Vessa." You tell your court mage. "They must know the truth. I must also commend the people of the Frostpeaks for the way their Frost Knights have fought. We could've lost alot more of our soldiers, were it not for their bravery and fighting spirit."

"By your will, your highness." Vessa replies, as one of the officers walk over to you, saluting.

"Your highness," the officer tells you, "the breakdown of our camp is complete. We are ready to return home, by your command."

"Good." You tell the officer. "Ready the army for the return. I will make one final visit to the Phebian King, then we will ride home."

"Aye, your highness." The officer replies, saluting you, before heading off.

You make one final visit to the Phebian King, then head to your horse, where you mount up. The surviving people of Phebis bow before you, as you ride past them, towards the West Gate, and out. It is there that you see the first wave of trade caravans since the raid, preparing for their trip to Itheria. Some of the merchants can be seen talking to the officers, before they turn to face you, and bow.

"I beg ye pardon, your highness." One of the caravan leaders tell you. "Thee officers tell me ye are returning home. I hope ye don't mind if yer army matches thee pace of our caravans, on thee way to yer capital."

"The moons will be out in full this night, your highness." Vessa tells you. "Given our late start, we can ride forth under the moonlights."

"It only seems fitting that we bring the first caravans since the raid to the capital safely." You reply. "Come along, then."

"Aye, yer highness," the caravan leader reply, "I thank ye."

So it was that you wait for the caravans to be ready to move on, then you give the command to roll out. From the ramparts, the Phebian King watches you and your expedition return home, bringing along the trade caravans. As for you, the thoughts of Cielina on her long voyage home preoccupy your mind, as well as the task of finding a suitable bride, if it doesn't happen to be the woman that you first thought you would have to cut down or capture in the first place.

(END OF STORY ARC)