57: A way

“How was it?” Xavier asked, as Mia stepped into their chambers and silently made her way to the wardrobe to change out of her robe.

She had worn a two-piece black, easy-to-remove robe for the funeral rite at the black cove. She had now taken off the first piece.

She turned to him and said, “It went well, but the kingdom took a massive loss. So many sons and daughters would never get a shot at life because they laid it down for the kingdom’s cause.”

“It was a great price, and they knew this before joining the warrior’s institute.” He answered.

“I do not know how I would feel if those were my boys.” She mumbled under her breath, and he heard.

“War is the last thing anyone ever wants. But if the inevitable occurs, we must do whatever it takes to preserve the land. You know this.”

She nodded. “Yes. I do, and I understand. I wish there were another way.” She turned to him.

He mumbled his agreement under his breath.

“How do you feel?” she asked, stepping towards the bed.

“I feel like I have