Staring up at the woman he loved, he laid his palm over his heart in silent salute. He was leaving it with her. It would be safe until he returned. He knew it.
With one final glance, he climbed aboard and headed off into the unknown. He’d left for battle before, but this time it was different. He’d return one day soon, when the world was safer and the violence was tamed, to claim his future and his love.
It couldn’t come soon enough.