Once Rupert left, Daniel’s man began begging for his life. But such was not to be. Chad accepted the duty of silencing him and with one thrust, it was over.
For the rest of that day, they sought and located an out of the way area where they buried the dead in a large, communal grave. Then in an attempt to mask the grave, they gathered individual plants from many different areas and planted them atop the grave mound. By the time they were done, rain had started to fall and began the job of removing the evidence that people had ever been there. In such a remote area, it was unlikely another person would stumble upon the entrance to the Horde. Above the entrance, they had woven the vines together to better conceal it. When spring came and the vines began growing once more, the entrance would again be well hidden.
Before darkness fell, the two groups gathered together. Riyan and his group had reclaimed their horses and equipment, as well as a spare for each from those of Captain Glaver’s. Lord Haran and his men took the rest.
“What route do you plan to take on your way home?” Riyan asked Lord Haran.
“First, we must go to Aquillian and speak with your King,” he replied. “My uncle has brought our two nations perilously close to war and I must set that right.”
“Our families are on their way to Terix which is on the way to Aquillian,” Riyan explained. “If you are agreeable, we could travel that far together.”
Nodding, Lord Haran said, “I would like that.” Giving Riyan a grin, he signaled for his men to get underway.
Riyan led them on a route toward the south ford that would avoid any possible contact with the inhabitants of Quillim. As much as he loved the village of his birth, there was no reason to return. The home in which he grew to adulthood was gone, his mother and Freya were no longer there, everything he cared for was on its way to Terix.
As he rode through the countryside, he thought of the last year and the changes his life had taken. Who would have thought that a simple shepherd boy would one day be riding in camaraderie with a Warlord of the Tribes! Smiling to himself, he thought of the friends he had made and the adventures they survived. But most of all, he thought of Freya and their future life together. Man, it was a good day to be alive!