Albertus sat in the infirmary of Ascalon City with Dennizon lying in a bed bandaged in various places with a chess board placed across his lap. In the bed next to him was Duke Freedom, grievously wounded and permanently blinded in one eye but on the road to recovery. His friend Doomwolf had not woken from a coma even 1 week after the battle he had been wounded in. The poor man had taken a several blow to the head in addition to his stomach wound and Caerial herself had expended all of her efforts to save him. She had said he had severe brain swelling and did not know if he would return from his coma although he would live. Phoenix too had been treated for as many wounds as Dennizon had been but he had refused to stay in bed. Instead he could be found outside in full armor guarding the doorway to the councilors with only the slight assistance of crutches for a fractured femur. All told ¾ of the men sent to buy his and the refugees rescue had perished in their battle.

Albertus forced a smile that was not returned by Dennizon who was only half-heartedly engaged in the game they played. “You did the best you could Dennizon, you must not punish yourself for the bravery of those young men who fought with you. No one could have done anymore.” He said for the tenth time. Dennizon had said nothing but his expression said enough to Albertus. “Those young men died protecting the lives of the children, the women who were there brothers, sisters, and mothers. Fathers died with their sons out there and I do not think any one of them would take that back given the chance. It was a terrible price to pay, but one they could not afford not to. Think no more on these things and rejoice at the good we have before us.” He continued trying to cheer Dennizon up.

“I watched children die Albertus. I watched as Fathers gave their lives to cover their young sons who ultimately died as well. I have trouble seeing the good in that. The means may justify the end, but the cost seems more than I can bear.” Dennizon said in a bitter and resigned tone of voice. Albertus didn’t know what to say. He knew that Dennizon would recover with time as he had seen him do in the past, but nothing he could say would take away the horrors of a fresh battle. He himself knew that all too well being no stranger to them.

“Indeed my friend, but I am glad that not all was lost. I did not expect to be blessed to see any of you return, yet you are here and more. And moreover for our services King Adelbern of Ascalon, at the request of his son Prince Rurik, has signed over lands to our people with estates and a building most suited to the next Great Hall. The Republic is on the up and up old friend, and it is thanks to the blood and tears of our brave people. If you dwell on anything, try to dwell on that.” Albertus said softly with unmasked excitement in his voice. He too felt the loss Dennizon felt but he knew that this was a time in which he had to be strong for others, even Dennizon. Age had taught him that.

“Prince Rurik is the one that road out and turned the tide of the battle correct?” asked Dennizon with more interest. “He was.” Albertus said with a nod of his head. “A brave people, these Ascalonians.” Dennizon replied, “I am proud to have fought beside them and am forever in their debt. I hear they helped save several of my men who would otherwise have died.” “This is true, they saved both Freedom and Doomwolf over there for example.” “Yes they did, at a time in which I thought all was surely lost including myself” Freedom interjected.