At dawn, Davis and Seris leave Bellwater by the western road. The new silver clasp rests beneath his cloak, while the shrine bell marks the Order of Light’s first morning.
Tavren remains in Bellwater to lead the order, with the young shrine keeper beside him to preserve the witnessed records. Corren keeps the forge, and Sella waits at the hospice with Elian, whose curse is ended.
Seris
They have their work, and we have a road. It feels strange to leave after everything beneath Bellwater, but strange is not the same as wrong.
Seris walks at Davis’s side beneath the clearening sky. Behind them, the gate and shrine grow smaller, while ahead the western hills gather blue shadows and unfamiliar paths.
Seris
He wanted a life beyond Carmathen. Now we can discover what that means together, one honest choice at a time.
The road bends between wet fields and old standing stones. No voice rises from beneath them, no mark follows their steps, and the sealed heir remains beyond every living road.
Seris
Wherever we make our first home, Davis, let it be somewhere the dawn can find us. I am ready to see what waits west.
“"I care not where it is as long as it is with you. Let's find the next town and figure it out from there. We'll see who we find. Maybe we can find someone who knows about magic on the way. This is also your life, so please tell me your wants and wishes so I may know how to bring happiness to both of us."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Davis of Carmathen
I care not where we settle, so long as it is with you. Let us find the next town and learn what waits there, perhaps even someone who understands magic. This is your life too, Seris. Tell me your wants and wishes, so I can help bring happiness to us both.
Seris slows beside the standing stones and turns fully toward Davis. The western road lies open before them, bright beneath the clearing sky, with no urgency demanding an answer beyond the one they choose to give.
Seris
He is asking for the life I want, not merely offering me a place in the one he imagined. I can answer him honestly.
Seris
I want a home that can remain ours without becoming a prison. I want useful work, roads that lead to people in need, and time to learn magic without being defined by old guardians or older burdens.
Seris
I want companions who speak plainly, and I want you beside me when the road is difficult as well as when it is kind. Let us find the next town, ask after its healers and scholars, and choose our beginning together.
She takes Davis’s hand and resumes walking. By midday, the road will bring them to a town marked on their map; for now, their shared wishes make the westward road feel like a home already beginning.
The western road gleamed beneath the dawn, and Bellwater dwindled behind them among wet fields and standing stones.
Seris
A home, but never a cage. Work worth doing, magic still to learn, honest friends, and you beside me when the road turns hard.
Davis of Carmathen
Then we will make it together, one free choice at a time. First, the next town. Its healers and scholars may know what waits beyond these hills.
Their hands found each other, warm and certain, as the road opened west.
Behind them, Bellwater kept its scars and its truth, guarded by those who had chosen to remember. Ahead, Davis of Carmathen and Seris walked toward a life neither prophecy nor curse had written for them. Dawn followed their steps, and the world, at last, was wide enough for both of them.