Disclaimer: Don't own it, Don't make money off of it. I mean to offend no one's                                        sensibilities. Please don't sue.

Thanks: Stelmarta: this one's for you!

Epilogue

The road to Haven was a long ride. From Sweetsprings, on regular horseback it was nearly a fortnight, even Companion-back it was eight or nine days. Plenty of time to let a body thing about the future.

Hardin was the King; his mind was on the future of the Kingdom.  The deal with the Holderkin had fallen through, not surprising considering the attitude of the Holderkin towards the female members of the Council.  They were going to try and form their own state, it was small, but for Valdemar it was a buffer between them and the Karsites.  A much needed buffer if all things were considered.  He had intrigue to return to, the court had given him almost a full months absence from Haven.  The sharks in court would be looking for anything to shoot at him with, but he had an ace in the hole: Hoshi.

Hoshi was, as always, thinking of the future.  The future, for a Foresighted individual, was an open book.  Or it was supposed to be, anyway.  She was still trying to figure out the implications of her relationship with the recently retired Karsite General.  Her foresight seemed to have failed her in predicting his actions.  The night before they left had been the most romantic, and to her mind, the scariest night in their acquaintance.  It didn't mean she hadn't had fun, the Gods knew she hadn't slept all night, but he'd pulled at strings she didn't even know she'd had.  It was a tender area, she was not used to things like commitment.  Last night had been a commitment.  For both of them. It was a future she couldn't chart, but was more than happy to live.

Sophia was in mourning.  As an Empath she knew, intimately, that twelve Heralds and Heralds to be had been killed in the line of duty.  It had been one of the single most tragic days in Heraldic history for a long time.  Not only Heralds, but hundreds of citizens and soldiers had been killed in, what was now called, the Miracle of Sweetsprings, by the plethora of psudo-romantic Bards that inflicted themselves on the populace.  Those who had been there, however, called it simply Black Snow for the spur of the moment invention that had saved countless thousands of lives.  Hoshi was a national hero, they returned in triumph to the capital, but underneath all the trumpeting and parades there was mourning to be done and lives that, now shattered, had to be slowly put back together.  The battle had been won, but the real war was just beginning.  Food, shelter, clothing and basic supplies still had to be found and given to the survivors in the border sectors.  Sophia's job was just getting started.

Mattie had found the confidence she needed as a full Herald.  Suki was in the first flush of romance with her latest conquest: Cedric, who was trying to figure out what all this had to do with him.  Janna was just getting some much-needed rest from her Companion-back escapades during the battle.  In other words, all was returning to normal in a world where normal was defined by talking horses, objects flying by mental power alone, and slightly quirky women who could see the future.  Valdemar was once again as safe as it ever was, and if it wasn't, well some Heralds somewhere would know, and respond, and try. All anyone can ever do is try.