Happy times were always short-lived.
After having dinner that evening, Linley returned to the academy early the next morning. Bebe lay on the carriage, watching Wushan Town recede into the distance, and squeaked twice. There was no telling whether he was reluctant to leave or urging them on.
Linley stroked his head without saying anything.
That night.
The doors to the Baruch Clan's ancestral hall were tightly shut, and candles burned brightly inside.
Hogg and Hillman sat inside, facing the rows of memorial tablets and the war saber Slaughter, which had just been returned to its rack.
Candlelight danced across the blade, its muted blood-red hue flickering between light and shadow.
Hogg simply sat there, staring at the saber and the memorial tablets without moving.
His eyes held everything.
Relief, satisfaction, acceptance, and-madness.
Hillman stood to one side, not daring to speak.
After an unknown length of time, Hogg spoke.
"Hillman." His voice was soft, almost as if he were talking to himself. "The thing I'm most satisfied with in this life is having had two children."
Hillman looked at him.
"Linley and Wharton," Hogg continued. "One became a mage, solved the family's financial problems, and even recovered our ancestral treasure. The other will become a Dragonblood Warrior and inherit the glory of the Baruch Clan."
He paused, his lips pulling into a smile.
"I, Hogg, could die without regrets now."
Hillman's heart lurched.
"Lord Hogg..." He had barely spoken before he was interrupted.
"Hillman." Hogg turned to look at him, candlelight illuminating his face and his kindly smile. "Don't call me Lord Hogg. Just call me Brother Hogg."
Hillman opened his mouth, but the words would not come.
Hogg did not mind. He turned back to the memorial tablets.
"Hillman, apart from me, you know more than anyone