Chapter 38
This a Time of Peace
Six Months Later
Amori walked off the college campus, ready to head home; her first semester was now over and she was ready for Orland and Christmas with the family. Wanting to take in the scenery about her Amori took the scenic route. The colors of the hanging lights brought a smile to her face. Stopping she took a moment to stare at a nativity scene. Something about seeing brought tears to her eyes. To think she had only months ago truly believed. Her sight blurred for a moment, and her thoughts began to wander; it had been six months since she had stood before the Gate leading to Belial and almost that same amount of time since Ardor had announced that he had been accepted into WestPoint.
She sighed; they hadn’t been able to see each other since she had left Kansas for Missouri. Her phone buzzed cutting into her thoughts, and alerting her to an incoming call. Taking it out of her front pant pocket she hoped that it was Ardor but smiled when she saw that the caller was Anise. “Merry Christmas, Anise.”
“Merry Christmas to you to, I can’t wait for you to get home. Anyway I was calling to ask if you wanted to hangout tomorrow when you flight lands, since we’re all going to be meeting up at your grandparent’s house in the afternoon tomorrow, Alexis and I were thinking of going to the tree farm with the families, for the annual tree hunt. Then maybe we can go skating on the Lake afterwards.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for anything, though we should find time to hang out and catch up, without a bunch of people tagging along with us, I want to hear all about your beau.” Amori’s smile widened as she one because she just knew that Anise was blushing on the other end, and second because of her soon coming time spent in Orland.
“I can’t wait either. Ooh, maybe for old time sake we could break into a certain person’s house.”
Amori laughed shaking her head, only Anise. “I am pretty sure that I’m never going to break into someone’s house ever again.”
Anise gave a suffering sigh, “Fine then we’ll have to plan something else to do.”
“Yes we will.” Amori said agreeing with Anise. “It feels like it’s been too long since we all saw each other.”
“It has been, and I can’t wait for the three of us to be back together again. It’s different here without you.” There was a pause before Anise continued. “Alright then, I won’t bug you anymore so that you can get ready for your flight, I’ll see you when you get here.”
“Sure thing.” They said their goodbyes. Hanging up the phone, Amori’s attention focused again to the scene before her maybe. Time spent with family and friends was just what she needed to help wipe away the remnants of that night Morgan had placed her on the Engraved Stone, and she had stood before the Gate Forbidden.
Morgan walked through the path between, knowing to where he was now going. This would be the first time since Leora’s death that he had followed the path between away from it usual destination. Even as he had walked it he knew that he was meant and supposed to choose another, but he could not. Not with the weight so heavy upon him of the fact that she had died because of him. His own weakness had killed her, and though at the time he had not been able to see it, Morgan knew that it was caused by his pride. His pride had been his downfall. In the end it had become ultimately Leora’s.
Stepping out of the path between Morgan stood before a Leora’s grave. The place for him felt cold and uninviting, the gravesite sitting a mile or east of the Sages temple. Inscrolled upon the headstone was these words;
Leora Beloved and Cherished by all
A Psalmist that shall be remembered for all time and generations
Rightly named the Daughter of Light
She walked His Path in Life even to the end. Omen Emunah.
Time stilled for him as he read the inscription over and over. He had not deserved her, but she had given him a chance and now he would never know why. Why she one who walked in the light had reached out to him a man who for his whole life had lived and walked amongst the shadows. Falling to his knees before the gravestone Morgan let out a keening cry that embody all that he felt in that moment. Even when he had had to leave Taher behind he had not felt what it was ripping him from the inside out before. The sudden feel of a weighted object on his leg had him reaching into his pants pocket he lifted out the item within it. Morgan looked to the item that was in his hand, it was the necklace that the young boy had given him to give to the First. Placing the thing about his neck he stood, at least that was one thing he could still make right. Standing he turned hearing a noise coming from behind him. What he saw was not someone of great stature or of whom stood out; the person was dressed in simple clothing, nothing fancy by any realms standard. Yet there was something about the man that seemed to him familiar. It was a look in His eyes that told Morgan of the man’s age and wisdom, and also of His mercy.
“Morgan son of Morgadon, first in line to the throne of Geder, will you follow Me?”
Morgan stared at the stranger, “Who are you?” He asked not willing to trust the One that stood before him.
“I Am that I Am. Will you follow Me and walk My Path?” The stranger asked him.
“How can I follow You if I do not know You?” Morgan asked.
“If you would but open your eyes then you would see, and you would know Me. I Am the only way. You have long since denied Me, but still I call to you. I still wish for you to follow Me.”
The man stepped forward. “Will you walk My Path?” Morgan did not answer right away. He looked from the path that he now walked to the other that was being offered him. What would it hurt to follow another? To walk a Path other than the path that he now treaded on, a Path that led to a place other than nowhere. Then his gaze drifted to Leora’s grave.
“I do not deserve to walk another path.”
“I offer you this Path, it is one of life.” He peered deeply into Morgan’s eyes, seeing all that the young prince had tried for years to hide. “This is the Path that she had prayed you would one day walk.”
Morgan said nothing as he turned his gaze away.
Placing a hand upon Morgan’s shoulder the man offered him another way yet again. “Will you walk My Path?”
Morgan turned to the man who spoke to him, His voice carried with it strength in more ways than one. “Have faith.”
“I will follow.”
The snow covered the ground as Ardor walked down the hill with his brother Valdis away from the Lake, towards the tree farm. The Lake was a spot just south of the tree farm and the church that everyone skated at when it froze over during the winter months.
Ardor still couldn’t believe that he had a brother, or the fact that it had ended up being the same person that Eldrid had had guide them to their rooms during the time they had been in Eldon. Making their way through the tree covering they entered into the open lot.
“Is mom going to be meeting us here?” Valdis asked his brother.
“Uh, no, we’re going to be meeting at Amori’s grandparents’ house.”
“Who all is supposed to be there?”
Opening the car door Ardor got inside, getting in as well Valdis waited for his question to be answered.
Cranking the truck Ardor pulled out of the tree lot. “There should be I’m guessing over fifteen people there. Amori’s grandparents are good people, you’ll like them.”
“Are we going to there now?”
Ardor shook his head, “No not yet, I want to stop at the Town Shopping center to pick up something to bring to the party.” Ardor turned off the beaten path and onto the road. “Here’s some sound advice, when you go to other people’s homes for most to any occasion, always come bearing gifts. It’s kind of like a thank you for them having invited you into their home, when they didn’t have to.”
By three the two brothers were driving up to the Johnson family home. Both exited the car and headed around back to the trunk. “Valdis take the desserts in while I take the drinks.” Lifting the drinks Ardor headed for the front door. As he entered he was greeted with the inviting smells of homemade eggnog and apple pie. Along with turkey that he could smell was baking in the oven.
“Cody it’s good to see you honey.” Casey Amori’s grandmother gave his a side hug.
“It’s good to see you too Mrs. Johnson, you’re looking very beautiful.” Casey swatted his arm. “Enough you charmer, and follow me, I know you don’t want to be carrying around those heavy drinks all night.”
Doing as he was told Ardor went without question. Placing the drinks down in the kitchen, he looked to Casey, “Do you know when Amori will be getting here?”
“She and the girls, are heading over from the tree farm, they should be here any minute.”
Ardor thought for a moment, he hadn’t remembered seeing here there when he and his brother had been, and he knew that there was no way that he would not know she was there if she had been. So he equated it to they had arrived after he and Valdis had left.
“Don’t worry she’ll be here.” Ardor nodded then went to find wherever the other guys were. Following his ears he went outside to the backyard, just as a football game was about to start.
Spotting Ardor and Valdis, Zachariah waved them over, “Come on boys join the game, since there are two of you the teams will stay even.”
Ardor stared down at his brother, “Come on you’ll enjoy it. Just make sure not to show those super abilities of yours.” Slapping him on the shoulder, Ardor jogging over to where the others were waiting.
Amori, Anise and Alexis entered the house and were greeted by family and friends.
Amori hugged her mom and grandma.
“Amori honey we’re glad you made. How was your flight?” Her mom asked as she released her hold.
“It was smooth sailing, no problems what so ever.” Amori’s eyes roamed about.
Casey smiled at her granddaughter, “He’s out back playing football, sweetheart he had asked about you as well.”
Amori thanked her before heading that way; this was everything she could have wanted. She was glad that her time as being the First was now over.
Dryan looked to his wife, they had been married four months prior and had both agreed with the permission of his father, to stay in Loam, at least for the time being. He had been looking forward to this time, with it being their first Christmas spent together, and though he had celebrated it many times before, he was thankful to have someone else closer to him than any other before to share it with.
It helped him having this time of rest after all that had happened. It was a kind of calm that aided in renewing him. Dryan leaned his head back against the couch, as his mind drifted. He still could not believe that Leora was dead; he had been looking forward to her reaction to this holiday season. Now they would never get the chance. Shaking of the growing melancholy that was trying to crowd in on him, Dryan pushed those thoughts away sitting up as he focused on Hadarah as she walked into the living room. He still had to get used to that name. It felt weird saying it, but it was what the Prince Amadis had called her and it was what he would call her.
She had told him that she had a special gift for him, saying that it was also important. So there he sat his knees now bouncing in anticipation of what the surprise was to be.
This was the first time in her entire life that Hadarah could honestly say that she was happy. Her grin grew bigger knowing that Dryan would feel the same way. She was glad that she was going to be able to give him a gift as well. Her hand drifted to her abdomen while her eyes connected with his. “I am expecting.” Her grin turned into an all-out smile, happiness bubbling from inside her, as she watched the play of emotions that dashed across her chosen’s face. Shock, worry, excitement before finally settling on utter elation as it finally set in that he was going to be a daddy. Dryan jumped off of the couch, lifting her into the air a goofy grin on his face. He was going to be a father; this was the best gift that anyone could have ever given him. He was going to be a dad.
A light humming filled the air, and though all heard it most paid it no heed. Natsar looked to the Second; their test was soon and coming, the path having been set by the First. If they were to fail a war for all the realms would ensue, leaving the fate of all things resting in the balance. Natsar prayed that their faith would stand. He knew that the Dweller was at this time searching for the key to the sacred book. The one in which he had taken from the young prince Dryan’s home, through his control over the First. None knew how long it would take, or how long he would search. None the less, the Knights of Nazarien would stand watch. Ever ready for the time when he would surely show himself again.