A Toast to Hope

Following Hannah's vague directions, I arrive at a large tent with soldiers running in and out of it. Walking inside, I stop as a wave of sound hits me from all the people talking inside at once. Seeing the king standing by a table with armies on it, I walk over and wait behind him as he finishes his conversation with a seasoned warrior in plate armor. Walkling up to him, I stand next to the table.

"How did it all go?"

"We got the key fragment before I got your missive. Were you able to extract the beast's soul?"

"We were. I think we now have everything we need to launch an assault on the Hall of the Damned."

"Why do I get the feeling there's a but in there?"

"There is the Demon King himself. He still has a massive army of loyal soldiers. The armies of humans and elves are already making their way to the mountains in preparation, but we have not yet received word from the demihuman races if they will join the fight. Their Elder councils have not responded to any of my missives or requests for an audience. It's concerning, to say the least. They could choose to join him."

"I assume if they do that, we won't have the numbers."

"That's correct. It's a worrying situation."

"Perhaps it's best if we move fast with this whole key thing. What do we need to do?"

"I sent Jean back to the Castle yesterday after the defeat of the Demon beast. He'll get the mages ready. It will take many mages channeling a constant stream of magical energy at least two days to bind the key together. We're running out of time, Oscar, and I feel the Demon King has more planned than we know, and that worries me." Sighing, the gray in his hair seems to get lighter as he takes a seat heavily nearby.

"How is Ellavessa doing? I heard she was severely injured in the battle." Trying hard to keep the blush from my cheeks, I clear my throat before answering.

"She's healed. She got me to take her to a healing spring. Within a few hours, the wounds had completely healed." Smiling, a twinkle fills his eyes.

"I see. So the reason you didn't come back until this morning was…" Catching his eyes, I blush slightly, and the king bursts into laughter. The sound of it filling the interior of the tent causing everyone to look in our direction.

"I swear to god does everyone know?"

"Relax Oscar. It's a good thing. I'm glad."

"Hannah said the same thing." Smiling at me warmly, he produces two cups and a bottle of brandy from somewhere beside his seat. Pouring two cups, he hands one to me and nods his head before taking a sip. Following his example, I take a swig of the dark liquid, swallowing it fast so it doesn't burn my throat on the way down.

"I've seen many men over the years in your position, Oscar. Most don't get a second chance at happiness. The world can be a cruel place sometimes, and if you have the option of facing it with someone, it's always a far better option than facing it alone." Getting to his feet, he stretches his back out, topping up both our cups.

"Walk with me." Following him out of the tent, he leads me up a hill behind the camp and stops at the top, Turning, he takes a seat on the grass and gestures for me to take up the spot beside him. Joining the king, I look down at the camp and all the soldiers bustling around it.

"I've known Ellavessa for a long time, Oscar. Ever since you arrived here, she has been different. From the very first moment she stormed into my throne room and whisked you out the door with that whirlwind attitude of hers. She's always had a wall around her. She kept everyone at arm's lengths and knowing now what I know of her past, I can understand why. But that all changed when you came. I'm glad that she has you. It gives me hope for the future. And if that's not worth toasting, I don't know what is. To hope." Meeting his cup with mine, I smile filled with a warmth that wasn't from the brandy.

"To hope." Taking a swig from our cups, silence falls on us softly like a feather as we watch the camp below for a while, the breeze blowing across the hill, warm from the sun. Sighing as he drains the last of his cup, the king settles back and looks at me.

"I heard you gained some new skills. They sounded impressive."

"When we were at the Crypt Master's lair/house thing, she had her butler teach me some new skills."

"Her butler? I've never heard of the Crypt Master having a butler."

"His name was Bernard." At the mention of the name, the king's eyes widen, and he sits up straight.

"Did he have magic? And knowledge of skills and weapons that most people would never even hope to possess?"

"He seemed to, yeah. Why's that?" Letting out a whistle, a look of awe covers his face.

"You have no idea, Oscar. And I don't blame you for that. Even among most people, he's little more than a fairy tale. Few even know he truly existed. If it's who I think it is, you were taught by The Heavenly Sage."

"The what now?"

"The Heavenly Sage. He was a man so skilled with weapons that the goddesses blessed him. He lived for hundreds of years; teaching students he deemed worthy. Then, around three hundred years ago, he disappeared. I guess now we know that was when Firentia was killed; it makes sense in a way."

"Well, that explains why he was a skeleton. If he'd been alive for hundreds of years. It makes sense."

"He was a skeleton?" At my words, he falls back on his arm with a grunt.

"Well, I'll be damned. What I would have given for a moment of his time! You're luckier than you realize." Looking down at the camp, I see two women break away and start making their way up the hill towards us. Stopping in front of the king, Ella and Hannah give him a bow before turning and looking at the cups in our hands with a look of disgust.

"C'mon, Dad, it's not even Midday yet." Looking at the empty cup in my hand, I smile and fain looking at a watch on my wrist.

"It's five o'clock somewhere. I'm sure." Shaking her head, Hannah takes a seat on the grass in front of me, and pulls Ella down with her.

"You're hopeless. Well, if you can't beat em…" holding up my empty cup, I chuckle.

"Join em." At the look on my face, Hannah bursts into laughter and rolls around on the grass. Looking from Hannah to Ella and back to me, the king raises an eyebrow in confusion before shrugging it off.

"She has a point though, Oscar. We can't stay out here forever. With all three fragments of the key, we should head back to the castle and get started on the ritual straight away." Getting to his feet, the king offers a hand to help me up. Taking it, I get to my feet and help Ella and Hannah up.

"We just sat down."

"Yeah and no, you're standing again. We're you looking for us for any reason." Smiling Ella, looks at me.

"None in particular. Though there was a pretty grouchy general who seemed pretty annoyed, the Outlier had absconded with the King. Give him some space for a while, Elias. He seemed pretty angry." Laughing, the king takes the cup from my hand and starts walking back towards the tents.

"That's Sirus. He's always annoyed. Ready your things. We leave for the castle at once." Watching as his back disappears into the sea of tents, I sigh. Holding my arms out to the two girls, I tilt my head.

"Shall we?" With a laugh, they take an arm each as we walk down to the camp.