The ride back to Camelot was long, quiet, and dusty. At least, until Arlo opened his mouth.
"So," he said, nudging his horse closer to Noah's, "how does it feel to tear out a demon's heart and get a standing ovation from a bunch of knights who used to think you were just some grumpy foreigner?"
Noah adjusted his grip on the reins. "It feels like I need a shower, twelve hours of sleep, and maybe a therapist."
He paused, thinking about his new emotions and the fact that he had just killed someone but felt nothing, because why would a dragon feel anything when crushing an ant?
"Definitely a therapist."
Arlo whistled. "Not bad. I'd have gone with 'glorious' or 'I am becoming death, destroyer of demons,' but sure, your version works."
Noah shot him a look. Arlo just grinned wider.
The king and the rest of the knights rode ahead in dignified silence, but Arlo had never been one for decorum. He trotted his horse alongside Noah's, his silver hair fluttering in the breeze, still somehow clean despite everything.
As they neared Camelot, the horizon revealed itself.
Noah slowed his horse slightly, narrowing his eyes.
The city-state wasn't what he remembered. Mostly because he hadn't remembered it at all.
He had left in darkness, barely awake, and his thoughts had been entirely consumed with the Thresher.
But now, in the light of day, Camelot stood like a fortress built to intimidate the gods.
Towering walls made of black stone stood ahead of them, their surface embedded with faintly glowing sigils.
Guard towers jutted out at even intervals, each manned with archers and ballista crews. He could see movement atop the walls, the soldiers who were meant to always be on alert in case of any problems.
Arlo noticed his expression and nodded toward the battlements. "The outer walls are seventy feet tall, reinforced with magic. The stone's infused with blood-iron and sulfur. Demon magic doesn't work so well near it."
"Blood-iron?"
"Iron that's been tempered in beast blood. Pain to forge, but highly resistant to corruption. Not cheap either. Camelot's treasury took a century-long hit for that wall alone."
Noah nodded slowly, taking it all in.
As they approached the gates, they passed under a massive portcullis lined with sharpened stakes. Sigils shimmered as the group rode through, responding to Cillian's presence.
Inside the city, the people lined the main street, bowing low at the king's passage. They made no sound, only lowered their heads in practiced reverence.
Vendors paused in mid-sale, children were pulled aside by their parents, and every soldier they passed saluted crisply.
Noah's eyes drifted to the buildings. They were made of stone, mortar, and reinforced wood, with curved rooftops and tightly shuttered windows. But what caught his attention were the lanterns.
They hung from every door frame and balcony. Strange, copper colored lanterns shaped like dragonflies.
The truly strange part was that it was day and the sun was up, but those particular lanterns were lit.
They emitted a dull glow, and a strange smell lingered in the air. It clung to the back of his throat like smoke.
"Sulfur." Arlo said, following his gaze. "Demons hate the stuff."
"So everyone just... lights them and hopes for the best?"
"They're more than just flames. Special fuel mix developed by the Ignatious family. Burns sulfur in a way that spreads the scent wider, lasts longer. Each lantern covers about a twenty foot radius."
Noah sniffed. The odor was faint but persistent. Acrid, but oddly reassuring.
"A city that always smells like brimstone. Charming."
"Well, you know," Arlo shrugged, "beats waking up with a demon at your throat. But the demons also have their ways of getting through. Few of them though."
They made their way through the winding streets toward the palace.
As they climbed higher into the city's inner district, the crowds thinned, replaced by courtiers, nobles, and guards dressed in cleaner, more ornate gear.
When they arrived, the palace gates opened and servants moved to assist. Noah dismounted with a groan, every muscle in his body sore.
Arlo swung off his horse with annoying ease, landing lightly. He stretched, yawned, and turned to Noah.
"Well, this has been fun. Time to vanish for a while. Maybe find a bar. Or a bathhouse. Or a magical library full of forbidden knowledge." He gave a mock salute. "See you when fate needs me again."
With that, he turned and strolled off, whistling a tune.
Noah watched him go, then turned to the steward who had approached. The man bowed and gestured toward the palace.
"Your room is prepared, Lord Noah."
Noah followed him through the hallways of the palace, past columns etched with golden trim and beneath stained glass windows that cast soft colors over the stone floors.
When he entered his chambers, he didn't hesitate.
The bath was drawn.
He stripped, stepped in, and nearly melted into the water. Warmth seeped into his bones, and he let himself sink lower until the heat touched his shoulders.
"Finally!" he muttered to himself, soaking it all in.
He'd finally had the damned bath.
He stayed there until the water cooled, then dried off, wrapped himself in a thick robe, and collapsed onto the bed.
He didn't even bother pulling the sheets over himself. Sleep took him like a wave.
[][][][][]
When Noah awoke, he felt almost human again.
The pain was dulled. His head was clear. His limbs still ached, but now it was the ache of survival, not collapse.
He sat up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and stretched. His body popped in a dozen places. Muscles tensed and released. The soreness was still there, but it was a badge now, not a wound.
Then came the knock.
He blinked. Frowned.
"What now?" He muttered, standing.
He walked over to the door and opened it.
Princess Ines stood there, hands clasped in front of her gown. Her hair was pulled back into a simple braid, and her face bore the same royal calm he remembered from the throne room.
She looked as if she belonged on a coin. Regal. Perfect. Dangerous.
"May I come in?" She asked.
Noah blinked again, then stepped aside. "Sure. Why not?"
She entered without hesitation, walking to the center of the room before turning to face him.
"I imagine you're wondering why I'm here." She said.
"I assume it's not to thank me for punching out a demon."
She allowed herself a small smile. "No. I'm here for the same reason as everyone else. I want something."
Noah folded his arms. "Let me stop you right there. I'm not saving the world."
"Good." She said.
That caught him off guard. "Come again?"
"I don't want to save the world," Ines said, stepping closer. "I want to destroy it."