Airships dotted the grey skies above Cessair.  Autumn had come.  The fields surrounding Cessair Tower were no longer crowned with the soft purple petals of flowerfall.  Even the crimson lake that lay around the great tower seemed to have lost much of it colour.

         Cessair Tower was also undergoing a period of change.  Although no-one opposed the peeling away of the tower’s shatterstone skin to combat the Ghul, the naked tower had been a hard sight to bear in the months following Caliban’s defeat.  

          The Ghul had disposed of all the shatterstone they had accumulated so Llyr dismissed the idea of returning the tower to its former glory.  Instead he called upon the Acora and the Kobolds to work together to create a tower from glass-steel.  It was a massive undertaking, but people travelled from all over the Myr just to be a part of it.

 

 

Rebuilding the tower was the first step towards rebuilding the Myr.

Chamberlain Llyr sat in a large, leather chair staring at the door to his apartment.  He tapped the chair’s rounded arms as he waited.  It was late afternoon.  His visitor would arrive at any moment.  

          Despite his focus upon the door, the Chamberlain was startled when his visitor finally knocked.  Llyr rushed across the luxuriant red rug that lay upon the polished ironwood floor.

          ‘Thank-you for coming Pylos,’ the Chamberlain said appreciatively.  ‘We have much to discuss.’  He smiled broadly, but Pylos could see it was not heart-felt.  Sadness hung around the Chamberlain like the clouds upon the distant hills.  Llyr’s intense blue eyes had lost their lustre.  They were no longer piercing nor did they sparkle with the energy that once ran through his body like blood.  

          Much had changed since Empty Isle, and the Chamberlain’s exuberant disposition was one of many things to fade that year.

 

 

The pair exchange pleasantries but it seemed Llyr did not have the heart for small talk.  Pylos stood looking down at the rug as an uncomfortable silence descended upon the room.  He was much relieved when the Chamberlain recommended they step outside.  It was easier to endure such silences when there was a view.

          They walked out onto the west-facing balcony.  Pylos could make out a number of fishing boats out on the lake below.  He could also see a succession of ferries plying their way to the eastern landing of the Acoran Way.  The Acora had opened up the route under the mountains to all Myrrans.  The days of secrecy and aloofness were put in the past.  After the deceit and subterfuge of Maeldune Canna, Queen Ana of Acoran felt it was important to change the perception many outsiders had of the Acora.  

          ‘On a clear day, you can see the tops of the Acoran Ranges,’ Llyr said gruffly, disappointed that the tall spine of the Acoran mountains was covered in clouds.

          ‘Yes, Your Grace,’ Pylos said politely – he had seen the snow-covered caps of the Acoran mountains many times from the vantage point of the Cloud Chamber a few floors above.  He did not feel it would be appropriate to bring this to the Chamberlain’s attention.

          ‘I believe congratulations are in order Pylos.’

          Pylos blushed slightly and mumbled, ‘Thank-you Your Grace.’

          The Chamberlain noted Pylos’ subdued response and rebuked him for it.  ‘Oh, come now Pylos!  You should be proud!  You have married the most desired woman in the world.  Don’t hang your head as if you are ashamed of it.’

           ‘I’m not ashamed Your Grace.  It’s just… well, Jehenna was Maeldune’s wife and I…’

          ‘Pylos, you are not to mention that man’s name in my presence again.’  He wasn’t being flippant.  Chamberlain Llyr's face took on an earnest expression to match his voice.

          ‘I’m sorry, Your Grace.  I won’t speak of him again.’

          The Chamberlain walked to a small table to one side of the balcony where a carafe of wine and two goblets were awaiting his attention.  ‘A drink Pylos,’ he said assuming a more congenial manner.  ‘In fact a toast!  To your wife, the bravest, most beautiful woman to ever set foot on the Myr.’

          Pylos smiled appreciatively and drank the contents of the goblet he was given without pause.

          ‘Tell me, have you had any word from her. Is she still in Amasis?’

          ‘Yes. She is helping her mother rebuild.’

          ‘And Claudia Kallady, she is…’

          ‘She is as well as can be expected, Your Grace. Lara Brand undid the terrible magick the Morgai traitor performed, but it will be some time before Claudia Kallady is herself again.’

          ‘Lara Brand,’ the Chamberlain mused.  ‘She will be a wonderful asset to us in our attempts to heal the world.’

          ‘She has a mighty heart, Your Grace.’

          ‘She has indeed Pylos.  Not unlike your own.’

          Pylos blushed once again.

 

 

The Chamberlain sat down on a bench that was suspended by chains above the balcony.  He bade Pylos sit with him.  When both men were seated, the Chamberlain pulled a small golden lever that had been built into the arm of the bench.  The chains above their heads suddenly went taut and the entire bench was lifted off the balcony.  The ornate iron railing before them opened out like a farmyard gate and the bench swung out through the space so that it was hanging out in the cool air that swirled around the sides of the great tower.

          ‘You’re not scared of heights are you Pylos?’

          ‘Not at all, Your Grace.  I don’t like confined spaces.  That is all.’

          ‘Well you couldn’t get less confined that this.  Remarkable piece of engineering this,’ he said proudly as he ran his hands over the hanging bench.  ‘Those Kobolds can build anything.’

          ‘Yes, Your Grace.  They are a most amazing people.’

          ‘Which brings me to the subject of our meeting today.  I have asked you here to pick your brains.  I would like to hear your opinion on various matters.’

          ‘Me, Your Grace?’

          ‘Don’t sound so surprised Pylos.  Your decisions helped us defeat Caliban.  I will hear your thoughts whether you like it or not.’

          Pylos stared out at the bank of clouds before him.  He knew the clouds were changing shape but he couldn’t see it when he watched them.  One had to look away to see those changes.

          ‘Pylos, what are we to do?  This war has left some terrible scars.’

          ‘May I speak frankly, Your Grace?’

          ‘I would expect no less of you.’

          ‘Then I say this.  There are many types of victims.  Some lose their lives.  Some lose their minds.  Some lose their way.  But there is one thing common to all.  Something so simple, something so obvious, we risk overlooking it.’

          The Chamberlain was intrigued.  He would never have expected Pylos capable of such lyricism.  ‘What is this one thing, Pylos?’

          ‘The need for compassion.’

          The Chamberlain nodded but nothing in his demeanour suggested he agreed.  ‘Are you speaking of the Kobolds specifically, Pylos?’

          ‘They are not to blame, Your Grace,’ Pylos responded without hesitation.  ‘They should be released from the Hulks immediately.’

          ‘There are those who say we should do nothing for them,’ the Chamberlain said softly.  ‘There are some who are baying out for the Kobolds’ blood.’  

          Pylos nodded.  ‘I know.  Many people are rightfully angry.  I understand that.  The Kobolds opened up the breaches that caused so many Myrrans to lose everything.  They are looking for a place to focus their anger.  But it would be wrong to hold the Kobolds accountable for what they did.’

          ‘It staggers me to think how close we came to losing everything,’ Llyr mused.

          ‘Yes,’ said Pylos.  ‘All the more reason to cherish what we have left.’

          Llyr turned to Pylos.  His eyes darted about the Helyan’s face.  He was nervous.  ‘But Pylos, the voice of the people had to be heard, irrespective of how unfair it seems.’

          Pylos said nothing for a while.  The clouds before him had changed yet again.  They had not only altered their shape.  Their colour had also changed, along with their mood.  They had grown darker.  It looked like it was about to rain on Cessair.  

          ‘Chamberlain Llyr, I was but a boy when you first came to power, but I remember you.  I remember what people said about you back then.  They adored you and not because what you did was popular.  They respected you for the conviction of your beliefs.  You influenced public opinion, not the other way around.  Is it not enough that the Kobolds can remember everything they did?  They had no influence upon their actions!  They are more deserving of our compassion than any other race upon the Myr.  They have suffered the longest and will be haunted by their deeds for the rest of their lives.

          ‘I know there are also people who want to see hundreds of Moraen witches hanging from gibbets in Murdertown.  Have we not had enough blood spilled already?  Now is not the time for vengeance.  We have seen what becomes of vengeance.  This entire war arose out of one man’s desire for revenge.’

          It was Chamberlain Llyr’s turn to fall silent.  The first drops of a light rain fell upon them, but Llyr seemed oblivious to them.  He sat there staring out at the grey shroud that had been thrown over the entire sky.

          ‘I… I can’t see the way ahead,’ he said eventually.  

          Pylos shook his head.  ‘Your Grace, it is not for me to say what your next move should be.’

          ‘Pylos, I address you not as a subordinate, but as an equal.’

          ‘Then set free the Kobolds immediately.  ‘They have suffered enough as have the Pryderi.’

          ‘Pylos, the Pryderi were not under Succellos’ influence.’

          ‘They were put in a most difficult position.  They say the bond between mother and daughter among the Pryderi is something other Myrrans cannot understand.  I do not think we can judge them by our own standards.’

          The Chamberlain raised his hand to his chin as he pondered this last comment.  His fingers tapped the skin above his lip and his brow creased slightly.  Pylos realised Llyr was in the process of making a decision.  An important one.  ‘I will appoint a new Minister for Justice,’ he said finally.  ‘Her first undertaking will be the matter concerning the Moraens.’

          A light drizzle was falling about them but Pylos ignored it.  ‘Her, Your Grace?’

          ‘Lara Brand.’

          Pylos smiled.

          ‘You agree General?’

          ‘I do, Your Grace.’  With a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, ‘I don’t think you could do much worse than the last one.’

          Chamberlain Llyr could not bring himself to smile.  His mood remained sombre as he moved on to his next topic.  ‘Tell me Pylos, what are your thoughts on the situation regarding the Caquikki?’

          Pylos shrugged.  He wasn’t sure how to answer the question.  ‘It is difficult, Your Grace.  I watched hundreds die when the Caquikki bombarded the battlefield on Usnach.’

          ‘The parliament of Caquix City has argued that Lokota Fall was not acting on their behalf.  Whilst they approved of the building of the skyships, the Caquikki Prime Minister claims that Lokota and his people stole the ships.  The Prime Minister has described the Caquikki we fought at Usnach as a renegade faction.’

          ‘Do you believe him?’

          ‘It is too hard to know what to believe.’

          ‘Your Grace, I’m not sure it would be wise to continue the conflict.  Perhaps we need to take the Caquikki at their word.’

          The Chamberlain cocked an eyebrow.  ‘It is unusual to hear a soldier advocate clemency and peace.’

          Pylos grinned.  ‘The battle is over, Your Grace.  I cannot be a soldier forever.’

          The Chamberlain nodded.  ‘That is true Pylos.  And you will be so much more than a soldier.’

          Pylos wiped the drizzle from his brow.  ‘Your Grace, what of the Endless?  What are you intentions?’

          ‘It’s a good question Pylos.  We could follow the example of our forefathers and seal it up, hoping that whatever still lurks there, stays there…’

          ‘But?’

          ‘But only a fool repeats his mistakes.  We have another option.    The Ghaddar proved to be valuable allies in the battle for Skyfall.  They also helped guard all known breaches whilst the Battle of Empty Isle was in progress.  I believe we can support them in their efforts to re-establish themselves in the Endless.  I think this will benefit us in the long run.’

          ‘The long run,’ Pylos mused.  ‘I wonder what waits for us in the long run.’

          The Chamberlain swivelled about and smiled warmly.  ‘Let’s not look too far into the future for now, Pylos.  Let’s just take things one day at a time.’

          ‘That’s sounds perfect to me,’ Pylos said.

 

 

Shortly after the Battle of Empty Isle, the Chamberlain sent the newly-appointed members of the Cessair Guard down into the Endless to find the creature known as Cribella and to bring it back to Cessair.  It was a difficult task, but much to the amazement of the soldiers charged with the task of removing Cribella from its home, the vast beast did not struggle as it was cut down from it web.  Once it felt the sun on its massive body, it took on a radiance that lit up the night.

          A scaffold was erected for it in the courtyard before Cessair Tower.  Cribella took to her new home without hesitation and quickly became a focal point of life in Cessair.  People would gather around it all day and night, hoping to see images of loved ones in distant lands.  In time, people took on shatterbugs as pets and this heralded an era of communication in the Myr that was unlike anything its people had ever known.  

          One of the most joyous days following the end of the conflict with Caliban took place six weeks after the battle on Empty Isle.  A small enclave of Spriggans was found on the Isle of Antaeus, one of the few places on the Myr not to be despoiled by the hand of Caliban.  Shocked and distraught, they returned to Sarras and, like most people during that time, devoted their days to rebuilding their community.

 

 

Chamberlain Llyr died before autumn passed into winter.  The public was told he slipped on the stairs whilst on one of his late night strolls around the tower, but a rumour prevailed that he had committed suicide as a result of his inability to reconcile what he perceived to be his failures during Caliban’s rise to power.

          Llyr was succeeded by Samuel Melkin.  It was a logical choice.  Melkin’s political experience gained him the approval of the Assembly of Nations and the stories of his courage and guile in the Endless made him incredibly popular amongst the people.

          On of the most significant changes to take place in the months following the Battle of Empty Isle took place in Helyas.  The Senate decreed that the brutal festival known as the Forging would be discontinued.  The Helyans had emptied its lands to fight at the Battle of Empty Isle and their losses were higher in number than any other nation.  Taking part in a physical contest where the weak were killed was not only regarded by many to be impractical, but also a relic of different time.  The decree had no stronger supporter than Pylos Castalia who quickly found himself elected to the position of senator within months of returning to Sulis.

 

 

Far away in Skyfall Town things eventually returned to normal.  People came from all over the Myr to witness the majesty of the Skyfall, but many more came to see the Sapphyrran who had ventured down into the Endless to save the world from evil.

 

 

Trypp Elan found a way past Maru Lem.  What had seemed impossible for so many years, was not as difficult as his imagination – and its reputation – had made it.  Once past the overhang, the rest of the route up the Skyfall was quickly made.

          He stood atop the great waterfall and looked around.  To the east lay lands that no-one had explored before but he was much more interested in what lay to the west.  Myriad colours from an inventive god’s palette were splashed recklessly against the canvas of the sky.  Countless shades of blue coalesced with vermillion hues and a gentle sun set upon the Myr.

          He drew a deep breath.  ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said.