Meanwhile, in Cedric's chamber, Julian had come to visit.
The little boy sat quietly beside the bed, his bright eyes fixed on the Lord Commander, who remained completely still beneath the blankets. Cedric's eyes stayed closed as though he had no intention of waking up, and the steady rise and fall of his chest was the only thing that reminded them he was still alive.
Julian's shoulders gradually slumped... He didn't understand.
Cedric had always greeted him with a smile, and by now they would be outside with wooden swords in their hands as they sparred together.
Cedric had always let him believe he was winning until the very end, only to gently knock the wooden sword from his little hands and tell him to try again. Those moments had become some of Julian's happiest memories.
Now the room was painfully quiet... There were no smiles or laughter or wooden swords. There was only silence.
