The Edelin Chronicles: The Search for Cindias

Epilogue: The War Has Just Begun

My ship pulls into port, dozens of soldiers waiting by the shore. God, what are soldiers useful for if I can't win a battle. 

I leave the servants to deal with the ship as I walk straight to the carriage, my assistant waiting outside.

"How did the raid go my lord?" she asks.

"You know the answer, Ophelia," I growl, stepping into the carriages without a passing glance to anyone.

The carriage ride starts to the castle, black forests, and the sunsets in blood-red; a normally beautiful night to celebrate my defeat.

"We have more troops being prepared sire; some are less than exceptional, but in time we can whip them into shape," Ophelia explains the goings-on in my kingdom.

"They better, what about our friend?" I ask, glancing away from the window for a brief moment to look at her.

"He still evades us, but we are closing in on his trail," she states, my eyes roll. Why do I have to be in control of such an incompetent militia?

"And I got a message from the sages," I turn to face her, "he wishes to speak with you," sh*t he knows.

"I'll speak with him once we return to the castle," I respond, gazing out the window again.

"I'll start making preparations sire," she bows her head before she starts to write things down.

After a few minutes of silence, we reach the castle, greeted by servants who take my belonging and start taking orders from Ophelia.

Meanwhile, I rush to the door, walking through the grim halls of my home. Walking down countless stairs to reach the temple.

Once I reach the bottom, I am greeted by the head sage, telling me that he isn't in a good mood and that he'll order some more wine when I walk in. I nod to dismiss him, before entering the temple.

Greeted by suffocating darkness, I walk further into the room, knowing where to go after countless visits with him.

"Kaldoro," I hear him hiss.

"I am here to serve you, my Lord," I bow before him.

"I heard of your raid attempt, you must have traveled far," he muses.

"Yes, but we were..." I start.

"Unsuccessful, yes, 'twas quite obvious," he sneers. "And you weren't able to obtain the Ruby?" he asks.

"Y-Yes my Lord, the princess, Dawn, she got it first," I mutter.

"Pity, however, there is still time," he sighs.

"How, my Lord?" I ask, "they have the Ruby, there's no telling of her power now, let alone how much she'll be able to wield when..." I start to ramble. But, I'm cut short when he places a hand on my shoulder.

"Patience my pupil, our time for victory will come, but not today," he whispers in my ear.

"Yes, my Lord," I lower my head.

"Remember Kaldoro, this battle may be fought and lost, but the war has just begun," he announces before the room goes silent.

I stand and exit the room, a small servant boy, waiting with a poured glass of wine in his trembling hands. I grab the glass, slowly sipping the rich content burning down my throat. As I toss the glass to the little boy, my eyes go red slightly, before heading upstairs.

I best heed my master's warning, the battle may be lost.

But the war has just begun.