Heavenly sounds filtered into Gallagar's mind, gentle like the first gray of dawn. He seeped back into the land of the living. His eyes fluttered open, images coalesced into a baroque ceiling. Pain thumped through him. His right side was a mottled dark purple with blisters lined across his ribs, and his stomach was bandaged. He moved, pain protested, his limbs felt so leaden. Despite it, he had to make sure they were alive. His breathing was punctuated by strenuous rasps. Aches stitched up along his sides. He made his way to the oaken door, his gait crippled by a limp. He departed to step into the hallway of the palace. Avangard soldiers posted outside his bedchamber notified the Crown Guardian. Gallagar refused to return until he saw them with his own eyes, using the wall as support to keep upright.
Not long after, Valerius appeared in the archway, marching to him. His wounds now healed into fleshy ropes of scars across his face. Valerius approached Gallagar. Promptly, he yanked out his sword and dropped to one knee, holding it in front of him. He bowed his head with his forehead against the pommel. For a moment's breath, shock silenced his pain. He then stood to his feet, sheathed his sword, and held out his hand. With a wince, Gallagar gripped his forearm, and he held onto his.
"I would have been at your side when you woke," he whispered, as if telling a secret. "I have been helping manage the growing populace. People from all corners demand to see the savior of man," he said with no tinge of mock. His tone was only rimmed with reverence. "You have slept for many days. And one after the other, more and more come to see you. Worse now that the legend of the Crimson Knight spreads throughout the eight kingdoms. Many more will come still."
He nodded slowly. "Blackthorn? Ely—"
He caught sight of them over Valerius's shoulder. The pair emerged and hurried towards him. Elysia pulled him into a gentle hug. And Blackthorn's heavy arms glomped over them. They pulled away to see him smiling warmly. Gallagar spirits were brightened at the sight of all three of them.
Gallagar's eyes suddenly dimmed. "Zephor?"
"He had no apprentice. His soul stone is safe in the High Tower."
Blackthorn came to clasp a beefy hand on his shoulder. Gallagar held back a wince.
"Rest now. The king has spared no expense for the jubilee to celebrate your great feat. You will be praised by all people. And this time, no more than you deserve."
Gallagar attempted a smile. He sent Valerius an inquiring look. "Does this mean I get to keep my head?"
Valerius broke into a grin that transformed his face. "For now."
Many moons passed before Gallagar made a full recovery. Valerius once couldn't bear the sight of him, but now he remained at Gallagar's side like a loyal hound. They didn't speak much, but that was the ministry of presence; it required no words to give comfort. And where Valerius was, Elysia and Blackthorn were never far behind.
When the morning came for the great parade. Gallagar had disappeared. The king ordered that no stone be left unturned to find him. However, Gallagar had gone beyond Dorindale and back to Etherlund. He was attired in his shadowy robes with his hood drawn to shield his face. In the heart of town, nestled between cobblestone streets and timber-framed houses, stood the Haven of Elvarpass—the orphanage that cradled the forgotten souls of the realm. But Gallagar never forgot. The wooden gate swung open to reveal a courtyard dappled with sunlight. Gallagar smiled to himself as he watched the children chase each other.
"I am the Crimson Knight, and I shall fell your dark army!"
Children mimicked sword fighting with sticks. Caretakers in holy garbs watched over them. When familiar faces flitted by, he let the shadows conceal him. Soon after, he found Kai and his younger brother. The little boy recognized him instantly and ran to him. Gallagar lowered to scoop him into his arms.
"It's you," Kai breathed with welcomed disbelief. "You truly came."
"I promised." Gallagar set the boy down, but he clung to his waist. "What of your mother?"
A mournful veil fell over his face.
"My apologies."
"No need. Because of your counsel, we had a few more days with her. After she passed, I took my brother and I here." He gave the interior a quick scan. "Much nicer than I thought an orphanage would be. Thank you for… everything. We owe you our lives, sir."
"Your lives are your own alone. I only came to check on you, but I shall come visit again. For now, I am needed elsewhere."
"Must you go?"
Gallagar nodded. "Yes, or the full force of Avangard will descend upon this place like a scourge."
A frown struck Kai's face. Gallagar smiled and removed the young boy, not before planting a kiss on his temple. He pivoted, then receded. Kai hurried after Gallagar, curiosity pawing at him.
"Does that mean you're a criminal, sir?"
"Depends who you ask."
"I'm asking you."
"I'm just a man."
Kai accelerated his pace. "Wait, I don't even know who you are," he said, wishing he could stay longer. "What if we need you? How will I find you?"
He glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "Just look for the wanted posters."
When Gallagar slipped out of the wooden gate. Kai rushed after him, spilling onto the busy street. He swiveled around but found no trace of him. Blending in with the throng, Gallagar allowed himself to be carried away by the current of people. He rounded a corner, only to find Valerius, out of uniform, waiting for him.
"How did you find me?"
"The king seeks your return."
"In chains?" he asked with a bite in his tone.
Valerius inclined his head, his thick brows gathering like thunderheads.
Gallagar drew his hood back. "Force of habit, I suppose. I'm not used to trusting anyone but myself."
"You know as well as I that the king wants his champion. And the people want their savior." He eyed him down shrewdly. "The Gallagar I knew not so long ago, craved nothing more than to be adulated. Hundreds of thousands gather in your name, and yet you delay?"
Gallagar strutted on and Valerius sidled his flank.
"The realm owes me nothing." His brows quirked as if he too was astonished by his statement. "I have your respect, and that of Elysia, Blackthorn and all of whom followed us to Verlax. That is praise enough. Esteem belongs to Zephor and all who perished for this realm."
Valerius nodded, sharing his sentiment but his orders remained.
"Despite your miraculous humility, the king calls on you. And you must answer."
Gallagar brought them to a pause. "Finding me is one thing, brother." He flashed him a mischievous smile. "But finding me when I don't wish to be found is another."
He gave his shoulder a quick clap before he bolted. Valerius went after him. Gallagar sprung onto a crate pushed against a wall. He leapt on it to jump for the nearest pole, swinging from one to the other like a trapeze artist. His fingers came upon the cold stone facades. With feline grace, he ascended the wall with a fluidity that defied gravity. He vaulted over the railing and stood on the rooftop. Gallagar looked back down at a stumped Valerius from on high, who was glaring back at him with disapproval.
"Not when the realm wants but needs me—when you need me. I will come."
"Don't do this!" he shouted back. "You cannot defy the king when he has summoned you."
Gallagar did a mock salute and vanished from sight. Valerius freed an explosive breath and turned away. A small smile stole across his face as Elysia and Blackthorn soon appeared in view with sure-footed purpose.
"Please tell me you found him." Elysia said.
Valerius shook his head. "No, but he did come here for the child. And the others. We must have just missed him. Wherever he may be, he is long gone."
Blackthorn's eyes constricted. "The men call you bloodhound because you always find your mark. Am I to believe you failed?"
"He never fails," Elysia said, her expression emulating his scepticism.
Valerius spared them an amused glance before he walked away.
They followed behind him.
"Is that it?" Blackthorn questioned. "You're going to let him go despite the summons of the king?"
"It is not the summons that concern you," he retorted.
"So I have become fond of the bastard, so have you. I know you worry for him. Ever since Zephor, he has not been the same."
Valerius inhaled deeply. "The line between grief and guilt is thin. Gallagar was a soldier, then a mercenary. He is well-acquainted with death, but not when the deaths were to safeguard his own life. That changed him. The future belongs to no man, not even the Electus, but I know we shall see him again."
"When?" Elysia snapped.
"When we need him."
THE END