Chapter 119: Step Forward
The wooden sign of the inn swayed gently in the evening breeze as Dune stepped through its doors, shoulders heavy with thoughts. The innkeeper, a stout man with a thick beard and a perpetual smile, greeted him instantly.
"Back already, lad?" he said, beaming. "Heard about what happened, congratulations on passing the test. That was a damn show!"
Dune offered a small nod and forced a faint smile. "Thank you."
He climbed the creaking stairs in silence. The warm scent of roasted meat and old wood followed him up to his room. As the door shut behind him, he walked over to the couch and sank into it. The soft cushion gave way beneath his weight, but his body remained stiff, like he'd turned to stone.
Atlas had joined the Ceresey family.
Ned... had become a Rodeny.
And him?
He was just Dune. No great house, no guiding purpose. What would he do now? Train in the academy? Study? That was all that remained, wasn't it?
His teeth clenched as he stared blankly at the wall.
He'd tried to save Ned. Fought for him. Bled for him. But in the end... maybe this was better.
Maybe Ned didn't need him anymore. Maybe he'd never been enough to begin with.