They will be fine

Meanwhile, at the borders of the human village five figures entered the village gates. The sun was about to rise from the horizon when Rhea, William, Ned and the other two elders reached the village. All of them had huge black bags under their eyes due to lack of sleep and tiredness and they looked quite pale.

Yet all of that didn't manage to hide the rage, disgust and sadness in their eyes. They had managed to solve the problems and save their kingdom from a war that could have doomed them still they had the expression of someone who got the cruel taste of defeat in their faces. Yes, they did what they had to do. They had managed to save their kingdom and protect its centuries old peace but the price was equally too heavy. Their success, their peace and safety was at the cost of four innocent kids! who lost their very being for being naive and getting ployed into the enemies's hands.

They had just walked a few steps into the village when they were met by a small group. There were the families of the kids and some of the villagers who were friends with them. Among them Ned and William's wives stood, waiting for their sons. They looked behind the five of them searching for their kids. But when they saw that there was no one behind them they looked at Ned and William but the two of them remained silent.

Watching this, rhea wanted to speak in their stead to save them from this predicament but she had to attend to more important matters that needed her immediate attention.

I am sorry to leave you like this but I have to report to the crown about all that has happened said Rhea.

We understand, you don't have to apologise said Ned.

She and the elders gave them a short bow and left for the mage tower.

Now only the two of them were left to explain to the crowd infront of them including their wives about the events in the Nilfheim forests and at the ice giant's territory and convincing them that the kids would be fine even though they themselves weren't sure about it.

******

Meanwhile, Johan and his friends were walking through the streets of the royal capital of Nilfgaard. They were currently taken to the palace which was situated at centre of the capital. It was so huge and majestic that they could see it from any place at the city. And right now it was their destination.

The four of them were walking in a straight line with one giant gaurd at front and one at their back. They were not bound in chains like earlier, they were walking freely like any other citizens around them, the only security was the two gaurds.

The roads were filled with ice giants and upon their sight some looked at them with a disgusted look while some looked at them in differently minding their own business and some looked at them with eyes filled with rage. But they weren't worried about them. The one's that looked at them with eyes filled with lust, both men and women creeped them out to no ends.

Soon they reached their destination, the royal palace. It was several meters taller than all the other structures in the city. It covered a large area and while the other buildings were made up of stones and bricks, the whole palace was made of pure ice crystals. They glistened under the under the sunlight and released rainbow beams. While the tallest towers of the palace reached the clouds.

The gates of the palace opened for them and they entered them. The gaurds called upon an ice giant. He was a lean man and judging from his attire he appeared to be a servant. The gaurds took out a scroll from his pouch. Give this to the head butler and take these runts to him said one of the giant gaurd and handed over the scroll to the servant. After that the two gaurds left them with the servant and left the place.

When Johan and his friends looked at the servant he said follow me and took them towards the west wing of the palace.