Chapter 66: Eyes Begin to See
Bellhaven looked different in the morning.
Not healed.
That would have been too generous a word for a village with blackened foundations, broken fences, thirteen dead, and a granary reduced to a shell of burned timber. Yet the panic that had ruled the streets during the monster attack had been replaced by something more stubborn.
Routine.
Hammers struck wood along the northern lane. Villagers carried salvaged roof tiles from one house to another. Captain Mara Fen’s soldiers worked with local hunters to strengthen the temporary barricades while the newly arrived regional troops established a proper watch around the forest road.
Near the shrine, children carried buckets that were far too small to matter individually and absolutely necessary in total.
Kael stood on the low rise south of the village and watched them.
The wooden dragon pendant Elder Maela’s people had given him rested beneath his coat. Occasionally the cord shifted against his neck, reminding him it was there.
He had received titles before.
Imperial recognition came with titles.
House Kael came with titles.
The Emperor had recently given him an inspection writ carrying enough authority to make senior administrators reconsider whether lying to him was worth the effort.
Yet the crude piece of oak felt more personal than any of those things.
Lily approached carrying two cups.
Kael looked toward the second one.
Is that for me?
No. I brought two because I enjoy carrying unnecessary weight up hills.
He accepted it.
Thank you.
Lily stood beside him.
You’ve been up here long enough that Edwin sent me to check whether you had decided to personally rebuild the village.
I considered it.
Of course you did.
Kael drank.
The liquid was bitter and hot enough to make him regret taking too large a mouthful.
Lily noticed.
Better?
No.
She smiled.
They watched Bellhaven together.
After a while Kael said, I used to think rebuilding was the easy part.
Compared with monsters?
Compared with winning.
Lily glanced toward him.
Kael continued. A battle ends. Somebody wins. Somebody loses. Everyone understands what happened, at least broadly.
He nodded toward the village.
This doesn’t end cleanly. The granary is gone. Families lost people who worked their farms. Two road soldiers died, which means pension claims have to reach families in another district. The village needs seed grain, roof timber, probably draft animals, and somebody still has to investigate the forest.
Lily took a drink.
You sound disappointed.
I think I’m realizing the fight was the simple part.
That sounds more like Edwin every day.
Kael grimaced.
I preferred when people compared me to Darius.
You complained about that too.
I am consistent.
No, you’re not.
Fair.
Below them, Elder Maela directed two young men carrying a roof beam. Neither moved fast enough for her liking. Kael could not hear the words from the hill, but the way both men suddenly increased speed suggested age had done nothing to weaken her authority.
Kael smiled.
A territory isn’t buildings.
Lily waited.
Kael continued. Buildings matter. Roads matter. Farms matter. But all of it only works because people keep choosing to repair what breaks.
Lily looked toward the burned granary.
Sometimes because they have no choice.
That corrected the thought.
Kael nodded.
You’re right.
He had nearly turned Bellhaven’s recovery into another pleasing lesson about resilience.
That would have been unfair.
Some people repaired because they loved their village.
Others repaired because winter would come whether they were inspired or not.
Both mattered.
Kael finished the drink.
Then let’s make sure they have more choices than rebuild or starve.
The first messenger arrived shortly after breakfast.
Not from Augustus personally.
That would have been absurdly fast considering the distance.
Instead the rider carried the seal of the Imperial Chancellor’s dispatch network and a copy of instructions relayed from Aurelia after Kael’s Bellhaven report reached the capital.
Edwin received the letter with Kael inside the village hall.
He checked the seal twice before opening it.
Lily waited near the table. Leon Ashford had also joined them, one arm still moving carefully because of the wound across his shoulder.
Kael leaned forward.
Well?
Edwin read silently.
Kael waited another five seconds.
Edwin.
Patience remains a virtue.
Not when someone is reading a letter about me directly in front of me.
Edwin finally handed it over.
The message was short.
To Prince Kael Asterion, acting under temporary Imperial inspection writ.
Your Bellhaven report has been received. Major Rellan Vorr retains operational authority over the local investigation. Mistress Anwen’s magical findings are to be forwarded directly to the appropriate Imperial offices.
Kael continued reading.
You are not instructed to remain at Bellhaven once local security is sufficient. Return to Blackwood and complete the assigned review of the southern bridge and historical petition chain. Further Imperial review assignments will follow only after your territorial responsibilities permit.
Below that was a short note from Augustus himself.
Not a grand Imperial command.
Only four lines.
You saw a crisis and helped without mistaking arrival for ownership of the problem.
Now leave it to the people whose duty continues after you depart.
Return to Blackwood. Finish what you started there.
— Augustus
Kael read the last sentence again.
Leon leaned closer.
He’s sending you home.
Yes.
Lily smiled.
Finally.
Kael looked toward the investigation map on the table.
Part of him wanted to remain.
That irritated him because Augustus had anticipated it.
Major Rellan and Mistress Anwen were better suited to continue the Bellhaven investigation. Regional troops had arrived. The corrupted Alpha remained contained and stable. The forest clearing was under guard. Samples were already being prepared for transport.
Kael no longer had a necessary role here.
Wanting to see the mystery solved did not create one.
Edwin watched him.
You dislike leaving an unfinished problem.
Yes.
That will become inconvenient if you intend to govern. Most problems will outlive your attention span.
Kael looked toward him.
That was depressing.
Administration frequently is.
Leon smiled.
Kael folded the Emperor’s note.
Then we leave today.
Lily nodded.
After breakfast.
I already ate.
You drank something on a hill.
That is not breakfast.
Kael considered arguing.
Then saw her expression.
Breakfast first.
Elder Maela took the news better than Kael expected.
Good.
Kael stared at her.
She smiled.
You thought I wanted a prince wandering around Bellhaven indefinitely?
No.
Maybe.
Maela stood outside the village hall with Captain Mara beside her. Major Rellan remained near the northern road supervising the investigation teams, while Mistress Anwen had gone to examine the Alpha’s mark again.
Maela continued. You helped when we needed help. Now you have your own people waiting for you.
Kael nodded.
Blackwood.
I’ve heard of it.
He raised an eyebrow.
Good things?
Some.
That worried him.
Maela laughed.
Mostly that you lowered taxes.
Mostly?
A merchant passing through last spring said your roads were terrible.
Kael sighed.
Selene is going to enjoy Blackwood.
Who?
An engineering student we’re sponsoring.
Maela nodded immediately.
Good.
Kael closed his eyes.
Captain Mara smiled.
This is spreading beyond your household.
Apparently.
Maela reached inside a cloth satchel she carried.
Kael immediately became suspicious.
If that’s money—
It’s not.
She removed a smaller pouch and handed it to him.
Kael opened it.
Seeds.
Dark, narrow grains with pale tips.
He looked toward her.
What are these?
Frostgrain.
Kael frowned at the name.
Maela noticed.
Yes, I know. Your surname has made this dramatic enough.
Leon laughed behind him.
Maela continued. It grows well in colder soil and survives poor seasons better than several common grains. Yield isn’t as high as the best southern varieties, but it’s reliable.
Kael rolled several seeds between his fingers.
Bellhaven’s crop?
One of them.
Then you need these.
Maela shook her head.
Those came from a family reserve, not the village emergency stores. Perrin suggested the gift after hearing you’re rebuilding agriculture in Blackwood.
Kael looked toward the man in question.
Perrin stood several yards away beside a repaired wagon.
His brother had died during the attack.
His own grain had burned.
Yet he had apparently contributed to giving Blackwood something that might help later.
Kael felt the instinct to refuse.
Then he stopped.
Refusing everything people offered could become its own form of arrogance.
He looked toward Maela.
How much seed is this?
Enough for a trial plot. Not enough to solve your farms.
That was perfect.
Kael nodded.
We’ll test it.
Not plant it everywhere?
Absolutely not.
Maela looked pleased.
Why?
Because Bram will kill me if I return with seeds from another district and order half of Blackwood planted before he tests them.
Who’s Bram?
A man who has spent enough years around soil to know I don’t understand it.
Then I like Bram already.
Kael smiled.
He closed the pouch.
Thank you.
Maela nodded.
If it grows well, send us word.
I will.
The exchange was small.
No treaty.
No formal alliance.
No System notification announcing diplomatic success.
Bellhaven had given Blackwood seeds.
Blackwood might someday have something worth returning.
That was how relationships often began before politicians gave them elaborate names.
Major Rellan gave Kael the final local update before departure.
No corrupted creature movement had been reported overnight.
The smaller Bloodfangs remained scattered along the northern forest boundary but had not approached Bellhaven aggressively. The Stonebacks had disappeared deeper into the woods. Two of the flying creatures had been observed from a distance and likewise showed no sign of coordinated assault.
The Alpha remained alive.
Mistress Anwen had not removed the magical structure.
Not yet.
Kael looked toward the stone enclosure.
Do you think she’ll manage it?
Rellan shrugged.
Ask her.
I did.
What did she say?
Maybe.
The Major smiled.
Then you have your answer.
Kael sighed.
Rellan handed him a sealed copy of the preliminary military report.
Your part in this ends unless Aurelia assigns you back.
Kael accepted it.
You sound pleased.
I am.
Why?
Because princes with temporary investigation writs have a tendency to become permanent problems if nobody tells them when to leave.
Kael stared.
You have dealt with Imperial relatives before.
Unfortunately.
Leon coughed into his hand to hide a laugh.
Rellan continued.
You did useful work here. You also nearly got yourself killed several times.
Only several?
Do not sound proud.
I’m not.
The Major studied him for a moment.
Then extended his forearm.
Safe road, Your Highness.
Kael accepted.
Find whoever did this.
Rellan’s expression hardened.
We will find what the evidence allows us to find.
Kael smiled.
Better answer.
Rellan immediately pointed toward the southern road.
Leave.
Bellhaven did not line every street when Kael departed.
That would have felt staged.
People had work.
Some still came.
Elder Maela stood near the southern gate with Sera and several village families. Perrin remained beside his wagon. Captain Mara walked Kael’s group beyond the final houses before turning back.
Renn, the young boy with the broken wooden sword, stood beside his grandfather.
He waved when Kael passed.
Kael slowed his horse.
The boy shouted,
I’m still going to become a knight!
His grandfather looked exhausted.
Kael smiled.
Train first.
I will!
Learn to read properly.
Renn’s enthusiasm weakened.
His grandfather burst out laughing.
Kael continued.
Knights read orders, maps, supply records, contracts, and reports. Swordsmanship isn’t enough.
The boy frowned as though Kael had personally ruined knighthood.
His grandfather nodded vigorously.
I like this prince.
Renn looked betrayed.
Kael laughed and urged his horse forward.
Leon caught up.
That was cruel.
That was education.
You crushed a child’s dream.
I improved it.
Leon shook his head.
They continued west.
No fifty Black Dragons followed.
No war banners covered the road.
Edwin and Lily traveled with the wagons. Walter had returned to his preferred place near the supply carriage after announcing that riding all day was a young man’s hobby. Iris moved between the main road and tree line whenever the terrain gave her reason to distrust it.
The group looked ordinary enough from a distance.
Kael preferred that too.
The founding Black Dragons were waiting in Blackwood.
Where soldiers belonging to a territory should be when their lord left for the capital.
They had been on the road nearly two hours when Iris disappeared.
Kael noticed only because Leon did.
Iris?
Leon looked toward the tree line.
Saw something.
Kael slowed.
The rest of the party did the same.
Several minutes passed.
Then Iris emerged from the brush holding a young man by the back of his coat.
He was perhaps sixteen or seventeen, thin, sun-browned, and wearing patched hunting clothes. A short bow hung across his back, while a skinning knife rested at his belt.
His hands were raised.
I surrender.
Iris looked toward Kael.
He has said that three times.
Kael studied him.
Were we attacking you?
No.
Then what are you surrendering from?
The boy thought.
Being suspicious?
Walter called from the wagon.
That’s not how surrender works.
The boy became more nervous.
Iris released him.
He immediately straightened his clothes.
Kael dismounted.
What’s your name?
The boy hesitated.
Kellan Dorr.
That avoided the problem of another Rowan in Blackwood when Master Rowan already had enough personality for three men.
Kael nodded.
Where are you from?
Small farmstead east of Bellhaven. My mother moved there after my father died.
You followed us from the village?
Part of the way.
Iris answered.
All the way.
Kellan looked embarrassed.
Kael crossed his arms.
Why?
The boy looked toward Leon, then the wagons, then finally Kael.
I want to join the Black Dragons.
Walter groaned.
We’re collecting people again.
We are not.
Kellan continued quickly.
I know you’re not recruiting today.
Good beginning.
Kael stopped himself.
Leon smiled.
The boy continued. I heard about the Blackwood trials.
Kael frowned.
Those weren’t exactly secret.
No.
But stories had already traveled farther than he expected.
Kellan continued.
I wanted to go when they happened. Couldn’t. My mother was sick last winter, and I couldn’t leave the farm.
How is she now?
Better.
And you’re following strangers down an Imperial road instead of helping her.
Kellan flushed.
My uncle is there now.
Kael nodded.
Why the Black Dragons?
Kellan looked toward him.
Because of Bellhaven.
Kael waited.
The boy seemed disappointed by the lack of reaction.
He continued.
Not because you fought the big wolf.
Better.
Kellan pointed vaguely back toward the village.
You stayed.
So did the regional soldiers.
Yes.
Captain Mara stayed.
Yes.
The villagers did most of the rebuilding.
The boy frowned.
I know.
Kael nodded.
Then why me?
Kellan thought harder this time.
Because you didn’t act like helping made everything yours.
That answer caught Kael off guard.
Kellan continued before courage failed.
People were saying you were a prince. I thought you’d give orders to everybody. Instead Captain Mara kept commanding. The old woman kept telling people where supplies went. The healers yelled at soldiers. Nobody seemed afraid to tell you when you were wrong.
Leon laughed.
That last part happens often.
Kael ignored him.
Kellan looked directly at Kael.
I want to serve somewhere like that.
That was a better reason.
It still did not make him qualified.
Kael looked toward the bow.
Can you shoot?
Yes.
How well?
Kellan hesitated.
Better than some people.
Iris raised an eyebrow.
That means nothing.
I know.
Can you read?
Yes.
Write?
Enough.
Ride?
Badly.
Kael smiled.
At least you’re honest.
Kellan shifted his weight.
Can I join?
No.
The answer came immediately.
The boy’s expression fell.
Kael continued before disappointment became humiliation.
Blackwood isn’t recruiting on the side of a road because someone heard a good story about us.
Kellan looked down.
Kael continued. If we open another military trial, come properly. Compete with everyone else.
Kellan looked back up.
You’d let me?
If you meet the requirements.
No promise?
No.
His expression slowly changed.
A fair chance?
Yes.
That was enough.
Kellan nodded.
I’ll come.
Kael looked toward Iris.
She had been studying the boy’s bow.
Iris?
Basic hunter’s equipment. Poor string maintenance.
Kellan immediately looked offended.
I replaced it last month.
With bad cord.
Kael almost laughed.
Iris continued. Your left boot also lands too heavily when you stalk. That’s how I found you.
Kellan stared.
You knew I was there the whole time?
Nearly.
The boy’s confidence collapsed completely.
Kael mounted again.
Practice.
Kellan nodded seriously.
I will.
And tell your mother before disappearing after armed people next time.
His expression became guilty.
Yes, Your Highness.
Walter pointed from the wagon.
That part especially.
Kellan stepped off the road.
The group continued.
Kael looked back once.
The boy remained standing there.
Not swearing eternal loyalty.
Not promising to become the greatest Black Dragon.
Just watching.
Maybe he would come to the next trial.
Maybe he would not.
Maybe by then he would discover a different life mattered more.
Kael was learning to leave room for futures that did not revolve around him.
That afternoon Edwin rode beside Kael long enough to discuss the southern bridge.
Kael groaned when he saw the file case.
We haven’t been away from Bellhaven four hours.
The bridge existed before Bellhaven.
Unfortunately.
Edwin handed him a summary page.
The latest archive copies clarified part of the dispute. Regional Works requested an engineering estimate. Blackwood’s local administration acknowledged the request but argued that Crown-route designation made the regional office responsible for most funding.
Kael frowned.
And Regional Works?
Argued the bridge primarily served Blackwood residents and therefore required local contribution.
So both waited.
Essentially.
How long?
The documented dispute lasts seven months.
And after that?
The next file references a revised estimate but no surviving attachment in the set Lens provided.
Kael looked toward the road.
Seven months arguing over whose bridge it was.
Edwin nodded.
Until the bridge became everyone’s problem.
That sounded like exactly the kind of failure Kael wanted his inspection proposal to expose.
Not corruption necessarily.
Jurisdiction.
Funding.
Responsibility.
A problem could remain unsolved even while every office defended itself with reasonable language.
Kael closed the file.
When we reach Blackwood, I want the local side reconstructed first.
Edwin nodded.
Halwen’s records?
All of them relevant to the bridge.
And whoever served before him if the dates require it.
Correct.
Kael looked toward the horizon.
Home suddenly felt less restful.
Lily called from the wagon behind them.
Did you expect ruling to become a holiday after Aurelia?
Kael looked back.
Were you listening?
You complain loudly.
He sighed.
Far to the north, beyond the Empire’s ordinary roads and the borders most citizens of Asterion ever traveled, winter had already claimed the mountains.
Snow crossed the white peaks in long sheets.
Stone vanished beneath ice.
Rivers froze so deeply that armored riders crossed them without slowing.
At the center of the northern kingdom stood a palace built against the mountain rather than above it, its outer walls carved from pale stone threaded naturally with blue crystal.
Inside one of the private halls, a woman placed her hand against an old ceremonial basin.
The water inside had been frozen for decades.
It was not normally used for divination.
That distinction mattered to the attendants waiting behind her.
The basin belonged to the royal bloodline.
According to tradition, rare awakenings of the family’s inherited Ice affinity could sometimes create a response through relics bound to old generations of the line.
Most of the court treated the stories with caution.
Until that morning.
A narrow fracture had appeared across the surface of the frozen basin.
Not damage.
A thread of silver-blue light moved beneath the ice.
The woman standing over it became very still.
She was old enough that nobody in the room mistook silence for confusion.
Her attendant finally asked,
Your Majesty?
The Queen did not answer immediately.
She touched the glowing line.
The Ice reacted.
Not violently.
Recognition.
Her expression changed.
Where is Princess—
She stopped.
The younger attendant understood which person she had nearly named.
The Queen looked toward the northern window instead.
Her first child had been born far from these mountains.
A son.
A son who, according to everything their bloodline believed for generations, should never have awakened the Ice inheritance.
The Queen spoke quietly.
Send for the bloodline records.
The attendant bowed.
All of them?
Everything concerning my first marriage.
That drew a sharper reaction.
The Queen continued.
And find the most recent reliable reports from the Asterion Empire.
About Prince Kael?
The Queen’s hand remained against the frozen basin.
Yes.
No magical mirror showed her Kael’s face.
No prophecy whispered that he was destined to return.
No one in the northern palace knew yet whether the response had come from Kael at all.
But an old bloodline relic had reacted to an awakening it should not have recognized.
That was enough to investigate.
At the far end of the hall, another young woman stood behind one of the carved pillars.
She had entered unnoticed during the conversation.
Her eyes were fixed on the glowing ice.
Then on the Queen.
Her mother.
The attendant left to collect the records.
The younger woman remained still.
She had spent her entire life hearing that the northern kingdom’s greatest inheritance belonged to the daughters of their line.
That one day, if the Ice chose strongly enough, it might choose her.
Now an impossible question had arrived from the south.
A brother she barely knew.
A prince raised in another Empire.
And perhaps the same bloodline power she had been taught could never belong to him.
Her hand tightened around the edge of the pillar.
The Queen did not see.
Not yet.
Far away, Kael continued riding toward Blackwood with no idea that the Ice he had used at Bellhaven had begun raising questions in the homeland of the mother he barely remembered.
Questions that would not remain unanswered forever.