Tomli lay on the stone floor in the cavern, watching Garinor across the room as he touched the scepter. The next thing he knew, he was surrounded in blue light that flashed violet just a moment later. But he felt very different, having been touched by the light of truth. He knew who he was and the prince, whose dagger rested against his throat, held no power over him.
“Release me,” Tomli commanded and across the way the scepter shattered into countless pieces, stealing away all light from the room except that from the torch.
The prince responded immediately and cut away Tomli’s ropes.
“Now let us leave this place,” Tomli said. He let the prince go first, but Tomli stopped at the entrance and turned back to face Garinor’s last resting place, bowing his head in homage for his friend’s sacrifice.
The guards who had escorted them to the cave took the prince into custody as they returned to the Daggerfist camp. Raucous cheers echoed on the night air, ushering in a new age with their new ruler. Tomli’s first task as king was to disband the prince’s hired guard, and then to appoint a new one. Around a large glowing bonfire, Terrian was crowned captain of the king’s guard, and he would choose the rest of those who would bear the honor of protecting the kingdom.
Through that celebration, Tomli kept glancing over his shoulder or scratching his cheek. Some thought it was merely a nervous twitch from being knocked down earlier that day, but Tomli soon realized that it was something else entirely. When he turned his head just right and squinted his eyes, he could see something wondrous.
Garinor’s spirit smiled back at him.
Days later, the resident king welcomed his new successor graciously and agreed to accommodations that Tomli offered him that would keep him and the rest of his family in relative comfort, though they were welcome to venture off on their own pursuits. The prince, however, was tried for treason and not one person sided with his deeds. He confessed his own plot openly, so Tomli took mercy on him.
The prince served his days under arrest, working whatever odd job he wished, provided he turn half his earnings over to the king. He did so, though on several occasions he tried striking up conversations with his old supporters and they developed plots to overthrow Tomli. Only the king ever knew the source that reported all the misdeeds that were planned and consequently demolished. The prince came to trust no one and one day ran off into the desert to the west and was never seen again.
The power of the scepter, coupled with Garinor’s noble sacrifice, allowed him to visit Tomli after the events at the altar. Their friendship continued to grow, building upon the times they’d shared together already.
The years went on and they were prosperous. Soon, King Tomli was renowned as the fairest and greatest ruler the land had ever known. When he found himself a wife and they had several healthy, happy children, Garinor visited his friend one last time, where they bid each other farewell.
So it was that Garinor’s selfless act opened the way for generations of bounty and grace.
You have come to the end of Garinor’s adventure, but there are other paths to explore. Start over and guide Garinor again along his journey.
The End…