The horse whinnied as she drew nearer.

"Quiet boy." She cooed. "It's going to be alright."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hale's resigned face, the sadness in his eyes. Gently, she took the reins tied to the horse's back and guided it over to where Hale and Maea were still talking. "I know you'll want to, but try not to kick her off." she whispered.

"This horse is for you." Hale said. "It'll make your trip easier."

"Thank you." Maea's voice trembled. She turned to look at Ally. The young girl's features shone like a new-born star, eyes shimmering with refracted light. How much she had changed from the terrified babe that had stared up at all the leaders all those nights ago. Now she was stronger, more fearsome. A proud smile formed on her face. "I'm sorry I couldn't be more, Ally. I hope someday, you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."

"Goodbye Maea." Ally had no other words left to say.

They stood and watched, a soundtrack of the birds' melancholy cries acting as their backdrop as Maea galloped away. Before long, the warrior had been swallowed up by the Deadwoods.

"I think she's home now." Ally said.

"Why do you say that?" Hale asked.

Ally chose not to answer him. In silence, they stared out at the black trees; the impediment to their freedom. Was he sad? Deep down, Hale knew eventually Maea would break. She could only endure so much terror. But now she was free, she was home, Ally had said. Where was his home, he wondered? Would he ever get the chance to go back? He could feel the sun sinking ever faster, the light of the sky diminishing and giving way to the inevitable rising darkness. Just like he had done to himself, once.

"Are you afraid to die?" He asked Ally.

"Yes." She said. "Are you?"

"Now, I am."

"Now?"

"My life is not yet complete. I haven't accomplished everything I set out to do."

"So when you've done everything..."

"Then I'll be free. Free to leave the Marsh, free to leave the World."

"Free to leave me as well?"

Hale paused. "Yes, but you won't be alone."

"Who will I have?"

"Good people."

"And how do you know?"

"I'm gambling on it." Hale smiled but Ally did not return it.

"Are you going to die?" She asked.

"Perhaps." He said dully. "I am nearing the end of the road to redemption. I surmise, this will be my last war."

He didn't receive a response but it was what he expected. They sat together in the tranquility once more, a peace broken eventually by the thudding steps of Rafe who tore up the path to where they sat. Red-faced and out of breath, he wheezed and coughed as he tried to spit out words.

"Drey's army! They're here!" He managed to choke out.

Ally felt Hale beside him tense. Contrary to Rafe's eyes that screamed of terror of the imminent violence, Hale's ones gleamed of an unmistakable yearning. What that hopefulness was for, Ally had no idea. That would have to wait. Dutifully, she followed her teacher as they ran after Rafe, their destination, the village centre. She was coming back home; the abode that was about to be the site of a great bloody war. Her home. Ally laughed as she ran. What a terrible place, she thought. A terrible place to call home.