Chapter 8

When the last of the Shredder's men had been locked up and the bodies cleared from the prison yard, April finally allowed herself to rush forward and embrace her uncle.

"This is a bit of an understatement, but I am so happy to see you!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck. August chuckled, and if perhaps his laugh and April's voice sounded more choked than normal, neither of them mentioned it. She drew back a bit, anxiously looking him over. His skin had been darkened by the sun, and he was thinner and rougher-looking than when she had seen him last. "Are you all right?"

"I am fine, my dear." His brows drew together in concern as he looked at her. "But, April, are you hurt? You're covered in blood!"

She shook her head. "It's not mine. But, Uncle August, where have you been? I thought…"

"You thought our ship had been lost at sea." August smiled thinly. "It was, but fortunately, myself and most of the crew were not. But it did leave us stranded on an island with no way to get home. That is, until Admiral Mortu and his ship passed within hailing distance." He gestured behind him at the tall, stern-looking man who had ridden alongside him. "We attempted to return to the main port, but found out it had been completely overrun by the Shredder's armies. We were forced to make landfall elsewhere, beyond his reach, and travel over land, collecting what remained of loyal soldiers as we came." He gestured at the armored men that had accompanied him, but then his expression became grim. "I have become acquainted with what has happened during my absence. My only regret is that I could not bring the invader to justice myself."

"I'm just glad you're back," April said, hugging him again. She turned to Mortu. "Thank you, Admiral, for bringing my uncle back. And for helping defeat the Shredder's army. If there is anything I can do to repay you, name it, and if it is in my power I will give it to you."

Mortu inclined his head respectfully. "You are welcome, Your Highness. But my men and I do not require payment. All I ask is that I be allowed to take the head and body of Oroku Saki with me when I set off for my own country. He is guilty of war crimes there and my people have the rightful claim to what remains of him."

April's eyes widened slightly. "I was not aware of this." She glanced over to where the Shredder had been placed, wrapped in tent canvas and set to the side. They had not wanted the tyrant's body to be placed with their own dead. "You may take him with you," she said at last. "But are you sure there is nothing else I can do for you?"

The admiral's smile was spare, but sincere. "Nothing, my lady." He turned to August. "Sire, I would take my leave unless you have further need of me."

"No, my friend. Go." August extended his hand to Mortu. "Travel safely, and remember that you are always welcome here."

Mortu smiled and bowed, then moved off to gather his men. April's brow furrowed slightly as several armed guards bundled the Shredder's armored body into a heavy iron sarcophagus and locked it shut. It seemed an unusual precaution to take with a dead body, but she chalked it up to different customs.

August sighed as Mortu and his soldiers began riding out, turning back to April, a sardonic smile on his bearded face. "Now, my dear...what's all this about you running about the forest with outlaws?"

The inside of the nearby barracks churned with hushed activity as the wounded from both sides were tended. Nobody was entirely at ease - the Shredder's soldiers more often than not needed to be restrained in spite of their wounds, and the prisoners and the king's men kept a watchful eye on each other, neither side sure if the others wouldn't turn on them. Despite the crowded room, the turtles had carved out a bubble of space for themselves on one of the lower bunks - maintained mostly by Raph's warning glare and the way his hands rested on the hilts of his knives.

Don tied the last suture on Leo's arm and set aside the needle, wiping his bloodstained hands on a damp rag.. "There, you're set." He bent forward slightly to meet Leo's eyes. "How are you holding up?"

Leo smiled thinly, lifting his head from Mikey's shoulder. "Well, I'm not bleeding anymore." He was seated behind his brother, leaning his plastron against Mikey's carapace, in too much pain to lie down but too weary to sit up on his own.

"Small favors," Don murmured. He ghosted his fingertips over Leo's damaged shell. "Well, luckily it's not cracked all the way through, but it's going to take a long time to grow back in. And it may not look normal when it does."

Leo gave a dismissive little shrug, as much as he was able. "It'll be okay." He turned his attention to Raph. "I'd really feel better if you'd let Don take a look at your eye."

Raph rolled the eye that his brothers could see. "For the third time, it's fine. Believe me, you don't want to see it. It'll just take some getting used to. Best part right now is that Mikey looks only half as ugly as he used to."

"Excuse you," Mikey said, bristling with feigned offense. "I will have you reminded that I am the pretty one."

A sudden bustle of activity near the barrack door caught Leo's attention, and he looked over to see King August enter the building with April at his side. Soldiers straightened their shoulders and saluted respectfully as he moved among them. Leo was relieved that the king had returned, but he couldn't shake the trepidation that caused his stomach to twist. He and his brothers were still outlaws, still wanted men who had survived by theft and by poaching in the king's forest. Men had died at their hands. True, they were the Shredder's soldiers, but they had died all the same. April had promised them a fair shake and he trusted her that she would follow through, but despite the fact that Leo, his brothers, and the rest of their fighters had spent years fighting in August's name, the king was still an unknown entity.

From across the room, Casey saw August enter. He finished the bandage he was tying, then withdrew to join his friends, reaching their side shortly before August and April did. Don stood respectfully, but August smiled and shook his head when he saw Leo try to rise.

"Do not trouble yourself," he said kindly. "I will not ask a wounded man to stand on formality."

Leo moved back, away from Mikey's shell to sit up on his own. He inclined his head, the closest he could manage to a formal bow. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I did not expect that I would have the honor of meeting The Hood so soon after my return," August said.

The statement caught the attention of several of the king's guards standing nearby, and Leo's brothers gave them a watchful look, but Leo kept his attention focused on August. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty."

"April has told me about what you and your men have done in my absence," August said. "I don't think you know how famous you are. I was hearing stories about you even before I landed on shore. Did you know that even Admiral Mortu had heard rumors of the legendary outlaw who was plaguing the Shredder?"

Leo's eyes widened. "No, sir, I didn't."

"Yes, you've carved out quite a reputation for yourself. And from what I've seen tonight and heard from April, none of the rumors were exaggerated." When Leonardo remained silent, August raised a brow and asked, "Do you have nothing to say?"

He met the king's gaze unflinchingly. "I'm not sure what I can say, Sire. You know what I have done." Donatello added softly, "What we've done," but Leo continued without acknowledging him. "I chose to live in hiding for the sake of my brother, and became an outlaw for the sake of my country. We couldn't stand by and let the Shredder go unchallenged."

"Yes, your brother," August said, thoughtfully. He spared a glance for Raphael, who stared belligerently back. "April has told me his story as well. And I am sorry that such injustice was present in my kingdom, even while I was here. It should not have happened, and had I known about it, Raphael would not have been branded a murderer." The rebellious set slipped from Raph's shoulders, and cautious hope began to dawn on his face. "You and your brothers - and the rest of your small army - committed crimes, but you are not guilty of treason. You were defending your homeland and fighting for your king, even though you had experienced hardship and injustice under his rule."

Leo shook his head. "Your Majesty, you couldn't have known - "

But August spoke over him. "No, Leonardo. Do not object. I didn't know, but I should have. The sheriffs carry my authority. I never thought to make sure they would not abuse it." He raised his voice so it would carry throughout the barracks. "Effective immediately, all those whom the Shredder declared outlaws are hereby pardoned. Furthermore, the one known as Raphael Scarlet is declared innocent." He shifted his gaze to Raph as he spoke. "The lives he took were in self-defense, and he was falsely accused of murder by a corrupt lawman. There will be no retribution against him."

Raphael stared at him in astonishment, unable to quite believe that the death sentence that had been hanging over his head for ten years was gone, just like that. Don grinned, giving him a nudge. "What do you say, Raph?" he murmured teasingly.

Raph fumbled for a moment before he managed a faint, "Thank you."

But even if his gratitude was not effusive, it was sincere, and August smiled. "Couriers will be sent out today, so the entire kingdom will know. And they will know just how deeply they are in your debt."

Leo's weary face broke into a smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty." He looked to April, standing beside her uncle with a brilliant smile on her face. "And thank you, Your Highness, for having faith in us and for pleading our case to the king."

She laughed at his formal tone. "It's April, Leo," she corrected, coming forward and reaching out to rest her hand on his uninjured shoulder.

"Well," August said briskly, "It seems to me that I find my kingdom at a lack of sheriffs. The two that were in charge here are under arrest, and as for the others…" he shrugged. "The ones that were in power are either corrupt or dead. Leonardo, you and your brothers are free to go wherever you wish, but I would like to offer you the job that Stockman and Hun have left vacant." Leo looked up, startled, but before he could answer, August went on: "I would not ask you to separate from your brothers, of course. If you like, the four of you may return to your hometown of York and preside there - or you may choose from any other city. For the other posts, I will trust your judgment and if there are those among your soldiers who you believe would be worthy of serving as sheriff, the position will be offered to them as well."

"I - thank you, Sire," Leo stammered, taken aback by the unexpected offer. "I'll gladly pass the word to my fighters."

"All due respect, Your Majesty," Raph said, "but I think we're done with York."

"We could stay here," Mikey put in. "This town is big enough for the four of us, I think - and, Casey, if your parents came, you could set up a carpentry business again."

"Sensei would be here," Don said hopefully.

Leo glanced around at his brothers. "Do you...do you guys need to think about this first?"

Raph folded his arms across his chest. "We've pretty much been 'law enforcement' for the past four years," he said with a smirk. "This'd just make it official." Don smiled, and Mikey gave an enthusiastic nod.

"Excellent," August said. "We'll discuss the terms of your pay tomorrow." He moved away, then, heading for one of his commanders, but April stayed, sitting on the ground beside Leo's bunk.

"You're sure you're going to be okay?" she asked.

Leo leaned gratefully against Mikey's shell once more, but he managed a smile. "I'm sure."

She tugged at a piece of straw poking out from the canvas mattress. "It's a poor consolation for what happened to you...but you should know the chaos after the tournament kept the Shredder's army and attention focused within the kingdom. He had no warning of August and Mortu moving in."

"Then we did our job," Mikey said. He patted her shoulder. "Things could've ended badly, but they didn't. Don't focus on the might-have-beens." April smiled up at him and briefly rested her hand on top of his in silent gratitude.

Usagi threaded his way through the crowd, giving Leo an appraising look as he stopped beside the bunk. "Well, despite your best efforts to thwart my decision to save your life, it seems that you will live after all."

"I'm going to do my best," Leo answered. He nodded at the rucksack on Usagi's back. "Time to go?"

Usagi nodded. "I believe this is the first time I can say I am satisfied that I did not complete my mission. It was an honor to have met you, Leonardo."

Leo smiled. "Same here. Travel safely." Usagi bowed, first to Leo and his brothers, then more deeply to April, and then he was gone, disappearing through the doorway into the morning sunlight.

"So what now, Leo?" Don asked.

Leo sighed. "Now...I guess we get used to being respectable again."

"Don't worry, Raphie," Mikey said earnestly. "I can help you remember how. Hey!" He yelped as Raph flicked his snout, rubbing his nose with one hand while swatting at Raph with the other. Leo braced himself reflexively, but in spite of the roughhousing, Mikey was careful to keep himself still to keep from jostling him.

"So, guys," April said, speaking up before the minor conflict could turn into a slapfight, "how far away do your dad and Casey's parents live? Can they get here soon?"

"Well...they're a good distance away," Leo started to say, "But…"

"...But if I can get a wagon and a team of horses," Casey cut in, "I can be back with my folks and Master Splinter in less than three weeks."

All four turtles brightened at the thought of seeing their father. "Would you, Casey?" Leo asked. He tried not to sound overly hopeful, but exhaustion had lessened his reserve and he couldn't hide the wistful longing in his voice.

"Consider it done." Casey saluted and headed for the door.

"You're leaving now?" April asked in surprise. "You haven't slept in a day and half! None of you have," she added, glancing at the turtles.

Casey waved dismissively. "Nah, I'll be fine. I'll sleep when we're home." And with that, he was gone.

Mikey sighed happily. "Home. We haven't been able to say that in a while. Feels good to say it again."

"The rolling stones begin gathering moss?" Don asked with a sideways smile.

"Something like that." Mikey bit back a smirk. "Although one would argue that Raph already has more than enough moss. I keep telling him to take baths more often, but he never - hey!" Mikey aimed another swipe at Raph after getting his nose flicked again. Don curled an arm around Leo and carefully moved him back, giving Mikey and Raph free reign to swat at each other.

Leo rested against Don's shoulder, listening to the humor and exasperation in April's voice as she scolded his brothers. "Raph! You've got stitches in your head, in case you've forgotten, and Mikey, don't even think I missed seeing you favoring that wrist. Honestly, it's bad enough that the Shredder's soldiers almost took you apart without the two of you trying to finish the job…"

Don chuckled, the gentle rumble thrumming pleasantly against Leo's shell, somehow seeming to ease the deep ache from his wounds. "Ah, yes, sounds like home already."

"True enough," Leo answered with a lopsided smile.

Don leaned forward a little to see his face more clearly. "So is The Hood ready to adjust to civilian life?"

"More than ready." Leo leaned more closely against his brother. "The Hood is ready to be just Leonardo again."

"Good to hear," Don said. "Leonardo's not a bad guy. I always liked him."

Leo smiled and shut his eyes, tuning out the bustle of activity around him to let the presence of his brothers wash reassuringly over him. Their only possessions were the clothes on their backs and the weapons they carried. They didn't have a place to live. But the king had returned, and they were safe; they'd accomplished what they'd set out to do; and in less than a month, Splinter would be with them once more. And that, Leo thought, was all they needed.