NOVEL NEXT Book 2: Epilogue
The trek to the eastern gate was a long one, and dawn approached as he made his way through the different parts of Halmstadt. At one point, he passed over where he knew the dragon's bones rested, the place where it had all begun. Vidar sealed the chamber off from access through the underground passageways to stop the steward's men from reaching it, and Alvarn would soon close it from the other side. Leaving the dragon down there with its secrets still hidden, irked him, but Vidar had little choice. Like he'd already explained to Alvarn and the others, he needed to leave, and he needed to do so now. Catching up to the flying dragons was impossible, of course, but with the map from Rend, he knew where to go. A long journey to be sure, one that would take him across much of Sveland, but one that would start that same day.
People were waking up, heading to whatever tasks and jobs remained, with so many houses, shops, and businesses having burned to the ground. If not for the styrka-algiz glyphs, more would be gone, a lot more. He passed several such glyphs in his walk, and he tested a few, crouching down to touch the runic circle, sensing the essence within. Both algiz runes and styrka runes were brimming with essence. The citizens of Halmstadt were keeping up their end of the bargain, lending their essence to keep their families safe.
Crowds were forming near the eastern gate, and since Vidar saw nothing he recognized as a caravan, nor Fredrik or Freja, the rune scribes from Stalheim, he allowed himself to be carried through the gate in the mass of people leaving, struggling to move past those entering Halmstadt in the early morning.
Many carried shields or other pieces of wood with styrka-algiz glyphs on them. The students and rune scribes had performed a fine service in spreading the protection out to a good number of people.
Past the eastern gate, to the side of the road, on a patch of gravel, eight carts stood in a line. Quite a few broad-shouldered men loaded the carts with supplies while others readied leather straps and harnesses they'd later use to pull and push the carts. A few oxen stood in front of the heaviest carts, their tails whipping back and forth as they munched on piles of grass placed right in front of them. Vidar counted twenty-two soldiers, who all stood guard around the carts while Fredrik rummaged around atop one. Freja sat with her hands in her lap in another, looking a little dazed but in a good mood, a smile on her lips as she looked at the road disappearing in the distance.
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One figure he hadn't expected to see was Jarl, striding up to him, having spotted Vidar coming through the gate out of Halmstadt.
"Are you coming as well?" Vidar asked.
"I am," Jarl confirmed.
"But who's going to handle the defense of Halmstadt?"
Vidar took in the man in front of him. Rather than the fine cloth and pieces of armor he usually wore, and the shining pommel of his sword sticking out of an ornamental sheath, Jarl now wore rough clothes in brown, gray, and dark green colors. Worn boots adorned his feet, and the sword, while of fine quality, looked no better than what a soldier might use.
"Did they—"
"The steward felt that my preparation for the defense was lacking in several key areas," Jarl said, scratching at stubble forming on his cheeks. "Especially regarding the protection of the keep itself. To that end, he decided it was time for a new marshal of Halmstadt."
"And he sent you away?" Vidar asked.
Jarl gave him a tired smile. "And he sent me away. I have family in Stalheim, since I am from there, so this was a good opportunity for me to find something new."
"I see," Vidar said.
Jarl held out his hand. "Perhaps we can put the past behind us and find a beneficial path forward."
Vidar looked at the hand for a moment, then glanced up at Jarl's honest face. "Yes," he said, taking Jarl's hand to squeeze it. "Let us put the past behind us. I just hope whoever replaces you will do a fine job in protecting our city."
Jarl's face fell a little, but he made no comment, and the two turned and walked up to the carts, talking of the journey in front of them.