The morning after the festival, William walked to the eastern gate.
The guard on duty was young—barely older than the children William taught at the school. His name was Finn. He had joined the Watch after his father died in the plague.
"You're leaving again," Finn said.
"Just for a walk."
"You always say that."
William smiled. It was a small smile, but real.
"I'll be back."
---
He walked east along the old road.
The mountains were green with summer. The fields were full of wildflowers. The ruins of the old empire rose in the distance, silent and waiting.
William didn't go to the ruins. He went to the place where he had first met the bandits—the place where he had offered them a choice.
The woman with the scarred lip was there.
She stood by the side of the road, a bag on her ba
