Fall
Chapter 69 (The End)

Atlas

They went through each bushel of prisoners, lining them up and having Flint and Hudson go with them down the order. If they could pick up Kit’s scent before them, all the better.

Atlas had first checked the captured fera for Arlo, but the rabbit was not to be found. He suspected Queen Celia had stashed him in one of the army stables Piper had told them about.

No, Hudson said. No, not this one. Atlas followed patiently behind, looking at each Western and Eastern soldier closely. No one looked like Kit.

Step by step down the line they went. Some spit in his face, while others tried to run the second they were allowed to stand. It was a frustrating process, and the guards just wanted to keep packing the camp instead of babysitting the enemy.

“Kit?” he asked every now and then. The girl would shake her head.

Queen Celia may have been lying when she said Kit had survived. Maybe so they would tell her Charlotte had too.

Kane stopped behind him. Atlas turned to see him scrutinizing a dark-haired girl he had passed.

“Kit?” Kane said.

Atlas peered closer at the soldier. Her hair was an oiled black and cut to a short bob. With a red footmen cap placed over her eyes, she looked nothing like his daughter.

Her voice, however, was. “Kane. Dad.” She broke down. “I couldn’t talk. She would kill me. They would kill me. They were watching. I’m sorry, I’m sorry I—“

Atlas pulled her out of line and into his arms. Kane joined the hug. Flint placed his head over Kit’s shoulder while Hudson was at her knees.

Sweet Kit, the bear said. You’re safe.

“It’s okay,” Atlas found himself repeating. “It’s okay. You’re safe. We’re going home.”

Piper

Piper watch the canvas shift with the wind. The clouds were moving once more, maybe to bring another winter snow. She was in her tent with Reine, resting and not quite ready to leave her cot. They hadn’t ventured out all morning, no matter how much commotion was surrounding them. It was a time for recovery.

She listened to the camp traffic. How they were packing up what was left of their supplies and folding everything into neat bundles until the next stop. There was a happy note woven in their working songs.

We’re going home, to the mountains we’re going home.

Reine hummed along with them. Where the vitrum grows and no one knows… how great a hearth can be.

Piper rolled out of bed, feet hitting the ground with a subtle thump. She waited, then rose. Her pack was by the tent flap with all of her belongings. She shouldered it, and stepped outside.

A guard was waiting. He saluted, then motioned to her tent. “Is this ready?”

Piper nodded, and kept going. She could hear the guard calling for more soldiers to take down the room.

Reine was close to her, protective. Piper felt a rush of warmth towards her fera. Its heat melted away the numbness settled in her heart.

Thank you, she said.

It’s what I do, Reine replied. We’re in this together.

Always, Piper said. She slowed. They were expected to be at the head of the group with Kane, Donovan, Cooper, Atlas, Skye and Milla. But she wanted one more glimpse of the plains before they left.

Picking their way across the shrinking camp, they reached open field once more. The carnage had been cleaned by scavengers over the past couple days. Burial rights had been given for soldiers on all sides, and a communal pyre had been lit.

They all came to Eden with nothing, and left the same way. Queens, soldiers, traders and inventors all shared the same home under their feet. For dust we are, and dust we will return.

Now there were only skeletons of war. Pikes, swords and shields without owners stuck in the earth at odd angles. They were scarecrows for the seeds of death. The crop of sorrow.

Piper kicked the dirt, and smudged the slushed snow. A grass strand poked through. A sliver of new growth. There is always hope.

Amur, Reine agreed. We have another day to make amends and anew.

Maybe hundreds of years from now, this battle would be told again. The details may be worn with time, but the hope of survival for the North would remain the same.

Weak shadows moved in the distance, slowly coming into focus. Piper shaded her face. A mirage?

No. I see it too. Reine went ahead of Piper. A person.

The silhouette split. Two people.

A wary cord struck in Piper. She thought of the attack last night. There could be more rogue agents seeking revenge. She activated her alea, and let the comforting weight of the mace fall in her hand.

Then a familiar birdsong reached her ears. A blur of red shot past them, then landed on Piper’s shoulder. Chip.

“Hey!” Finch called. “Anything new?” He walked around a splintered shield.

Piper turned to Finch’s friend. She didn’t recognize him at first in the flapped hat and mottled coat, but his fera was unmistakable.

“Remi?” Piper asked. “Remi! Otis!” Reine and her bound through the uneven battlefield to embrace the Glassing that had dared leave his court. “What are you doing here?”

Remi grinned. “Finch came back. Told us you might need help.” He looked around. “Seems I didn’t need to come, though.”

“Ah, there’s more to that,” Finch said. “He wants to visit Elbe.”

Remi shrugged. “Show me what’s so great about the place.”

Otis met Reine tentatively. He was somewhat afraid of the smaller cat, now that they were outside the Glassing Court.

We’re going to have to teach them bravery, Reine sniffed. Otis is pathetic.

We were like them when we left Biscay, Piper said. She smiled to Finch. “I don’t know how you got him here. Thank you.”

Finch gave a little bow. “Of course, Miss Amur.”

She gave Chip and kiss, and let him fly back to Finch. Before she saw his reaction, she turned on her heel and went back to the camp.

Reine caught up with her, Remi and Otis trailing. What was that?

Nothing.

Oh, playing stupid are we? I know your thoughts, you can’t hide from me.

I think we’ve had this conversation before, Piper said.

Reine flicked her tail. That was about lies. Don’t change the subject.

How about I get a nice steak when we get home?

A feast would be acceptable. I would like fish. And venison.

Not with Flint there.

Fine. Just no dried meat, Reine growled.

Thea wouldn’t serve that. Piper smiled as they saw the army finish the last of the preparations. Along the plain, a steady trail of the North and South trickled through, headed for the Golden Gates. They were going home.

Her home.

The end. Congratulations on finishing both Rise and Fall! It took me years to write these drafts, and I'm so pleased you enjoyed them. Let me know if you had a favorite character or scene from the duology. I'm always happy to hear your thoughts. :)