Some Safeguards (BOTGD Legacy)
Takes place after Jugen Turns Himself In
December 1071-January 1072
Thankfully, Jugen’s trial with the Arbiter went off without a hitch, and the arrangements had been made for Jugen to be released to the Arbiter when needed and then to be imprisoned when returning to Haligan Island. Grey couldn’t help but feel somewhat better after her conversation with Jugen in the interrogation room. She felt that they came to an understanding, and he helped her to realize just where she went wrong with her enemies. The Chief found it somewhat ironic that her loudest critic was the very person, who helped her to see where she can improve and reminded her that she didn’t need to lose herself to make these improvements. She could still be herself but still be 5 steps ahead of her enemies like Jugen was, and that was what she planned to do.
There was nothing to be done about Ai Kauri for the time being. Like she told Jugen, it was likely the pirate would cross paths with the Chief again, but she wasn’t going to waste time chasing her. She had other pressing matters to tend to. She, Queen Lila, Brandt, and the council had to plan the sting that would eventually take down the people in charge of Jugen’s company, and the Chief herself had a plan of her own. While the plan for the sting was occurring, she was going to implement Jugen’s suggestions to ward off Jugen’s former coworkers’ attempts to smear her reputation and her family. She refused to let that happen, and she hoped that implementing these safeguards would distract people from getting wind of a sting. If she could keep eyes on her and protect her people, her family, and herself, then it was going to be worth it.
Not long after Jugen’s trial, Grey showed the packet he had given to her to her husband as they sat in her office, and she noticed when his eyebrows raised when he got to the page describing the suggestions Jugen had provided to her.
Indigo is to stick strictly to Haligan Island
Organize a memorial for Temple Gate and Mount Massive
Focus on how Darien was an important asset to the Rebellion
Build the reformation prison
“I’ve got to admit,” Brandt said as he looked at his wife, “I have my reservations about him, but…these are some good ideas.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Grey said as she rested her chin on her hand, “and it got me thinking that if we can do all this while planning this sting, it will certainly help keep eyes off Haligan Island. Not to mention, like Jugen said, these guys will come after me…after you…the kids, and it will help us maintain public favor. We just need to stay 5 steps ahead of them.”
“Agreed,” Brandt said nodding. “So…how do you want to go about this? I mean…where do we start?”
“I was thinking we can start with the easiest,” Grey began. “Now that things have settled down, I would like to start with the memorials for Mount Massive and Temple Gate first. I know…Lila burnt Mount Massive to the ground…and Temple Gate is for the most part back to normal, but…I think it would be a great idea to do something to recognize the victims of Rhenco’s cruelty…especially those who didn’t make it home like Sven did.”
Brandt nodded as he gripped his wife’s hand tightly. They were both thankful that Sven managed to find the strength and courage to fight his way out of the hotel until they could get to him. Granted, Sven had his nightmares and moments of trauma, but it definitely seemed that he was managing to find some sort of normalcy again thanks to his sparring lessons with Malak. Now that the Rebellion was over and High Central was gone, he was slowly getting used to the island life again and moving past his trauma. He was writing letters to and spending time with Seasick’s daughter, Saeros, and Brandt couldn’t help but wonder if it was going to blossom into something more. He also had his friend, Phelma from the Rebellion, and they were keeping in touch. However, there were others, who weren’t so lucky. The victims who didn’t get to make it home…the man who Sven escaped with…Boris…and those who were too far gone…Malak and his family. Those…who suffered under Rhenco’s cruel acts. They deserved to be honored and respected…along with those who were infected with Red Card at Temple Gate. “I think it’s a great idea, too,” Brandt said, “and there should be something for the victims’ families to visit to remember them. Do you have anything in mind?”
Grey pursed her lips together as she thought for a moment. “It would have to be something that people can visit. Something that’s easy to spot,” she said. The Grounded Dungeon still sat in ruins I the North, and the structure itself was destined to be lost to time. However, they were able to use the pyre as a marker to remember those who lost their lives. What could be done for Mount Massive and Temple Gate? Then an idea came to her. “What if…we marked it with a plaque of some sort? Temple Gate…we can place it near the well…so long as the village itself is okay with that. I’ll need to write to them to get permission of course, but that shouldn’t be too hard to convince them.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Brandt said leaning back in his chair. “Mount Massive though is a bit far from everything, so I think we would need more than a plaque.”
“True,” Grey replied stroking her chin thoughtfully. “I mean…we would need to get an idea as to what the soil is like, but…maybe we can plant a tree of some sort. A tree that will last for a long time.”
“Yeah, that’s doable,” Brandt said. “We’ll have to discuss this with the council of course, but I don’t see why they would be against that. Maybe we could even see if Sven wants to help.”
Grey nodded. “I think that would be good closure for him,” she said with a small smile, “so long as he’s okay with it.”
The husband and wife were silent for a moment thinking about their son before moving on.
“Well, that takes care of Mount Massive and Temple Gate,” Brandt said. “He also mentioned that prison.”
“Yes,” Grey replied, “I’ll have to get our architects, but we can hopefully at least figure out where the prison will stand. It will take some time, but hopefully, it will be finished and in use by the time Sven will take over as Chief.”
“Well, thankfully, there’s no set timeline for that,” he said, “so we don’t need to rush through it. And it’s on our land, so that’s just as easy so long as we figure out funds and such.”
Grey nodded. So long as the plans were put in place and the funds were enough, it was a project that didn’t need to be rushed. “Agreed,” she said. “Now we need to figure what to do for Darien. Jugen said to emphasize how he helped the Rebellion.”
“Well, that shouldn’t be too hard,” Brandt said shrugging. “We can probably write letters to our allies and Egil emphasizing his role in the final battle. You know, spread the word?”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Grey replied. “They’ll want to know ahead of time, and of course, we’ll discuss it at the trial after the sting is completed. The lawyers will come after the fact that we had one of High Central’s figures of leadership assist our cause.”
“And we’ll be ready for them,” Brandt said with a smile.
Grey smiled at her husband and brought his hand to her lips kissing him. “Well, that leaves…Indigo,” Grey said. “I will need to consult with Jugen on this one further, but…I was thinking that maybe we can visit the villages that he attacked. Visit the victims’ families…offer our condolences and tell them what’s happened to the Phantom.”
“I think that’s good, too,” Brandt said. He was silent for a moment before he spoke up again. “How do you feel? I mean…sounds like you and Jugen came to an understanding.”
Grey smiled remembering her conversation with the businessman in the interrogation room. She had been feeling better since then, and she blushed that Brandt noticed because of course he did. He knew her too well. “I feel…better…I think,” she said. “I mean…not completely…but I really feel like I’m getting there. Please don’t take this the wrong way. You, Mom, and the kids have been amazing. It’s just…ironic…that someone who made it very…very clear that he didn’t approve of my decisions and got under my skin…managed to help me look at everything with Rhenco and Ai in a different light. He helped me see where I went wrong and why I went wrong. He told me that I need to get better at being 5 steps ahead of my enemies.”
“Mhm,” Brandt said urging Grey to continue. He definitely understood where Jugen was coming from.
“I mean…look at the people I’ve faced over the years…those dragon hunters…High Central bounty hunters…the raiders who killed Leif…” Grey continued, “and then Nala before she turned, Orskaf…Rosso…They were all easy to fight. They were enemies, point blank. Nala turned to our side, but she was the enemy for a while. But…Rhenco, Ai, and even Jugen himself…they weren’t. They all used different tactics to undermine me.”
“Right,” Brandt said. “Rhenco went after Sven, which undermined you as a mother and made you…us feel powerless. He wasn’t even affiliated with High Central.”
“And Ai?” Grey added. “She conquered the island. She used you to get me to talk. I’m even inclined to believe that she knew just what to say to get me to snap in interrogation. Slave trading was just a job to her. And then Jugen himself undermined me criticizing my decisions involving Indigo.”
Brandt nodded. “And that’s why he gave you all these suggestions?” he asked. “To help you stay ahead of your enemies?”
“Exactly,” the Chief replied. “So I just need to be 5 steps ahead of them. I have to assume the worst…when necessary of course, but you get the idea.”
Brandt chuckled. “Yes, I do,” he said, “and I have no doubt that you will succeed.”
“So long as I have you by my side, I know I will,” Grey said holding onto Brandt’s hand just a little tighter.
The Chief and her husband wasted no time and got to work. The first thing on the list was to establish a memorial for Rhenco’s victims at Temple Gate and at Mount Massive. Grey was able to have the blacksmith create plaques for the two locations, and she was able to gather seeds for a tree with a trader passing by. Grey and Brandt discussed their plans with Sven, and of course their son asked to accompany them to the locations, which they agreed with. Sven needed some closure, and this would hopefully help him continue his journey to recovery.
Grey went ahead and made arrangements with Lila, the other Wilderwestern chiefs, any members of the Grounded Dungeon Rebellion, and any families of the victims that she was able to reach out to. Thankfully, they were able to gather a decent crowd at the two locations on two respective dates and made a little event of it.
Temple Gate was the first one since it was close to Haligan Island. Grey was able to write to the chief of the village, and he was more than happy to grant Grey permission. Grey wasn’t too worried about it. Her predecessor Hroar had correspondence with the Chief of Temple Gate before, so it was no surprise when he was glad to grant permission to Grey to honor those affected by Rhenco’s evil acts. She immediately had the village blacksmith craft a plaque with a message to place on the well, where the Red Card infected the entire village…
“By decree of Chief Grey Bergman-Felman of Haligan Island, this plaque is placed upon this well to honor the victims affected by the evil acts of an enemy of the Grounded Dungeon Rebellion. May the gods help the victims and their families to find peace as we move forward in a new era.”
Dagny helped to place the plaque on the well with SkySinger’s fire, and the ceremony went off without a hitch. The villagers obviously had questions for Grey about Rhenco, and Grey took it upon herself to answer any questions that they had about the man responsible. She explained that Rhenco was an enemy of the Rebellion, and she reassured them that Rhenco was gone and that he would never return.
Next was Mount Massive…the very place Rhenco brought Sven to when he broke into their house in the middle of the night threatening to harm her boy if she tried to find him. Thankfully, Milae was there when he was because there was no telling what would’ve happened had Grey and Brandt waited for the three days to pass. However…Rhenco had clearly been doing this to others for a long time. He did it to Malak and his family. They had a life before Rhenco got his hands on them, and now…they were all scarred forever because of it. Boriss…the former Central citizen…the man who helped Sven in their escape from the hotel…was also scarred from his experience…to the point where seeing Malak in the Great Hall sent him over the edge…and feeling unease after his escape. Grey and Brandt knew without a doubt that Rhenco had been doing this to others for a long time. Lila might’ve burned down the building…but those scars could never be truly healed.
Gathering the victims’ families for this was difficult, but with some help from allies, Grey and Brandt managed to track down victims’ families and invited them to the memorial. She had another plaque crafted for the location…
“By decree of Chief Grey Bergman-Felman of Haligan Island, this plaque is being placed to honor the victims of Mount Massive and their families. The building may have been destroyed, but their memories will live on forever. The tree that grows in this very spot will serve as a reminder. May the victims rest in peace and may the survivors find peace in their healing.”
Sven helped her place the plaque in the ground, and she saw how her son gently placed his hand on the plaque once it was placed in the ground on a wooden pole. She couldn’t help but sigh. Sven had really grown since Rhenco kidnapped him, but he would have to live with these scars for the rest of his life. Sparring with Malak helped him face those shadows of his past, especially when Malak was one of the very people chasing him when he escaped, but the scars would still be there. She would be foolish to think that they wouldn’t be, but she hoped that this would give her son the closure that he needed.
She looked at the plaque again reading the inscription over again and then placed a hand on Sven’s shoulder. There were eyes watching them, so she didn’t find it appropriate to say anything as of now. But she would later when it was just them. Sven clearly understood as he placed a hand on hers squeezing it.
Once they stepped away from the plaque, a small hole was dug in the dirt, and then Grey herself placed a small sapling in the hole. The sapling started growing on Haligan Island, so Grey and Brandt made sure to keep it safe for this occasion. It would take years for this tree to grow, but that was a problem. The plaque would be the marker for now until the tree would grow tall enough to be visible to anyone coming to pay their respects. Once the tree was placed, Brandt, Grey, and Sven packed in the dirt putting the sapling in its place.
In the midst of planning the sting, Grey discussed the plans for the reformation prison with her village architects in the Great Hall with Brandt, Ander, and the council. Sven even wanted to join to watch the meeting, which the Chief was more than happy to oblige. The treasurer was able to give an estimate in regards to the funds needed for construction. Now it was just a matter of figuring out where the prison was to be built.
Jugen had laid out the plans for the prison, which helped a great deal in terms of measurements and materials needed. However, the location was a matter of discussion.
“There’s only so much room on this very island,” Hroar said. “Perhaps, we can look into the evacuation island.”
“It’s a possibility,” Grey said shrugging. “The only issue I have with it is the fact that if we’re ever attacked…again…” Haligan Island had been attacked one too many times over the years…ever since she came home from the Rebellion, “do we really want to put people who are not able fight on the same island as prisoners?”
“Fair point, Chief,” one of the other council members said.
“Too bad you can’t just make your own island,” Sven said reading the plans, “and put the prison there.”
Grey chuckled and ruffled her son’s hair. “Unfortunately, Sven, that’s easier said than done,” she said with a smile. She then turned back to the plans, her notes, and her map. “The mainland is most certainly out of the question. I would love to be able to go to and from this prison.”
“I agree,” Brandt said. “Plus, it’s easier to keep track of them.”
Grey studied the map, and she eyed the larger island south of Haligan Island. She couldn’t help but wonder…. No, surely, people wouldn’t be on board with that. Would they see it as her trying to monopolize the islands of the Wilderwest? Or would they be open to the idea of the first reformation camp being built? She stroked her chin as the wheels turned in her head.
Brandt noticed that his wife was silent for a moment. “What are you thinking, Grey?” he asked.
Grey sighed. “I may have an idea,” she said, “but…I don’t know how well-received it would be.”
“Try us,” Hroar said simply.
“The island that Temple Gate is located on…” she began remembering when she crashed on that island with Shadow when they were young, “I would need to discuss this with the villages’ chiefs—so long as everyone is on board—but the island is large enough. There’s a good chunk of land that’s not being occupied…and if I’m right that it’s far enough from the villages…what if…what if we used that piece of land for the reformation camp? We can have it so that Haligan Island gets to use it first for a few years upon completion as a test run and then maybe even open it to the other villages in the area should they choose to.”
Sven lit up and smiled. “Yeah, that’s a good idea, Mom!” he said excitedly.
“I agree,” Brandt said smiling at his wife.
One by one, the other council members joined in on complimenting Grey’s idea.
“That would be brilliant!” one of them said. “It would be a great way to implement this prison with the rest of the islands in the Wilderwest…maybe even the rest of the continent.”
“Hold on, hold on,” the Chief said holding her hands up to calm everyone down, “let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I don’t want this to be seen as us looking to conquer land or to force our ways onto others. I want this to be seen as us looking to keep victims safe while also giving criminals a chance to change. I will also still need to talk to the chiefs of those villages to make sure this is okay and of course the prison is a safe distance away. There will surely be prisoners who will wish to make things right, but there will be others, who…won’t be able to be among society again.”
“We understand, Chief,” Hroar said nodding with a proud smile.
“Thank you, Hroar,” Grey replied with a smile of her own. “Well, then, looks like I have some more letters to write. Hopefully, I’ll have an answer soon, so I will keep you all updated once I do.”
As soon as that meeting ended, Grey and Brandt went into her office and drafted letters to the Chiefs of the village of Temple Gate and the surrounding villages asking to meet with them as soon as possible. Once that was completed, she sent out the letters. Now, they just needed to wait.
While they waited for responses from the Chiefs, Grey and Brandt immediately went to work on writing letters to King Egil and their allies in regards to Darien.
First was the letter to King Egil…
I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I apologize for not writing sooner. After the final battle, there has been a lot to catch up on here on Haligan Island after the defeat of High Central and before that when we were captured by the Crows of Crestwill. I do hope to visit you and the rest of your family very soon, but until I do, I figured this would be the fastest way to reach you. You will be hearing whispers and rumors about the defeat of High Central, so I wanted you to hear directly from me about what happened.
On the night of October 20, 1071, the Grounded Dungeon Rebellion under the leadership of Commander Lila Ericson engaged in a long battle against High Central. We managed to force our way into the city with the help of Darien Whiteland. I’m not sure how much you knew about him from your parents or your own memories of the first Grounded Dungeon Rebellion, but he was one of the figures of leadership in High Central. He came to Perch Hall many years ago, and he had disappeared for a long time. Your father and I along with many others were under the assumption that he was dead. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago when the second Rebellion finally began to take off when a Night Fury informed us that she had seen Darien alive that I realized that our assumptions were wrong. Darien was eventually brought to Haligan Island and placed under house arrest, and we used him to help our cause given his vast knowledge of High Central. When the Rebellion moved to the Jaw on the mainland after the defeat of Vidar and his faction, he went along with them.
Darien played a pivotal role in the final battle against High Central. He led Commander Lila, my husband Sir Brandt, Shadow, and myself through High Central proper to his old tower through a network of tunnels under the city. I will admit that there were moments where I was convinced that he was going to betray us in some way, shape, or form, but it didn’t happen. He even sacrificed himself to save us when we were being pursued by Central and even provided his plans to Lila to help us to defeat High Central once and for all. We didn’t know it at the time, but we would eventually learn that Darien was alive and being held captive by his former colleague and another one of High Central’s leaders Kezia Maithres. Kezia was also thought to be long dead, but unfortunately, once again, we were wrong. Anyway, Darien had a device in his old tower that was designed to act as an explosive device, and he provided that information to Lila as Plan C to destroy the city.
The battle against Kezia was long and difficult. We had no other choice but to go along with Darien’s plan. Thanks to Darien, we were able to destroy High Central and quite literally bring down the entire city on top of Kezia. Because of Darien’s assistance, we are now entering a new era without the shadows of High Central’s hate and prejudice. Lila established a new kingdom in its place…the Phoenix Sovereignty, and she will begin a new lineage as Queen. The Battle at High Central is truly one to go down in history, and we couldn’t have done it without Darien’s vast knowledge of the city. He is currently recovering in the Phoenix Sovereignty under house arrest for the foreseeable future.
I do hope that this clears up a few things about the battle. I would be more than happy to answer any questions should you have any once I see you in person. I hope to see you all very soon. Please give my regards to your mother, siblings, and Stonegit.
Chief Grey Bergman-Felman
Grey placed the quill back in the ink bottle and gently blew on the ink to dry it. Then she handed it to her husband, who read it.
“Looks good,” he said with a smile as he handed it back to her.
“Good,” she said taking it back. “Now we just need to write to our allies, and we should be done.”
That was precisely what Chief Grey and Sir Brandt did for the next few hours. It wasn’t long before they finally decided to take a break and to go for a flight on Shadow to get some fresh air.
As they sat on Shadow with Grey at the reigns and Brandt behind her, the Chief leaned back against her husband, who gladly wrapped his arms around her holding her close and kissing her temple.
“I wish we can stay up here forever,” she said aloud.
Brandt smiled. “I know,” he said, “but they need you down there. And you’re doing amazing things right now…just like I knew you would.”
Grey looked up at her husband and kissed him on the lips. “I couldn’t do any of it without you,” she said.
“I’m always here for you,” Brandt said. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”
They were silent for a moment longer before Grey spoke up again.
“Has Sven mentioned if he heard back from Saeros yet?” Grey asked. “Or Dagny from Havelock?”
Brandt smiled at the mention of their two children’s respective partners. “Not yet,” he said, “but hopefully at some point.”
Grey nodded. “I was hoping to also write to Seasick,” she said. “I haven’t written to her in quite a while, and well…things were pretty tense when Eydis showed up here.”
Brandt nodded remembering when Eydis showed up on Haligan Island asking to join the Rebellion, and of course, Seasick showed up not too far behind demanding that her daughter come home with her. Grey, rather than letting mother and daughter work things out, butted in, and Seasick left leaving her daughter to join the Rebellion. He didn’t fault his wife for that because he knew that she wanted to help, but…he could tell that it weighed on her that one of her best friends hadn’t spoken to her since then. “I’m sure she would be thrilled to hear from you, my love,” he said.
It took some time, but Grey and Brandt wrote to their allies emphasizing Darien’s role in the Rebellion. Not long after that, they finally heard back from the village of Temple Gate and the surrounding villages. Much to the Chief and her husband’s delight, they all agreed to allow them to come and look at the land for the reformation camp. Grey and Brandt were able to bring the council and Sven over to do just that, and after discussing their ideas with the Chiefs of those villages, they agreed to give it some thought and to let Grey know if they were to allow for the construction. Grey made sure to thank them profusely before it was time to head back home.
Only a week had gone by before the Chief of Temple Gate wrote back giving Grey official permission to begin construction of the reformation camp in the particular spot on the island, much to Grey’s delight. Once she read the letter, she arranged for another meeting with the council to start making the preparations for construction and to further plans on the camp’s timeline for use and eventual opening to other islands of the Wilderwest.
Finally…there was still one more thing she needed to do, and she admitted that she had been putting it off to figure out how to broach the subject. It was discussing with Indigo the parameters of his long-term “punishment” and addressing the families of his victims. As she told Brandt, the Chief needed to consult with Jugen on this one further given everything that had happened with Indigo since he was freed from the evils possessing him and all the good he did for the Rebellion. Thankfully, once Jugen had the full story about Indigo, it made things easier, and he was able to help her through working out suitable parameters for him going forward.
Once that was done, she felt more at ease in addressing all this with Indigo, especially after everything he had done for the Rebellion. It wasn’t an easy conversation to have, but Grey was able to talk to him about the wishes of the victims’ families. She informed him that he was permitted to travel just so long as he was not seen by any of the villages he attacked and that if he was seen by the villages, he would be violating his banishment and risk being executed. She gently told him that it would be best to lay low on Haligan Island and the wilderness that he had called home…until all the victims of the tragedies had passed away. Given that he was immortal, she figured that wouldn’t be too difficult. It wasn’t an easy conversation, but she felt better once she was sure Indigo understood.
“How did it go?” Brandt asked as she walked back into the house after talking to Indigo.
The Chief exhaled. “It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do,” she said, “especially with how much he’s improved, but it went well. He understands. I hate to do that to him, but…the victims and their families deserve to have their wishes honored.”
Brandt nodded as he stood up and hugged his wife. “I know it was tough,” he said, “but you’re doing the right thing.”
“Thank you,” she said burying her face into his chest inhaling his scent. “There’s still a lot more to do though.”
“I know,” Brandt said, “but why don’t we take a break? Maybe we can go for a flight on Shadow.”
“That sounds so amazing,” Grey said with a smile on her face.
The Chief continued to work on implementing Jugen’s suggestions regarding Indigo’s victims and their families. She started with…more letters to the villages…
To all the victims and their families in the attacks of the Phantom…
My name is Chief Grey Bergman-Felman of Haligan Island. I am writing this letter with a heavy heart to express my condolences for the loss you’ve all experienced as a result of the attacks at the hands of the Phantom and the Night Furies a couple of years ago. I wish to update you on what has happened with the Phantom after the attacks. I know it will not undo the damage and the harm caused to your families, but I do hope it can bring some form of closure.
It may have seemed like the Phantom was the leader of those Night Furies, but he was actually a feral human that the Night Furies had in tow. The leader of the flock known as Scarface was the true mastermind. The Phantom had gone mad from powers beyond his control, and he wasn’t in complete control of his actions. His mind was tainted, and Scarface was able to use this to his advantage to convince the Phantom to attack your villages and my own. That became clear to my council and myself along with my Rebellion comrades during the Phantom’s trial after we apprehended him after the attacks.
During the Phantom’s trial, once we became aware of it, the Warden—the demon who became the longest and most trustworthy friend and ally of the Grounded Dungeon Rebellion—literally purged his mind and cured him of his madness. Once the Warden assured me that he was cured, I had him placed in prison on Haligan Island until it was fully verified that he was sane. Once it was proven that he was sane, he was ordered to fight on the front lines during the final battle of High Central and to sacrifice himself for all of Aidorin to bring their fascist regime to an end. He and the remaining Night Furies even saved my children a few times during the fight.
However, before the final battle, Scarface was enraged that the Warden cured the Phantom believing us to have brainwashed him and led another attack on Haligan Island as an act of revenge. You see, when the Phantom and the Night Furies had originally attacked my island, they captured my Night Fury, Shadow, and when I went to rescue her, several of the Phantom’s Night Furies turned against him and left the cause while several stayed under the leadership of Scarface. One of the Night Furies who left the cause is now under my youngest daughter’s care and is very loyal to her and my family. In a fit of rage, one of the hostile Night Furies attempted to attack my daughter and her dragon, and I managed to save them just in time by killing him myself. Not long after that, the Night Furies who were loyal to Scarface were hunted down and dealt with. I can assure you that they are no longer going to cause any harm to anyone else ever again.
It has been brought to my attention that you expressed wishes for Indigo to be nowhere near your villages again, which I completely understand. I can personally assure you that he will be confined on Haligan Island for a long time going forward. As I said before, I know this won’t undo all the damage and harm caused, but I do hope that this will bring some closure. I do plan on visiting you all in a week or so, so I look forward to meeting you all and answering any further questions you might have.
Chief Grey Bergman-Felman
Grey exhaled as she wrote the last letter for the last village. It wasn’t like her to modify parts of the story like this, but it was for both Indigo and the victims’ sakes. She could find some solace in that fact.
Once all the letters were signed and sealed, she and Brandt shipped them off and made arrangements to fly to the villages on the mainland as part of a formal visit from the Chief of Haligan Island and her second-in-command.
About a week or so later, Grey and Brandt made their way through the villages of the Andaar Forest, and the visits went very well. There were some villagers that welcomed them with open arms while others took a moment to warm up to Grey, Brandt, and Shadow. Grey made sure every victim and their families had their deepest condolences and offered any services from Haligan Island should they need anything.
However, there was still the last village that they visited that day. It was the last village that was attacked…the one where Grey and Brandt ran into Farris—Malak’s son—and where Indigo was apprehended…the one where they found the little girl.
When Grey and Brandt landed in the village, it was easy to see that it was quite different from the last time that they were there. They had been rebuilding, and it was slowly coming back to life. The chief of this village immediately welcomed Grey, Brandt, and Shadow thanking them for coming. Grey made sure to apologize for not making the trip sooner, but he reassured her that it was understandable as to why she didn’t given that her time was spent between running her own village and family and the Rebellion.
The chief introduced Grey and Brandt to the survivors and the families of the victims, and they got to meet the aunt and uncle of the little girl…Annika. They warmly received the Chief and her husband’s condolences and embraced them both thanking them for coming. The adults were standing outside the house, and the front door was opened. As the adults continued to converse, Shadow perked when she heard whispers coming from the front door of the house.
The Night Fury inched closer and sniffed the air, and she perked when she saw two small children peering out the doorway. Shadow smiled and immediately got into a play stance encouraging the children to come out and play with her…just as she used to do with Sven, Dagny, and Kari when they were young. However, the children gasped and flinched hiding their faces further in the doorway clearly afraid…of her. Shadow became crestfallen seeing the fear on the children’s faces, but she refused to give up. She was able to help Scoot, Bouncy, and the other Night Furies see that not all humans were evil. Surely the same could be done for the other way around, so she laid down on the dirt and put her head down to make herself look as small as possible waiting for them to gather the courage to come out and play with her.
“Shadow and I grew up together,” Grey said as she turned to place her hand on her dragon’s head. “We—” She stopped when she and Brandt saw that Shadow wasn’t there. “Shadow?” The Chief looked and widened her eyes when she saw her dragon looking at a doorway…at the two children peering out at her dragon.
“Oh…those are our children,” the woman said. “They’re just nervous around Shadow. They’ve been timid around dragons since…”
“Looks like Shadow is trying to put them at ease,” the woman’s husband said.
Brandt couldn’t help but smile at the sight and then at Grey. Shadow was always great with small children, especially Siri, Lila, Jari, Kettil, Sven, Dagny, Kari, and Katryn. So it was no surprise to see her trying to get the children to play with her.
Grey didn’t say anything as she walked over to her Night Fury and knelt down next to her. “Trying to make some new friends?” Grey asked as she pet Shadow on the head.
Shadow crooned sadly at her sister before turning back to the children.
Grey smiled as she turned to the two children again. “Hi there,” she said, “my name is Grey, and,” she petted Shadow on the head, “this is my dragon, Shadow. Do you want to come say ‘hi?’”
The two children shook their heads and stayed in the door, which broke Grey’s heart to see.
“It’s okay,” Grey said gently. “She’s not going to hurt you, I promise.”
Brandt watched along with the Chief and the children’s parents. He bit his bottom lip silently cheering for his wife to make a breakthrough.
“You know, she and I are actually the same age,” Grey said casually. “We found each other when we were little…a long time ago.”
The children looked at each other and perked at Grey’s statement. “R-Really?” one of them asked.
“Oh yeah,” Grey said, “I was in the forest one day exploring, and I fell and hurt my knee. And when I went to wash it off at the river, I heard something behind me, and I looked and saw her…a Night Fury. I was so scared at first that I fell in the water, but Shadow jumped in and saved me. And we’ve been best friends…sisters ever since.”
“Wow…” the other child…a young girl said in astonishment.
“Amazing, huh?” Grey replied with a raised eyebrow. “Do you want to see how I became friends with her?”
The little girl and her brother nodded cautiously.
Grey smiled. “Well,” she began, “I held my hand up,” she held her hand up close to Shadow’s snout, “and closed my eyes.” She closed her eyes looking away from Shadow.
Shadow sat up a little to place her snout in Grey’s hand leaning into the touch.
The children both stared watching the Chief of Haligan Island and her dragon.
Grey opened her eyes and smiled at Shadow scratching her on the head before turning back to the children. “You want to try?” she asked.
Both the children looked to their parents, who were gently smiling. “Go on, darlings,” their mother said. “It’s alright.”
The children looked at each other and then at Grey as she inched forward so that she was further ahead of Shadow. The Chief held out her hand to them encouraging them to come forward. The children then…took a step out of the house…and then another…and another… They eyed Shadow very nervously, but they kept coming inching toward Grey silently asking for her protection.
“She won’t hurt you,” Grey said gently. “Now,” they were close enough to her allowing her to manipulate their hands so that they were outstretched to Shadow’s snout, “hold your hands out like that.” She watched as the children covered their eyes. “Then you wait. Let her come to you.”
Shadow smiled seeing their hands reaching toward her. She looked to Grey once more and waited before Grey nodded encouraging her to make contact. Then…the Night Fury leaned forward gently placing her snout in the kids’ hands.
It wasn’t long after that before the children slowly uncovered their eyes seeing Shadow touching them and smiled in wonder and awe.
After a few hours of allowing the children to play with Shadow, it was finally time for Grey, Brandt, and Shadow to return home. Grey once again reminded the villagers that she was available should they need anything else. The chief expressed his gratitude for her visit and hope for her to return soon, to which Grey appreciated and promised that she would return.
With that, Shadow took off with Grey and Brandt as they all waved goodbye.
“Well, Shadow,” Grey said gently petting her on the head, “I think it’s safe to say that you made some friends today.”
Shadow crooned in response with a huge smile on her face.
“You both were amazing today,” Brandt said wrapping his arms around Grey holding her close.
Grey smiled as she leaned back into her husband’s chest feeling the warmth and comfort. “Thank you,” she said leaning up to kiss him on the lips. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you…both of you…” she looked to Shadow, who crooned at her, “and our family.” She sighed. “I know Jugen suggested all this to help me protect our family and the Rebellion from his coworkers, but…I do feel good about what we did over the past couple of weeks.”
“You should,” Brandt said. “Think about all you did for the victims and their families. Think about what you did for those kids today. Anyone who’s a politician or a public figure wouldn’t have been caught dead doing any of that. You went above and beyond. Yes, we had to use some fancy wording in some aspects, but it’s all for the greater good.”
“There’s still a lot more to do,” Grey said. “We still need to bring Jugen’s former colleagues to justice.”
“And we will,” Brandt said, “together.”
