Epilogue pages 23-25 (Patreon)

Three pages today. Read 'em first.

Up until the very last moment, I wasn't sure if it was proper for them to end up together or not. It felt to me like the ultimate gesture for Emil was to not only put aside his duties for fatherhood, but this potential relationship too; to give up everything in the city and return for good to his hometown, all for Chea's benefit.

Elka's argument against this really won me over too though. It seems the best course of action is to safeguard your kids while also staying active in and doing your best to maintain the society they're going to have to live in one day. Giving that latter up is just as bad as shirking the former, maybe.

And if Emil is going to come back to duty in a year, maybe Elka will be waiting there to welcome him. Maybe, maybe not!

Two more scenes left. I think we'll be going closer to 40 than 30, are you surprised? :)

Don't forget to follow the Kickstarter if you haven't yet! - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ironspike/summer-2025-mystery-project?ref=9u42c1