• tab The people of Bosche rejoiced in the streets as the parade passed through the Market Lane towards the castle. I saw citizens sitting on rooftops and leaning over their balconies throwing confetti and flowers down to us from above to thank and congratulate us for our victory.
    tab We were the army of Bosche, returning from our mission to the north to defend the constructors of the Frostbane Ramparts. The best and bravest of the kingdom's stonemasons, carpenters and magi were chosen to participate in building the Ramparts; a large wall spanning the entire Bosche-Pherdran border along the Frejid Mountains. The heavily fortified stone was etched with many warding runes by the magi to keep the undead horrors away, as they'd been funneling down from the arctic wasteland since about three months ago.
    tab The abominable creatures stopped at no length to impede our progress on the construction of the Ramparts… Although the wall was finally erected, many of my comrades died in those battles. It was a grueling experience in that freezing mountain pass for three long months… and it made me realize how important our sacrifices were. A few dozen deaths to protect thousands from a genocidal slaughter at the hands of undead monstrosities…

    tab The parade continued as I marched alongside my fellow brothers-in-arms… I was dressed in my black cloak, draped across narrow, bony shoulders with the hood drawn up to cover my face… My mythril chain mail jingled with every step under my robes as I had unfastened some of the bindings for comfort's sake. My only sight was the cobblestone road below, and my feet as they made each and every step in line with the others. I clutched a black bag to my chest, holding onto it for dear life.
    tab I heard a familiar voice that startled me back into reality from my introverted reminiscing. Commander Evins.
    tab "Company… HALT!" he yelled out. My feet stopped, adding their sound to an orchestra of hundreds of boots stamping with affirmation against the stone. I looked up some, my eyes fixating on Commander Evins. A tall, gruff, seasoned warrior who had defended the kingdom for nearly twenty years. He was a career man through-and-through, and Evins wouldn't have that any other way. His unkempt auburn hair and gritty stubble shouted masculinity in a powerful yet honorable manner. The uniform of his chain armor and the dark blue tabard featuring Bosche's coat of arms looked like it was made just for him, while the longsword at his hip was right at home.
    tab "Attention!" he ordered the company as he turned and stepped back to the side, making way for the herald. We all stood stiff as lumber in the mill, feet together, back straight, hands at our sides.
    tab The herald emerged from the barred doors that once served as Commander Evins' backdrop. He was a goofy, scrawny fellow with that annoying, stereotypical voice of any town crier. His patched clothes didn't seem to match, looking sewn together from cloths cut of eight different hues of brown. This was the dress of nobles these days?
    tab "Hear ye! Hear ye! People of Bosche!" he began… I clutched the bag tighter to my chest, feeling a surprising rise in temperature from its contents. "His Highness, King Roleri Herion the Third!"
    tab The crowd went wild. The sounds of their cheers and clapping battled with the triumphant fanfare of brass horns that signaled the public appearance of the bearer of Bosche's crown jewels.
    tab The entourage of King Herion's bodyguards showed up first. That heavy, blackened plate armor and those terrifyingly molded armets would deter all but the most confident assassins at the fortress. And if their armor wasn't enough to terrify you, then I envy the fool with the confidence and courage to scoff at those master crafted halberds. Fastened upon the poles of their weapons was the flag of Bosche, serving as a constant reminder of who had the power, and what the enemies of the crown were facing.
    tab Then finally… The King… King Roleri Herion's grandson… The third ruler of the Kingdom since the humans retook the throne from Cassaden over a century ago. He bore the literal and figurative mantle of leadership in the kingdom. A blue silken cloak bearing the crest of Bosche, lined with the finest black fur hung over his shoulders. Binding the two ends around his neck was an exotic golden brooch with a flawless sapphire gem set inside. His regal surcoat and slacks spoke fathoms about the wealth of the royal family. I doubted I could afford clothing of that quality even if the entire company and I had pooled our gold together…
    tab The older man brushed his salt-and-pepper hair from his eyes, fingers gracing the silver crown upon his head. His wrinkled face scrunched up a bit as the midday sun glared in his eyes. The King rested his hand on the blade at his side and began to speak with a booming voice that captured the hearts of the kingdom's people.
    tab "Welcome home, mighty warriors! You have served your crown and country with loyalty and diligence! You have protected your friends and families from the dangers that lurk in the frozen northlands! The Frostbane Ramparts have been constructed and are operational! We, the people of Bosche, and I, the King, thank you for your service! While the wall must always be manned, I make a vow to the families of all serviceman, that your loved ones will be returned home to you for a well-deserved leave. Now go, soldiers of Bosche. Return to your families to hug your wives, to embrace your children! Thank you! Thank you all!" he ended with a graceful bow to the onlookers.
    tab The people cheered around us, louder than ever… The sound was piercing and made me cringe… My mind still kept slipping back to the mountain pass… The screams of anguish and death surrounded me then, and my battered mind twisted these rejoicing sounds into sickening, revolting groans.
    tab I clutched the bag closer to my chest and I peered up at the King from under my cloak. He did not return directly to the throne room, but I saw him approach Commander Evins and speak with him in private for a moment. My curiosity was quelled within moments as the King turned and motioned in my direction. There was no doubt about it; King Herion was speaking to the Commander about me. Now just what could that all be about…? Well, I wasn't going to be able to think about the answer too long, because here came Commander Evins. He moved across the stage and got close enough to motion me up. I slung the bag's strap over my shoulder carefully and nodded to acknowledge his request. I could only hope that none of them wished to see the contents.
    tab My feet carried me up the wooden steps with the booming celebration still going loud and strong as ever. I heard Commander Evins addressing me directly, and the tone of his voice confirmed all of my fears.
    tab "Leyros! Front and center, son! His Majesty wishes to speak with you… Chin up, make eye contact, boy," he snapped all of these orders at me. It made my teeth grind, but I did as I was told and had my eyes lock onto the King's. He approached me slowly… cautiously… I wondered why he had his hand so close to his blade. I definitely didn't feel like I was welcome here anymore.
    tab "Leyros Fairwyn… You were the tactical commander assigned to the Fang Company, correct…?" he asked me. It was a stupid question to ask me. King Herion knew the answer to that question, but he was inquiring nonetheless. What game was he playing?
    tab "Yes, Your Majesty…" I began with an unintentionally chill and haunting voice. "I am that Leyros Fairwyn… Grandmaster Leyros Fairwyn of the Arcana Academy and overseer of Fang Company's Runewardens."
    tab That answer didn't seem to please our most esteemed leader, leading him to give me a very scrutinizing once over.
    tab "Grandmaster…" he said with a biting tone. "You've got the stench of undeath on you…"
    tab My, how straight to the point he was… I wasn't going to admit to anything just yet, but I knew in my mind and the hole in my chest where my heart once beat that he was correct. My thin, frozen lips bent upwards into a smirk as I responded.
    tab "But of course I do, Your Majesty… I have been slaying the vile things for nearly three months, sir." I answered back with honesty and bitterness at once. "Now, please… May I go see my family now? I want to let them know that I am okay." I bowed graciously to the King of Bosche and turned slowly from him to head down the stairs. Much of the crowd had dispersed by now, but it was still thick enough for me to slip through and avoid detection.
    tab I had a feeling that Commander Evins would be informing me of my discharge from the army when next we met… Unfortunately it would have to be a dishonor presented posthumously…