Brayon stepped forward. “I would be honored to stay here and protect the Lady Jessica.” Many other Guardians also offered to stay.
Lyrista took tender care of Jessica while John was away. Varnack tried to cheer her up by telling her some jokes, but she laughed more at his offbeat wit than at the gags themselves. Trigal Hound humor did not translate well into human thought.
It was late into the night following the ambush when John and Lepsis returned to the campsite. Neither man said much about the visit. Jessica knew her father well enough to recognize his ‘ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies’ look. Lyrista too was becoming adept at understanding John’s more subtle signals.
Jessica waited until the camp bedded down before searching her father out for a heart to heart talk. Hearing the even, deep breathing of sleep come from Lyrista, who always lay beside her, Jessica rose up and hobbled to where John sat.
Still awake, he had separated himself from the others and now gazed up at the foreign sky. She silently watched him for a few minutes. To her, he looked very lonely. “Dad, we need to talk.”
“I know, Jess.”
“I can’t…no…I don’t want to stay here forever. The war is over now. I’ve done my part. I have a life on Earth and I want to go back and see how it plays out, besides, I really need to shave my legs.”
John laughed. He reached for his daughter and brought her to sit on his knee. He held his arms around her while they both watched the two moons. It was a beautiful night. A light breeze blew and a night bird whistled from far away. A shooting star sailed across their line of vision.
After a long while, he said quietly, “I understand. You have school. It should be starting about now. And you have friends who mean a lot to you.”
“What about you, Dad? What are you going to do? What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. My job at the hospital would be gone by now and my post at Whitworth College should be filled by someone else. I could do a lot of good here.”
“You know I love you very much, but you need to decide what’s best for you. Just remember, I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine whatever your decision.” She kissed him on the cheek and left him alone with his thoughts.
*
“John,” A soft voice came from far away. “John,” The voice came closer. “John, open your eyes.”
He never knew if he was dreaming, or how to accurately describe what happened next, but when he opened his eyes, John saw his wife, Shallenon, standing before him. Hovering above the ground and surrounded by soft light, she wore a long, flowing white dress. A breeze he could not feel gently tossed her shoulder length red hair and her sapphire blue eyes sparkled when she smiled at him. She looked just as beautiful as he always remembered.
“John, it’s time you move on with your life.”
“Shallenon? Is it really you?”
“Yes, my love. I’ve come to thank you for everything you’ve done for my people. I’ve never been prouder of you or our daughter.”
“I miss you so much.” He sat up on his blanket, wanting a better look at her.
“I know, John. I feel your pain. We are connected, you and I. Nothing can ever break our bond, not even death, but it’s time to move on. You have been alone too long. I want you to be happy. I’m not far away and I’ve always been there when you needed me,” she smiled, “though, you never knew it.”
“Where have you been all these years? How do you know what’s been happening?”
“Do you truly think death is the end? Just because I’m on a different plane, it doesn’t mean I’m completely disconnected from this one.”
“I’ve met someone.”
Shallenon smiled. “I like her, John. Follow your heart. You’ve always done the right thing. You’ve been a wonderful father and you’re a good man. When your heart and your head agree, you can’t go wrong.”
The light slowly gathered around her and John sat speechless. She faded back into the night. The last he saw were her eyes shining brightly and her words echoed in his mind. “Follow your heart.”
It only took him a second to leap up and race to where Lyrista slept. He jumped over four sleeping men and skirted the fire to reach her. Jessica was in a deep sleep beside her. They both looked angelic, and Lyrista was especially beautiful with the moonlight dancing on her face.
“Lyrista,” he shook her shoulder. “Lyrista, wake up. I must talk to you and I can’t wait until morning.”
“John,” she said groggily. “What’s wrong?”
He knelt on one knee. “Lyrista, marry me. Marry me as soon as possible. I’ve come to realize that life is short, so when you find someone as perfect as you are for me, I can’t let minutes waste away. Say you’ll marry me…please.”
Her face registered complete surprise, then she relaxed and a smile spread across her lips. “John, you’re crazy. Of course I’ll marry you.” She gracefully sat up, wrapped her arms around his neck and passionately kissed him. When she was done, she pushed him away and said with a gleam in her eye, “Now go to sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.” She lay back down and closed her eyes.
John felt wide-awake, but he tiptoed back to his bedroll. He chuckled to himself. She’ll certainly keep me on my toes.
“So, will it be a triple wedding?” Lepsis asked him.
John propped himself on one elbow, surprised to see his friend awake, but he grinned and said, “Looks that way buddy…looks that way.”
In the morning Jessica squealed with joy when John and Lyrista told her their news. It didn’t take long before the entire group of Guardians had congratulated the happy couple. During the ride back to Rendaira John told Jessica about his dream.
“When she disappeared,” he said, “my pain disappeared too. It was as if a burden was lifted off my shoulders and I was free to live again. Your mom always knew just what to say to make things all right. She hasn’t lost her touch.”
*
Brightly colored banners of red, yellow, green and blue lined Rendaira’s road, and the usually quiet thoroughfare was alive with wedding guests in summer buggies and delivery men driving wagons of food. When Jessica and company rode over the last hill leading into the heart of Rendaira, a welcoming sight greeted them. A Banner of Freedom flew from a newly erected pole directly in front of the mansion. The sound of laughter floated up from the many individuals who lounged on the front lawn in the late afternoon sun.
Lepsis seemed to know everyone, as he pointed to and named the various dignitaries, among whom were his extended family members from Marone. Even his cousin, the king of Marone was there.
After dismounting, John and Lyrista followed Lepsis to his family. Varnack trotted to a shade tree and plopped down under it. Jessica wanted to clean up a bit and find her grandmother. Limping into the mansion, she nearly collided with Merula who was running out of it. Merula looked beautiful in a long yellow dress, a purple sash complementing a purple ribbon in her hair. In the two weeks since Jessica last saw her, the woman had gained a bit of weight, thus helping to round out her far too thin frame.
“Merula, is my Grandma here yet?”
“Oh yes. She’s been wonderful. I couldn’t have organized everything without her. She’s in the Grand Ballroom right now, supervising the final touches on the decorations.”
The ballroom had been transformed into a sea of white and gold. Two large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling suspended by heavy golden chains. They were loaded with scores of small, white candles, ready to be lit. The walls were draped with white satin and accented with six large, green and gold wreaths. Jessica recognized many of the golden and crystal statues from Daenon’s treasures scattered throughout the room. A thousand chairs were set up, lined in two columns, a wide aisle between them. Each chair was draped in white fabric and accented with a green, leafy vine secured by golden ribbon.
Sunlight streamed into the room through high, tall and wide windows. It hit the crystal in the chandeliers
and where it did, split into rainbows of color that danced off the walls.
“Pretty spectacular, isn’t it?” Gaylee commented from behind her granddaughter.
“Grandma, it’s breathtaking!” Jessica exclaimed. She hugged her tightly with her good arm. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, child.”
“Have you seen the portrait of Graesion in the Treasure chamber?”
“I have,” she smiled wistfully and looked up at the chandelier. “It was painted just before we were married. It’s a perfect likeness.”
“Grandma, Dad, and Lyrista are engaged. Dad finally proposed three days ago. I think they want to be part of this wedding ceremony.”
“Good for them. Your Uncle Anton finally asked Naydeen to marry him too, so I think it’ll be a triple wedding.”
“I have something for you.” Jessica took the locket, hidden under her blouse, from around her neck. When she handed it to Gaylee she explained, “I found this in Daenon’s treasure room the first time I was in it. It belonged to Illa, Haesom’s wife.”
Gaylee took the locket, opened it and stared at the two tiny drawings inside. “Those are your grandson’s,” Jessica said.
Tears welled in Gaylee’s eyes and a sad smile touched her lips. “Thank you, Jessica.” Her voice was a whisper. She blinked the tears away, then truly smiled. “Now you run along and clean up.” She touched the streaked dirt on Jessica’s face then noticed the bandaged arm. “What happened?”
“We were attacked by Elitet and I got the worst end of the deal. I’m doing fine though. Honestly. One of the Guardians had some of the purple fern and I’m healing ten times faster than I would ever heal on Earth. Dad’s amazed I can walk without a cane, though I’m not running yet.”
“You were hurt in the leg too?” Gaylee stepped back and took a good look at the leg, an even more worried expression on her face.
“Yeah, but really, I’m fine. You need to go tell Cook Stratin, she’ll have to make another cake.”
“Jess?”
“Grandma, go. I need to clean up and change out of these filthy clothes.”
Gaylee closed the locket and slipped it around her neck. “All right, but send someone for me if you need help.”
“I promise, I will. Oh, wait, is Uncle Larone here?”
“Yes, you just missed him. He went to the front lawn.”
Within fifteen minutes, Jessica was cleaned up and making her way back to the front lawns. She wanted to meet Naydeen and see Larone again. There was so much to be done and so little time to do it in. She began to feel the pressure of not having enough hours left.
Spotting Anton with little trouble, Jessica admired the lady by his side. A delicate, older woman, Naydeen was still very beautiful. Her soft brown hair was lightly streaked with gray and swept back into a French knot behind her head. She held onto Anton’s arm and spoke animatedly with John and Lyrista. Anton looked like a new man. The mats were gone from his hair, and it was cut from shoulder length to the nape of his neck, though it was still quite frizzy. His beard had also been trimmed closer to his face, so the whiskers did not stick out every which way. Larone stood with them, dressed in his usual gray robes.
Jessica strolled over to the group. She quietly slipped her arm through Larone’s and squeezed it. Larone smiled down at her and patted her arm affectionately.
“And of course, I said yes,” Naydeen said.
“Well, Jessi,” Anton’s low voice rumbled across the lawn, “sorry I wasn’t there this time to pick ya up. Ya doin okay? That purple fern’s great stuff.”
Jessica blushed. “You missed out on a unique battle experience Uncle Anton. It was over before it actually even started.”
“Lady Naydeen, may I introduce my daughter, Jessica Ernshaw,” John said formally.
Before Jessica could offer her hand to shake the woman’s, Naydeen bowed to her. “I’m honored to meet you, Protectoress Jessica. I owe my freedom and my happiness to you. It was you who brought my Anton back from his loneliness, and because of you, Demar is finally free.”
“I, uh… think I had quite a bit of help,” Jessica sputtered, blushing once again. “You honor me too much, Lady Naydeen.”
“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Jessi,” Anton said with a grin, “If ya start gettin’ too big a head, I’ll just tell everyone about the brush thing.”
“Thanks, Uncle. I feel so much better,” Jessica laughed. Larone gave her arm another gentle pat.
“Oh, Uncle Larone, I’ve figured out how to overcome the nausea,” Jessica blurted out the thought. She was suddenly embarrassed yet again, when she realized how silly that must have sounded to anyone who did not understand her unique gifts. Sure enough, everyone laughed, but Larone looked at her seriously.
“How would that be?” he asked with genuine interest.
“Well,” she looked around. Everyone had stopped laughing and listened for her answer. “If I become angry, the feeling goes away and I’m able to function more clearly. Addex made me mad, super mad, and the nausea vanished.”
“That is fine, Jessica,” Larone commented, but his brow was furrowed. “However, you will find anger takes a great deal of energy to maintain. It can also cloud your judgment, so you may wish to keep exploring other ways of controlling your gift.”
“Jessica!” A call caught her attention.
Merula stood with Lepsis on the opposite end of the lawn. An elderly, frail looking man sat on a bench under a large shade tree in front of them. Merula waved for Jessica to join them. The older man wore a long, purple robe trimmed in black. His thick silver hair was cut short and he had a thin silver mustache. A cane rested next to him.
“Oh, Jessica,” Merula grabbed her hand. “Meet my father, Regulator Tirus.”
Jessica scarcely managed to contain her shock. She had assumed the man was her grandfather. “If it weren’t for Merula, I wouldn’t be here today. I owe her my life.”
The old man smiled with pride. “She is everything I have ever hoped for and more,” he said in a strong clear voice that did not match the feebleness of his body. “It was the thought of her that helped me stay alive those terrible years.” He gave several little coughs.
“Come Father,” Merula said tenderly, “let’s take you out of this heat.”
He nodded in agreement. Grasping his cane in one hand and holding to Lepsis with the other, the three made their way into the mansion. Jessica was left staring after them.
“It’s sad, isn’t it?” John said behind her. “He can’t be older than Anton, and yet the years in prison almost broke him. Larone’s done everything possible for him. I couldn’t have done more myself.”
“Lepsis seems very good to him. At least his last years should be happy ones.”
The pounding of horse’s hooves on the drive interrupted their conversation. They turned to see Cordon and Ophir riding up together, dusty and dirty. John ran to meet them. Ophir dismounted first and as soon as he did, John grabbed him in a tight bear hug. Ophir stood rigid in the embrace, a look of bewilderment on his bearded face. John let him go only to grab Cordon in the same tight squeeze, however Cordon hugged him back. It was like two brothers reuniting after years of separation.
Ophir smiled. “I left Galland as soon as I received your note about Lepsis and Anton’s wedding plans. To see Anton married after all these years, and to Naydeen at that, is an event I would never miss. I met up with Cordon by chance at the Twin Hills.”
Cordon grinned from ear to ear at John. “I see you don’t have too many scars to tell me about. My lessons on swordsmanship finally paid off.”
John grinned back. “I have a lot to tell you. But first, there’s an important matter we need to discuss. Where I come from, it’s customary for a man to ask permission of his lady’s family to marry her. So Cordon, as Lyrista’s older brother, I’m asking you for her hand in marriage.”
Cordon looked thunderstruck and Jessica was momentarily afraid her dad’s friend would actu
ally say no, but then tears welled up in Cordon’s eyes and he thickly said, “She said yes?”
John nodded.
“Finally.” Cordon grinned and threw his arms around John in a huge bear hug.
CHAPTER 28
Going Home
The triple wedding was held five days after the touring group returned to Rendaira from their desert explorations. Dignitaries from throughout the country arrived during those days, and Rendaira was filled to capacity. Even one of the barracks had to be made into a guest hall. The ballroom overflowed, with each of the thousand chairs occupied and soldiers standing in every available space.
The grooms, all three of them, were dressed in their finest clothes. Lepsis wore traditional Maronian attire of deep purple and cream satin robes. He had a thick gold cord draped around his neck that touched the floor on both ends. His head was bare and his long hair pulled back, secured by a golden clamp.
Anton dressed in traditional Esparian clothing consisting of deep blue velvet pants and a white silk shirt elaborately embroidered in silver. He wore several long, heavy silver chains, and a broad silver band adorned his right middle finger. It was obvious someone had tried to help him with his hair, but it was a lost cause, still frizzing out on the ends.
John chose his blue and silver military uniform with the Sword of Judgment polished and strapped to his side. The coat lay unbuttoned revealing a white satin shirt and a deep red satin sash, much like a cumber bun, around his middle. Jessica had made the shirt and the sash. She wanted him to wear the colors of their native country. Nobody would understand the red, white and blue other than Gaylee and themselves, but the red added a pleasant accent to the uniform.
A full orchestra assembled for the occasion, and when the music began, the brides came walking down the aisle, one by one. Escorted by a clean-shaven, short haired Farin, and dressed in a white, flowing gown, Merula was the first to come. A golden tiara belonging to her mother adorned her head. Jessica smiled at Cook Stratin, who cried tears of happiness, while the other staff members beamed with pride and joy.
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