Final Book (Dragon Heart #22)

by Kirill Klevanski

“We have not seen each other, my brother, for nearly half a millennium,” the islander replied with a slight sadness. “In that time, not only can people change, but even mountains might.” Hadjar sighed and nodded in agreement. “So, don’t blame yourself, noble General,” Einen directed another puff of smoke into the sky. “Do not blame yourself for the deaths that now stand in your shadow. Because if you start doing that, you’ll be carrying the burden not only of our friends’ lives, but of all those who have died since you first picked up a sword.” Hadjar closed his eyes and breathed more evenly. A soft breeze caressed his weathered face, wiping away the sweat and breaking away the crusty layer of blood still covering it, a mixture of his own and that of others. “Sometimes I think about it, too.” “I have no doubt that you do, my brother,” Einen exhaled. “You think of yourself as a monster, Hadjar. But you have a good heart. That’s why you suffer. A monster would not suffer.” “You don’t know everything.” “No one knows everything,” Einen shrugged. “It’s impossible to know a lot, and it’s unnecessary, anyway. Great knowledge doesn’t lead to happiness, Hadjar.” “And what does?” “I don’t know that, either.” Hadjar smiled. It was always easy with Einen. Easy to talk. Easy to be silent. Easy to fight. Easy to travel. Easy to live. And it would probably be easy to die next to him as well. “I’ve missed you, baldy,” Hadjar said softly. “I missed you too, barbarian.” They remained silent...