(The story resumes from before the two flashbacks, once again in real time.)

Hildibrands is shaking me, but I still cannot fully grasp what happened. I almost killed him... and Amleth went out of my life with such suddenness that I find myself almost unable to breathe. Our paths will cross again, I am sure: but for now the relief of being free from the obsession of vengeance is choking me. I have breathed revenge, fed on revenge, revenge has been flowing through my veins for so many years...

What now?

I look at the sword with which I wounded Hildibrands, and throw it away in disgust at the sight of his blood. It it not MY sword, anyway. The Eckisax lies in shards at the bottom of my bag, after that fateful encounter with Fafnir the Dragon.

Here. I lift my head, pushing back my straggling hair. Here is a way to make a new start.

Hildibrands grabs my upper arm firmly and helps me back on my feet. "My liege... my son! I have been searching for you for so long!" He is delighted to see me, as though what I have just done had never happened. He, too, looks like he needs a fresh start.

"Thanks, my friend," I answer, trying to keep my voice steady. "You are right. I have been wandering too much. Now we have a new mission: reforging my sword, and then going back to Bern... and getting back my kingdom, once and for all."

"Your sword?" Hildibrands stares at me, then his face reddens with fury. "What have you done with the Eckisax, you reckless lad? Your father would kill you if he were still alive! He would kill ME! Where on Midgard are we going to find a smith that is good enough for this? And how do you plan to get your kingdom back? I did not raise you to go and get killed without an army! And you look like you have not eaten in days..."

A faint smile crosses my lips. Life is getting back to normalcy.