Chapter 53: Tinder's Log
It's finally over. This ordeal has finally, after what has felt like the longest time, come to an end. Yet there are still many trials ahead of us. Zanskar Castle has been completely destroyed and the morale of the people has fallen severely as a result. I admit, as I sit in the company of my wife within this tent, updating this log, I too feel rather disheartened. But as king of Zanskar, I cannot let my emotions show. I must be strong for my people, even though we have suffered numerous tragedies.
The biggest if those tragedies came with the news of Wolfgang's demise. I could see that some townspeople were weeping as I addressed the news of his death. People in our army as well, those who followed under his command as Primary Commander of the Zanskarian forces, wept at his untimely passing. I too, felt sad at the news of his passing, and in return, felt more resentment towards the whole catastrophe. As far as his replacement goes, I'm unsure of who has the skill that matches his, but I suppose we'll just have to keep looking. I sent Laleh a letter requesting the return of his body, fully embalmed to prevent decay, so I hope to hear back from Princess Lolita. I plan to hold a great funeral for him, one deserving of the many years of duty he had served in his extraordinary lifetime.
Speaking of Princess Lolita, the letter I received from Laleh also explained a few other things, such as Stamatis and Milos. I had never heard of these two fellows before, but according to Lolita, they were very integral as to why this whole adventure was brought to an end. With Milos's supposed prodigal skills in the art of invention and Stamatis's fighting skills, I couldn't help but feel very impressed...and grateful as well. It's no doubt that they helped Blaze and Wolfgang with every inch of their might and intellect, and when construction work on the new castle is complete. I'll be sure to have the both of them knighted. Until then, the letter says that the two have moved back to Carachino to continue their lives...although there have been rumours spreading about the relationship between Lolita and Milos, fuelled by Lolita's constant visits to Carachino. Young love, it seems...
I was shocked to hear about King Marcelino. He just seemed to be one of Gustav's followers who had fallen for a man with more power than himself. Galvaria. When I heard that name, it sent many a shiver down my spine. To think that the god of water was reincarnated before my very eyes, within that circle of blue fire! I can never understand the logic behind the Hestia Blade and Galvaria, but from what I've seen, I think this will be the last time we see him. Good riddance.
Amongst all this, there is some good news. After the battle, we found Silver lying within the rubble, suffering from harsh malnutrition and emaciation...but still breathing. We took him to our infirmary and tended to him, and within a few days, he awoke. He looked a lot weaker than he used to be, but I've placed him under the special care of Amadeus, who'll be sure to get him back on his feet and back in good shape, ready to be a soldier again.
So this brings me to Blaze. My darling daughter. I swore on that day a month ago, when she left me for the first time, that I would see her again, alive. It's nice to know that she, too, was still breathing. But her condition was far worse than Silver's. Where Silver had just been starved of energy, Blaze was actually badly cut and bruised, her body damaged and disgustingly caked in wet and dry blood. She was barely alive. She is resting in the infirmary, and I visit her every day. It's been three weeks since she was first admitted into the infirmary, but...
She hasn't woken up...
