Eric

A month had passed since I had left her and returned to my village. I had not lied when I told her I had personal business. Debts were owed. I refused to take the gold that had initially been agreed upon as my reward for escorting her to the Duke's castle. I had come to believe in her cause too much to take money for doing the right thing. I sold my house to pay the debts instead. After all, I had found it too painful to cross the threshold since I had lost Sara. I would probably offer my services as a guide to travelers—commerce would resume now that the evil queen was dead. Or perhaps the dwarves would allow me to sojourn with them for a time.

I had made up my mind that I would not return for the coronation. As much as I had meant it when I said I hoped to see her again, I had no intention of seeing her again. As the rightful queen, with an army at her disposal, she no longer had need of my protection, such as it was.

She's better off without me. I failed to protect Sara, and I failed her as well. I almost lost her once. I won't put her in danger again. Nor will I embarrass her. I'm not exactly fit to be spending time in the Queen's court.

But as I tried to convince myself I was hunting deer and bears, I found my boots moving closer to the palace as the coronation day approached.