4: Darken War

24: James

Chapter Twenty-Four: James

The battle was finally over.

Smoke still lingered in the air, curling upward like restless spirits. Cries of the wounded echoed in the valley, mixing with the clatter of weapons and the shuffle of tired feet. The last of the dwarves had fled into the mountain shadows, leaving behind only silence and sorrow.

But it was a victory. A costly one.

I stood there for a long moment, staring across the battlefield. Blood soaked the soil. Limbs, armor, shattered shields—it was all a mosaic of loss. The weight of it pressed down on my shoulders like a second skin.

Alana approached, brushing dirt from her tunic. "Have you seen Thorne?"

"I'm right here." Thorne's voice came from behind as he joined us. There were cuts across his face, blood drying in streaks on his cheek, but his eyes were clear.

"I'm glad you're both alright," he said quietly.

"Me too," I nodded.

Then I saw it—just a little ways off. A familiar body lying among the fallen. A dwarven axe still lodged in his ribs.

"Silverbow..." I whispered.

Thorne followed my gaze. His expression tightened. "He stepped in front of the axe meant for me," he said, voice low. "That idiot. He was a good man."

"He was," I agreed. "One of the best."

We stood in silence, the wind sweeping over the field, stirring ash and feathers. The loss felt personal. They all did.

"Do you think they made it out?" I asked quietly.

They didn't need names. We all knew who I meant.

Alana hesitated, then nodded toward the road. "We should probably go check."

"We won't have to," Thorne said, pointing.

I turned, squinting against the light.

A pair of horses approached slowly, pulling a cart behind them. On the cart sat a cluster of people—blond-haired, grim-faced. And tied behind the cart, dragging with each slow step, was a man I recognized immediately.

Theo.

But my eyes weren't on him.

They were on the two bodies atop the cart.

Alexandria.

Alexander.

Unmoving.

I felt my knees buckle. The world swam. My heart stopped.

I dropped.

"No..."

"James," Thorne tried to steady me, grabbing my arm. "Come on."

"I can't." My voice broke. "This scene... it's too familiar. If I look too closely, it becomes real."

"They're breathing, dumbass," Alana muttered.

"Wait, what?" I snapped my head toward her.

"They're breathing," she repeated, rolling her eyes. "Dramatic as ever."

I scrambled to my feet, sprinting toward the cart. A young woman stepped into my path, raising a hand.

"Are you James?" she asked.

"I am," I said breathlessly. "I'm her husband." I motioned toward Alexandria.

"Truth," said another voice. A girl who looked exactly like the first stepped forward.