The Lives

Chapter 1

The snowflakes were slowly falling from the sky and gently landing on the floor, gravestones and Lord Patrick's head, as he stood in front of the grave of his late comrade Daryll.

"I am sorry, Daryll" — he said with sorrow in his voice, — I couldn't take back the Far Plains...In fact, things only got worse. The Nether King has returned, stronger than ever. And once again all I did was stand and watch".

Frostbourne grandmaster remembered how years ago when he stood there above the injured bandit, trying to make up his mind whether to kill him or not, he looked the criminal in the eyes for the first time. And they weren't full of anger or resentment, but sadness and regret. "I wonder what led him to where he is now" — said Patrick to himself. — "How many miserable people, who spent years not even living, but merely trying to survive in this cruel world, ended up sharing the same fate as him? Of course it doesn't excuse his actions, but it hurts knowing that the likes of him didn't have other choice in order to survive and never got the chance to redeem themselves". And he could understand. When Patrick was 16 he lost everything: his home, his friends, his family. Luckily he was raised as a soldier, so eventually he managed to find himself a place in Frostbourn, despite him having no talent. Who knows where he would've been now if Ser Theo didn't take Patrick in and train him so he could turn out a decent fighter. Why did he deserve this? He was the oldest man in the family, except for his sick father, yet he couldn't save the people he swore to protect with his life: his parents, his little brother and sister. How is he better than this bandit, who didn't have anything to begin with?

And so Ser Patrick decided to spare Daryll's life in exchange for his service. And through the years the two managed to grow on each other. They spent a lot of time together on different expeditions and missions. At this point Patrick became the closest person Daryll had ever had, despite the latter not quite admitting to it.

And now Daryll was gone. He died like a true hero, sacrificing himself to stop the Nether King and giving the Frostbourne an opportunity to win some time. Perhaps the hand that Lord Patrick landed to the bandit years ago led him to heaven. At least everyone wanted to believe so.

Lord Patrick couldn't protect him. He couldn't protect anybody: not his home, his family, his mentor, Rain, when he went to kill the nether Princess. And now even Azura. He lost the person he loved more than anything in this world and the one he wanted to keep by his side forever. Noone knew exactly whether she died or got trapped in the nether, and Lord Patrick prayed that he could see her once again, even though it was hard to believe that she was still alive.

The only person he had left was Dragon Tamer. He was far from home again, but there was nothing to worry about: he is strong, he will be fine. He proved himself after his journey to the Coven. And hopefully his comrades will prevent him from doing anything reckless.

Lord Patrick looked at the sky. A snowflake landed in his eye and melted. General wiped his face, sighed and left the graveyard.

Later that day he wrote a message to Nostra and Enderstone Crusaders about the return of king Naeus and the loss of Azura.