Epilogue

Our arrival back in the Dragonyard was quiet. Only Commander Thera, Geridao and Mother were waiting for us. The other Riders on sentry duty saw us come in and waved, but they were on duty and we couldn't have a reunion until later, when they were off duty and I had had a chance to rest and eat and bathe. Xihith touched down gently, her wings barely stirring any dust. Jorgen and I spilled off. Jorgen looked slightly disoriented and still exhausted, but he managed to execute a proper bow before sitting down in the dirt of the Dragonyard and leaning against Xihith's forearm. I didn't worry about any formalities. I ran to my mother and embraced her tightly. We were both laughing and crying at the same time.

Commander Thera gave us the morning to rest before she summoned us before her for debriefing. I think Geridao got Xihith's point of view from her before we even left the Yard, and she went off to eat a cow. Jorgen and I parted ways soon after that. I returned to my quarters to bathe, taking a luxuriously long hot bath, and take a nap before I had to tell everything to Commander Thera. I woke up after a few hours feeling closer to human, and went to find something to from the Rider mess before I was debriefed.

I was supposed to arrive at the second afternoon bell, but I finished my meal early and went to her office before I had to, waiting outside until Jorgen came out. When he did, his face was slightly flushed, but he gave me a cheerful grin and held the door for me as I went in. I smiled back before sitting down with my intimidating commander.

Kerlith, I found out afterward, had already been punished for her treason. Commander Thera and Geridao had found a way to break the bond between her and Darato. Commander Thera, normally stoic, looked troubled as she told me this, which made me conclude that it had been as painful for them as it was for Kerlith and Darato. Darato had screamed and vanished in a smear of oily smoke, and Kerlith was trapped between life and death, her mind torn loose from her body and her body only sustained by the beating of her heart.

Word of the truce reached Milidorian troops in the Remella Valley the day after we returned to Dracia, and they withdrew on schedule, even taking their dead with them. After news of their withdrawal reached us in the capital, Mother, Jorgen, the Milidorian ambassador, and I began to forge a peace treaty. The deliberations took forever, but eventually, after two months, we managed to create a working treaty. It declared the end of war between Dracia and Milidor, the reopening and expansion of trade between our realms, as well as its protection. Milidor had to respect that Remella had chosen to join Dracia. In return, Dracia would prevent any wild dragons within its borders from ravaging Milidor. Dracia and Milidor would work together to rebuild the Valley and the neighboring parts of Milidor which were destroyed in the war, and to find homes and jobs for the refugees who had fled the war. Milidor would also be granted limited access to the mouth and headwaters of the Remella River. Finally, as a way of sealing the peace, Jorgen and I were betrothed.

Jorgen had to return to Milidor with the treaty, because I had promised that when I had 'kidnapped' him. There have been more envoys going between our two lands—some of the other Riders are complaining about having to travel halfway across the continent, but no one is seriously unhappy—ironing out details. However, yesterday, Mother, I, and a whole host of dignitaries traveled to the headwaters of the Remella River, which are sacred to both lands. There is a hunting lodge there where we are meeting the delegation from Milidor to sign the treaty. I am excited, especially because I get to see Jorgen again. I feel as though this day would never come.

AN:

Thank you to everyone who read. Thank you also to my sister and best friend Berna and my friend Sophia for doing some preliminary editing work on this. You guys rock!