After the war.
Thornhill took time to recover and in ways they never did. Not fully. Many warriors, including some of their strongest, had given their lives that day in a war that would be written about in the history books. Elden spent most hours of the day training up novices and retraining those who had been injured, trying to rebuild and reinforce what had been so strong before.
"I heard from Devlon today," Elden said over dinner one evening, months after the war had ended.
"Oh?" Alba shared out the dinner and Mayar poured the drinks.
"It would seem that he's been told to start training some of the females in Windhaven," The comment was pointed towards Mayar.
She raised her eyebrows in surprise but also… delight. "Really?"
"Really," A nod from Elden, "General's orders. He's reluctant to do so, as I expected, but training will commence in the next few weeks."
Mayar's eyes lit up. Perhaps she could still be a female warrior.
"Maybe in time we'll be able to train female warriors here," Mayar said and her father gave a small nod.
"We've fewer numbers than we've had for a while," Elden said, "It probably wouldn't be a bad thing." He paused. "It would seem though that some camps are getting a bit agitated and are blaming the High Lord."
"For what? Keeping us safe during from Hybern?" Alba was appalled.
"All of the camps have lost a lot," Her mate replied, "Some issues were to be expected I suppose." He frowned. "Ironcrest want to start an uprising. I've turned their alliance down. I will not be a part of this nonsense."
"Good," Alba put her hand on her mate's and smiled.
"Surely they've already lost enough," Mayar murmured.
"You would think so, wouldn't you?"
Winter solstice was going to be spectacular that year. It was the first time in decades that the longest night was going to be celebrated throughout the Night Court. No Amarantha. No Hybern. Only scars remained.
Thornhill was decorated for the occasion with festive garlands, bonfires had been lit and the smell of delicious feasts wafted through the air. Children were laughing as they played on the streets in the snow and some families were already sharing gifts with one another.
Mayar had woken up early. It was like being a child again. She'd seen the presents underneath the tree in the living room and had been almost too excited to sleep. It wasn't just about opening her own gifts though, but also watching her parents open their gifts that she'd worked so hard on.
Her parents awoke to find her sat reading a book in an armchair, a coffee in her hand, much like she often spent the mornings these days.
"Happy Solstice," She said and her parents each kissed one of her cheeks in unison.
"Happy Solstice, Moonbeam," Her father said, "Nice to see the excitement is still all too much."
"Can we open gifts now?" She pleaded and her mother laughed, "I want to give you yours!"
The blanket she had made for her mother had taken months and she'd spent the time sneaking off to Deana's house to complete it. She'd even managed a small bit of embroidery too, of a forget-me-not flower- her mother's favourite. Her father had a new set of gloves. She'd had help with those, she'd admitted, but she was pretty pleased with the outcome. Mayar's gifts had been wonderful too. New gifts, new throwing knives and a new holster for those so she could strap them to her thigh. They were simple, a little engraving and embossing but nothing extravagant. Just how she liked them.
Mayar was drunk, she realized, that evening. She had joined the festivities in the square and celebrations had gone a little too far. She knew that because she'd even danced.
"It's nice to see everyone happy," She said to Deana.
"It is," Deana agreed but her mind was somewhere else.
"What's wrong?"
"We're moving," She replied, "To Ashling Camp."
Mayar's heart sank, "But why?"
"They offered Roe a higher position and now that Elric is looking to make a full recovery… well he won't be his replacement anymore."
Mayar gave a nod as her friend squeezed her hand. "I'm not sure what I'll do without you."
"Perhaps you can visit some time," She smiled. "And maybe there will be an extra member of our family to share with you." She paused. "Or perhaps you can bring someone to meet us."
"You and I both know I'm never going to find a male that can handle this." Mayar waved her hand and she laughed, almost a snort.
"There's got to be someone," She shrugged.
Mayar looked at the cup of wine she had been drinking. It tasted pretty terrible but with every glass she swore the flavour was better. "So long as I can do something to make the world a better place, then I'll be happy," Mayar murmured and she shrugged. Then she lifted up her glass, "To the solstice."
Deana clinked her cup against Mayar's. "To the solstice."