Epilogue

The celebration came as quick as it came, and the celebration of their triumph quickly turned to worry with the disappearance of the Younger Illya. Dozens of searches were conducted to find the Young Lord, but each proved to be unsuccessful. The Younger Stanillo was tasked with the search, but he was having trouble locating the boy. The Young Lord needed to be found quickly before his father learned of his disappearance…

“Stanillo,” Himari said, “my daughter-in-law has also disappeared alongside my son. Surely, the disappearance of Coria and my son have to coincide with them running away, right?”

“No, I do think so, my lady,” Stanillo said, “However, I will make it my mission to find your son and his women. Logically speaking, Coria would not have left behind her sister to go off with your son, despite her bearing your son’s child. I just do not think a sister would leave her younger sister behind for the sake of love.”

“You are not wrong,” Himari admitted, “I met the girl, and she did not seem like the type of person to do such a thing.”

In time, the disappearance of the two supposed lovers became a mystery. However, not a single word of this was relayed to the Elder Illya, as he was in the midst of a campaign and his absence on the frontline would be catastrophic for Belomas aspirations of conquest. Anyhow, having settled the worries of a mother, the Younger Stanillo headed to his estate on the outskirts of Belomas. The Younger Stanillo had no children nor wife.

At the age of twenty-nine years old, he was a man with no commitments. Unlike most powerful men, he had neither servants, attendants, nor guards at his service. On arrival, he secured his horse onto its post, and he began to make his way over. On arrival at the porch, he knocked onto the door, signifying his presence to those within. He stood there for a few seconds prior to entering. Greeting him, was a lovely blue-eyed woman with her lavish golden hair. Such features were capable of triumphing any man’s discipline for lust…

“Is everything to your liking, my love?” said Stanillo.

“Everything is fine,” Coria said, “but everything could be better if you brought my sister to me. It hurts me to be away from her, despite being so close to her.”

“Your sister resides in the Household of Illya, and I was informed that she is still awaiting news about your whereabouts and the whereabouts of your child’s father,” Stanillo begrudgingly said, “Everybody believes that you and he ran off together, and to be honest, it is for the best people run with that story.”

“As if I would run off with him,” Coria lied, “When things became serious, he acted like a coward and ran off…”

“I wonder about that,” Stanillo said, “but it does not change the fact that I need him to join me in this campaign. It has been three months, and I have yet to find him. If he is dead, this may complicate the chief’s plan for conquest. As much as I hate to admit, he is not an easy person to replace. The Elder Illya is growing in power, and the Younger Illya is one of the few trusted men he has left with the death of Yarik. Eventually, I promise to bring your sister to you, my love, but the situation is too tense at the moment to bring her to you. The Household of Illya has far too much attention to itself, and bringing her here would bring too much attention to us.”

“I will be patient,” Coria said, “After all, you are the only man who has been straightforward with me since the beginning. You told me the truth of everything, and you did not try covering for your friend. If it were not for your help that day, I do not know what would have become of me…”

“Be patient,” Stanillo said, “However, all I ask is that you give me the chance to get right on what he could not. I understand, you may not be ready to be with another man, but it’s such a punishment for me to gaze at such beauty that I can never hope to win over…”

On the other end, a boy that had seen better days continues to scavenge through the forest in search of food. His injuries having healed, he was able to maneuver around much more freely than before. Having broken his sword prior, he had adopted the practice of making spears out of sticks. These spears gave him the ability to hunt down animals.

In his time away, he stopped using his energy, deciding to resort to his body and mind for survival. His clothes were in tatters, and this deer not only served as a great meal, but its hind could be used for a coat. Spring was at it’s peak. Right when the Younger Illya snuck behind the deer, he foolishly, unknowingly stepped onto a twig, snapping it, alerting the animal.

Of course, the deer ran away, and the hunt is on now! The deer had swift feet, but the Younger Illya knew its speed was nothing compared to the might of his throw. He came to a full stop, and positioned his body to launch his spear at the fleeing animal. He did so, and the launch of his spear was expeditious! The spear struck the deer, killing it in the process.

Immediately, he caught up to the deer's corpse and tore it apart. Separating the meat and hind. In fact, he used the hind to carry the parts of the animal he liked to his cave, where he currently resided. As he walked into the cave, a couple of spears and the hilt of Illya's former sword could be seen. Along with a couple of ropes that were likely made with plant fiber within the wilderness. Afterward, he threw his bloody spear aside, and got to work on lighting a fire to cook his meat.

The boy was in a shabby state, and appeared more primitive than the Ugrics that he had fought a few months ago. This was no longer the same boy that had fought courageously against the Nori. This was a boy that had lost his bravado, a boy that had lost his spirit, and the destruction of a boy that led to the birth of a man. Illya had no idea what would become of him, and he frankly had no care to continue living the life he had lived. As far we were aware, the Younger Illya was gone.