"My prince, listen to me," Jehral said. "It was not our people who took this city; it was those from all over the world. They come from Altura, and Halaran, from Torakon and Loua Louna. It is for no one house to claim victory. We are in their debt."

Prince Ilathor took his hand away from his sword, and after a moment, Miro followed suit. The prince held out his hand, and Miro hesitated, but a moment later, he reached out, and the two men shook.

"There is one more," Rogan said. "All others have either surrendered, or come to our side." He looked pointedly at Dain Barden.

The ruler of the Akari shook his head. "We won't go against the wishes of the houses. It's too hot here. I've already sent the orders. I'm taking my people back north."

"What did you really want?" Miro asked.

Dain Barden shrugged. "We wanted to join the empire. People find our lore repulsive, but it is who we are. No one is harmed except for the dead, and those we send them to fight."

"Provided you keep your lore to yourselves," Rogan said.

"Yes, I'll give you that. Provided we keep our lore to ourselves. The first Emperor, Xenovere the Great they call him, exiled us because of who we are. All we ever wanted was to have our own place in the world."

"Then go back to the north," Amber said, "but this time not to exile."

"The Tingaran Empire is gone," Miro said, "and the brief rule of the Primate is over. It is up to men like us to decide what comes next. Whatever happens, we must never again let any one man control the world's essence, just as we must keep a wary eye on the powerful relics the Evermen left behind."

"A worthy sentiment," Evrin spoke from his seat, leaning against the Sentinel's big toe. "As soon as I'm well enough, I'll help you rebuild the machines that once resided in Stonewater. Extracting essence from the dead may work for the Akari, but essence taken from lignite works just as well."

"Wait," Ella said, causing all eyes to be on her. "Before we say anything more, I think it's time."

"Time for what?" Miro said.

Ella turned to Evrin. "It's time to know the truth. Killian left us," her voice caught, "so that he could prevent the return of the Evermen. Twice now you've asked everything of him, and twice he's given you everything. All he ever wanted was to know the truth. Yet he left without ever knowing. It's time we knew, Evrin Evenstar."

"I'm wounded," Evrin protested.

"Then the sooner you start, the sooner you'll see a healer," Ella said. "None of us are leaving this island until we know the truth. It's time," she repeated.