Aftermath.

Julieanne and Kriss headed into Marcus's camp and saw the shade that had been set up shielding Arerto from the heat of the sun. The healers were tending her wounds and nearby stood Marcus. They approached and the healers stepped back as Julieanna knelt beside Arerto who weakly opened her eyes and gave a little smile. Coughing and with a weak voice, she told Julieanna that she must stop her mother from seeking retribution and that Marcus had given his word that he and his people would not again set foot on Amazon soil. Arerto closed her eyes and Julieanna stood turning to Marcus and walked over to him looking him in the eye. "Thank you for the care you have shown Arerto I will now take her back to her people for further care." Marcus nodded and signalled two of his warriors to pick Arerto up and lay her on the sledge. He turned to Julieanna and told her that he had never seen a woman fight as fierce as a lion before. With that Julieanna and Kriss headed back to their camp and Marcus led his troops back to his city.

In the meantime, Queen Alcippe had arrived in camp with just her personal escort and was advised that Julieanna had gone to retrieve Arerto. She waited in Arerto's tent with Helena who had handed her letter from Arerto. "My daughter can be so disobedient when she needs to be. I should not have relieved her of her command. Given the same situation, I would have done the same but as Queen, I must protect the realm" she said to Helena. Helena reassured the Queen that Arerto had understood the action taken by the Queen and bore no malice. Her only thought was to save what was left of the army in the only way she could. Just Then one of Alcippe's aides came in and reported that Julieanna and Kriss were approaching the camp and Helena ordered the camp to stand to so they could honour Arerto. The camp quickly formed into ranks that lined the entrance of the pass heading back into the camp, even walking wounded came out of the hospital tent.

Julieanna walked into camp leading the horse and Kriss followed the sledge with Arerto laying on it. They stopped just outside Arerto's tent and the Queen and Helena looked at the sledge. Helena was fighting her tears as the Queen approached and knelt by Arerto's side as she opened her eyes and smiled. "Mother you are here seems I have gotten myself into real trouble this time. I have struck a deal with Marcus and Julieanna will fill in the details but you must promise me you will not seek revenge." The Queen looked down and gave her promise then squeezed her daughter's hand and stood up as Helena approached. "My sweet Helena I shall miss you very much but know that I love you with all my heart and I shall always be watching over you. Keep me in your heart but you must move on Helena and be happy." Helena looked at Arerto stroking loose hair from her eyes and through teary eyes promised her would not forget her.

It was not long after that Arerto took her last breath with a smile on her face knowing she had got the chance to say goodbye to her lover and her mother. Julieanna ordered the army to get ready to depart leaving just a small detachment of warriors to guard the pass. Arerto was placed in a wagon and surrounded by an escort of warriors. The army and the procession headed back towards the Freeconian capital and along the way out riders had ridden ahead informing hamlets and villages of the passing of Arerto. So along the route citizens had lined the dirt roads bowing their heads as the wagon passed them. Some children even threw flowers onto the wagon so by the time the wagon had passed the last village Arerto was surrounded by flowers of many colours. A rider had ridden on to the city and delivered an order from the Queen to have a burial casket ready on their arrival . Arerto would be cleaned up and dressed then would lay in state for a week then she would be buried.