A week had passed, and Crow Man was gone. The family members of the children were finally here. Genevieve sat in front of a table next to Rosemary and Exavier in a room that was bustling with parents and siblings waiting in a line to sign their names on a slip of paper.

"Thank you very much," Genevieve said to a married couple after they signed their names and their child's name. "Remember to be in the throne room at noon. The children will be there."

The married couple left, and Genevieve came face to face with Aldren. "Al?" she questioned, wondering what he was doing in the line. "What are you doing here?"

Aldren sighed as he picked up a quill. "Signing my name," he replied. "Just because I haven't seen her doesn't mean she's dead."

Genevieve sadly looked down at the names. "It's a small chance, Aldren. Barely one percent."

Aldren looked up at Genevieve. "I know," he whispered. "I know, Gene." With that, Aldren stalked away, probably out to the gardens for the peace and quiet.

Gene sighed as two girls approached, signing their names on a parchment as she passed Aldren's name over to Rosemary, who rewrote it on a list before passing it to Exavier, who searched for the person's file from the stack of paper's Crowley had brought over from Castle Araluen. "Everything doing alright?" Genevieve asked, passing another paper to Rosemary.

"Mmhmm," came Rosemary's reply, and Exavier said nothing. Genevieve frowned at their lack of words before speaking to the girls and going back to work.

>>>------------->

Exavier stood next to Rosemary in the throne room. The children were behind them, and the family members in front. Everyone was anxious for when they would reunite, but neither Exavier nor Rosemary were excited.

"What time is it?" Rosemary quietly asked after a moment.

"A few more minutes before noon." Exavier grunted.

Rosemary sighed as she waited. "Can we not start early?"

"No," Exavier muttered. "I planned for noon. We start at noon."

"But everyone's here," Rosemary argued. "They would be glad to start now."

Exavier glanced at Rosemary in annoyance, but she didn't take notice. Instead she cleared her throat and raised her voice. "If everyone can quiet down, we can start."

The families quieted down and stared at the courier and scribe. Exavier inwardly sighed but did nothing. He glumly watched as Rosemary started speaking.

"I'm sure everyone would like to see their children or siblings, but first I would like to state some ground rules to get this done orderly and peacefully.

"Number one. When we call your name, please step forward and meet with your child. This is so that there is no confusion." she paused. "Actually that is all the ru-"

"Rule number two," Exavier interrupted. "Not all of the children are present. I would thoroughly advise you not to make a big fuss until the end. Thank you, let's get started."

Rosemary blinked and nodded. Looking at her list, she spoke the names. "Gabe and Lottie Wood of Trelleth fief and their child Jane."

The parents stepped out into the small open space available, and Jane, a nine year old, pushed her way through the crowd. "Mama! Papa!" she squeaked, running to her parents, eyes shining with tears.

The family embraced before retreating back, so that others can be reunited.

A few more names were called before a familiar name sounded. "Aldren NightBrew and his sister Alyssa."

Aldren slowly stepped forward to meet no one. He blinked and waited for a few seconds before shaking his head and stepping back. It was true. His sister was dead. And the final realization came swiftly like a tsunami, but there was nothing he could do.

There was a silence for a minute before Rosemary continued. The names came like a blur, and then finally, there came the last four families.

"Zoey and Mia Brown and their brother Humphrey."

Humphrey pushed his way forward, his two younger sisters doing the same. Light shone in his eyes at the sight of them. They were safe, and so were they. They stared at each other, smiles slowly appearing on their faces. "Humphrey!" the two sisters cried out as Humphrey laughed and ran at them.

"Zoe," he murmured as he hugged them. "Mia."

They stayed in the position for a minute before Humphrey led them away for the next family."

"Katie Labelle and her daughter Elaine."

The mother of Elaine stepped forward, a hopeful light in her eyes. But it slowly faded, and she looked around in confusion. "Elaine?" she called out.

Humphrey stiffened as he looked back.

"What's wrong?" came the concerned voice of Zoey.

Humphrey looked back at his siblings. "Wait here," he murmured before stepping back out.

"Mrs. Labelle," he murmured, and she looked at him. "Your daughter," he gulped. "is dead. She died saving me."

Katie looked at Humphrey, disbelief in her eyes. "D-dead?" she whispered, voice breaking. Tears flowed down her face before her eyes turned to age. "So it's your fault," she murmured, a dangerous glint shining.

Humphrey blinked. "Mrs. Labe-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence, for Katie leapt at him in anger. "You," she growled. "She died for you! You deserve to die."

Exavier pinched his nose. "Another rule violator," he muttered to himself, remembering the six other instances of parents breaking down in tears or anger. Stepping forward, Exavier spoke. "Mrs. Katie, please let go of the boy before I have to ca-"

Exavier never finished his statement, for a yell interrupted him. Mia, Humphrey's sister, let out a cry as she rashly slapped Katie. "Let go of him," she growled. "Or else."

"Mia," Humphrey growled, glaring at his sister, who had valiantly defied him. "Step back."

Instead of following orders, Mia rolled her eyes and punched Elaine's mother, who in response released her hands. "Good," Mia hissed as she protectively dragged her brother back.

Rosemary awkwardly cleared her throat. "Sorry about that, everybody," she sighed before continuing. "Jacob and Daniella Aquilar and their child Milo.

The family immediately rushed forward and embraced. "Father," Milo murmured. "Mother."

After their embrace, Rosemary spoke the last name, no more children behind her. "And last but not least," she murmured, "Sir David and his son Gilan."

Gilan, who wasn't in the section the children were suppose to be, tensed at the names. Halt squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "Go on," he murmured as Gilan broke through the crowd and faced the battlemaster. "Father?" he called, a light spreading through his face.

"Gilan," came the warm response. "You've gotten yourself in quite a trouble."

>>>------------->

A sigh escaped Humphrey's lips as he walked towards Gilan and Milo.

"What's wrong?" Gilan asked, turning to face him.

Humphrey slightly shook his head. "Regret," he muttered. "I should have said something more at the trial. He doesn't deserve to live."

"That may be true," Milo murmured, "but we never got to find out why he did it."

Gilan nodded in agreement to Milo, saying nothing, for a shout sounded.

Milo looked back at his waiting parents. "This is a goodbye then."

Gilan sighed. "I suppose it is.

"I'll miss you two," Milo hugged the both of them.

"I'll miss you too," Humphrey murmured.

"As will I," Gilan sadly smiled.

"Farewell Gilan. Humphrey." And with that, Milo turned to join his parents on a long journey back home. He looked back once and raised his hand in a goodbye.

Tears formed in Gilan's eyes as he bowed his head. Humphrey took a breath. "I talked to the girls."

"And?" Gilan looked up.

"And they said it was okay to stay here in Wensley village."

"Really?"

Humphrey nodded. "Yep," he smiled. "I'm hoping to join the battle school."

Gilan grinned, overjoyed that his friend was staying in Redmont. "I know Sir Rodney," he replied. "I can convince him for you."

Humphrey grinned as he looked at Gilan. "Thanks Gil."

"You're welcome."

A/N:

Last chapter. Epilogue releases at midnight(central time).

AH, I'M GONNA CRY.

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