Chapter 61: Light and Shadow

Makuran stirred. He was lying on a cotton mattress, staring up at the sky. Bandages covered his lower torso.

"You're awake."

Evartan was kneeling beside him, smiling.

Makuran propped himself up on his left arm. It was some time past noon. He was on the fields just outside the city of Wethelnar. The grass was packed with soldiers, civilians, and everyone in between. They were helping each other, carrying the wounded, burying the corpses, embracing their loved ones. And not a single Urt in sight.

"Did we win?" he asked hoarsely.

"We won."

Makuran let his head fall. It barely seemed real. Geyron's long scourge was finally over. "What have I missed?" His head was swimming with a dull ache, but he refused to give in to unconsciousness yet.