Over the next few days, Yasenka and Siaril spared no effort to bring me and Light back into shape. My master spent a lot of this time with his brother, trying to build up what should have been there from the beginning. Sharish resolutely avoided everyone else, not that I could complain. But judging by Light's lighthearted mood, he seemed to be making good progress.

  Me and Siaril were having our conversations too, but of a different nature. Conversations of silence which spoke more than words and kind of started on their own since Earlindon breathed in relief. The last gaps in the mosaic of our understanding were filled after the argument, the battle fought hand in hand and the gratitude expressed afterwards.

  One of those conversations I interrupted awkwardly, on our way back from a reading session under our willow. We told ourselves it was just a way to rest, but I think we both knew it was but a way of distraction after the decision we all made in the morning.

  "Siaril..."

  My friend gave me a soft hum, continuing to walk.

  I stopped, bringing my wings closer to my body and focusing my gaze on the soft grass. "That's it... right...?"

  "Sorry?" he came to a stop a few steps ahead of me and turned around.

  "Tomorrow... it'll all end. We'll have to tell them the truth, and you... will become the new king of Earlindon..."

  "Sigrian..."

  "I know you'll be doing this solely for my sake but..." I refused to admit that my eyes stung with tears a little, "it's a too stupid reason to lose a friend..."

  "What are you talking about, we will..."

  "I know that it would probably be possible for me to live with you in the castle, but... I don't really like that idea. Reliving memories that were forced upon me in royal chambers doesn't sound fun. Besides... I know what the life of a king looks like. I'd just be in your way... And you'll have time to appear here sometimes maybe for a day or two, before the autumn leaves will cover your footprints..."

  Siaril's finger on my lips suddenly stopped this waterfall of words. He stayed silent for a moment before sighing softly, but with a smile. "Did I ever tell you that you have a tendency to exaggerate?" he asked, amused for some reason. I felt like an answer wasn't even necessary, so I didn't even nod. "I have no intention of becoming a king," here, I was tempted to interrupt, but his finger made sure I kept my mouth shut. "I don't intend to and that's final. I'm ready to do a lot of things for you, but such torture would be overkill. Besides... as things stand now, the head of the family is still my mother. And Phaladriel already agreed to take over once she's too old to rule."

  He didn't protest when I grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away. "Really? Earlindon will have queens from now on?"

  "For a while, yeah. Don't be too excited though. They can both be very fastidious and demanding sometimes."

  I just shrugged, smiling. "Qualified to rule then."

  Siaril confirmed it with a small laugh and started walking again, turning his gaze towards our home peeping through the trees ahead.

  ~

  With the next sunrise came the day that some looked forward to and some were having nightmares about. Early in the morning, all of us except Sharish were ready to go. The former mage didn't seem to fancy meeting people he was trying to wipe out and risk being thrown into a prison. As we rode on Armailith's back towards Tacritia, Light voiced his worry that Sharish might leave the mansion during our absence. The sad smile told us that he wasn't at all worried about his brother harming anyone now, more about losing the contact with him again...

  The sea greeted us with its salty waft like an old friend relieved about our safe return. The same breeze was filling the white sails of fishing boats, exposed to the golden sun and silvery droplets. When only a small distance was left between us and the City of Pearls, I decided to put some strain onto my body for the first time in days and conquered the rest of the way unaided, along with Siaril and Yasenka.

  The glitter of Armailith's scales informed Tacritia of our arrival well in advance, so when we went down to land, most of the people already poured out onto the meadows surrounding the city. Not far from the gates, on a spacious hill with a beautiful view on a curve of the river, stood a wooden podium, almost like an open theatre stage, the whole construction decorated with wild flowers and colorful ribbons. High above it flapped a banner with four dragons embroidered on it - gold, scarlet, sky-blue and black, from a distance looking like a depiction of a sun rising above the sea on the background of the night sky...

  "Good afternoon, mother," Phaladriel curtseyed immediately after I helped her get off of Armailith's back, drawing my attention to an elderly woman waiting in the shadow of a tree. She then left it, coming out to the sun with a soft smile, barely flinching when Armailith leaned down to sniff the air around her.

  One could immediately tell she was Siaril and Phaladriel's mother. The oval face, tall posture, ink-black hair interspersed with silvery threads... only the eyes differed in color, matching the sea with their deep blue, but the kindness and wisdom hiding just beneath the surface were identical to Siaril's.

  Though, at that very moment, their gaze sent a chill down my spine.

  "Good afternoon..." I stopped myself from adding 'your majesty'. Who knows who might have been listening, and I wasn't quite mentally ready yet to admit that someone else than me should hold that title.

  "Good afternoon, my children," her voice was deep but hoarse, making her seem like she was older than her looks suggested. On the other hand, it might have been the body that looked relatively young, but hiding a soul that aged faster under the weight of too many troubles. "You must be Sigrian?"

  I bowed my head to her, smiling a little despite the discomfort. "At your service."

  "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Sahriah Nitrael. Siaril told me a lot about you."

  My ears suddenly felt warmer. "I'm sure he exaggerated with many things..."

  Sahriah's eyes wandered to her son for a brief moment, before her features smoothened out with a soft smile. "Let's see who is right then," she gestured towards the podium, almost making my heart jump to my throat.

  When we were climbing the wooden steps amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, I was already utterly terrified. How will they react when I just admit my lies straight out? My attempts to hold the reins of my insane imagination were utterly useless...

  Something wasn't quite right though.

  There was a hush once I came to a stop by the decorated railing, just like every time the crowd waited for my words, but... some of them were exchanging what seemed like knowing looks. Others watched me in a way that made a suspicion start to glow in my chest. There was something...

  And then all my fears dispersed like smoke on the wind when the fervent shout of Earlindon's citizen filled the air above the City of Pearls:

  "Long live Sigrian!"

  I had to grab the railing with both hands. Turning my head to Siaril, who was standing a few steps back to my right, I found an expression just as thrown off balance as mine. It was when I glanced further back at Light, smiling at me from behind Yasenka, that I understood everything...

  Armailith, sitting on the grass right next to the podium, moved her mighty tail playfully. "I told you he spilled everything," she sounded amused. "I meant it."

  "You're all crazy, I swear..." I coughed up, not knowing what else I could say among the overwhelming relief.

  When the crowd fell silent again, I wasn't afraid anymore. I just swore to myself that from now on, I would fulfill every single of Light's wishes, no matter how ridiculous they might get. And I knew he would be taking advantage of it on a regular basis... in that selfless, caring way of handling everything including debts of his.

  "Since, as it seems, you already know everything," I started, looking around, "I guess I have just one thing left to do." I took a small step back and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for every lie and deceit. I just hope you understand that I had but one choice... either to obediently follow sorrow or turn around and start to lead. In the face of the danger that was Sharish Caydranth, there was no time for hesitation or doubts. Too many have already made that mistake... Above all though..." I straightened up again, "I want to thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me despite knowing what I did, and for defending Earlindon so numerously and bravely..."

  The archpriest of the Siracel temple emerged from the crowd. "You didn't do anything out of ill will Sigrian, that's what caused everyone to follow you so willingly," he said, smiling. "We are grateful as well... for resting so much hope in us, for leading us to victory and helping to protect this land with such devotion. There may be people who will see some of your actions as mistakes, but who doesn't make them? Only those who do nothing never make mistakes. And you did so much for us while enduring so much fear and bitterness..."

  Lythar turned to face Casais, who stood right behind him, and took something from his hands that flashed in a familiar way in the afternoon sun. I smiled happily, recognizing the blade of the elvish sword. I thought I lost it for good and would never see it again... I kneeled down by the edge of the podium, gratefully extending my hands. A hazy memory urged me to examine it closely and indeed, I found words right under the guard, subtly engraved in the foreign to me language of elves.

  I didn't have to know it though. I knew exactly what they meant.

  May the winds be favorable to you... whichever of them will carry your wings...

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  I let out a silent breath of awe and got back up. "Maybe you already know that as well... You... well, we won't be staying leaderless after all this," I turned slightly to look at Siaril and his mother. "I'll let them tell you the rest."

  Bowing, I took a step back, giving my spot up to the Nitrael family, holding back the urge to hop around with the sword like an excited kid with a birthday present.

  The next few minutes felt like I was watching it all from the perspective of a completely different person. The fear was gone, along with the tightness around my chest, leaving but the simple young man who I always was, free from a weight that used to pull down even those parts of my mind which were hazy due to a certain manipulation.

  The new royal family was welcomed with much enthusiasm. If there were any doubts at any point, they surely got dispersed when me and Siaril, in a sudden onrush of emotion, promised to support the queen and her heir to the best of our abilities. So much for staying away. Especially when...

  "Hey..." my hand briefly followed my freshly retrieved sword when it suddenly slid out of the sheath by my side, pulled out by a slender hand.

  "Kneel, Sigrian," said Earlindon's new queen, gracing me with a warm smile. It was clearly saying 'I knew my son was right'.

  Dumbstruck for a moment, I hesitated, but eventually did as she asked, putting my hand to my heart.

  "You are the descendant of Sigriarian Embershade, an honorable man who tried to stop pointless bloodshed decades ago," Sahriah's voice carried over Tacritia's plains like a distant thunder - powerful, but soft, soothing the mind while not allowing anyone to forget nature's might. "Today, you fulfilled his desire, bringing peace to our land. I hereby admit Sigriarian Embershade and all of his descendants as distinguished knights who served our kingdom loyally and tirelessly, just like a faint shadow suppressed by evil, but always protecting the glow of the embers which finally sprang back to full, bright flames and saved us all."

  I accepted the soft taps of the blade on my shoulders with pride before taking the sword back and sheathing it. When I got back up, I had to smile sheepishly, very unlike a distinguished knight, when the crowd erupted with cheers yet again.

  Probably inspired by it all, Light offered his help as well, promising to rebuild the capital and the castle, so the royals could live there in accordance with tradition and the citizen of Ioreth come back home. Of course, some questions about motives followed such a generous offer from a mage the people didn't know much about... to which my mentor immediately admitted who he was to the man we all defeated a few days ago and apologized for his 'rowdiness' like he was talking about a child that stole apples from a neighbor's orchard.

  Despite the honesty, some people, especially those who didn't take part in the battle, took his words with skeptical expressions. My master didn't seem to be bothered much by it, but Yasenka still joined in to help. I wasn't sure what actually made them listen: the knowledge that she was once the Empress, which probably already spread to everyone, or the multilayered, floral dress that made her look like a delicate stained glass window.

  "I know that it is difficult for some of you to trust Light..." she started. "Of course there are things we won't be able to rebuild, losses that cannot be compensated... But the return to normality will only be possible if we get rid of prejudices and work hand in hand, like equals. We learned the hard way where mistrust and lack of respect towards other races can lead. And judging one person based on what another has done is absurd and unjust. Everyone deserves an independent appraisal when they want to show who they really are and whether or not they are trustworthy."

  "Venerable Yasenka is right," Lythar spoke up again. "Let us unite, and times better than Earlindon has ever seen will arrive. There might be places in our kingdom which shadows will never leave, but we all still come from the same world and live under the same sky. If we want others to respect the fact that we see things differently sometimes, then we have to offer the same understanding to others."

  The approving murmurs multiplied, and so did the appeased smiles on the tired faces. If only Sharish could see this, the proof that he was wrong about their unchanging nature...

  "And to not be groundless, maybe we should give a good example?" Light spoke up again. When Yasenka gave him a curious look, the young mage smiled and turned slightly to face her. "Race and ancestry are barriers existing only in our minds. Which is why I would like to know... if you, a noble illathan, the most beautiful among the Disciples, would like to... marry me, hideous brother of the mage who almost took your life and nearly destroyed the land which you sacrificed so much to protect?"

  I just gaped a little, not really capable of producing some other reaction. I could see Siaril blink and Phaladriel hide an excited smile behind her petite hands.

  For a moment, the only thing that filled the air over the forefields of the City of Pearls was the scent of sea and anticipative silence.

  And the smile that bloomed on Yasenka's beautiful face dazed with its brilliance. "Of course I would," she threw her arms around Light's neck and kissed him with such enthusiasm that Armailith's jovial roar almost drowned in the cheer of the crowd.

  Though the first sound was cut short suddenly when the dragoness turned her head towards the city's walls, rising from the grass.

  "What's wrong?" I gave her a worried look.

  "My children..." her wings twitched as if she was about to jump into the air. "They are hatching...!"

  She didn't have to tell us twice. Me, Siaril and Yasenka asked Lythar for the key to the crypts and ran over as fast as we could.

  And sure enough, as we arrived in the underground chamber that once concealed the shard of the Sunrise, we saw a small, golden dragon, clumsily waddling and sniffing around. The other egg was still stuck in the hay, though already cracked at the top and moving ever so slightly.

  "It's so cute..." Yasenka crouched and extended her hand to the nestling, to which it almost immediately started to fawn like a cat.

  It lasted just a moment though, because it soon turned its little head towards Siaril, who was kneeling down next to the other egg. The dragon ran up to him, stumbling occasionally, leaned its front legs on his knee and squeaked melodiously. My friend looked at it with gentle surprise on his features, clearly not knowing what to do when hit with such affection. The little creature leaned its snout on his thigh, watching him with amber eyes.

  "That's what I call love at first sight," I joked, seeing the consternation on my friend's face. "Yasenka and Light can go hide..."

  A quick dodge was not enough to avoid a shard of a yellow egg flying my way.

  "Hey, no violence in front of the kids, please," Siaril stepped in with a smile. "Let's go before Armailith decides to put a hole in one of the streets to dig us out."

  I took the little dragon that was still trying to snuggle up to him, Yasenka lifted the still intact egg and we quickly returned to the site of festivities. I never saw Armailith as happy as in the moment she saw her sweet treasures.

  "What about this one though?" asked Yasenka, the movement of the egg in her arms more and more restless. "Should we help?"

  "No," answered the dragoness firmly, leaning her snout towards it. "He's a dragon, he will manage."

  The words barely died out when the shell on the top parted and a head peeked out of the egg, tiny, covered in fine scales, to surprise of all not golden but... sapphire-blue.

  Siaril had to step away from Yasenka to avoid an affection attack from another infant while I shot Armailith a meaningful look. "Would you be so kind and tell us who their father was?"

  A tender, though sad shine appeared in the dragoness' eyes. "It was Ralethiel, one of the Last Dragons," she glanced at Siaril. "Your predecessor."

  "That explains a lot..." he still kept his distance from the cheerful nestling. At least the other started to circle its mother's legs, sniffing at everything that seemed interesting.

  Though when it saw the rim of a soft, priest robe, it squeaked and hunched underneath its wings.

  I had to admit, I was hoping to see that face again before we returned home.

  "Casais..." I gave him a small nod, the young man returning it awkwardly. After a short pause, I decided to not mince words: "You knew, didn't you?"

  A small sigh escaped him. "I did..."

  "How...?"

  "I... knew the real Calthraval..."

  My mouth fell open a little. "He passed through here? Where did he go?"

  Casais stopped my questions with a raised hand and an apologetic smile. "That's not quite right... We both came here from Ioreth a few years ago. I... was a stable boy at the royal castle and helped him escape."

  "... oh..."

  "We spent some time here before he used some of the jewels he took from the castle to get us two cozy spots on a ship and flee further. He seemed to notice how enchanted by this place and its people I was though... So after retrieving the fee for one of the passengers - it was kind of surprising that no one ever got suspicious about all those funds on two teenagers - he gave it to me and headed east, to Laixya, with that smile of his..."

  "I see... But why didn't you say anything?"

  "When the citizen of Ioreth first accused us back then, for a moment, I thought Calthraval suddenly came back. I admit I was a little indignant when I saw you, your act, the way you claimed the title and all... but I'm glad I decided to wait before blowing your cover. After I heard your words... it became clear to me that you had but the purest of intentions."

  "Who knows, you keeping that secret might have been what saved Earlindon."

  The priest's face went slightly red. "Oh come on..."

  I smiled. "Do you think he would've heard about the empty throne all the way beyond those mountains?"

  "Maybe... I'm not sure though, I feel like he might have responded to the news by now if he did."

  "Unless he was like me, that is..."

  "In a sense, he was... but only because of his father. I think that if he could do things his way... he would have gladly become a ruler in his own, unique way."

  "With Kristya at his side?" I asked jokingly.

  "Possibly," Casais' expression was dead serious. "The air around them did sometimes feel like there was more to it... but I'm hardly an expert when it comes to those things."

  "Whoa..."

  "How is she by the way?"

  "Doing great as far as I know," I patted the sword at my side. "This here is her work."

  "Ooh... can I see?"

  "Sure."

  I carefully handed him the sword, but didn't pay much attention beyond that, my gaze drawn to the landscape behind his back, to the Dragon Mountains that separated us from the land of our ancestors.

  He was there, living a free life, like he always wanted... Now I could do the same. Question was, would he be tempted to come back if he knew how much has changed in Earlindon and how much was still going to change? Would it be a good idea to look for him, or should he be left alone to make the decision to come back someday on his own?

  Turning to my friends for advice, I felt the words stop in my throat.

  Just like I was looking east a second ago, Siaril's gaze was turned north-west, towards Hreshia and beneath it - Heiserth. Yasenka's eyes were focused on the south, or rather south-west, not quite where Shinestone lay but rather beyond, where Shinestone's sailors used to search for Elirieth.

  Our main problem was solved, but that didn't mean others stopped existing.

  What should we do about the kanh and their right to return home?

  Who was the hooded mage whose face we were yet to see?

  Who was the girl who most probably took the shard of the Ilmerast?

  ... why didn't anyone step up to claim the glory for slaying Sharish...? There were strange whispers wandering around, telling about a strange weapon that the soldier in question used...

  Lythar's voice calling us to join the feast told me to not worry about it for now.

  "You know," Yasenka picked up the golden nestling, the blue one already content in Siaril's arms, "sometimes I can't help but wonder if we could have done anything better."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean everything that led to today. Could we have made any different decisions that would have prevented at least some of the tragedies along the way? Or were they necessary for this day to come...?"

  "It makes no sense to think about such things, my child," Armailith huffed softly. "These decisions are all in the past now, and some outcomes would have stayed the same no matter what you did because they were influenced by decisions other than yours. No need to drive yourself crazy."

  "I guess," the illathan smiled, a peaceful smile of someone who happily gives up on pondering further.

  "You know what though?" I interjected regardless. "I think that if I were to somehow return to the day I first met Siaril and were forced to live through it all once again... I probably wouldn't have done anything differently."

  "Wait, really?" Siaril seemed confused. "Even knowing what horrible things awaited you sometimes?"

  I looked up to the sky that so many dragons had the luck of spreading their wings in before we came along.

  "Yeah. Because I would know that those horrible things would later be rewarded with the most fantastic moments of my life. I guess it was my destiny... by choice."

  ~

  All good things must one day come to a close... do they though? Standing here, at the end of this huge project, I can't help but think: does this have to be the end?

  The answer seems simple - no, I can make this even huger. Sig, Siaril and Yasenka still have such a long way to go, and so does Earlindon. What am I saying, not just Earlindon, but also Heiserth, Elirieth, Hagariath, Laixya... So many places to see, so many people to meet.

  But whether or not they'll see them is not just up to me. Make sure to read the author's note below~

  Here we are, at the end of the fourth volume "Freedom in our Wings"... and at the end of the novel. One day after my birthday, too XD That was quite the ride, wasn't it, almost 2 years...

  You can probably tell that it's not quite the end though, can't you? There are way too many open questions left at this point. Well, this is the end, yes, but not of the entire novel. This is but the end of the first arc.

  I do have many many many ideas and plans for at least 3 more arcs, maybe even 5, even have drafts and some scenes written already, but the question is - should I keep going? So few of you are actually sharing their thoughts about what I'm doing (and we have reached 100 followers, thank you so much for this amazing number <3). I would love to do this for a living someday, but so far I can't tell if I even have what it takes. You can help me greatly by leaving some comments, ratings, and most of all - reviews. I think I deserve at least that after giving you... *quickly checks Word* 474 (forest spirits have mercy) pages of adventure? XD

  I'll stop rambling now and take a break. We might see each other again soon though... it will all depend on whether or not you all want me to keep going. I'd love to hear from you, be it critique or praise, because both help me grow. Thank you so much for sticking with my little world for so long and making it all the way here. I hope it was worth your time.

  Until we meet again, I wish you all favorable winds, wherever they might take you~