Epilogue #2
Hebaron turned his head toward the unexpected voice. Lady Calypse was staring out the window, into the distance.
They had passed the square and were now on the outskirts of the city. To the right of the wide road was a gentle hill. Sheep dotted the wide, grassy expanse that seemed to stretch on for eternity. A faint tune from a vielle carried over to them.
“They must be practicing for the Spring Festival,” Ruth chimed in. The sorcerer had ridden up to the carriage without Hebaron noticing. “They’re putting in significant effort now that there are more visitors than ever. There’s singing all over the village these days.”
“I-I see,” Lady Calypse replied after a pause.
Her smile was bitter, and her eyes seemed to cloud over. After gazing at the hill, tinged green with new life, she looked down once more. They rode past the ramparts in heavy silence. Soon the vast road that had caused them so much trouble throughout last year stretched before them.
They sped down it for about an hour and a half before the sea appeared on the horizon, beyond a gentle slope. Massive ships lined the extensive pier, and several sizable merchant buildings stood tall along the dock.
Princess Agnes was standing on the pier. As soon as she spotted the Anatolian party, she cut through the bustling group of workers transporting cargo.
“You’re finally here! I was worried that you’d changed your mind.”
Ursuline deftly jumped off his horse and bowed to the princess. “Apologies for keeping you waiting, Your Highness. The preparations took longer than we expected.”
“It’s fine. We were busy loading the cargo,” the princess said, pointing to one of the ships along the pier.
The massive vessel bore the royal crest of Wedon. The royal knights and mages who had come as the princess’s escort were gathered on the boardwalk in front.
“We’ve just finished all the preparations,” Princess Agnes said. “You can go ahead and board now.”
Hebaron dismounted and helped Lady Calypse out of the carriage. Her lucid gray eyes slowly took in the ship’s huge hull.
Standing next to Lady Calypse, the princess said gently, “Only those with permission from Nornui may enter. Hence the royal knights will escort you from here on. I will accompany you as well, of course. I’ve decided to stay on the island for about a month to help you settle in.”
A look of relief flashed across Lady Calypse’s face. Only then did Hebaron realize just how distressing it must be for her to head into the unknown all by herself.
“I-I would…appreciate that very much,” she said softly.
“There’s no need to worry. The Mage Tower is the safest, most exciting place for a mage to be. You’ll fit right in,” the princess said cheerfully, then motioned to the crew.
While the deckhands loaded all the luggage in the carriage onto the ship, Lady Calypse said her farewells to the knights.
“I-I want to thank you…for everything. You must all look after yourselves.”
“You must take care, too, my lady,” Hebaron replied awkwardly, scratching his cheek. “We wish you a safe journey.”
The other knights followed suit and offered their parting words. After watching these proceedings in silence, Ursuline finally spoke.
“My lady, I wish to say that I am sorry…for my past actions.”
Lady Calypse looked flustered by the sudden apology, to which Ursuline bowed his head.
“I have been meaning to apologize to you for my discourteous behavior.”
She hastily waved her hands, clearly taken aback. “Y-You don’t have to apologize. I…did not take it to heart.”
Ursuline gave her a rueful smile. “Please return to us as soon as possible. The commander needs you.”
All the color drained from Lady Calypse’s face. Hebaron held his breath, worried that she might burst into tears. However, her voice was surprisingly calm when she spoke.
“Please…look after him. You must keep him…from doing anything too reckless.”
Ruth had his hood pulled down to his nose, clearly uncomfortable being among the royal mages. “Please don’t worry about Sir Riftan,” he cut in. “I will make sure to be in his ear constantly.”
He stepped closer and practically tossed something at her.
“This is the most expensive magic stone in my possession. Please take good care of it. It will likely come in handy.”
Lady Calypse grinned at him. “Th-Thank you. You’ve done…so much for me.”
“I’m grateful for the recognition,” Ruth quipped, then appeared hesitant as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head. He let out a deep sigh and blurted, “Please, come back in one piece.”
“Don’t worry. I will return…safely,” Lady Calypse replied, setting her shoulders straight.
Quite suddenly, Hebaron recalled the first time he had seen her.
The thin, hunched shoulders, folded over in apprehension; the fearful, pale face; the vulnerable look in her gray eyes. It was all so clear in his mind. Was that fragile wisp of a being really the same person as the woman standing confidently before him?
Lady Calypse put on a brave smile and turned to board the ship. Her red hair glistened in the blazing sun. Hebaron felt a lump rising in his throat. The thought that he would not be seeing this petite woman hovering around, healing people with magic, made a part of him feel strangely empty.
He waved back at Lady Calypse, who now stood leaning over the railing. Soon the ship slowly began to sail away from the dock. The Anatolian knights remained rooted to the spot until the ship grew smaller and she was but a speck in the distance.
Thundering hooves sounded behind them. The knights all turned in unison, hands at the hilts of their swords. A cloaked figure leaped onto the pier and came barreling toward them at a frightening speed.
Realizing that it was Riftan, Hebaron instinctively flung himself in his path. Riftan shoved him away and tried to dive into the sea, as frantic as a madman. The rest of the knights snapped out of their stunned stillness and cried out in alarm as they rushed to restrain him.
Riftan howled like a chained beast. “Let go!”
Hebaron seized him by the shoulders. “Goddammit, are you mad?!”
“I said, get your cursed hands off me!” Riftan bellowed, thrashing his limbs.
He was so strong that even four men could not restrain him. Hebaron swore and forcibly pushed him to the ground.
“Stop it! It’s done,” he barked. “Even you can’t go after her now!”
Riftan’s chest heaved as he exhaled a ragged breath. His hair and clothes were completely disheveled, and his eyes quivered wildly as he stared after the ship that was growing more and more distant by the second.
Hebaron held his breath. Like a crumbling dam, Riftan’s body tipped forward as he slumped to his knees. His voice was barely audible.
“I lied.”
Droplets spattered the wooden planks of the pier. With his arms still restraining Riftan, Hebaron blinked in a daze. He did not think the commander was even aware that he was crying.
Riftan appeared to be in a trance as he mumbled, “I lied…when I said I wouldn’t wait for you.”
No one dared to speak as they watched the commander’s shoulders give a violent shake. The tranquil swishing of the waves filled the air. Riftan gazed over the shifting sea, his face scrunching as if it blinded him. The ship faded from view as it sailed into the hazy horizon.