The weather in the Lands Between turned cold very quickly.
Perhaps that little bit of warmth was simply so hard to come by that "summer" seemed especially precious.
One day, as the wind grew cooler, Rykard finally received an envoy from the Elden Lord.
Dressed in white robes with a golden sash, the envoy walked into Rykard's residence quite ordinarily.
He showed no arrogance before Rykard, merely saying, "Lord Rykard, the king has read your letter written in blood."
"What did Father say?" Rykard knelt on one knee before the envoy, hope rising in his eyes.
"The king said, 'You have shown your sincerity.'" The envoy wore a professional smile. "Please clean yourself up, Lord Rykard, and prepare to attend the council and banquet."
"Ah, Father has finally forgiven me." Rykard actually began to cry.
With trembling fingers, he took off a gemstone ring and pressed it into the envoy's hand.
Though the envoy said, "No, please," his hands honestly tucked it into the little pouch at his waist.
After seeing the envoy off, Rykard wiped his face. His expression turned gloomy again, his eyes filled with ruthlessness.
What followed was simple: bathing, changing clothes, cutting his hair, and shaving, making himself clean and radiant.
He regained the dignity befitting a Justiciar.
He would attend this council as a man "reborn."
Time passed quickly. The day of the Demigod Council was approaching, and the demigods all began preparing to attend.
Blaidd returned before then.
"Princess, I'm sorry I returned late." Blaidd looked at Ranni apologetically.
Ranni looked up at Blaidd and felt that he had changed. It was not a change in his appearance, but within.
A heavy chill clung to him, and there seemed to be frost in his eyes that would never melt.
Yet she could still