Gone. Dead. Killed by Thracia's Dragon Knights. It didn't seem possible, even as Finn went over Lachesis's words in his head, again and again. I should have been there, it should have been me, he wanted to say. What kind of a knight let his master die?
But he was more than a knight, Cuan had said. He'd become a friend, a friend they trusted with the well-being and upbringing of their son in the event of their deaths. He'd made a promise to take care of Prince Leaf should that come to pass, and he'd intended to honor it.
But I also promised to protect my master and his wife even at the cost of my life. That's what a knight does, right?
Lachesis had gone to bed, tired from travel. Leaf slept peacefully in his cradle, and Finn would glance over at him every now and then.
There was still no word of Princess Altenna, and people had given up hope. She was dead alongside her parents, they were saying, and even though Finn wished they would stop talking about it already a part of him knew they might be right.
Prince Leaf wasn't even six months old, and he'd lost his entire family. Finn fought back tears as he looked down at the sleeping infant.
"I made a promise to your mother and father, and I'll honor it. Even if it means my life, I will protect you."