Rise of Dachwald (Boxed Set, Books 1 through 2)
Page 39
Pitkins then sat down with Fritzer and explained to him everything that had happened leading up to the war: Tristan, the Moscorians, the poisoned crops, the ambush, the murder of the king and senators. Everything.
“Well,” Fritzer began, “it sounds like the situation has nearly been solved, but what about Tristan?!”
As soon as he said that monster’s name, Pitkins heard the beating of wings. Looking up into the sky, he saw none other than Istus coming towards him with what appeared to be a few dozen pholungs.
Chapter 19
Pitkins knew that to ensure peace the Dachwaldians also needed to know the truth. To show their goodwill, the Sodorfians brought hundreds of thousands of bushels of wheat into Dachwald. Despite the fact that the Dachwaldians thought they were still at war with the Sodorfians, there was nothing they could really do to stop the Sodorfians from entering their country. After all, their entire army was obliterated. Over the weeks and months that followed, dialogue began to open up, like stubborn flowers finally blossoming and giving in to the warmth of spring, and Pitkins and the Sodorfians told the Dachwaldians the truth about what had really happened. The kindness that the Sodorfians showed the Dachwaldians in helping them repair their damaged fields and in providing them with food in the meantime eventually led the Dachwaldians to believe the Sodorfians. Skeptics remained, but as the days turned into months, and the months into years, the Dachwaldians came to realize that the Sodorfians had never wanted to do them any harm.
Fearing that without an army they would be vulnerable to attack from the Metinvurs, the newly formed Dachwaldian government begged the Sogolians and Sodorfians to bring troops into their country to help protect them until they could raise a defensive army of their own again. The Sodorfian army had inadequate troops to oblige them, but the Sogolians sent troops.
During the reconstruction of Sodorf and Dachwald, people began to reflect upon deeds of heroism. Aisendall brought to light the extraordinary story of Polunk. Aisendall and the other escapees realized just how much they owed their lives to Pitkins when it was later discovered that the Moscorians had killed everyone in Arbeitplatz before moving south to attack Sodorf. Aisendall and the escapees visited the camp, and the memories of their stay there brought a chill to their spine. They remembered Polunk’s words as though they had heard them yesterday urging them to take a chance. They had done so and owed their lives to him.
Upon insistence by Aisendall and the other escapees, a large monument was built in Polunk’s honor upon which these words were written:
He that lost his life resisting tyranny
by his inspiration saved the lives of many.
One day Sworin, who had returned to Sogolia shortly after the Battle for Sodorf, as the victory over the Dachwaldians had been called, came to the City of Sodorf to check on the progress of things and to see Pitkins. Before Sworin headed back to Sogolia, he came to say goodbye to Pitkins.
“Take it,” Pitkins said, handing “Carlos” to Sworin.
Sworin looked at the sword, then at Pitkins, and smiled. “This time I know you really are home. I humbly accept this sword and the responsibility that goes with it.” They shook hands firmly, and then Sworin left.
Fritzer and the surviving nobles begged Pitkins to become general of the Sodorfian army. Pitkins declined. He had spilled enough blood for one lifetime. He had fallen in love with Donive and with Sodorf. It was his home now. And he was with the woman he loved. Now, more than ever, he wanted peace.
The End of Book 2