Naydeen came next, escorted by Larone. A simple, elegant gown of ivory silk fit her like a glove. The hem of the gown and the end of the long sleeves were embroidered in gold thread with many of the same designs matching those on Anton’s shirt. On her head swirled a garland of tiny pink rose buds held together by gold ribbon. Her eyes sparkled, and when Larone gave her hand into his brother’s, he kissed each of them on the cheek.
Finally Lyrista, accompanied by Cordon, walked in. She wore her best blue and silver military uniform. Jessica had given her the Sword of Mercy to wear, and it was tied to her side by a thick red cord. Her face shone just as brilliantly as the fabled sword. Her head was bare, but her soft blond hair, which had grown out a bit since Jessica first met her, was actually curled and softly framed her face. Upon her entering the hall, every soldier snapped to attention and smartly touched their left fists to their foreheads, and then struck their left breasts smartly, saluting her in honor.
Jessica sat on the front row of chairs along with Gaylee, Ophir, and Reese. Varnack lay positioned at her feet. Before leaving for the two-week tour of Demar, Jessica had given her makeshift uniform, which she had worked so hard to sew, to Merula with the request it be cleaned for the upcoming wedding. When Merula returned it to her the night she returned to Rendaira, Jessica was amazed at the transformation the clothing had undergone. Someone had lovingly re-embroidered the blouse, covering it in silver and gold patterns. The pants were embroidered down each side seam and around the cuffs to match the blouse. Jessica complemented the ensemble with a thin, dark red satin belt. Her curled red hair cascaded around her shoulders, and for the first time since arriving on Edia, she felt truly beautiful.
Merula’s father, Regulator Tirus, stood at the front of the room. He wore the silver ceremonial robes of Palium High Regulator. With the aid of his cane, he stood straight and tall, beaming at each couple when they came to kneel before him. His body may have been broken, but his voice rang out strong and vibrant as ever. No one strained to hear his words as he performed each marriage with solemnity.
All three husbands turned to their respective wives and kissed them, while the wedding guests erupted into deafening applause. Good food, good drinks, and fine music marked the party that followed. There were no fewer than twelve long tables set up with food of every type and description. A wide variety of drinks were offered at a large booth set up beside the tables, and the orchestra played non-stop.
Jessica’s wounds had healed at a phenomenal pace and no longer gave her pain. After the weddings, she congratulated each of the couples. It was a bittersweet time for her as she attended the celebration with mixed feelings.
She noticed how easily her Grandmother mingled with every group in attendance. Gaylee spent the evening gliding from Maronian and Esparian dignitaries to units of soldiers and servants. Envying the older lady’s grace and talent, Jessica felt out of place. She tried to follow her Grandmother’s example, but soon ran out of things to say. Larone rescued her once by asking her to dance. Farin also gave her a turn on the floor, leaving her breathless from the spins and twirls.
As the night wore on, Jessica saw the newly married couples disappear one by one from the ballroom. Lepsis and Merula went to the guest house, Anton and Naydeen to a deluxe guest suite, while John and Lyrista retired to Daenon’s former quarters, Gaylee having redecorated the entire apartment.
Giving up on socializing, Jessica finally went for the food. She had a mouth full of crème pudding when Reese walked up. “The wedding was…nice,” he said awkwardly.
“Yes, it was. I hope they’ll each be very happy.” She reached for a square pastry filled with a purple mystery fruit and sprinkled with sugar.
“I heard about what happened to you at the Colossus Forest,” he shook his head. “Jeema was such a fool. It was his first big assignment and he let it go to his head. He didn’t take any precautions. I’ve seen him and he feels pretty bad.”
Jessica took a bite of the pastry and was pleasantly surprised by the cherry taste. “Did he tell you I tried to warn him…three times? You should try this,” she pointed to the pastry in her hand, “it’s wonderful.”
Reese shifted his feet nervously. “Lepsis has asked me to head the security forces here in Demar. It’s an offer of a lifetime.”
Jessica set the pastry down and took a good look at Reese. He was tall by Ider standards, dark, and handsome. A neatly trimmed beard added to his already attractive features. He had an endearing boyish shyness and was a good person at heart.
“Reese, I think that’s great,” she said honestly. “I can’t think of a better man for the job.”
He smiled and slightly relaxed.
“I want you to be the first to know I will not be staying here much longer.” Jessica spoke softly, but Reese looked thunderstruck.
“Where are you going?”
“Home, back to Earth. I have a whole different life there. I want to go to school and be with my best friend, Rachel, again. She’s going to be my roommate and I can’t let her down. I want to see where it all takes me.”
Reese sighed and Jessica saw several different emotions travel over his face. Finally he asked, “Will you come back?”
“I don’t know. I truly don’t, but if I can, I will. My Dad is here as are many people I’ve come to care a great deal about.”
He nodded, then he held his hand out. She shook it and smiled warmly at him. “Good luck, Jessica. I hope your life is full and everything you want it to be.”
“Thanks, Reese. You take care of yourself and always watch your back.”
“Hey, Reese.” Someone calling from behind him interrupted their goodbyes. Jessica saw Jeema beckoning him over. At the sight of Jessica, Jeema turned deep red, worry crossing his face.
“Go,” Jessica smiled. “Tell him not to worry, he’s forgiven. I’ll see you later.” She watched him for a few minutes after he fell into easy conversation with his friend. Jeema seemed to relax, then turning toward Jessica, he bowed.
Scanning the crowds of people, Jessica spotted her Grandmother talking with Regulator Tirus. She was about to join the two when Ophir walked toward them, his eyes fixed on Gaylee. Bowing low, he offered her his arm to lead her to the dance floor. Surprised by his grace and polish, Jessica smiled. All at once, she felt very tired. She did not belong there.
Desiring the safety of her chambers, Jessica turned to leave. “I have been watching you. You seem lost.” Larone fell into step beside her. He held his arm for her, then led her to the back of the mansion. They strolled through the waist high hedges of the beautiful garden. The distant sound of laughter and music drifted to where they walked. Two moons and numerous stars showed down, illuminating the paths in their soft, mellow light.
“Uncle Larone, show me the star that’s my sun.” He pointed to a faint grouping in the northern sky. “My role here is finished now,” she sighed. “It’s time for me to go back.”
“I thought this is what was on your mind. Have you discussed it with your father?”
“Yes, I’ve told him.”
“Then I will talk to Anton at the first opportunity,” he promised. “You can leave as early as tomorrow if you wish.”
She was astonished. “You mean it?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Oh Uncle Larone!” Jessica threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I might still make the first day of classes! And I can see Rachel, and I can see Thomas!”
“Thomas?” His eyebrows went up, but he smiled knowingly. “I understand,” he nodded. “Jessica, you have done everything required of you and more. I am proud of you. You can count on going back tomorrow. Everything will be ready, but I am afraid I will miss you very much.”
Jessica went to bed that night with clashing feelings. On the one hand she felt excited to go home, and on the other she was sad about leaving her newfound family and her father. She could not guess what her grandmother would do, but in the morning she would find out.
&n
bsp; Breakfast consisted of leftovers from the celebration. Not feeling hungry, Jessica grabbed one of the cherry-like pastries and set out to find her grandmother, finally locating her in the kitchen.
“Grandma, I’m going home today,” she announced. There was no easy way of saying it, so she felt the direct approach was best. “Uncle Larone promised to have everything ready.”
Gaylee was sorting through fresh herbs, and at Jessica’s news her hands stopped in mid-air. “I knew this was coming.” She turned to face her granddaughter. “I’ve wondered how I would react when you told me, and now I know.” She sighed, “I’m going with you.”
“With me? Honestly?”
“Yes. I could live here as an honored woman, but I would always be just an honored woman. On Earth I have friends, people who care about me, Gaylee, not Lady Saylon. It’s been a good visit, but I want to go back too.”
*
Larone was sitting outside on a bench under the same shade tree where Jessica had met Merula’s father when his two nieces located him. Gaylee told him of her desire to accompany Jessica.
“I anticipated this. Perhaps someday, you will come back and wish to stay.”
Jessica wondered if anything ever surprised her all-knowing uncle.
“So there ya are,” Anton thundered from the front door. “I’ve been searchin’ all over this place for ya.” In a grand mood, he nearly skipped over to where they were. “So ya want to go back, do ya?” he addressed Jessica.
“It’s hard to leave, Uncle, but…yes I do.”
“We’ll miss ya, Jessi. But I know yer young and ya need to spread yer wings.” He looked at Gaylee. “And ya need to go with her, huh?”
Gaylee nodded. It seemed Anton had anticipated this decision as easily as Larone.
“All right,” he smiled. “I’ll have everythin’ ready in a couple of hours. I’ll send ya back to yer door. Once yer there, the hole’ll dissolve and not activate again.”
He looked around at the other guests roaming the yard. “We don’t need an audience for this. I guess I’ll set it up so’s you’ll enter the hole from Daenon’s office. That work?”
“It will be fine,” Gaylee affirmed. And so it was settled. Anton went back to his rooms to finish his calculations. Larone excused himself and disappeared around the side of the mansion. Gaylee said she needed to write a few letters, so left to find paper and writing equipment, and Jessica wanted to find her father.
She found him with Lyrista in the back garden, meandering around knee high, thornless rose bushes. “Dad and Lyrista!” Jessica ran up to meet them.
“Jess, we were just about to go look for you,” John said.
She laughed. “Look Dad, this is your time together. You don’t need to worry about me. Honestly. I’m so proud to have Lyrista as my new mom.” She hugged them both, then stepped back, a sad smile on her face. “I’ve come to tell you—Grandma and I are going back home in a couple of hours. Uncle Anton is setting it up as we speak.”
“So soon?” John was startled.
“Oh, Jessica. I would never want to drive you away,” Lyrista said worriedly.
“No, no. You don’t understand,” Jessica quickly explained. “I’ve already talked to dad about this. I told him nearly a week ago I wanted to go back. It has nothing to do with you, Lyrista…well…actually that’s not true. Now that I know how happy he is, it makes it that much easier for me to leave. I won’t worry, knowing he’ll be happy with you.”
“I’ll bring the Sword of Mercy,” Lyrista offered, but Jessica held her hand to stop her.
“No. It needs to stay here with the Sword of Judgment. You keep it safe. If I ever return, I’ll claim it. Until then, you’ll keep it safe.”
John looked at her tenderly. “It’s hard letting you go, but I understand.”
Jessica hugged each one again. “I love both of you,” she choked. “I’m going to find Merula now and tell her.” She ran off, wiping away the tears that stung her eyes.
Spotting Merula walking along the covered path leading from Lepsis’ house to the mansion, Jessica yelled, then waved while she ran across the garden. Merula looked relaxed and Jessica saw the pain of so many years gone from her gray-green eyes; they actually sparkled.
“Jess, I was looking for you,” Merula called. “I wonder if you would come to dinner tonight. There’s a very nice kitchen in Lepsis’ home and I thought I’d try my hand at cooking.”
Jessica stopped in front of her friend. Without a word, she threw her arms around her and squeezed her tightly. She would miss Merula later as much as she missed Rachel now.
“What’s wrong?” Merula asked in alarm.
“Merula…” Jessica began, but could not finish. The words would not come. She hated goodbyes more than anything else and could not say one more.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Merula’s voice was soft. “I can see it in your eyes.”
“I have a life beyond here.”
“I understand. So I guess dinner is out.”
Jessica nodded. “I leave in a few hours. I wanted you and Lepsis to come and be there. When I go back, my Grandma’s coming with me.”
“I’ll tell Lepsis. Do you need help packing, getting the horses ready?”
“Oh, Merula,” Jessica smiled. “I almost forgot, you don’t know.”
Merula looked confused. “Uncle Anton said he’d have everything ready in a couple of hours. Just don’t go anywhere and I’ll come and get you when it’s time. Be prepared for a shock though, and tell Lepsis to be prepared. After I’m gone, my dad can answer any question you might have.”
Four hours later a small group gathered in the large mahogany room that used to be Daenon’s. The living space was miraculously transformed. Gone were the taxidermy animals and weapons of destruction, and in their places were the statues and beautiful paintings from the Treasure room. Cream curtains replaced the green. Two pastel floral tapestries hung from opposing walls, a bright contrast to the dark wood paneling.
Furniture was moved from the center of the room off to one side. A long, thin, flat stone lay on the bare tiled floor where a couch had been. A blue rock, the size of a robin’s egg, balanced on top of it.
Anton stood behind Naydeen, his hands resting gently on her shoulders. Lepsis and Merula were holding hands, looking thoroughly confused, and John had his arm around Lyrista. Cordon, Ophir and Reese stood solemnly in a row, while Jessica and Gaylee were in the center of the room, standing next to the flat stone. Jessica wore her jeans and a simple Demarian blouse. In her hands, she held her embroidered uniform, wrapped in a neat package; it was the only thing she wanted to take with her. A hush came over the group while they waited patiently for Larone and Varnack.
“Sorry I am late,” Larone said breathlessly when he entered the room. Varnack trotted at his side. “It took longer than I thought it would to form this.” He held out his open hand to show everyone what was in it. A small, marble sized, clear white ball rested on his palm. He offered it to Jessica. “This is for you, a parting gift.”
She gingerly took the velvety smooth sphere from him. “It looks like the same crystal ball that’s on the end of the Sword of Mercy,” she commented.
“It is made of the same material,” he explained, “White Persite.”
All of the native Esparians gasped, including Gaylee. “Some still exists?” she asked in awe.
“What exactly is persite?” John said.
“It’s a very rare mineral,” Anton explained. “Blue is much more common than white, and then there’s green, but we won’t talk ‘bout that stuff. It’s evil and nearly impossible to unlock. I was able to gather some of the white in my travels over the years. It’s found in tiny pockets way up north.”
“Persite’s mentioned in ancient writings,” Lyrista explained. “It has magical qualities, but I never believed it truly existed.”
“This substance has many qualities I do not as yet understand. This blue crystalline rock here is blue persite,”
Larone indicated the small stone on the thin rock slab. “It powers the Transmirian spiral. White, however is more than just a power source, it seems to have strong magic that connects to certain life compositions. Anyone can use blue, but only someone very special can wield white. One of the capacities white has is to act much like an amplifier. Hold it in your hand, Jessica, and concentrate. Your energies flow through the persite and are made greater…stronger. You can connect with it. It was with a piece much like this that I was able to locate you on Earth. I thought about you and reached out with my mind. My telepathic powers were greatly enhanced to the point where I was able to find you. It is this increased energy that causes the Sword of Mercy to gather such great power from your life force.”
Jessica walked around the room holding the piece in her open palm so everyone could have a good look at it.
Larone continued his explanation. “Your natural gifts will be amplified if you use this. I have hesitated to give it to you, but once I heard about what happened on the Twin Hills, I knew it was the right thing to do. Persite is very powerful, and since I do not fully understand how it works, it could be dangerous, but I feel you will be able to master it. Your powers are not as pronounced on Earth as they are here, and so Earth is the safest place for you to learn how to use this magic.”
Jessica stuffed the ball into her front jean pocket. “Thank you, Uncle Larone. I’ll work at it, I promise.”
“I have a gift of my own,” Gaylee smiled and walked over to John and Lyrista. “I’ve spent much of these last two months at my old home, Saylon Dorsett. Larone gave me sufficient funds to completely restore it. Larone knows of all the improvements and will show you everything. I give the estate to you, for your children and for your children’s children.”
John smiled. “You’re quite a lady, Gaylee. Thanks for everything.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) Page 46
