Chapter Fourteen #2
I hear that things in Renedith are shaping up well under the new ruler of the vills.
Well done! I knew you would take to ruling like a duck takes to water with the proper tutelage.
To that point, while you are gone on this quest to new lands after visiting Light’s Keep, have trust that Steward Skybluff shall oversee things according to your direction.
She is a fine and capable overseer and not one prone to nonsense, as you have already discovered.
As for the ship, it is yours to sail wherever the winds take you.
You have my leave to wander wherever your heart leads in the name of the crown.
The Cloud’s Shame will be completely refurbished in your absence.
Perchance a new name could be bestowed upon her before she is returned to the sea?
There is no shame in our family, nor shall there ever be, for you are my brother.
I will miss you greatly, but I have come to see, with gentle input from V’alor, that you are not a man to be shackled to the land or to the mundanity of daily noble life.
You now must walk both realms. The queen wishes me to tell you that before you put into dock at Light’s Keep, all onboard must be dosed with the tincture.
She states that it tastes like fried pig shite sprinkled with bitter almond.
I do not wish to know how she would know this!
The twins are in tears about your leaving. Al’fur is now more adamant than ever that one day he will sail at your side. His mother, of course, is thrilled to hear this as long as he is sailing under the navy banner and not the red that used to fly over your head.
Please keep an eye on Beiro and the wyrmling.
The druids of Melowynn would perish from grief should anything happen to the young dragon.
We will be in touch via ravens for as long as possible.
If you do cross over into the green sea or sail into the uncharted lands, keep notes of what you discover: the people, the plants, the animals and sea life.
This world is vast, of that I am sure, and none are better suited to sail the oceans to discover these new lands than you.
I love you, Coelum. Come back to us. We look forward to your tales of daring adventures and new discoveries!
May the sea witches and the eye of Ihdos be forever on you.
As ever.
Your brother,
Aelir
Eyes blurred, I re-rolled the scroll and then tucked it into my bag for safekeeping.
Damnation leaving family was difficult. Pulling in a breath of fishy air, I looked over my shoulder to take one final glimpse of the castle when my sight fell on Le’ral striding towards me, a large bag in his hand, his clothes those of a sailor.
Simple garb. Trousers, a shirt, boots, and a rapier at his side.
No half capes or peacock-colored tunics.
Just the sun on his handsome face and the sea winds in his brown and silver hair. Stunningly beautiful.
“What are you doing here?” I called as he neared, dropping my bag on the dock as I faced him. A fisherman with a wagon filled with carp rolled past.
“I am here to see the world at your side,” he replied as he drew nearer. I gaped at him openly. “You appear to be surprised, and I do apologize for that, but we had unfinished business to discuss. Upon waking, I found you and your bag gone. That is no way to open up a discussion, Captain.”
“I…we said our goodbyes last night. I thought this was decided.”
“You decided, Captain. But you do not get to decide my fate for me.” There I stood like a pickerel lying on the shore, mouth agape, eyes rounded.
“I have fallen in love with you, Coelum. I thought to never feel that again with anyone. I was mistaken. Greatly so. One would think a man of my seasons would know better, but I was mired in the fear of losing another lover, so I went along with your suggestion.”
“This was to be a short affair,” I stammered, suddenly unsure of my footing on the slowly rocking dock.
“Yes, we both said that, but I think we were both frightened, but fear is not going to win. I love you.” He moved closer.
A gull cried out overhead. “I still have trepidations, many of them, but I will not let another man I love leave me. This time, I have recourse to keep him near, and so I shall do what needs to be done to stay at his side. If he will have me?”
“Ah, well, we will be gone for many months. Perhaps entire seasons. What will the king do without his man of ravens and whispers?”
“I know for a fact ravens can fly.”
“We may sail out further than a raven can fly.”
“Then we will use a dragon.”
“I highly doubt the wyrmling will allow us to use him as a messenger. Seems a less than godlike thing for a being as divine as him to do.” I stepped up to him, cupping his cheek, to stare into warm brown eyes.
“You have all the answers, it seems. I’m glad, for I have none.
I know only that I adore you and that leaving you was proving nigh impossible. ”
“That was my job after all. So will you have me at your side, Captain?”
“Aye, I would have you at my side always. I love you.” That admission fell out of me.
The words foreign on my tongue, but now I had tasted them, I found them to be sweet.
Frightening but sweet. “I have no clue how to be a good partner.” I rubbed his cheekbone with my thumb.
“It was not something my father passed along to me.”
“I have some knowledge of how to make a long relationship prosper. Together we shall work it out.” He leaned in to kiss me on the mouth. A long, searching kiss that could have gone on for seasons had not the screech of a dragon raked through the air.
Leaning back to break the kiss before it got out of hand in front of the flower girl, I glanced skyward. Above us sat Jaculi on the edge of the crow’s nest, wings open, head back, calling out to whomever or whatever dragons spoke to.
“Shall we board?” he asked with barely contained excitement. Who would have guessed that a courtly man would be so eager to strike out for unknown lands? That elation made me adore him even more. We had much to explore. New places, wild seas, and a new love.
“Aye, let’s set sail. Together.” I took his hand in mine, lifted it to kiss his knuckles, and we climbed onto the ship to the call of dragon song bouncing off the high seas.