“He knew you were a wizard?”
“He recognized me from before!” explained Wendell.
“There is only one thing to do. You must go to her father and ask for her hand in marriage,” said Master Dellwen.
“Are you nuts? How is that the only thing to do?” cried Wendell, “I can’t go back there!”
“You must,” said Master Dellwen.
“But it is too soon!” exclaimed Wendell. “I need more time.”
“You haven’t more time,” said Master Dellwen.
“How can I face him?” asked Wendell. “He hates me more than anyone! Besides, Ausra is better off without me!”
“Listen to me Wendell,” said Master Dellwen. “You are at a crossroads. Tomorrow your own actions will decide your fate.”
“I don’t want her to love me! I want nothing to do with love!” exclaimed Wendell in exasperation.
“You know not what you say,” replied Master Dellwen.
“Why doesn’t she find someone else? Someone better!”
“Do you think anyone in the world could treat her better than you? Are you willing to take a chance on that? And what if that someone will treat her worse?”
“I don’t know,” cried Wendell.
“What we do know, is that you will be good to her always. That is all you can promise, and it is more than enough to forage a happy life.”
“What if it ends badly? What if something terrible happens?”
“Don’t miss out on the love of your life out of fear,” said Master Dellwen, “and don’t be so selfish to make her miss out on it either.”
“How do you know how it will go?” demanded Wendell. “How do you know everything?”
“You will know everything too when you are older,” smiled Master Dellwen.
“I am tired of your cryptic answers. Can’t you tell me something straight for once?”
“No, I cannot,” said Master Dellwen, before walking into his room without closing the door.
Wendell raked his fingers through his hair. He thought of his imminent conversation with Ausra’s father. “You want me to die?” he groaned, and followed the other wizard.
Master Dellwen was busy buckling up the straps of a rucksack on his bed. His staff was leaning against the bedpost nearby.
“What are you doing?” asked Wendell.
“It is time for me to go,” said the man.
“Go?” Wendell asked in surprise, “Where?” Glancing around the room Wendell realized that Master Dellwen had packed his few belongings and tidied the room.
“Away,” said Master Dellwen, shouldering his pack of provisions.
“When will you be back?” asked Wendell.
The man looked at Wendell with his one good eye. “I will not be coming back,” he said softly.
“What?” cried Wendell. “No!”
Master Dellwen walked to the door.
“Please—” begged Wendell, feebly trying to stop him and helplessly beginning to cry, “Stay! Master Dellwen, you are my only friend! I need you so much! I will be lost without you!”
His own eyes brimming with tears, Master Dellwen paused by the door and placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “You are no longer alone, you have Ausra now. I cannot explain why, but I simply must go! In time you will understand.” He stepped out onto the porch.
“Don’t go!” cried Wendell. “Please—”
“You can keep the cottage,” said the man.
“You’re giving it to me?” asked Wendell in shock
Master Dellwen nodded, “It’s yours.”
“Why can’t we live here together? Why are you leaving me?”
“I simply must go,” said the wizard and with these words he set off into the night. Wendell hopelessly followed him into the dark. “Please don’t leave!” Wendell cried, tears streaming down his flushed cheeks. “I’m not ready! I want you to stay! I don’t understand!”
“Say farewell to Ausra on my behalf.” said Master Dellwen.
Wendell nodded sadly through the tears. “When will I see you again?” he asked.
“That is a difficult question to answer,” said Master Dellwen. “You are a good person, Wendell, and a great wizard. It has been a pleasure getting to know you.”
“I’m not who you think I am—” began Wendell, feeling he must confess everything at this last moment to not feel that he had misled his kind and generous friend.
Master Dellwen stopped him with a gesture. “There is no need to explain,” he said.
“But I’m the—” insisted Wendell.
“I know who you are,” said Master Dellwen.
“YOU DO?” said Wendell in astonishment.
“Stay good Wendell, never become an evil wizard,” said Master Dellwen, and those were the last words the man spoke before he turned away from the warm glowing windows of the cottage, and moved on into the night, his tall form quickly vanishing from view by the darkness of the creaky, crooked forest.
Wendell stood on the dusty ground in his bare feet, listening to the disappearing footsteps of his friend. He wished then that he had been kinder to the man, and more patient with him. If he had only known that he would be loosing him so soon! Wendell fought to suppress the sobs rising in his chest, and as a fresh gush of salty tears poured from his eyes he felt utterly abandoned and alone in the world for the third time in his short life.
Chapter 7
Outcast
Ausra sat on the short stone wall that wrapped around her house. It had been a week since she had been forbidden to see Wendell and she was surprised and sadden that he had not snuck by to see her anyway. Ausra held a white daisy in her hand. “He loves me… he loves me not…” she whispered, pulling the petals from the flower one at a time and letting them fall on the ground.
“He loves you,” said Wendell, coming up behind her.
She turned around and jumped to her feet in surprise. “Wendell!” she cried.
The young wizard put his arms around her and she gladly returned his embrace. The air was fresh and damp. It was early morning, and the sun was just rising on the horizon, coloring the sky with pink and orange.
“Well, I just wasn’t sure,” she said.
“I do, I love you Ausra,” said Wendell, tilting her chin upwards and kissing her lips.
She smiled, and then hid her face in his shirt.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I’m so happy you came,” said Ausra, her voice muffled from leaning against him. She pulled away and looked at him once more.
He searched her face. “Ausra,” he said, “Do you want to be with me?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Forever?” he asked.
“Forever,” she answered.
Wendell broke into a smile. With a final squeeze of her hand he moved to the front door of her house.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m only doing what has to be done,” he said, stepping onto the porch.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea—” she said, but was interrupted by the sound of Wendell knocking on the door. The door opened and Ausra’s father stepped out onto the porch, followed by her mother.
“What are you doing here?” demanded Ausra’s father, “I told you to stay away!”
“Ausra, come inside!” demanded her mother, but Ausra stayed put.
“I have come to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage,” said Wendell.
“Never in a million years!” cried the man in outrage.
“Please,” said Wendell, “I love her, and I give you my word I will be good to her always, and she will never know sorrow.”
“My answer is no!” roared Ausra’s father, he stepped closer to the young wizard until they were eye to eye. Ausra’s father was a large, muscular man, and he flexed his arms in wrath. “I would rather it be anyone but you, you filthy wizard scum!”
Wendell bravely held his gaze. “Know this, no one would suit her better than I, for my love is true a
nd my intentions honorable!”
“Your words mean nothing to me!” shouted the man.
“I want to marry him daddy!” interrupted Ausra.
“You will do no such thing!” her father yelled, but his face visibly softened at the sound of his daughter’s voice. Ausra came to stand beside Wendell. The young wizard took her hand.
“I choose him,” she said looking at Wendell.
“I will not allow it!” roared the man, aiming to break their hands apart. Ausra’s mother placed a hand on the large man’s shoulder, stopping him from coming at them.
“Our daughter has made her choice,” said the woman bitterly, “however terrible it is.”
“I forbid it!” said the man.
“Look at them,” said the woman, “there is nothing you can do now.”
Wendell and Ausra stood before them holding hands. Small golden light rays poured from between their interlocked fingers.
“You will be an outcast,” cried the father.
“I cannot live without him,” said Ausra, “and I do not want a life with anyone else.”
“Then go!” said the man. “Be gone with you both, I do not wish to see you ever again!”
“I think that’s as close to a blessing as we are going to get,” said Wendell.
“You might be right,” sighed Ausra. “Goodbye, she said to her parents, “I love you both.”
Her parents went back inside their home without saying another word. A couple of tears slid down Ausra’s cheeks.
“They will forgive us in time,” Wendell reassured her. “You’ll see.” The two young lovers walked from the village together and made their way through the forest to the cottage in the woods. With each step they felt a growing reassurance that they had made the right choice. The further they went into the forest, the happier they felt. Wendell told Ausra that Master Dellwen had gone, and that he had left them his home.
“That’s unbelievable!” she said.
“I know, generosity of this scale is impossible to repay!” said Wendell.
“I do not think he wanted anything in return,” said Ausra.
“Did he know he would be leaving this whole time?” asked Wendell.
“I don’t know but, I already miss him,” said Ausra. “I liked Master Dellwen very much, and had grown quite attached in the short time we had together.”
“I feel the same,” admitted Wendell. “I have never met anyone even remotely like him.”
“I will always remember him as a dear friend who had a most benevolent effect upon my life,” she said.
They walked for a while in silence, happy to be together at last.
“You know, I’m feeling fairly thirsty,” said Wendell. “Shall we stop by the spring for a moment?” Ausra smiled in agreement and they veered to the left in the direction of the glade. Within a few minutes, they had reached the tiny green oasis with the bubbling spring at its heart. Wendell knelt on one knee to scoop up some water, but half way through the motion changed course and reached into his pocket instead. Ausra watched him, looking slightly confused.
Wendell pulled out a small wooden box.
“Oh my goodness!” exclaimed Ausra, “You don’t waste any time!”
Wendell opened the box to reveal a sparkling gold ring set with a glowing green gemstone. “Will you marry me Ausra?” he said with an enormous smile.
“Yes!” she cried, “Of course I will!”
He slipped the ring onto her finger and rose to kiss her.
“And now we can go home,” said Wendell.
Walking arm in arm with Wendell, Ausra gushed about the perfection of the ring. She could not stop looking at it and admiring the way it felt on her hand. “It’s just so comfortable!” she laughed, “I feel I could wear it forever! Is it really mine? Can it really be for me?”
“It was made for you alone,” said Wendell.
They arrived at the house, and Ausra was surprised to find the cottage decorated with large white flowers that climbed the walls on slender, weaving vines. The flowers grew and bloomed before her very eyes, engulfing the entire cottage. Cream-colored ribbons waved in the breeze, draped around the window frames, and a magical golden dust slowly drifted around the newly finished cottage in glistening swirls.
“What is this?” asked Ausra in astonishment. She laughed with delight as the flowers pulled back from the front door to let them through. Immensely enjoying her reaction, and feeling overwhelmingly happy himself, Wendell opened the door for Ausra.
“After you, my lady,” he said gallantly.
Ausra stared ardently at him, “What if I had said no?” she teased, and stepped inside the living room. A white carpet had been laid out before her feet that led to an arching silver alter on the far end of the room. A shallow pattern was carved into the metal archway, causing it to sparkle brilliantly in repeated radiating patterns. A priest stood by the altar in gold and white robes. He smiled and gestured welcomingly to the young couple. A maid in a pleated apron appeared from the kitchen holding a fresh bouquet of white flowers. She took Ausra by the hand and led her to one of the two bedrooms. Ausra looked over he shoulder at Wendell.
“I will see you in a moment,” said Wendell retreating to his own room.
A quarter of an hour passed, and then Ausra came out into the living room once more wearing a beautiful, cream-colored wedding gown with a full skirt arching out and down from her waist. Her hair had been pulled up in a simple braided bun with a few loose spirals hanging down on ether side of her face. A light-colored, nearly transparent veil was pinned in the back of her hair. Wendell stood smiling at the altar dressed in a fine, full-sleeved silk shirt. The maid handed Ausra the bouquet and as the bride took her first step towards the altar, a violin began to play. Ausra looked about in wonder, and became teary eyed when she spotted a musician standing in the library and playing a soulful piece of music. She looked once more at Wendell, and then collected herself and proceeded down the white carpet.
When she was close, Wendell reached out to her, and Ausra took his hand. They stood face to face, smiling sincerely at each other. The priest began the marriage ceremony. First he read from a book, and then he asked the young couple to take their vows. At length Wendell and Ausra shared sweet and spontaneous words of love.
Afterwards, Wendell bowed to Ausraand once she curtsied back, the violin struck a happy tune. Wendell swept Ausra up into a lively dance. They waltzed around the room in a flurry of irrepressible exuberance. Ausra laughed and spun around. Wendell dipped her, and kissed her mouth. The song ended, and the musician began to play a second, slower piece. The maid had set the table, and proceeded to wheel a large white cake into the dining room on a silver cart.
Ausra glanced at the priest. “I thought everyone in the village, um, well—” she whispered.
“Hated me?” finished Wendell. “They’re not from the village,” said the young wizard with a wink. “The priest and his son and daughter are travelers. They were on their way to the Coalsmith region. I met them at the produce shop while they were restocking supplies for the road ahead and I convinced them to stay a week late and come help me with all this. The priest’s son plays the violin, and his daughter is a seamstress and a maid.”
“But how did you know my size?” asked Ausra, looking down at her extravagant gown.
“We found out from the dressmaker in town,” shrugged Wendell, as though this were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Come now, how did you manage all this?” she asked.
Wendell drew her close, and whispered in her ear, “You see that chest in the corner that Master Dellwen built before he left?”
“Yes,” said Ausra.
“It is filled with gold,” said Wendell.
Ausra pressed a hand to her mouth.
“Yes,” laughed Wendell, “FILLED! And Master Dellwen left a note saying it was our wedding gift!”
The two of them danced to many more songs, and then they cut the cake and shared their fe
ast with the priest and his family. There was much merriment and laughter late into the night, until at last, the guests said their farewells and after being thanked many more times by Wendell and Ausra, took their leave.
Alone in their new home, Wendell and Ausra looked at each other.
“What do we do now?” asked Ausra shyly.
“Why anything we want!” said Wendell.
“Well, there is one thing I want,” she said, “I want out of this dress, but I’m afraid the maid is gone and I cannot do it alone, because the corset laces up in the back,” complained Ausra, putting her arms around his neck.
“Then I suppose as your husband, I am obligated to help,” smiled Wendell, before scooping a giggling Ausra up into his arms and carrying her to their room.
Chapter 8
The Pancake
Years went by, and the happy couple lived well. Even though the world surrounding them was harsh, they did their best to live peacefully and enjoy every day together. Wendell built furniture as Master Dellwen had taught him, and Ausra sold Wendell’s work in the village at the market. When they needed to, they used some of the gold that was left for them, but the way they lived required very little money to sustain.
Wendell fixed up the yard around the cottage so that Ausra could grow a garden. The vegetables that Ausra grew were of excellent quality, and she always saved the seeds from the largest vegetables at the end of the season to grow another crop the following year. Healthy red and brown chickens roamed the cottage grounds clawing the ground with their orange talons. Wendell even bought a few sheep so that Ausra could card and spin the wool into lofty yarns and knit warm, comfortable sweaters and blankets.
The couple had no children, and although Wendell periodically offered to use a spell to fix this problem, Ausra insisted that it was not good to meddle with such things and that it ought be left as it was meant to be.
The Sapphire Kingdom remained sealed beneath its dome, impervious to the outside world. King Airyallen and Queen Aleafia ruled their city beneath the protection and isolation of the dome. It was rumored that there was a secret entrance leading into the Sapphire city, but although many sought the hidden passageway it was never found, and the outsiders lived on their own in the dangerous new world. Distant whispers of the on goings within the Sapphire Kingdom did reach Wendell and Ausra, but the couple could not be sure what was truth, and what was fiction, made up only to impress a willing listener.
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