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Chapter Nineteen: All Things New

There was a large celebration at the Dragon Palace and all around the town as people exercised their freedom from the Demon Lord. The gates had been brought up and people flowed from the castle into the marketplace freely. Drinks were being given out for free along with food and even gifts as the villagers congratulated the Dragon Fighters and Officers for the victory against the siege of the town.

Tetheus could be seen leaning familiarly against a wall, only this time looking shaky and slightly flushed. He was last seen being lead astray by an overly happy Thatz in the direction of the gambling district of town…

Rune celebrated in his own way, which consisted of a more quiet part of town, the company of Tintlet who had come to the castle (along with many, many others) to rejoice, and a few glasses of wine among friends.

Ruwalk walked the streets along with Lykouleon, who had been in a particularly good mood the past week following the death of Nadil. If the Lord was feeling well about the feeling of freedom from the battle of his worst enemy of all time or about finding the Wind Dragon, Ruwalk wasn't sure and quite truthfully didn't care at the moment. He was glad the Lord was just feeling better these days.

"Your Highness," Ruwalk asked as they sat down to an open table and was instantly greeted with warm bread and plenty of ale, "have you seen Rath? Do you think it's wise to let him roam free?" He only asked because someone had to, as Alfeegi would no doubt confront him in a matter of minutes (Alfeegi had been partying until a still competent Tetheus reminded him of the Fire Knight's situation and thus caused the officer to go gallivanting after the slippery boy).

"Rath? Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine. Seems he has a reason to stay at the castle now." Lykouleon smiled. "In fact, I think I saw the two playing games, Nick had a rather large cone of ice cream." He laughed.

"Do you still think it was wise to make her a Dragon Knight? After all, she's more costly than Rath is…"

"No," Lykouleon said. "No, I think she's exactly what this place needed. After all, none of this would have happened if not for that girl."

"Good," Ruwalk said, settling into his ale. "I don't want any of this regret-nonsense any longer."

"Cheers," the Dragon Lord said and clanked his glass against the officer's glass.

"Rath! Rath!" Nick could feel her feet get behind her and knew she was close to falling. "Rath, please slow down! Where are we going!"

He gave her a mischievous grin over his shoulder and continued running.

"Rath!" She laughed, feeling free for the first time in her entire life. She didn't understand very much, but she understood the feeling of having "the wind in your face" and whatnot. It felt like nothing she had ever experienced. "Rath!" Lidan, Wind to all others, ran silently beside her, his eyes soft and finally happy.

"Come on!" he said. As they went on the streets became less and less crowded until there seemed to be no one at all. Behind them the castle lit the sky for miles as the stars settled for a night's sleep.

"But-" The boy smiled, stopping her. His eyes shone mysteriously.

"But nothing. We're breaking out!"

The End of Unforgettable...

I want to thank everyone who has read this far and stuck with me. My deepest graditude! Also, I want to apologize for how awful the story was. It did okay considering it was an unplanned, write whatever pops into your head five minutes before posting the chapter type of story. And thereaputic, if you can beieve that...

Also want to apologize for slow updates and REALLY short chapters (I'm looking at you ch. 17...grr...) I may or may not be back.

Thank you again! Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!