In the early evening, Yadin found himself once again on his favorite balcony, collecting his thoughts and watching the sun settle down for the night. He sat on a stone bench with his elbows propped up on the brass railing. He thought about how a day’s events could change a person’s viewpoint.

This morning had birthed a day promising great hope and beauty. Now the sun slowly hid its face behind the horizon of the distant plains. The day was dying, and with it Yadin felt a bit of himself dying as well. Even the rings circling the planet, shimmering like diamonds in the soft moonlight, failed to bring him comfort. No man should have to bear all he went through this day.

First, his father’s assassination at the hands of a haggard old man tore his heart out, drowning his mind in sorrow. Then, putting duty before his feelings, he accepted the throne of a kingdom that’d now look to him for leadership.

As if this weren’t enough, he’d nearly lost both his loving wife and their child. With two lives hanging in uncertainty, he had no choice but to give Merik anything he asked. The white-leathered healer might not have the compassion of a normal physician, but the man had saved their lives. Though Yadin had never seen or heard of such an unusual procedure, it worked miraculously.

Thanks to the herb mixture, Libeth remained unconscious throughout the procedure. Merik had used his dagger to open up her lower stomach. He’d carefully removed the child and sewed the flesh back together. Just as Merik had foretold, the child was a boy.

Caroline took the child, cleaned him up and presented the newborn to Yadin. With tears of joy in his eyes, he held his son for the first time. As he and Libeth had agreed upon, the boy was named Davian, after his recently departed grandfather. Through this child, the name of Davian would live on.

The King couldn’t help but wonder about Merik. The man had saved the life of both Davian and Libeth, but there was something cold in his mannerism. A smile was present on his lips but not in his eyes. Still, as he’d promised, Yadin offered permanent employment to the healer.

Merik asked only that his agreement with the King be sealed in blood. He claimed this was customary among the benevolent teachers under which he studied. He called both these teachers and himself, White Wizards, because of their divine use of the Source for all things good.

Yadin didn’t understand how the Source worked, but he made a blood pact with the man just as they’d agreed. The same dagger Merik used with Libeth was also used to slice open their right palms. Afterwards, Merik wrapped their hands in bandages laced with enchanted herbs to speed the healing process.

“Lord Yadin?” A masculine voice from behind brought him out of retrospection. He turned from his elevated view of the city and saw Sergeant Trebor Brodin standing before him.