After the debriefing, the king presented Evan with a bag of gold, a fancy medal, and a scroll declaring him "Protector of the Realm."
Evan looked at the medal. "Does this come with any practical benefits? Like free coffee at participating taverns?"
"It comes with our eternal gratitude," the queen said, smiling tightly.
"Great. Can I exchange that for a sandwich? I'm starving."
Later, in the palace gardens, Emma laughed. "You're terrible at being a hero."
"I'm EXCELLENT at it," Evan said. "I saved the kingdom, reformed a dark mage, befriended a lonely dragon, and didn't get anyone killed. That's efficiency."
Lydia sat beside them, scanning the horizon. "The northern threats aren't over. Malakar was just a piece."
"Of course he WAS." Evan groaned. "It's always a bigger bad. Why can't it ever be a 'slightly irritated but ultimately harmless' bad?"
"Because that wouldn't be dramatic," Emma said.
"I hate drama. Drama is for people with too much time and not enough coffee."
Ashe drifted closer. "There is something else. In the north. I can feel it."
Evan looked at him. "The Heart?"
"No. Something older. Something that was sleeping while I was imprisoned." Ashe's dark eyes were troubled. "It's waking now."
"Because of me?"
"Because of everything. Because the seals are weakened. Because you improved me. Because change creates ripples." Ashe met his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Not your fault." Evan stood. "We'll deal with it when we have to. For now... coffee."
***
Julian found him in the gardens, looking healthier than Evan had ever seen him. His color was good, his breathing easy, his eyes bright.
"You're back," Julian said.
"I'm back."
"I heard you convinced a dark mage to take up gardening."
"Marigolds. Very therapeutic." Evan smiled. "You look good."
"I feel GOOD. Better than I have in years." Julian stepped closer. "Thank you. I know you didn't have to—"
"I wanted to." Evan cut him off. "You're my friend. That's what friends do."
Julian's eyes were suspiciously bright. "Friends. Right." He cleared his throat. "Well. If you ever need someone to watch your back when you're off improving ancient evils, I'm available."
"Noted."
Ross appeared next, barreling down the path with his usual enthusiasm. "EVAN! You're BACK! And you brought SAMPLES!" He spotted Ashe. "And a NEW FRIEND! Is this the Heart of Night? He looks DIFFERENT! Less hungry! More shadowy in a fashionable way!"
Ashe stared at him. "Is he always like this?"
"Always," Evan confirmed. "You get used to it."
"I'm not sure I want to."
"Too late. You're part of the group now."
Ross clapped Ashe on the shoulder—actually made contact, which was impressive given Ashe's semi-solid nature. "Welcome! We'll have SO MUCH FUN! Experiments! Research! Possibly controlled explosions!"
Ashe looked at Evan with something approaching panic.
"It builds character," Evan said.
***