Beyond The Waning Light of Paradise

Chapter 21: Aftermath

The return to Amberheart was quiet and introspective. Silas, Rowan, and the others rode in silence, each lost in their thoughts after the grim events at Bitter Creek. The path home felt longer than usual, the weight of their actions bearing heavily on their shoulders. Uncle Chen led the group, his expression unreadable. At the same time, Rowan rode beside him, his mind replaying the brutality he had witnessed and taken part in.

Before approaching the town, Uncle Chen signalled for the group to stop by a small stream that cut through the forest. They dismounted their horses, and from the saddlebags, they pulled out spare clothes they had carried for this occasion. Without a word, they moved to the water's edge, washing the blood and grime from their bodies.

The stream where they paused was clear, its water shimmering in the late afternoon sun. But as Silas scrubbed his hands, the water turned a faint pink, a grim reminder of the bloodshed they were trying to wash away. No matter how much they scrubbed, the scent of iron and death seemed to cling to their skin, refusing to be washed away.

Once they were clean and dressed in fresh clothes, the group remounted and continued their journey back to Amberheart. The sight of the town's towering walls and bustling streets offered a sense of normalcy that felt almost jarring. The sounds of merchants, children, and clattering hooves filled the air, starkly contrasting the silence and bloodshed that still echoed in their minds.

Uncle Chen cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "We'll tell him what he needs to know, young master, but no more than that. We'll keep the details about your involvement vague as well."

Silas nodded curtly. "Thanks, Uncle Chen. No need to bother my father with all the details."

Following a few paces behind, Kael exchanged a glance with Uncle Chen. They both understood the necessity of what had been done, even if the memory of it would linger uncomfortably in their minds.

As they passed through the gates of Amberheart, Silas felt a strange dissonance. The town was alive with its usual bustle—merchants haggling, children darting through the streets, the familiar clang of a blacksmith at work. It was all normal, untouched by the horrors they had just witnessed. He glanced at Rowan, who rode beside him, their eyes briefly meeting. The weight of what they had done at Bitter Creek lingered unspoken between them. To the townspeople, they were just returning from another routine excursion. Still, Silas knew that the blood on his hands wasn't so easily washed away. But strangely, he was completely fine with that.

As they passed through the gates of Amberheart, the bustling town felt like a different world compared to the bloodstained battleground they had left behind. Silas found it hard to reconcile the two; the shift was too sudden and too stark. Rowan, too, couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease as they approached his family estate.

When they reached Rowan's family estate, his father awaited them at the entrance. His face brightened with relief when he saw his son. Still, the concern quickly returned as he noticed the weariness in Rowan's eyes and the freshly cleaned clothes, a silent indicator that something had happened.

"Rowan!" his father exclaimed, rushing forward. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Rowan offered a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm fine, Father. Just... a bit tired."

His father's gaze softened as he looked at his son, then shifted to something hidden behind the estate's doors. He gestured to one of the servants with a slight nod, who quickly disappeared inside. Moments later, the servant returned, carrying a small golden bear cub with bright blue eyes. The cub blinked up at Rowan, its tiny paws kneading the air as it wriggled in the servant's arms.

"I was saving this for a special occasion," Rowan's father said, his voice trembling with emotion as he took the cub from the servant and handed it to his son. "I found him in Amberwood Grove not too long ago. He was alone, abandoned, or perhaps... his mother was no longer around. I thought of selling him—his golden fur and blue eyes are rare, after all. But when I saw him, I couldn't help but think of you."