Payments Due

[Rose Swan]

Amelia grinned. "Well done, you two. You and Leon have made off well these past few years, and I'm thankful for that. And Leon... When I saw him for the first time since I'd left it broke my heart that the bastard had filled him up with lies. I saw the hesitation and the hate in his eyes for just one moment and he thought I was acting when I was thrilled to see him. But it was all straightened out. I actually had begged for you two's release before he closed the gates on us. And soon after we arrived at Hesca's tribe, I learned that I was pregnant. I ended up having a beautiful daughter, and a couple weeks later we adopted an Erygonian boy after his family starved to death and his tribe came to the village for food. They're both lovely, I can't wait for you to meet them. Melody's just like your father, and Pent is a wonderful warrior. You're going to love them both." Her eyes always lit up when she was describing her children, she loved them so much. "But I still thought of you and Lenny. And I'm incredibly proud of you both. Your father will be too."

[Taiylor Wallace]

Luna came around to hug Amelia again, "I'm so glad to have you back..."
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The evening passed quietly, and the healers were working as fast as they could to save Ben, but nothing seemed to be working. Finally, Ben sent a healer to get Amelia. The healer explained that Ben was in his final hour, and wanted to be near her.

[Rose Swan]

With a sad sigh, she followed the healer to where Ben was. She felt horrible for him, and for Rogal as well. She entered the house where they were keeping him, and pulled up a chair to his side. "I'm sorry for not getting there sooner. I left the camp almost as soon as I heard the news, but it wasn't enough. And I'm sorry you can't see Rogal now. You know he adores you, and he'll be so upset... Thank you for taking care of him. And Lenny, and Luna, and me, and everyone in our family. You've done such a great service to us all and you aren't thanked enough. You don't deserve this. You're such a good person. And I'm sorry." Her throat hurt from choking back tears. She was trying her best to be strong for him, so it wasn't so depressing for him. But she knew it didn't change a thing.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"Don't be sorry... You and Master Rogal have always been nothing but good to me. I'm happy as I am. But... can I ask you for one last favor?" Ben took her hand with his own, weak and tightly wrapped as it was.

[Rose Swan]

"Of course. I owe you at least that. What is it?" she asked him, leaning in a little closer. Amelia cared a lot for Ben, and one last favor won't do her any harm.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"When you retake Hannibal... will you have Master Rogal use my ashes to enchant the last gear of the clocktower...? I need to stay there, to look after it for him..."

[Rose Swan]

Finally, the tear had slid from her eyes. "Of course. I can arrange that. You're such a good person, Ben... Don't you ever forget that. And I'll never forget you and all you'be done. Neither will Rogal." She leaned in and kissed his cheek gently. She couldn't hold back her tears now. Amelia hated to have this happen and there was nothing she could do. And the one person who could save him had betrayed them all.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Ben managed a smile, "Thank you..." And by sunset, he was gone. He was carried out to be burned on a funeral pyre, and everyone in Levine watched with the knowledge of who Ben was and all he'd done as Rogal's support. Several people remained through the night, and swept Ben's ashes into an urn and sealed it carefully. It would be kept in a vault until Rogal could come to retrieve it.

[Rose Swan]

Amelia cried throughout the entire funeral. And when the fire had long gone out and the ashes swept into an urn, she retreated into the room she was given in town hall, where she finally cried more. She wished Rogal was there. He would need the support more than she did. But it would be nice to have him there anyway, to ease her guilt of not getting there sooner. She had tried. She had tried so very hard, disobeying her grandfather and putting her own life at risk, to save him. But she had failed. And that hurt most of all.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Within a few days, the entire group from the north arrived in Levine, and just in time, too, to avoid a border patrol, but there was still no sign of Rogal. Ephriam held nothing against Amelia now, not after what'd happened. The next morning, though, everyone was called together, because Balascar had found a letter nailed to the door of the town hall.
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Balascar read it aloud:
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Everyone must move within the day, as quickly as possible. There is a huge force coming toward Levine was with surely find you all. Your best route is to go to a town called Barian. I won't be meeting you there, but tell my family that I'll see them soon.
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-Rogal Archer