Epilogue.
Lady Catherine
The Black Cat was crammed with people, and there was chaos under the huge Christmas tree as Father Christmas had been.
Two groups of strangers had come together to celebrate the holiest of holidays, and their joy filled me and the inn with their laughter.
Children sat patiently waiting to be handed their gifts, and I was happy to see how well-behaved they were being.
None of this being greedy and grabbing at gifts.
The Nortons sat watching and swapping their own gifts. The children were a little young to understand what was happening, but they let out delighted squeals. Mariah and Benedict glowed, their happiness spilling over to everyone.
The women had all helped with breakfast before corralling everyone to open gifts. Trudy and Julie sat with them and would soon get help to prepare dinner. Christmas was a time for family and friends, and I could see bonds being made and strengthened.
Adam was smiling, talking with the men he called brothers, and teasing the women he thought of as sisters.
His children were finally acting the way they should; his future was certain now, his path set in stone.
Adam and his family would go on and make a difference in this world.
That was their destiny. Shaping the world into a better place.
I ran an eye over my family. They had the same mission; there were still surprises ahead for them. Their journey was not yet over. There remained a task for them.
Moving away, I looked out of the windows and wondered where my ancestor was.
Ajax wandered this world once more. Alive and well.
I could feel him in my blood. I wished him well.
His role had not yet been determined, and he remained somewhat of a loose cannon.
Ajax may think himself alone, but he was not.
He was a Norton; we’d never leave one of our own to face destiny by themselves.
Miles away.
A man trudged through the snow. It came down heavily, almost blinding him in its fury.
It was a blizzard. He pulled his cloak around him to protect himself from the elements.
The snow fell thick and fast, and the wind blew with a frigid air that he could feel deep in his bones.
Around England, families were in their homes, spending time with family and friends, warm and happy.
Why was he out here alone?
He looked up as he crested a hill and saw his target. Light piercing the darkness, standing tall against the rocky shore, a tall beacon of hope and life emerged from the snowstorm.
His blood had drawn him here, and now he had something to do.
Head down against the wind and ignoring the howl, he began marching downhill. He had a mission to complete, and not even the weather would stop him.