Chapter 23: Rising From Ashes

After it appeared that Royce and Grimnar had been burnt, Selene commanded that their bodies be thrown into the river. The soldiers quickly obeyed, lifting the bodies.

As they approached the riverbank, the rushing water sounded loud against the quiet of the evening. One of the soldiers, breathing heavily from the effort, grunted to his companion, "Let's do this quick please."

Together, they swung the bodies into the flowing river. The water splashed noisily, swallowing up Royce and Grimnar, carrying them away with its current.

Aethon hurried to the river where he thought Royce and Grimnar were dead. The river was cold and moving fast. Aethon looked around and found Royce's body. He quickly pulled Royce out of the water but left Grimnar because he thought he was too far gone.

Carrying Royce on his shoulder, Aethon returned to his hidden shelter deep in the forest. The shelter was dim and had lots of herbs and tools for healing.

He laid Royce on a bed made of old blankets and started tre