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Celebrations
The Main Plaza was so crowded with people, Thealdi and his group stood no chance getting anywhere close to the centre where a huge platform had been erected, a group of musicians doing their best to compete with the roars of the crowd. Selected citizens were seated along row after row of assembled tables, heavily laden with meals and drinks. Lendear could make out a still empty table, undoubtedly left vacant for the kingpins of the occasion, but he failed to figure out how they could ever get there. He looked inquiringly at Thealdi, who in turn just shrugged, but couldn’t help sniggering at the boy standing there helplessly. He tapped at the bracelet, Lendear was wearing on his arm but the boy failed to understand. The old man fetched the red gem from within his robes and passed it on to the boy who took it and attached it to the bracelet. The reddish aura appeared and closed around the two. Thealdi looked over at the girl and the woman, then he looked back at the boy.
“Well, shouldn’t you include our friends?”
“But how?”, Lendear demanded.
“Just wish them to be included. Concentrate on them, and let your good feelings towards them flow freely.”
Lendear did as instructed and to his utter surprise the sphere expanded until both Myrtha and Lillyveen were within its perimeter.
“Well done, my friend. Now let’s get going. There are some seats waiting for us. I’m starving!”
Thealdi beamed at the boy and motioned him forward.
As Lendear started to move, the crowd parted. Not that he noticed anyone pressing away from them, actively making room. It was more of a floating through the people, but entirely without any bodily contact. Both Lillyveen and Myrtha seemed at a loss of what was happening, eyeing the red aura they were caught in and it dawned on Lendear that they had probably never seen such a sphere. Was it only visible from the inside but not from the outside? He was about to ask Thealdi about it when they reached the platform and ascended to their table. Lendear removed the gem from its socket and handed it back to Thealdi who declined and motioned him to keep it.
“The time has come that you take possession of it, my dear friend. You just demonstrated a very skilful use of its powers.”
Turning to Myrtha and Lillyveen he added,
“Nifty little trick, young Lendear just used, wasn’t it? Indeed, these gems are quite extraordinary I’d say. Another little secret we share.”
He blinked at the two who were still trying to comprehend what had just happened. They were distracted though by a raised glass in Thealdis hand.
“To the Messenger and to the fine ladies!”
Still perplexed, the two reflexively raised their glasses to respond to the toast, Lendear adding his own goblet to a common clinking.
He beamed at Thealdi, the unexpected transfer of the gem filling his heart with great joy and pride and at the same time noticed how hungry he was which was probably quite common for a boy his age, feeling the need of food intake at the most inappropriate occasions and he started to help himself. Lillyveen turned to him and asked:
“What was this? I mean this gem thing? Can I see it?”
Lendear hesitated. Thealdi had instructed him on countless occasions to keep everything secret. Here at this public place there were many ears and so he just said:
“Later, Lyl, okay?” and smiled at her. He had asked her on their second day when they were still aboard the Red Dragon if it was alright for her to be called by her nickname and she had happily agreed. After all she was used to it as hardly ever anyone had used her full name. Except for a few occasions that was when she had done something inappropriate and was told off by her mother. She still had the voice in her ears, the particular pronunciation of her full name announcing disapproval, followed by some sort of punishment. Usually it was well deserved, she had to admit to herself. The unease she felt when she heard her full name however was never triggered when Thealdi spoke her name. The old man had always treated her with the greatest kindness and in his presence she had a feeling of absolute security. Then he had called Myrtha to his home and to her side, thus creating a new family for her. It was hard to believe that only days after she had lost everything and life lost its meaning this man had accomplished not only to give her new hopes, but had laid out the environment for happiness to return to her heart. Not to forget Lendear of course, for whom she had felt something special from the moment of their first encounter when she awoke from the artificial sleep Thealdi had put her in, thus accelerating her recovery from the wound she had received during the Toodsted massacre.
She reached for the amulet she was wearing under her tunic and at the touch the memories of Lendears initiation and the High Archmage who had handed it over returned vividly. Then she realized that Lendear was still looking at her, clearly awaiting an answer.
“Oh, sorry. Certainly. We’ll have a little chat when we’re back home, shall we?” Smiling at the boy she realized her use of the term. Had she already adopted Thealdis house as her home? Had it already become more than just the place where she was currently stationed? Actually she hadn’t thought about this. If Thealdi wouldn’t let her stay with him, would she be allowed to move in with Myrtha? Would she take her in? Of course, everyone had been exceptionally friendly with her and she thought that Myrtha had also felt this bond between them, but would it be enough that she could stay with her for good? Suddenly her happiness vanished and something crept in her heart. The doubts biting at her must have shown on her face for Myrtha eyed her worriedly and asked what was wrong. Lillyveen didn’t know how to put it, then, reluctantly, let out:
“Will I be allowed to stay with you?”
Myrthas eyes widened, her eyebrows up, questioning:
“Honey, what kind of question is that? Of course you will. The two of us shall never be alone anymore. Ever!”
And she embraced the girl, hugging her tightly, whispering in her ear:
“I love you, Lyl. You are my daughter now.”
At this announcement, tears began to flow freely and soon two faces were wet, yet glowing.
Thealdi glanced at the two, wondering what was going on but decided not to interrupt for this seemed to be a special moment. How well this had gone, he marvelled. Myrtha had had such a hard time and he had done everything possible to restore her to a state where she would be able to continue with her life. But there had been many days where he feared all his efforts to be in vain.
Then Lillyveen had appeared, heavily wounded, deprived of her home, her family. He had brought the two together and through their common loss they had apparently found themselves to become whole again.
He glanced over to Lendear who had been ignorant of the scene, as he was watching the crowd, responding to the raised mugs, smiling at people who shouted their hails. He clearly enjoyed this and the old man, even though he had his objections, let the boy be. All too soon he’d be faced with exhausting tasks, forced into training sessions that would demand all his strength and he’d spend time in the library with tiring, yet necessary research work. Tonight however was the night of cheering, celebrating and high spirits, Thealdi had no intention to spoil it for the boy. He helped himself to another glass of wine and set his focus on the selection of the finest variety of food he’d have in a very long time, the exertions of the journey forgotten, the blitheness of the moment filling his heart.
The night was approaching its climax with the Lookemarks Sprinklers fireworks, named after the rare wonder of nature, which occurred every twenty-eight years when hundreds if not thousands of shooting stars filled the night sky. The old man had an afterglow of the real spectacle he had been lucky to witness together with his young apprentice aboard the Red Dragon. He told Lendear about the upcoming event and both awaited the show with great anticipation. Of course, the man-made copy didn’t come anywhere close to the real thing, but it was a great sight nevertheless.
Soon after the four made their way home, tired, but each happy for his own reasons, unaware of the shadow trailing them.