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WITH HANDS FOLDED ACROSS his chest, Kairos walked the dock with his eyes fixed on the balloon floating just under the clouds. It was a curious contraption with a basket hanging from the blimp, and a whirligig of some sort behind it spinning rapidly. Two men were in the basket, and he could hear them talking above the whining and sputtering of the contraption. It was, evidently, going to land somewhere near port. Up the hill in the city people were already celebrating its arrival.
This is what Barin traded a good portion of Tellwater wine for? After all the trouble he, and everyone else went through, he shouldn’t have had to trade. Barin is again acting as the gracious king—this time saving face for the admiral.
Kairos shook his head and strolled through the park on to the Enchantress which was now docked in among Barin’s fleet. Repairs were finished on the admiral’s ship, barrels of wine loaded, and his crew ready to sail. Kairos had come to wish the man farewell.
When he saw the admiral and his wizard supervising the crew, Kairos strolled up to them and offered a handshake.
“It’s been an experience,” Kairos said “One I shan’t forget. I wish you a safe trip home.”
“Yes, well it should be much safer on the way back than it was here, now that those sorcerers are gone.”
Kairos grunted and glanced at the sky. “I see the airship is here.”
Geraldo’s face turned beet red. “Yes, well, enjoy it,” he grumbled.
“That would have been Geraldo’s airship,” Waylen noted. “The king made Geraldo relinquish the airship he had been promised and give it to you. As soon as it lands, the men delivering it will be joining the Enchantress for her voyage back home. I hope this means a peaceful relationship from now on,” he added, peering at the admiral.
“I never meant to start a war,” Geraldo protested. “This whole excursion went completely awry. It was like a good machine springing a leak or blowing up! I’ve learned my lesson!”
“What lesson is that, Geraldo?” Waylen asked, giving Kairos a wink.
“To stay home and mind my own business and not the king’s,” Geraldo answered and looked up at Kairos. “Your assistance has been deeply appreciated. Thank you.”
Hawk jogged down the plank and joined them on the dock. He had on his back a large pack that appeared to hold all of his belongings. He held his belt of vials in his hands.
“Kairos! I have something for you.”
“For me?” Kairos asked.
“For you.” He held out his arsenal of magic. “All the spells I’m capable of wielding are represented in these vials. I want you to have it.”
Kairos blushed. He didn’t take the belt but scratched his chin instead. “You will need it,” he said.
“No. I’ve decided to live here. I want to be ruled by a righteous king like yours. I’ve fallen in love with your people.”
“Is it that you’re in love with Anna?” Waylen teased.
“Anna is not available, Waylen. But she did teach me a few things.” He looked at Kairos. “Things which I see is common in your nation.” He pushed the belt toward the wizard.
“Regardless of where or how you want to live, Hawk, you must remain a wizard. You have a gift, and people need that gift.”
Hawk, his smile wide, shifted his weight and glanced at Waylen, and then Kairos again. “I have a gift, yes. For you. Take it. Please.”
“No,” Kairos said. “Put it on. Wear it proudly. Ask the king if you can study under my apprenticeship program. But don’t give up who you are.”
“I was just going to live as the common people live here. A peasant, I think you call them.”
The airship had flown over them and landed at the square. Kairos tapped the young man on the arm.
“Put on your belt. You look naked without it. Come, let’s join the festivities.”
At the Castle
Barin had offered his farewell to Geraldo the night before and found no reason to partake in the day’s celebration. His grief prevented it. After the funeral at sea for his soldiers who died, Barin spent his days in the dark halls of the castle grieving for the one who was never accounted for. His beloved friend—the man he had always shared his concerns with, the man who had encouraged him, advised him, and honored him. Neal had been more than a best friend; he had been a brother. Barin seldom planned anything without first consulting Neal.
The commander’s memorial had been a royal valediction with trumpets, a procession, and black garbed horses. It should have given him some conclusion, some comfort. It didn’t.
Barin had spent weeks in solitude wishing he could live that night over again. Neal had forewarned him about rescuing Anna. He had cautioned him about his love for her, but Barin refused to hear him. He forged ahead with Neal at the helm despite the commander’s silent protests. Why hadn’t he listened?
He took a flask of wine with him to the table outside where he used to sit with his father on warm afternoons. He could see the airship in the distance as it flew over the city. There would be feasting and singing tonight. This was a day to celebrate, but Barin still had no joy in him and felt it was better he stayed home so that his subjects didn’t see him brooding. Why spoil their celebration?
The quiet of the garden with birds singing and the gentle flow of the fountain calmed his nerves to a degree. He leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes, pondering all that had happened.
He loved Anna, that’s why he hadn’t listened to Neal. He hadn’t wanted to be warned about the dangerous territory he was entering. Neal couldn’t stop him from caring for her, but Barin could have heeded his military advice. He shouldn’t have risked his soldiers’ lives. He should have known better and not attacked the Enchantress when he had. The enemy possessed too much power. His men had no weapon that could defeat it. Neal had tried to tell him. Barin’s mistake cost Neal his life.
Barin sighed and wiped his cheeks. He knew Anna had joined him by the fragrance of flowers that came with her. She sat next to him but didn’t say a word. The sun caught the red and gold highlights on her soft curls. He smiled halfheartedly.
“Anna,” he said softly. “I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you.”
“You haven’t,” she said.
“Oh, but I have. I’ve been unkind.”
“You gave me a lovely room in the castle, Barin,” she said softly. “You’ve fed me, showered me with gowns, and laid at my feet all the luxuries a lady of the court could hope for. Indeed, you brought dignity back to my life. I haven’t eaten this well since my father was one of King Tobias’ advisors. What I have lost has been returned because of you.”
Barin looked away. The word loss weighed heavy on his heart.
“It’s my hope that someday I can do the same for you.”
Barin shook his head and bit his lip, afraid too much comfort would cause him to break down again.
“Barin, I know no one can replace Neal. He was a soldier, an officer, and your best friend for many years. You two were like brothers. I rarely saw you without him at your side.”
“Don’t, Anna,” Barin muttered, taking a drink of his wine.
“I too will miss him.” She sighed and regarded the garden. “The roses are beautiful this time of year, aren’t they?”
Barin looked up. He hadn’t realized the roses were blooming.
“Why didn’t you go into the city today?” Barin asked, wanting desperately to change the subject, to get to more practical matters.
“I’m not fond of crowds. These last few years alone have changed me, Barin. And this last experience has broken me. I don’t know who I am anymore.”
He raised a brow. He knew the feeling.
“Will you be sending me away?”
Barin frowned. “Why would you ask that?”
“I know you brought me here to help me get back on my feet again, but I can’t live here forever. Eventually you’ll find a woman you’ll want to marry, and I would be an intrusion. I need my own home and I’m not sure I could live so...,” she avoided his stare. “So close to you under such circumstances.”
Barin bowed his head and rubbed his forehead.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bother you during your time of grief. I’m just restless.” She took a step toward the portico.
Barin grabbed her hand.
“No,” he rose. “Don’t go.” He took both her hands. “I need you now. I loved Neal. I have mourned for him and given him the respect he deserved.”
This was hard to say, and it seemed so soon after Neal’s death, but he couldn’t take the chance of losing her too.
“Life is so fragile, Anna. We never know how long we have. You say some day I will find a woman I want to marry. Well, I already have.”
She looked puzzled. He twisted one of her curls and then pushed it back behind her ear.
“How can I wait to give you the love I have for you? Neal was in love, and he waited. He feared loving a woman would get in the way of his duty to me. It was nonsense, but that’s how he felt. And so, he let it pass and he died without telling her. He died a lonely man. Should I suffer the same fate?”
He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them. “Anna, will you marry me?”
Her eyes teared.
“Will you?”
She nodded. He didn’t have to persuade her to come nearer. They embraced. The tears that he had been crying seemed to have transformed into hope.
“Then prepare the wedding. Have decorations made, make them yourself if you choose. Invite guests, order food. Make it a grand affair, Anna. We’ll begin a new life. The two of us. A healthy life.” He spoke softly, kissing her hair. He wasn’t going to let her go this time. They would be together forever.