Chapter 10 Alar
ALAR
"The measure of a man is not in the titles he inherits, but in the promises he keeps."
—From 'The Burden of Nobility'
By Prince Aldwin the Humble
As we gathered for our farewells, Milly clutched a handkerchief that was already damp with tears, while Jayron maintained the stoic expression of a man determined not to break down in front of his children.
Jaida sat in her rocking chair, hands folded in her lap, but the tight line of her lips indicated that she was holding back tears by sheer determination.
"Do you have everything?" Milly asked for the third time, smoothing invisible wrinkles from Kailin's uniform. "Did you pack the herbs Gran prepared for you?"
"Yes, Mom." Kailin's voice was gentle. "We have everything."
"You need to write more." Milly turned to include Dylon in her desperate gaze.
"Both of you. And don't give me excuses that there's nothing to write about because everything is either routine or classified.
I don't care if you write about what you had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I just want to hold a letter written by your hand and feel connected to you. "
Dylon pulled her into a hug. "I promise to do better. At least once a week."
Sniffling, she nodded. "At least."
It was difficult to watch the pain in their expressions. This might be the last time they saw their children for months.
My chest tightened as I watched them. My own farewell to my family had been different, but then only my father had known where I was heading, and he had to pretend that I was just going on another excursion with Codric to tour the provinces.
He'd lectured me about not getting into trouble and embarrassing the family name, while Mother had kissed my cheek and told me to be careful, but even that small display of affection had been muted by the presence of court observers.
My brothers hadn't been there when I'd said my goodbyes.
I'd sent two letters since arriving at the Citadel, carefully routed through a trusted merchant contact that would deliver them to my father.
As far as I could tell, Saphir hadn't revealed my true identity to the Dragon Force brass, so my pretense had to be maintained.
I'd given my father general updates, talked about all the things that could make the life of pilgrims and cadets more comfortable, subtly asking for donations, and described the beautiful views from the Citadel without giving specifics.
Nothing in those letters could compromise my and Codric's cover if intercepted.
Given that all outgoing and incoming correspondence was censored, I hadn't expected responses, but the silence still stung. They could have tried. A letter from a merchant family checking on their son wouldn't have raised eyebrows. Didn't my mother miss me at least a little?
"Alar." Jayron pulled me into an embrace that smelled of pipe tobacco and wood shavings. "You take care of Kailin and of yourself, son."
Son.
This man, who barely knew me, who had every reason to distrust an Elurian dating his daughter, called me son with more warmth than my own father had managed when saying goodbye to me.
"I will," I promised.
Jayron pulled back but kept his hands on my shoulders, studying me with those keen eyes that Kailin had inherited. "Please look after my little girl even when she says she can take care of herself. She can, but we all need someone to have our backs. I'll sleep better knowing that you are vigilant."
"Dad," Kailin protested, but there was no heat in her voice.
"Humor an old man," Jayron said, but his eyes never left mine. There was weight in that gaze, the kind that went soul-deep.
"I'll guard Kailin with my life," I vowed.
He nodded, satisfied, and clapped me on the back hard enough to make me stumble. "Good. I'm counting on you."
He probably shouldn't, and not because I wouldn't follow through on my vow. I had a feeling that Kailin wouldn't need my protection because she was displaying incredible powers. The dream she'd shared with me this morning still sent chills down my spine whenever I allowed myself to think about it.
Standing at the Circle of Fate, calling to the gifted across worlds.
She'd been embarrassed by it, calling it silly delusions of grandeur, but I'd seen the truth in her eyes. It hadn't been just a dream. It had been a glimpse into the future.
Who was I compared to that?
The fifth son of a king who would never rule. I was clever and well-trained, ambitious and determined, but next to Kailin's emerging powers, I felt remarkably inadequate.
"You look like you are chewing on a lemon." Kailin slipped her hand into mine, interlacing our fingers. "Saying goodbye is always hard, but it's not the end of the world." She squeezed my hand and leaned to whisper in my ear. "Think of the upside. We will finally have some privacy."
A part of me got very excited at the suggestion, vanquishing all the distressing thoughts I'd been allowing to hijack my mind. "Having a positive outlook is a wonderful trait."
"Children," Jaida interrupted, pushing herself up from her chair with no effort. "Save the sweet words for later. Come here, both of you."
We approached her together, and Jaida studied us with those sharp eyes that missed nothing.
"You're going to face trials, and there will be times when you doubt yourselves.
" She reached out and took our joined hands in both of hers.
"When that happens, remember that love isn't a gift from the angels. It's a choice you make every day."
"Gran," Kailin whispered.
"Hush, child. I'm not done." Jaida's grip tightened. "And you, young man. Your job is not to shield Kailin from her destiny but to stand beside her and provide your support."
"I know."
"Good." She released our hands and made a shooing motion. "Now get going and don't make those dragons wait for you. It's never a good idea to annoy a dragon."
After a last round of hugs with Gran, we shouldered our backpacks and headed out the door with Kailin's parents and Chicha in tow.
The walk to the village square was a procession of sorts.
We were wearing our dress uniforms because Kailin and I hadn't thought about bringing the regular fatigues, but we would probably have been received with the same enthusiasm regardless.
It was enough that we were recognized as members of the Dragon Force.
A few of the older residents saluted in the traditional Elucian manner of fist over heart.
The town square looked different in the late afternoon light than it had when we'd arrived. Jagura perched near the fountain, her sapphire scales shining like gems. She acknowledged our approach with a rumbling purr that vibrated through the air.
Onyx was already there as well, with Ravel standing beside him, looking perfectly at ease despite the exposed position and the large crowd that must have had him on edge.
I wondered how many of the spectators were trusted men posted there by him. "Commander," Dylon said. "It's good to see you again. Have you concluded the business you had to attend to?"
"All finished," Ravel replied. His dark eyes swept over our group, lingering on Kailin. "I trust you enjoyed your time at home?"
"Very much so," Kailin said. "Thank you again for making it happen."
"You earned it." He turned to me. "You'll ride with Dylon today. I'll take Kailin."
A few days ago, that would have sparked jealousy and annoyance, but now I was glad for the offer.
Dylon was still a relatively young rider, skilled, but with limited combat experience.
Ravel was a decorated commander with decades of service.
If there was any danger during our return flight, I wanted Kailin to be with the better rider.
"Last goodbyes," Milly said, her voice breaking. She pulled her children into a fierce embrace. "Be safe. Be smart. Come home to us."
"We will," Dylon promised. "We'll be fine, Mom."
Jayron embraced his son, then his daughter, whispering something in each of their ears that made them nod solemnly. When he turned to me, I expected a handshake. Instead, he pulled me into another hug.
"Remember what you promised," he said quietly, for my ears alone. "Don't listen to my mother. Her pride in Kailin is clouding her judgment."
"I got her. Don't worry."
Chicha had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the farewells, pressed against Kailin's leg as if she could prevent her leaving by blocking her from moving. Now she whined softly, tail tucked low.
Kailin knelt and wrapped her arms around her. "I know, girl. I'll miss you too." She whispered something too low for anyone else to hear, and Chicha's tail gave a tentative wag.
After Milly picked the little dog up and buried her face in her fur, Kailin followed Ravel to Onyx, and I followed Dylon to Jagura.
When it was time to mount, I approached Jagura and asked permission, which she granted with typical dragonic hauteur, and as I settled into position behind Dylon, I watched Kailin complete the same ritual with Onyx.
The massive obsidian dragon lowered himself to make her ascent easier, a courtesy dragons rarely extended to anyone.
The crowd had grown during our farewells, and it seemed as if half the town residents had gathered to see us off. They stayed at a safe distance from the dragons, pressed closer to the safe perimeter.
Jagura launched first, her powerful legs propelling us skyward. The ground fell away with dizzying speed, the people below shrinking to colorful dots.
Onyx followed, his larger frame requiring a few powerful wingbeats to achieve the same altitude. I watched Kailin's braid whip in the wind, her posture confident.
As we banked toward the Citadel, I took one last look at Skywatcher's Point spread below us and thought about Kailin's parents who were returning to a quiet house and a dining table with too many chairs.