Peace this day and each day waking between the Royal House of Casoria and the servant of Jah,” said Ranald.  “As long as I have breath, the Eld Forest, as well as the other Sikestras, will be kept inviolate. Know that I will keep my word.”

            “Well spoken,” the Gibbor nodded in agreement.

            The King turned to go, then turned back. “Will I see you again?”

            An odd look of sympathy flashed across the Gibbor’s face. “It’s possible. But if you don’t, know that I’ll see you in the face of your son.”

            “My son.”

            “Yes.”

            The Warrior King rode home with the war behind him. Forgetting his cares and the waiting tonic, he repaired to an old barn of a castle in Glynnis Fen with his friends. There he caught golden-haired Laveth stealing wood from the royal forest, but rather than having her drawn and quartered, he took her to bed.

            That an heir was conceived before the royal wedding was of no consequence to the general population and didn’t concern Ranald at all. The child was born in due time, one month short of the Seer’s projected twelve month.