Cheers lit up the mountain, though Thomas supremely doubted most of the people there really understood what had just happened. It hardly mattered as he felt more hands lift him than he had ever felt before.
There was Master Kimpchik, and Ms. Anna was trying to help. Cynthia had his arm around her neck, and Zach had the other arm. Morando had a hand on his chest, and even Chancellor Valerium was there with her hand on his cheek. It took Thomas a few seconds to realize they were both Healers, something he probably should have figured out ages ago. Gilkor came down, laughing and shouting happily at anyone who would listen. Miranda had her fingers interlocked with Zach’s, and Cynthia had a hand on Thomas’ chest.
But none of that even remotely mattered.
What made tears spring into Thomas’ eyes was when Ms. Anna kicked him in the shin, and Mrs. Lucinda lifted her baby girl into her arms and smiled a smile so large it wiped away all of the pain in Thomas’ body.
He would have given his life just to see this.
They carried Thomas inside, where Gilkor rustled up ale and food. Others talked about beginning reconstruction and who would sit on the throne now. Chancellor Vontanado was found and arrested.
If Thomas had to hazard a guess, though he didn’t want to jinx it, he would say they had gotten a happy ending.
The End
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Magi War
Chapter 1: Birthright
Chapter 2: Damnation at the Tavern
Chapter 3: Priorities
Chapter Four: Concerning Kings
Chapter 5: Wooden Nightmares
Chapter 6: Birth of Shadow
Chapter 7: Escape
Chapter 8: Verdonti
Chapter 9: The First Task
Chapter 10: The Keeper
Chapter 11: Assault on Verdonti
Chapter 12: Flight to the Flame
Chapter 13: A Chapter of Rest
Chapter 14: Down Among the Dead
Chapter 15: Outrunning the Devil
Chapter 16: The Makers
Chapter 17: The Soul Forge
Chapter 18: The Stable Boy’s Sacrifice
Chapter 19: Into the Abyss
The Soul Forge Page 21