Red. The snow around him reflected the intense red of an indecisive sky. Munich clutched his wound as the Recomine medical team walked the canyon gathering the wounded. When a spotted face suddenly appeared above him he flinched.

                "This one is alive,"  He heard her say but her voice sounded far.

                Yucawa started to walk away until she saw the severity of his wounds. Dumping off her medical bag she knelt down beside him in the snow. She raised his head and helped him to sit up. "Drink this," she said softly and Munich sipped the sweet liquid from the canteen spilling some of it on his condemned uniform. He noticed the leopardess looking and wished he could tear it away from his body.

                Yucawa helped him lie back down then she got to work giving his wound a temporary cover. "This will do until we can get you out of the mountains." she said as a stretcher arrived. She looked down for a long time then raised her eyes. "What is your name?"

                "Munich," he wheezed. "Munich Kassel."

                Yucawa wrote down his name then got to her feet. "He's ready to be moved she said to the Recomine soldiers with the stretcher.

                At the sight of them Munich feared for his life and grabbed her paw.

                "I have to go Mr. Kassel," she said. "I have to tend other wounded."

                "What is your name?" Munich asked as he was loaded onto the stretcher.

                "Yucawa," she said. "Yucawa of Nagoray."

                "Yucawa." He breathed her name. "I beg you; don't send me back to Mount Lions. I'll do anything. I'll die if I go back to that awful place. I just need to send for my family and—"

                Yucawa steadied his trembling arms. "But sir," she said with a smile. "The war is over. We are all free. Mount Lions was captured by the Archduke this very day."

                Munich felt his lips trembling. They had done it. They had done it! Where not for the wound he would have jumped up and danced. Tears filled his eyes and flowed down his face. "We're free." He wept. "We're free."

                Yucawa laughed. "I am glad for you. I am glad for all of us."

                Munich took her paw and kissed her cheek before he was carried away. He looked up into the sky. They were free always they were free. "Thanks be to you All Father. Thanks be to you."

                Druid watched his mountains empty. He was happy for two reasons. The war was over and he didn't have to worry about any more trespassers. When Corinth joined him he sighed. Perhaps one day when he felt more like it he himself would return to Recomine and see his father. That was his real empire after all not this eternal world of cold and snow. But what mattered now was that the war was over and millions would now go home.

                /

                Hero still admired the dragon weeks after the day of victory and many had come from all corners to see the mighty beast that had lead the fight for freedom. Emperor Trojan dared not speak a negative thing against Nagorins now.

                Now the Nagorins busied themselves taking down the camp and packing for the long journey home. Uhua had visited with Grand Duke Euromus to return the crowns to the family. All bitterness was abandoned between she and Kiva and Naogora was happy to discover that she would be a grandmother and though she wished for them to return with her Uhua made it clear that this would be her new home.

                Kiva joined Hero where the windmill once stood and looked down at the grassless land that had once been their camp. "I can't wait to get home," he said. "I think I'll stay away from the Blue Palace for a while. Mama will need my help readjusting."

                "Sounds good to me," Hero said. "But I must admit I'm afraid of what we'll find when we get back. You know the Mounts never showed mercy. I wonder if their nation will stay with us or if they'll only become lost again"

                Kiva nodded. "Come with me." He said and started down the hill.

                "Where are we going?"

                "Will you just come on." Kiva chuckled. "You'll see when we get there."

                When the brothers entered the infirmary together Hero wanted to walk back out They had scourged him and he still felt the pain, he still saw them in his dreams, no his nightmares. Kiva strolled right in and went over to a cot where a zebra was sitting reading a book.

                "How are you this morning?" Kiva asked him. "I see you've started another book."

                "So much literature was banned in Mount Lions under the Emperor," Munich said. "I'll read whatever I get my hands on." When he noticed Hero standing at the entrance of the white tent he nodded to him. "Who is this?"

                "This is Hero," Kiva said beckoning his brother over. "He's my brother. He was in Mount Lions too and escaped."

                Hero approached the cot slowly. He felt small in the Zebra's eyes but he noticed that the eyes seemed very kind.

                "Prince Hero then," Munich said. "I'd greet you properly but my nurse forbids I get out of bed."

                "You'd better listen to Yucawa," Kiva laughed. "Hero, Munich here helped me escape." Kiva finally explained. "If it wasn't for him I may be dead now. I owe him my life."

                "You don't owe me anything." Munich said. "No one should get paid for doing the right thing."

                Hero nodded. "Kiva never told me the story of his escape. Perhaps I could hear it from you."

                Munich laughed. "I wasn't there for the most of it. Hmm, I guess it all started with the blizzard that snowed in the camp. Awful place it was."

                "Is that where my father was kept too?" Hero asked. He was trying hard not to let his fears envelop him. It was time to let them go.

                "It was," Munich said. "You know, I don't think I could go back there once I'm better. Even if things have changed it doesn't remove the terror branded on my heart. I'm through with the military; I think I'd like to settle in a place far from Mount Lions, far from all that cold and snow."

                Hero laughed. "You better not stay here then," he said.

                "You could come to Nagoray." Kiva offered.

                Munich shook his head. "I'd feel guilty every day looking at people purged by my nation." he said. "I guess that means there is nowhere for me."

                "I'm trying to let the past go," Hero said. "Talking to you is a start. A small one but still a start."

                Yucawa entered the tent with her clipboard. "Mr. Kassel, I see you already have visitors. Kiva I told you before that he needs his rest."

                "Sorry," Kiva said.

                "Anyways, Mr. Kassel there is someone here to see you. I've never seen her around here before. She must have just arrived on one of the ships."

                "Who is it?" Munich asked.

                "A little girl," Yucawa said. "I'll ask her to go if you don't have time. Which your really don't as you should be resting."

                "Let her in," Munich said sitting up straighter on his cot.

                "Are you sure—"

                "Yes, let her in please." Munich said.

                Yucawa shrugged and stepped back outside the tent. When she returned she had a leopard child in tow.

                Munich felt a smile come to his face as he starred at the child before him and Ortensia smiled back. She then rushed to him and embraced his neck. Munich hugged her back tightly.

                "How did you get here?"

                "On a big boat," Ortensia said. "It was just like the one I used to play with only bigger." She looked at Hero and Kiva then at the sergeant.

                "These are friends of mine." Munich explained, "Crown Prince Kiva and Prince Hero of Nagoray."

                Ortensia curtsied. "Pleased to meet you, Your Highnesses." she said.

                "Adorable," Kiva said. "Well Munich we'll let you spend time with your little friend. I'll bring you another book tomorrow and remember, you are always welcome in Nagoray."

                "Are you sure?" Munich asked.

                "It's my home." Kiva said and Hero's heart swelled. "All of my friends are welcomed in my home."

                Munich nodded and bid them goodbye then turned to listen to Ortensia tell the story of how the Blue Army liberated Mount Lions.

Hero lingered at the entrance catching small traces of what had happened. As soon as they received the message that Nagoray was clear they would be starting home. One thing still remained though. What had become of their father? A glance at Kiva told him he was thinking the same thing.

/

It was a whole two months before word came that Nagoray was cleared. The refugees were warned that it was in shambles but all other royal families had returned to restore their nations and now it was their turn. The Nagorins packed and planned to be back home for the Harvest Festival. Munich wouldn't be joining them as Yucawa insisted he wasn't fit enough yet to travel.

On the last day Hero stood before his dragon kite to admire it for the last time. People were still coming from all around the marvel at it. It had taken much damage in the battle and the repairs just weren't worth the time and cost it would take.

Uhua kissed each of them goodbye and promised to visit when the baby was born but until then it was farewell. With his crown on his head and his mother on one side and Lahar on the other Kiva lead his nation out of the Empire that they had far too long taken refuge in. In their deep seeded sorrow they were all still able to smile. They were going home. The Crown Princess led them each day by song and everyone took turns telling stories at night.

/

                The way the sunset glimmered on the distant golden peeks and the way the wind caressed the tall colorful trees alerted the weary travelers that they had neared Nagoray.

                A tiger was sitting at the boarder shielding his eyes as he watched the herd traveling towards them. In haste he jumped up and disappeared into the dense woods. He returned before the travelers had reached the border with three others in tow.

                "It's them, it's them. They've come, they've finally come!" He ran up to them and bowed before Naogora. "My Queen, what a blessing it is to behold your face again." He smiled at each one of them. "We've all been eagerly awaiting you."

                He led them across the border and served as their guide to the palace city. He was able to relate all that had happened having been there the whole time. It was dusk when they reached the palace and the tiger stopped the royal family and their entourage before they went inside.

                "I must warn you," he said. "The Mounts took everything. The walls are bare and the rooms are empty. When we learned that you were coming back we did the best we could to clean it up for you."

                Hero looked up at the cracked palace walls and the broken steps. It was far from how he pictured it in his memories. Inside the palace walls he could see where the Nagorins had mended the damages. He also recognized that none of the little furniture that decorated the rooms belonged to them.

                As he stood in his bedroom doorway he sighed.

                "We'll just have to start again," Kiva said at his side.

                "I know," Hero said. "Besides material things seem so small when you think of the lives lost." He went over to the bedroom window and looked across the city below. Lights were coming on in the houses but up on the mountain side was dark for the temple of Nagoray no longer stood. "Poor Gavery."

                He lowered his eyes so he wouldn't have to look at it any more. It was then that he noticed a shadowed figure walking toward the palace. The citizens had said they would let them alone for a few days so they could settle in so Hero wondered who could be coming up here at this hour.

                Leaving Kiva, he hurried down stairs and ran to the front of the palace just as the stranger was coming up the steps. When he got there he saw that the guards were bowing to this stranger and that this thin raggedy stranger was raising them up and kissing them.

                Hero felt his heart go out of control. It just couldn't be. Could it? "Papa?"

                Saber turned to the doorway and a smile filled his face when he caught sight of his  son.

                Hero raced down the steps and threw his arms around him. He hugged him tightly never again willing to let you go. Tears flowed freely from their eyes and even the guards were weeping.

                "I can't put into words how blessed I am to have you all back," Saber said to his son. "So many families have lost so much." He shook his head. "Look how you've grown, Hero."

                Hero took his father's paw. "Come on, everyone will be waiting for you." He hurriedly led him into the throne room where Lahar and Edelweiss were hanging some torn curtains.

                Edelweiss was the first to notice him and she jumped up. "It's the King!" He voice echoed strange yet familiar in the throne room. She put her paw over her throat unable to believe that words had come from her mouth. She rushed over to her uncle and hugged him followed by Lahar. They were soon joined by Kiva and the Quebecs.

                Naogora was the last to enter the room. She took slow careful steps so not to disturb the dreamy image she saw before her. When Saber caught sight of her he smiled. There was his queen, as beautiful as the day he had left her. He wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her.

                "Don't ever leave me again," Naogora wept as she embraced him. "Never again."

                "I promise." Saber said. "I promise."

                Hero smiled at Kiva and his older brother nudged him. They were all safe, safe and sound in their beloved Nagoray.