Disclaimer: I own naught.

Author's Note: There is a very good reason I've chosen Rillian as one of the names for the nomad. Can you guess why that is? I'm wondering how to end this story. A part of me wants to wrap it up slightly despite having another on the way, but it could also be neat to end it like the beginning of another story. What do you all say? Would you like me to save the epilogue for the last one? Actually no, I've just made my decision, looking at my question Thank you. The italics are from Wikipedia, I'm ashamed to say. Now go read.

Chapter 35: "The Emperor"

"The Emperor symbolizes the desire to rule over one's surroundings, and its appearance in a reading often suggests that the subject needs to accept that some things may not be controllable, and others may not benefit from being controlled."

The last of the civil army dispersed once the company reached Rush River. Those who lived nearby went home. When they reached the Oak Circle there were only royal soldiers left, and most of them lived in the castle. The sight that greeted them was enough to force the breath out of their lungs. When they left the castle and surrounding meadows had been in horrible shape, but everyone had witnessed the transformation. They had seen the grass get singed by fiery arrows and heard some of the Oak Trees scream as they were knocked over or set on fire.

In the time away it seemed they had all forgotten how bad it truly looked. Lucy and her guards hadn't yet seen and fell silent in horror. Peter could easily relate. It seemed the only one who wasn't fazed was Susan. He suspected because she had been here when the rebuilding was begun. And true enough, a lot of work had been done in only a few weeks, but it still looked like a war zone compared to its usual innocence.

No one liked to see their home in such a state.

They were greeted as returned heroes, but very few of them felt as such. Especially not the sovereigns. Out of the four of them it was only Susan who tried to get back to work within minutes of stepping through the main gates. She was politely denied any chance to wear herself out even further, by Sir Giles Fox and Panicus.

The other three simply dismounted and watched as soldiers began helping stable boys and masons getting their provisions squared away. Neither of them thought to help. Lucy had circles under her eyes and Edmund looked almost frightened. It was then Peter made his first executive decision, in what felt like weeks. "Off to bed, c'mon." He cupped his hands on Lucy and Edmund's backs and ushered them inside. Susan was tugged along as well. Six guards, including Oreius, followed them to their rooms.

No one noticed, or spoke of it, when all siblings entered Peter and Edmund's room together. The royals went to sleep. Lucy and Susan in Edmund's bed. Peter and his brother in his. They slept through the day and the night as well. That one night none of them had any nightmares, but they would soon come.

Looking over his home Edmund felt at peace again. It was a fresh day. Cool winds swept the land, but not enough to freeze. The reconstruction of Cair Paravel was going smoothly and the cleaning was almost done. Farmers from the Southern Marshes had come to replant the fields outside the castle. Dryads from deep within the Western Wild had come to tend to the battered Hamadryads. They were replanting acorns into Oaks. Naiads were rerouting adjacent rivers to irrigate, and quicken the growing process.

Animals of every kind were hopping around, helping. Injured were still being tended to, but slowly sent home. As the loud sounds of hammers hitting metal faded, the castle grew quieter. Over the days the silence became the predominant state, and the royals began to get bored. They were still bared access to any kind of strenuous, physical labor. Court was temporarily closed, and would not have been much use even if it wasn't. No one felt like complaining. Everyone was suddenly aware of how close they had come to very real destruction.

The kings were growing restless. Susan and Lucy had found other means of keeping busy since not being allowed back into their usual routines. Lucy had gone off to visit Mr. Tumnus for the first time in a while.

Susan had ridden to Glasswater to greet the Galmanian High Duke. Ayel Maeon-Tal who ruled Tal City as his father before him and his father before him. He was a very proud man, but oddly humble at the same time. He favored Susan and Lucy more than his own daughters, and had nothing but respect for the kings. His ship had arrived early in the day and Susan had ridden out to greet them, leaving Edmund and Peter in Oreius' service.

Their general explained the state of the castle. The majority of the damage had been done to the thatch houses in the lower courtyards. Roofs had burned away, leaving several stables with gaping holes. With autumn on its way that took priority. Many of the Animals and Creatures were helping the masons rebuild and so Peter set to work. He assigned himself to the rebuilding of the main stable, under the gentle tutelage of Herring the Dwarf. He was a feisty, little man with wiry, red hair and a puffy beard.

"No, no, no! The beams go on the other side of the building. This side inn't ready for structural work yet!"

The Dogs that had dragged the beams hung their tails and hurried to pull the beams as directed. Peter was hammering in finely made nails, having finally talked Oreius into letting him do manual labor. Half the roof was up though all of it still needed thatching to be completely finished. The sun was climbing higher and burning more fiercely. It was a while since he had removed his shirt to only work in breeches. He was already sweating. At the end of summer it seemed the sun always utilized every second to its fullest. To offset the hot sun a cold air sometimes swept into the courtyard. It was usually sheltered because of its high walls, but working so high meant being more exposed.

Edmund had passed by about an hour earlier and warned his brother about the damages of sunburn. Peter suspected Edmund was just jealous that he couldn't get a tan even if he rolled in fire. The thought struck him like a kick. He froze, hammer raised above his head, waiting to strike another nail on the head. His breathing quickened before he could realize it. Only when Herring barked at him, mistaking him for someone, or –thing else, did Peter wake. He glanced at the Dwarf with shock written on his face and the carpenter quickly lost his zeal. He wilted a little, apologized to the king, and hurried down the latters that were placed every few feet.

Peter said nothing of it and hoped Herring didn't report his concern to the healers. They would have a field day once they learned their king had been exposed to harsh sunlight and cold winds. For the rest of that day Peter couldn't seem to focus. It was only after the sixth time he had hammered his own finger that he was ordered to rest. Herring had gotten reinforcements from Oreius. The Centaur could almost have reached up and hauled Peter down without the use of a latter, but chose a more dignified approach.

To which Peter was immensely glad. He carefully dismounted the skeleton roof on his own steam. He was accompanied to his room by the general and only stopped once the two were inside. "Where's Edmund?"

"Word came from the nomads. Some have already left Archenland and are here in Narnia. King Edmund went to speak with them."

Peter resisted the gentle nudges to get him in the room. "Well I should go with him."

"Your Majesty." It was deep and slightly threatening, the way only Oreius could say it, and Peter found himself accepting that he would not be leaving his room within the next hour. He closed the door behind him and glanced out the window as he removed his clothes. It wasn't until he slipped under the covers he suddenly felt tired. He had worked hard, but hardly more than he was used to. Perhaps Oreius was right in that he needed rest? He couldn't quite understand why, but felt surer and surer that his general was right. Just before he slipped completely into unconsciousness he vowed he would never again disobey Oreius when it came to napping.

Edmund had taken Phillip and a small group of royal guards with him when he heard nomads were entering Narnia. They didn't ride far before they spotted some of them. Small groups were beginning to move north-west, away from the main groups, still in Archenland. Edmund scoured the groups for Zoren, but saw no sign of him.

He figured the patriarch was still in Archenland with the rest of his guild. Instead he found someone he hadn't expected. Rillian Zlatari Eshkol came walking with his wife's family. "Rillian." Edmund greeted and dismounted before Phillip could come to a complete stop.

The Horse drew a few stares when he bit out a snarky remark about careless kings. He instantly drew the attention of all the children. Soon he had a whole flock of little ones, crowding him, pulling on straps and petting his soft nozzle.

Edmund ignored the scene and moved over to shake Rillian's hand. "King Edmund." The nomad happily greeted the king though he looked a might bit surprised.

"I'm sorry for the interruption, but I heard nomads were moving north and I wanted to speak with you."

"Of course." The young man was quietly joined by his wife and her father.

Edmund nodded in greeting.

"Your Majesty, this is my wife Tema Eshkol and her father Horen Eshkol."

Edmund nodded and wondered why Horen wasn't introduced as patriarch. "I confess that I came for a specific reason."

Rillian nodded encouragingly.

"I wonder, have you seen Whillam Luri since Anvard?"

The young man nodded. "He is moving his house north. Back home. We offered to accompany them as protection, but they declined. I believe they are but a few hours ahead of us."

Edmund nodded and wanted most of all to speed out of there. He bid Rillian, Horen and Tema politely goodbye before he hurried over to Phillip. Though the Horse pretended to be annoyed with all the little ones he was happily nipping away at scruffy bangs. Edmund smiled and easily petted a child in passing. The little girl giggled at his touch and stuck her fingers in her mouth as he mounted. "Move out!" he called to his guard. They left in an impressive display of uniformed Animals, Creatures and dust.

They moved swiftly and reached a second group of nomads only an hour later. The group was walking quietly through the forest, looking like they were in no particular hurry. "Whillam Luri." Edmund called out. His sharp eyes scoured the group of about thirty. "Pater Whillam Luri?"

A fair-haired man at the center of the group turned. He nodded when he and Edmund made eye contact. Again dismounting Edmund left Phillip with the rest of the guards as he approached the patriarch. When he reached him he offered a curt nod and received one in return. "Master Luri."

"King Edmund." the nomad returned with a crooked smile. "I was hoping for a chance to speak with you."

Edmund's eyes widened in a lightning quick motion. "Likewise."

Whillam stepped aside and offered him to follow. It seemed as if the nomad had signaled his entire house to stop without a single word. People took off their loads and sent children out to gather firewood. Again it wasn't long before Phillip and the rest of the guards had drawn quite the crowd. Edmund smiled at a Cheetah, a slender female, when a toddler hobbled over to where she was seated and thumped down right in front of her. His smile blossomed when she smirked at the toddler and pushed him playfully. The youth's cry of joy echoed through the camp and made several adults pause.

"Please, sit." Whillam gestured to a log that had hastily been placed in front of a small fire. Already a sack had been hung to boil tea. Water was dripping through the skin, making the flames sizzle. Edmund had severe troubles looking away from the fire, but sat down.

Whillam watched him carefully. "We could move if the fire bothers you?"

Edmund looked up and wordlessly shook his head. It did, but it wasn't overwhelming. Yet.

"What do you wish to speak with me about?" Whillam asked carefully, sensing the young man's unease.

"Ab-About where you're going." His eyes shot back to the fire whenever he caught an erratic movement in his peripheral.

"We are heading into the mountains of the north. The vast forests are our home."

"What about ogres and Telmarines?" They still couldn't account for the numbers of either group. It bothered him to no end to think there was still a looming threat in those woods.

Whillam smiled quickly and received two cups from a young woman. He dipped them into the tea, seemingly oblivious to the boiling water. He wiped one down and offered it to Edmund. "We know the forest well. It is part of us as we are part of it."

Oddly disturbed by his calm attitude towards possible death and destruction, Edmund eyed him wearily and tried the tea. It was very good. Smooth and a little sweet. Mild. A sharp aftertaste. He lowered the cup and swallowed. He was angled away from the fire, but could easily have put more distance between him and it. "I wanted to thank you for your help in Tashbaan."

Whillam saluted him with the cup and simultaneously bowed.

"I wanted you to know that we'll return the favor in any way we can." He looked around the encampment. "If you need any provisions or horses…" His inquiry died off when he took in the amused smile on the patriarch's face.

"Are you sure you only came to return a favor?"

Edmund thought it strange how drawn he felt to this man. He was short compared to Ed and his brother. Had a rather bland face, but there was something very magnetic about him. Something captivating, much like that certain something Lucy possessed. He imagined the man was quite the public speaker as well. "I wondered about your history,"

Whillam nodded. "We live differently than the nomads."

"Why?"

"We lived with them once. My great great grandfather established the system that still rules today. I do not know if the system still fits the world, though. It feels a bit…" He looked around at his people. "…antiquated."

Edmund followed his gaze. "Was that why you left?"

Whillam shook his head. "My grandfather left because he no longer felt as part of his people." The patriarch smiled. "I suppose that is still valid."

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot tell you the exact reason my grandfather left all those years ago, but I can tell you why I stay away. Why these people follow me." Edmund looked on with rapt attention. "I am not sure I could bend to the will of others. I have very little respect for the gold Zlatari mines, bends and sells. I care not for horses, bred by the Lyuli, when people can carry tents and supplies just as well."

"Will you come back next summer?" He wasn't sure where the inquiry came from, but he hoped the answer was yes. Something about Whillam was wildly appealing.

The nomad drew his shoulders up. "I am not sure."

Edmund nodded, having the strange sense that he might never see the man again. "You shouldn't hide," he said very softly, afraid of insulting him. He realized how wildly inappropriate the unsought council was when Whillam's eyes widened.

The patriarch stared at the young king a moment. Edmund wore a hood to cover the hair Whillam knew was missing. His eyes were guarded and he appeared to be wearing a mask over his true expression. Very guarded. And yet he had struck a nerve. The patriarch watched him closely a moment before he ventured to speak again. "You are probably right." It had taken the middle aged man by surprise to hear those exact words spoken. Especially when he knew the king must've wanted to hide himself. Probably had been.

"I know I'm not the person to advise such action, but it seems a shame." He looked around at the people. The Cheetah, along with the other Narnians though each had their own way of showing it, was wildly entertained by the children. The Great Cats looked very much like they usually did. Almost as if playing with a mouse, though the hungry look Edmund could easily identify wasn't there.

"Likewise." Whillam ventured at a moment when the king looked relaxed.

Edmund flinched back to stare at him, unsure whether to reprimand him for taking such liberties, or thank him. He settled for a nod, but the patriarch seemed to understand. "Thank you for your time, Pater Whillam Luri."

He gathered both hands as if in prayer and nodded to Edmund. Then rose and walked the king back to his guards. Phillip swished his tail and looked up when Edmund suddenly appeared. He puffed and quickly pretended to be annoyed with the children, all clamoring for his attention. "Ready?" Edmund asked.

The Horse nodded and lipped at some of the kids in farewell. As Edmund mounted the rest of his company stood to attention as well. He turned to Whillam. "If you ever visit my home again, I'd like it if we could speak."

Whillam offered another, small bow and smiled. "As you wish."

Edmund spun his mount around and sped away from the camp. He didn't know why, but the meeting with Whillam had warmed him. He felt lighter somehow and smiled to himself when the party leapt through the narrow paths and small creeks. It dawned on him that they were heading home and that he was excited to return.

His arrival caused a stir. Ayel Maeon-Tal had arrived and everyone was trying to clear the place up after him and his men had already gone inside the castle. Edmund called the Dwarf he believed to be in charge and told him to concentrate on work. Never mind the mess. He didn't stay to witness the Dwarf's shocked expression and nor did he really care. He felt different. Not just lighter, but something else as well. Jumping lightly up stairs, two at the time, he reached up and scratched his head. He stopped when his hand caught the sensation of stubble. Tiny, soft hairs dotted his scalp underneath the hood. They were just long enough to tickle certain spots on his ears.

He couldn't help the smile that lifted his face. He sped through the halls until he ran into the guards in front of the doors to the private quarters. "Hullo, have you seen my siblings?"

The guards took in his wide smile with surprised expressions. "I believe they are in the east wing, King Edmund."

Edmund wondered what they were doing in the public area. The Duke was a friend and usually treated like family. He hurried down high-ceilinged halls, packed with all manner of creatures. He stopped when he found the only door around with four guards attached. Two of them were Galmanian. Men he knew. He nodded in greeting and received small smiles in return.

Inside sat his three siblings with Ayel around a tall table. It was one of the more formal sitting rooms, designed for the humans that often visited Cair Paravel. The second he entered the room Ayel swung out of his seat. "Greetings, King Edmund," He bowed and extended his hand when Edmund did.

"Greetings, Ayel. What brings you here?" He smiled and received one in return.

"I came when I heard the news, your Majesty." He turned slightly to include the others.

"Won't you sit down, Edmund?" Susan asked. "He was just telling us about the state of things on Galma."

Edmund took a seat quickly. Ayel followed and placed his hands evenly on the fine table. "Rumors that Narnia ventured to war reached us too late for us to be of much service, but I insisted to journey here to learn what had happened from Yourselves." His concern was evident as he looked at them, especially when he looked at Susan.

"Cair Paravel was attacked." Lucy said. As Edmund watched her he thought she looked more relaxed than just a few days prior. It was then he realized he had still been smiling when he entered. That her face looked like she was just about to smile. "Our sister protected it until my brothers could return home." Even speaking about the battle she looked completely calm. The steely influence he was used to from her.

Ayel looked severely disturbed by the news. "And what of Calormen? Are the rumors true?" He turned to Edmund and Peter.

It was the older of the two that answered. "The former Tisroc kidnapped our sister Lucy," He glanced very quickly in her direction. "We retaliated in order to get her back."

"And the Tisroc?" he asked cautiously with a futile glance at Edmund.

"Shehyzan Tarkaan is dead." Peter answered. "Furthermore it seems Rabadash Tarkaan conspired to kill his brothers and succeeded on three accounts. One escaped and Rabadash was killed within the castle by our men." He had to contract every muscle from his chest up in order not to look at his brother when he said that.

"Which one escaped?"

"Hebu. The second oldest of the brothers. He's a diplomat. A politician, not a soldier." Edmund answered. He leaned across the table, feeling ridiculous in his hood. Suddenly wanting to take it off. His mood was rapidly rubbing off on his siblings.

"You hope he will negotiate with you?" Ayel asked meekly.

Edmund inclined his head in a sort-of nod before he shot a conspiring look at his brother.

"We hope so." Peter answered softly.

Ayel looked thoughtfully at the table another moment before he nodded. "Very well, your Majesties. What will you have me do?"

Susan and Peter shared a look before she answered. "Send your navy to The Lone Islands. See if everyone knows, if not spread the word." Her tone was very gentle and Ayel was completely engrossed. "You might have to ensure them that everything is under control. We imagine that Calormene trade ships will be fewer, but we will do our very best to ensure their continuance."

"I plan to take a trip east, Ayel." Lucy said with a quick smile. "I am hoping to reach the very tip of The Lone Islands and I'll be stopping in Galma and Terebinthia along the way."

The duke smiled. "We shall look forward to your visit, Queen Lucy."

"Thank you." she said with a genuine smile.

By that point Edmund's mood had reached everyone at the table. Even Ayel was smiling a little, soothed by his sovereign's words. "How long will you be staying for, my Lord?" Edmund asked after a moment of silence.

Ayel looked up in surprise, for he had quite happily been staring at the tabletop. "For a week, your Majesty."

"Excellent. Have you and your men been given rooms?"

He nodded and smiled fully. "Everything is satisfactory." He rose in a smooth movement and bowed to the kings and queens. Peter and Edmund rose with him and bowed back before he left the room.

Both kings sat down with a sigh. Peter looked at his sisters. Susan first, who smiled at him. Then Lucy, who looked terribly ashamed for some reason he couldn't fathom. And yet it made him strangely satisfied to see her slightly subdued after the weeks of poor behavior.

Edmund buried his face in his hands and began rubbing sore muscles. In the same movement he wiped the hood off his head and ran his hand over the stubble. He wondered if it was visible yet. "My hair is growing back." he mumbled into the table.

His siblings all woke up a bit and looked at him in surprise. "So soon?" Without invitation Susan reached out and petted her brother's head.

Edmund sat quietly and let her. His face softened when Peter smiled. "You can finally get rid of that hood."

The younger brother huffed in agreement. "Can I feel?" Lucy reached across the table and ran her quick hands over his head. She smiled peculiarly. "It feels like hairs on a peach."

"They do not!" Edmund's voice rose several octaves in indignation.

Lucy giggled along with Peter. "Let me feel," His brother reached over and rubbed Edmund's head with his calloused hands before the younger could move away. "They're a little longer…" He pondered.

"They do not feel like peaches!" Edmund barked, but settled when he noticed all three of them were smiling again. "At least tell me they're black?"

With a rare, mischievous glint in her eye Susan pretended to study him. "…Well,"

Edmund's mouth tightened into a little rosebud and his eyes beamed pure irritation. "I refuse to become blond like Peter."

"And red hair would look ridiculous on you," Lucy joined.

Susan chuckled and snaked out of her seat. She probably had a dozen things to do. "I agree with Lucy. You should strive for black." She leaned down and gave his head a peck.

"It is black." Edmund growled before she left the room. She smiled in parting.

Peter clapped his back and pulled him out of the seat. "C'mon, we have a castle to clean and you have to go talk to the Irins."

"What for?" Edmund asked.

"Well is seems Archer might have some unpleasant history with the duke." Lucy rose as well.

Edmund frowned at both his siblings.

"You didn't wonder why we were in the public wing?" Peter asked.

Ignoring the second question Edmund looked at his sister. "What history?" He was beginning to make a little more sense and felt for some reason as if he had dodged an arrow.

Neither of his siblings answered him. "Would you like me to speak with Ayel about the trade routes?" Lucy asked instead. Edmund took the cue. They wanted him to speak with Archer. They wanted him to hear it for himself.

With considerable effort he pulled his thoughts back to Lucy's question. They had agreed to ship more raw grain to Galma and The Lone Islands until the trade agreement with Calormen could be redone.

"That would be nice." he said as Peter swung both arms around his shoulders from the back. He was being guided out the door, Lucy trailing in their wake. "Are you sure you don't want either of us to help you?"

"I'm sure." she said with a smile.

Peter pushed Edmund on and looked carefully back at Lucy. The two shared a moment before he left to follow his brother. The high king felt relieved to recognize his sister again. To no longer see a stranger when he looked at her. Edmund was beginning to return again as well, after an absence that was longer than Peter had initially realized. His brother hadn't seemed so relaxed for years. It was a welcome change in the two young ones, but Peter wasn't sure what had caused it. He hoped the things he learned from Romel didn't chase it away completely.

The brothers would talk later in the evening, but for the moment he was content to just accept the changes he saw.

Edmund parted from his siblings and headed towards the rooms the Irins had been given. In the common room he found Romel and Thale, quietly eating while a boy played on the floor behind them. Edmund recognized the boy from the Air Castle. "I just had a very interesting conversation with my siblings." Edmund said as he entered, evading false greetings. He tried to forget the last conversation he and Romel had had.

"No doubt about Ayel Maeon-Tal." Romel said in a calm voice. "Should I get Archer for you?"

"If you don't mind," Edmund took a seat across from Thale and asked if the food was alright. The Irin had stopped eating when he entered.

"Very good, King Edmund. Thank you."

Before Edmund could answer Romel and Archer walked into the room. Romel gestured to Edmund and for Archer to take a seat. "'Ello, King Edmund." The rough man swung himself into the delicate furniture and leaned back casually.

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"Course."

"Good, because I'm a little confused." He glanced at Romel. "My sister told me you and Ayel have history."

Archer cleared his throat with a subconscious glance at his commander. "Well I may have interacted with one of the less… noble soldiers in my time there."

"Interacted?" Edmund deadpanned.

"Forcefully." Archer clarified.

"Aha, I see. Was anyone killed?" He dreaded the answer to his question. If Ayel learned of Archer's presence in Cair Paravel a formal investigation would have to be launched. His siblings had apparently gone above and beyond to keep the Irins out of sight.

"No, but the man was a high-up."

"His name?" Edmund would need information if he was to contain the situation. He knew already now that he would do whatever it took to keep Archer safe from prosecution.

"Simon."

"Last name?" Archer frowned thoughtfully before he shrugged. Edmund let out a deep sigh. "Very well. I assume you're aware of the consequences should Ayel discover that you're here?"

Archer nodded and instantly looked a little smaller. "Romel explained them to me, yeah."

"He's staying for a week. You're confined to this room until he leaves." Edmund announced and rose from his seat.

"What!" the Galmanian barked.

He turned on the Irin and actually felt the king in him like he once did so strongly. Had Peter been there he would've said it was because Edmund was tired. "I admit to being very biased in this matter and should Ayel be made aware of your presence I will be put in a very uncomfortable situation." He kept his voice light as all personal feelings were buried. He suddenly remembered that his hood was off. "This problem could possibly create a rift between Narnia and Galma if I had to choose between you and him. You wouldn't want that for me, would you?" he arched a brow and almost smiled when Archer made himself even smaller.

"No, your Majesty." he said sullenly.

Edmund nodded and tried not to laugh outright. "See to it that he doesn't forget, will you?" he asked Romel.

The Irin nodded, looking more than a little pleased as well. "You have my word, pup."

With a final nod Edmund turned and left the room. He would never tell the Irins how much it really affected him to be placed in such a position, but hoped that somehow Romel knew. That he appreciated the loyalty. Edmund hadn't been lying when he said it would be next to impossible to choose between his friends and the best interest of his country. Had he been asked two months ago the answer would have been easy. The good of Narnia always came first.

But something had changed. The Irins were the least of it. They weren't just his friends any longer. They were his subjects. His charges. They were part of Narnia as much as anyone else. As he left the castle to join his brother in the cleaning he hoped Ayel never discovered that his king had lied to him. He also made a note to send a spy to Galma and investigate the soldier Archer had attacked. Because he had little doubt that that was what had really happened. He couldn't imagine it any other way.

He found his brother on the unfinished roof of the main stable, about to swing a hammer. The sun was bright that day. A cool breeze was helping keep the heat at bay. And with a conscious decision Edmund chose to ignore the problems and focus on what he could control. He grabbed a hammer and climbed up next to his brother.

The week passed without the High Duke of Galma suspecting the sovereigns' betrayal. Each of them felt very guilty for lying to him, but Edmund hadn't even had to ask if they would do it. Even Peter seemed adamant that the Irins deserved their protection just as much as anybody else. It made Edmund insanely happy, and more than a little relieved, to know he was no longer alone in his love for the people who had saved him on more than one occasion.

AN: So sorry for the wait. I feel my own interest in this story dwindling a little and it's probably rubbing off on you. I sincerely apologize. I made the chapter longer than usual and edited the hell out of it for you. These are the final stages before the story is almost completely wrapped up. Stick with me for just a little longer, guys.