We sat quietly. His sincere words deserved my silence, my reverence, my thanks. I did not speak, but prayed that somehow he knew that his words were accepted and embraced in me.
The dayshine was on his side now, and it gleamed across his forearm, turning the skin a golden brown, shining through the dayshine-bleached hairs.
I gazed at him for a long time, soaking up the view.
He smiled; perhaps he liked knowing I was looking.
"You're made of gold, Sam." I finally said.
~
"Here you go."
I looked up to see the rainbow that swept across the Caterlands before us, my future home. It was beautiful, but the sight I most wanted to see was the endless road, stretching out into oblivion, filled with promises. "Sam."
"Hmmm?”
“It’s beautiful- but I don’t want the rainbow.”
Our eyes met and he seemed to have always known my mind, just as well as I did.
"I wasn't talking about the rainbow either- I meant the road."
I smiled. He knows me, when no other does. "There's nothing for miles and miles but us- and the possibilities are endless."
He nonchalantly reached over and took my hand in his.
A slight grin played out upon his lips as we enjoyed the warmth of each other's fingers. I leaned closer towards him, against the console, and gazed out over the expanse of barren land, rising up to meet us. I leaned back against the headrest and contemplated the horizon, a smile playing around the edge of my mouth. I tried to keep it at bay, but it didn’t work. I let it win. I have no idea where we’re going and I don’t care. I squeezed his hand; he squeezed back.
Nothing but the road.
~
“So. What makes this place so special?” I asked, taking it all in, the dry mountain ranges, the tall trees, the altitude, the proximity to the solar star. I could tell it would be blistering but breezy in the Summer and dryer and colder than I’d care to imagine in the Winter. But there was something about it. I didn’t know what it was- but it felt friendly. Peaceful. Like home.
The cabin was small, but it was situated perfectly under shady trees overlooking a lake backed by one of the lesser Cater Mountains of the famous Range.
“It just happens to be a five minute drive from my home town.” He glanced surreptitiously at me.
I gaped, unprepared. “What?”
“I grew up in this town. It’s where my grandparents and parents and aunts and uncles and cousins all live.”
“You brought me home?” I was touched, and also a little confused.
“Yeah. I wanted you close.” His words sped up a little; the only indication that he was nervous. “Close to them, because they’ll help you out if you ever need anything.” He cleared his throat. “And I wanted you close to me.” He paused, his eyes on mine.
I gulped.
His was a meaningful look. “I was chosen for a transfer a few months before I met you last year. I’ve asked to be placed here, in the mountains. And I was hoping… we could spend some time… together. Getting to know each other better. Or at least for you to get to know me more, since it’s my business to know all about you.” His eyes held mine, revealing their unfathomable depth.
“Why, Sam Marshal.” I found my voice, and surprisingly, the ability to flirt. I leaned closer. “Are you suggesting a romantic relationship?”
“I’m suggesting much more than that, Natalie. I only suggested the dating because you’d probably want more time to sort things out. I mean, I keep forcing you to change residences and names and dragging you all over the galaxy-”
“Keeping me safe.” I interrupted, a covert smile peeking through my surprise.
“Without a chance to catch your breath and figure out how you feel about things.” His hands found my own and gripped them, warmly. “I feel so much for you. Knowing you’re here, near my folks… it’s just a world of comfort for me. Because I want you to love them and your life here, just as much as I love you.”
“Sam.” I felt wobbly. “What are you saying?”
“Asking you. To marry me.” He nodded.
“You actually want-”
“Yes. I do. I will. I have, for a long time now.” He spoke simply.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes, feeling the love in his words and the affect they had on my rapidly beating heart. I could already feel the lump forming in my throat, the tears pin-pricking my eyes. Sam, my Sam, was asking me to marry him. “You want me- even with everything- all my failures- even with being so silly?”
“Natalie.” Sam spoke softly, closing his eyes in mock frustration. He brushed my hair away from my forehead and leaned in closer. “Don’t ever apologize for who you are.” He kissed me, his lips brushing softly against mine and taking my spirit soaring into the sky with him.
I was left breathless. Opening my eyes and looking up into his, I was overcome. “Is this real?” I laughed.
"It's real, Natalie. Bank on it."
"You really want this?” It was small, the part of me that still questioned, but it niggled.
"I do." An eyebrow raised, teasing me.
"Interesting word choice, Marshal." I grinned, tiptoeing my fingers up his coal-black buttons.
"Not really, Miss Natalie."
He turned his deep calm gaze on me; pure warmth flooded my being.
“Is that a yes?” His voice was uncertain and sweet and sincere and I felt my heart would burst if I uttered a sound.
I nodded eagerly. And just to prove it, I pulled him back in for another kiss.
EPILOGUE
We got married a year later.
Whenever we introduced ourselves, we were Nicki-Ray and Sam. I never did change my identity after all was said and done. Tom Silas was more my family than my family was, so I felt it natural to keep his name.
Sam took some time off work to consider his options, so we stayed in the Caterlands and spent time in the mountains, camping and putting some miles on the old truck he’s been hiding in his dad’s garage for years.
My parents are happily undisturbed in their new home in Sky City. They relocated for job opportunities. We’ll never live near them; I don’t think any of us would want that. I think we’re content to love each other from afar. Maybe someday that will change, but for now we’ve agreed not to rush it.
Through the years, friends and acquaintances alike questioned why Sam often called me Natalie and I often called him Ian. I told them with a knowing smile in his direction, “It’s just a nickname.”
Simone and Ange are still my surrogate sisters; still working at the Tumbler and still making newcomers feel welcome. We talk a lot on the Comms and I find time to visit them every so often. Walking back into the restaurant and seeing their ever-changing faces is a precious gift, like coming home to find your old room might look different, but underneath it still has the same feel to it. No matter how much we may want it to, time can’t stand still. But Hecta wouldn’t be Hecta without them.
The rest of the cartel was rounded up just a few weeks after our marriage. It turned out David told the truth and it was good enough to work miracles once out in the open. I remember telling him he could do it. I’m glad he did.
Tom is fine, now relocated to the icier region of Peta (per his request) raising hearty dogs that serve as both friends and free labor. He is recuperating quite nicely; he says he doesn’t feel the pain in his leg anymore unless they get a cold snap- then it twinges. He also takes in more of the Federation’s misplaced nieces and nephews who he ruefully says are much harder to boss around than me. I’m also not supposed to know where he is… but we’ve all managed to break the rules this time. Nothing separates family.
I knew Sam had it in him to see, and with my help he's beginning to. It’s a journey he relishes- finding how easy it is to let go of expectations and just… exist for a moment in time. And he’s been teaching me the opposite- how to be aware and observe all of the intangibles around me clicking into
place. I see now, the natural order of things. The way that we all fit together like puzzle pieces of energy, how we are all connected by the threads of Amaranth and our shared origins. It makes me want to wrap my arms around the universe. I still wonder about my vision of the valley, or whatever it was. But I don’t let myself think about it too much. I’m confident it’ll make sense someday.
I am the sole surviving witness of the crimes of “The Cytoplasm Drug Ring”, due to Sam’s ever watchful eye and acute Amaranthian senses. He was not given a commendation for his exemplary work. I was pretty upset about that…
I encouraged him to go back to his roots, and now we’ve both found our true callings: Proclaimers in the wilderness of the Caterlands. We like to keep moving, bringing food and medical supplies to the towns outside of contact with the conveniences of a city. After all, we both come alive on the road.
Being a Proclaimer doesn’t offer much in the way of worldly success. We have absolutely nothing; just each other, the desire to help people, and a vehicle that works about half the time. But I have absolutely everything I want.
I never thought that a detour could cause me this much happiness, but it has. I love it when I’m wrong.
THE END
The Planets
(Most well-known planets of the Four-Headed Galaxy in the Deka Quadrant.)
Deka- “The first planet”; “the planet where life began”; “the favored planet.” It has virtually no animal life, besides accidental immigration from other planets through the Doorways.
Hecta- “The melting pot” of modern, urban, and tech-dominated lifestyles.
Kila- “The planet of clans.” Large, carnivorous, lumbering beasts reside on the surface of dried desert mud while a wide array of flowers, fruits, saps, and plant matter is found in the underground jungles where the indigenous people reside.
Mega- “The cradle of pestilence.” Some smaller mammals reside here. Insects, rodents, and snakes breed only on this planet.
Giga- “The dark planet”; “the red planet”; “planet of terror”; quite literally “hell.” It has a pock-marked surface, leading down into a cavernous underground. The surface is blood red and rugged and mountainous. A great, hungering evil lurks within the bowels of this planet, so much so that criminals are sent there through the Doorways to an inexplicit, horrendous fate and are never heard from again.
Tera- “Earth’s planet”; “Earth’s twin.” Known for its similarity to Earth; most “accidental immigrants” choose to reside on Tera. Sea creatures are the only kinds of animals residing here.
Peta- “The skeptic planet.” The populations that reside on Peta are among the most varied in custom (besides Hecta) and the most acquainted with Amaranth (besides Deka). The planet’s leaders agree not to take a stand for or against the Spirits; they try to ignore them and teach that the reason for spontaneous miracles is ancient magic leftover from the Age of Mysticism. The only animals on Peta are land mammals, rodents, and some fish and non-threatening water creatures.
Exa- “The cradle of ingenuity”; “the home of machinery”; “the foundation of modern science”; “the frame of civilization.” Exans typically set precedence on manners and polite conversation. Exa is a heavily industrialized planet constantly striving for greater inventions in steam, gas, and electric.
Zetta- “The isolated planet.” Zetta is most closed to Doorway travel and outside interaction; resolutely remaining within the quagmire that was the historical “Age of Mysticism” in the Four-headed Galaxy. Zettans are thought to be ignorant and stuck-up, whereas most of them are well-educated in the arts, philosophy, and classics; just afraid of bringing wrath down upon their people by being over-investigative in the science of Deka’s origins.
Yotta- “The unknown planet” or “the place of shaz.” Yotta is the last planet; blocked by an asteroid belt that is impossible to navigate. Yotta has not held a stable Doorway since the beginning of the “Silence of Amaranth” and has not been explored. It wasn’t even discovered that there was a tenth planet in the galaxy until a few decades after the Silence of Amaranth commenced.
A Brief Look at the History:
Prehistory: up to year one
The Clan Age; Age of Survival: 0-1,000
The Age of Politics and the Written Word: 1,000-2,000
The Age of Mysticism: 2,000-3,500
The Amaranth Revival; Age of Unity: 3,500- 3,800
The Industrial Age: 3,800- 4,300
Deka’s Silence; The Silence of Amaranth: 4,300- 4,800
The Now Age: 4,800- present day
Deka Dictionary of Terms
Accidental Immigration: when Earth Landers find themselves inadvertently caught in a rogue Doorway and transported to the Deka Quadrant. The Doorways to Earth are extremely rare and hard to find; almost no one gets a chance to go back.
Acidtongue: someone who can’t keep their acerbic and caustic comments to themselves. They are very biting and sarcastic and morbid. These individuals can range from endearingly pessimistic to cruelly sadistic. Can be an expletive.
Amaranth: it is a religion, the method of communication with the Creator of the Deka Quadrant, and the umbrella term for anything of a spiritual and supernatural persuasion.
Amaranthian Coma: when the reactive state plateaus for a significant length of time (any longer than a two hour meditation) in which in-depth communication with Amaranth is reached and prolonged or manifested.
Amaranthian Logic: there are ancient texts that are believed to be left over from the priestesses of Amaranth who resided on Deka, and the most quoted line from the collection of proverbs is this: “Only those who see through Amaranth’s eyes can know the full truth of life.”
Amaranthian Reactive state: a high form of communication with Amaranth. Not as high as an Amaranthian Coma, but a state of heightened inner spiritual awareness that can be described as soul searching or deep prayer. “Being in the Amaranthian Spirit” is when you inhabit this psychological state of stimulation.
Amaranthian Spirits (Spirits of Amaranth/ Harbingers/ Shadows/ Shades/ Ghosts/ Angels/ Lights): messengers from Amaranth- angels. Each angel of Amaranth has a unique personality. Some are sweet and innocent, others are steady and obedient, and others are mischievous and playful. They all have something to offer and they all act out of love and reverence for their Creator.
Annum Day: the day that commemorates each individual’s birth.
Ark crater: the result of explosions in the topography of the continent of Angara (on Deka) that happened at the beginning of the Silence of Deka. They are shaped somewhat like ovals: twice as long as they are wide. The outermost edge of the crater creates a ridge that juts up into the air while the inside of the rim sinks low into the dirt. Then the middle of the crater is raised in a miniature dome-style, still much lower than the outer rim but taller than the sunken part.
Blackworm: a whiteworm (one of the most deadliest and dangerous creatures the Deka Quadrant has to offer, and one of the most feared) that is dying. Characterized by a sooty, coal-like color and extremely slow movement. White worms are as big as humans, fast moving, thick, heavy, and full of a numbing agent that humans cannot feel, even as they (the humans) dissolve within the creature’s mouth and belly.
Caterlands (Kay-ter-linds): a secluded, dry, mountainous region that can be hazardous to those who do not know how to live off the land.
Comms: communication devices that have many different options for message making. These devices come in all shapes and sizes and styles. They also have different capabilities when it comes to e-portal games and other applications. All standard Comms devices have full access to the portal network on whichever planet they were sold on, as well as communication all across that same planet. There are dead spots on every planet, but people are strongly encouraged not to inhabit those places, so nothing is done to solve the problem.
Creature-deep: wilderness; where the wild things are.
Credit: the base unit of money; slang.
Dayshine/ Shine/ Shiny: the daylight that solar stars provide; the only source of consistent light for the planets in the galaxy. Ex. “It’s shiny out here.”
Deka’s Federation of Justice United: the DFJU. The major legal system in the Four-headed Galaxy of the Deka Quadrant. The greatest consortium of diplomats and scientists that share knowledge and goodwill with all the planets, and the military peacekeepers that keep them safe. The DFJU is also the interplanetary organization that established the Peacekeepers in the first place, along with the main legal and court system.
Doorway System: portals scattered throughout the galaxy that act as transportation devices. They are located in a seemingly chaotic distribution. (There is an on-going verbal battle about their origin waged by the opposing factions of Formists and Processors.) Most of the Doorways are on an annual timetable, consistently appearing over the year precisely as calculated during the previous ones. Though you can calculate when they’ll be back at precise moments, they don’t always allow you through. Such is the case with Yotta and used to be with Deka until theirs opened up in the Winter of 4800.
Fortune's Detour: Prequel of the Deka Series by Abigail Schwaig Page 23
