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James remembers last year and the refugees who were fleeing the approach of the Empire. His heart is gladdened that the fear and hopelessness he had seen on the faces of many has been replaced with joy and hope. He fervently wishes that they will be able to continue having hope and joy for a very long time to come.

Before the walls of the City of Light come into view, camps are seen where they’ve sprung up along the sides of the road. Tents turned into makeshift taverns operated by smart tavern keepers supply ale and other essentials to those who are working to put their lives back together.

Few women and children are seen, though there are pockets of them here and there. The majority of those they encounter are men, workmen who are here to begin the rebuilding of their country.

When at last the walls of the City come into view, the pit fighters come to a stop. This is home for them. Where they were born and raised. James is actually surprised to see a tear come to the eyes of some of these hardened fighting men.

“There she is,” breathes Potbelly.

“Never thought I’d ever be coming back here,” Stig says.

“Let’s go,” urges Miko. When he first laid eyes on the walls his sense of urgency increased. Nudging their horses, they take a more moderate pace as they approach the gates to the City.

“James,” Jiron says, “look over there.” He directs their view over to an open area west of the road near the walls.

“What about it?” asks James.

“That’s where you took out the majority of the enemy when we left,” he replies.

James looks hard, but after the effect of several seasons, there’s hardly any evidence left of what happened. A few blackened trees here and there are all that stands in testimony to the explosion that rocked the night so long ago.

The closer to the gates they go, the denser the tents and number of people become. The pit fighters scan the people they pass for any sign of those they knew, but so far haven’t recognized anyone.

Soldiers stand guard at the city’s gates, more for maintaining order than anything else. Jiron leads them through and into the city. Surprisingly enough, the streets are fairly clear of debris.

“They sure cleaned up this place,” remarks Jiron. During their escape, James had played merry hell with several of the buildings, exploding them in the night in order to cover their escape.

Moving across the courtyard, they pass through the next gate into the city. Signs of reconstruction are going on everywhere. People, mainly shopkeepers working to get their business back in shape, are seen setting stones and hammering planks.

“If Delia hurries, she could make a killing selling these people building supplies,” comments Shorty.

“I think she already has that idea,” replies Stig.

“Didn’t Lord Pytherian say the first building that would be rebuilt here would be that temple you wanted?” Jiron asks.

“Yes he did,” answers James. “But I don’t expect them to be able to arrange that until the hostilities subside.” Glancing over to his friend, he adds, “Besides, it’s not like we’ll be around to tell them where to build it.”

Nodding, he says, “That’s true.”

“Can you find your old hideout?” James asks.

“Shouldn’t be a problem,” he replies. “Even with the state the City is in now, I know my way around.”

“Oh, man,” Scar says sadly.

“What?” asks Jiron.

“Beggerman’s is gone,” he says, indicating a destroyed building that once sat on the corner ahead of them.

When James looks questioningly at Jiron he says, “It was a place where pit fighters hung out. A tavern and brothel all rolled into one.”

“Yeah,” agrees Shorty. “Beggerman had been a pit fighter in his younger days. Set it up when he had accumulated sufficient money to last him the rest of his life. He claimed he won the building in a card game, though no one’s ever been able to verify that.”

“Wonder if he’s still alive?” Potbelly asks.

Just then three young teenage boys come running around the corner and Scar signals them to stop, that he wants to talk.

Slowing down, the three lads approach