Chapter 17 The Return Home

Once it stops raining, Alexis and his sailors row down the river to Mapleville on the coast. Alaric’s children return to their homes. The lads prepare to return home. Alaric packs food for them to carry home to Adar. They bid farewell to their hosts and follow Ophelia guiding them home. Jason the wolf tails along and listens to his son recite about his life in the temple. They pass many creatures and mucky rivers. They pass Sylvania to have a visit with Hariem’s widow Kali. She says Enki and his unicorn wife visit occasionally. The boys declared they met them at The Hermit’s Harvest Games and he won the boat rowing contest. They spend the night looking down the river towards the sea pondering the departure of the mermaids. They climbed a temple on a hill in the hill city of Flaxleigh. Ophelia burns candles in prayer and speaks of her husband whispering to her. They take shelter with the priest for the night and hear stories of Dylan the Sea Fox fighting the invading Blythans. Dracon gazes upon the large statue of the elf set at the foot of the temple. The sea captain was silent during Dracon’s prayer that he too would have the courage to protect his people being uprooted by his Blythan ancestors.

They meet the centaurs next in the grassy hills to show off their new bows. The warrior they met before examines it carefully in approval of its construction. They walk up the river back home to Whitefield and Adar. Dracon confides to Dinah his wolf companion is his father and plans to search for his half-brother. Homer’s mother is relieved to see her son and his horse return home with a new bow. Valnar was informed he had a special guest in his inn, Prince Grigor. He came here to inspect the lands of a possible betrothal in Litsy who receives the human town’s taxes. Prince Grigor also visited Priestess Dinah to inquire after his nephew. The innkeeper was delighted how a royal guest was staying in his inn and cooked the finest food the town had. Once Valnar arrived and spoke to the prince who failed to recognize him, Grigor left to see Dracon. He commented how he looked very much like his father. Dracon asked if he was staying for the festival. Four days of Harvest Games were to pass and then the New Year costume celebration. He replied that he could stay one day for the children’s contests, but he had to leave to judge his own city’s contests.

Grigor applauded his nephew winning the raft race and congratulated him in his prize flint knife. Homer’s brother won the wood swordfighting and proudly showed off his new bow. Homer had to reply that it was not as fancy as his new bow. Homer fought his brothers in the wresting and boxing, but they were too strong for him to conquer. Ophelia noticed Homer’s spirit and bequeathed the title “Homer the Bear”. Grigor leaves and bids Dracon a Happy New Year. They will meet again at Queen Jopria’s wedding to her general. The children finish the contests and then the adults have their turn. The Hermit came and allowed to present an iron sword to the winner of the horse race. Soon the New Year arrives with costumes, bonfires, and bobbing for apples. The Hermit negotiates the betrothal agreement with Homer’s father. The betrothal gift to Ishtar was silver bracelet covered in spirals. Ishtar accepted the betrothal gift. The three boys with the goddesses went for a horse ride out in the fields where the flax grows. Cassandra had met an elf named Hugi who was a blacksmith. Hugi gave her a bracelet at a vendor’s table made of twisted dyed linen threads. Homer begged his father to be apprenticed to the The Hermit to hear his father reject the idea. He told his mother the oracle’s declaration that the sea was his destiny. She would speak to his father, but made no promises. He said The Hermit was a partner of Captian Alexis and sailed the seas before settling in The Haunted Forest to guard the goddess. Ishtar and Homer danced around musicians in the town’s marketplace. They sneaked into the temple to steal a kiss to find Dinah in the sacred pool with a man with dark hair. In a blink of an eye, the man disappeared. Homer shouted how he knows Max is married to Dinah for King Jason revealed the truth. He reappeared in surprise at the revelation and greeted the elf. Ophelia interrupted to announce the start of the ceremony. A bonfire was lit and villagers wearing masks danced around the flames to welcome the New Year at dusk. Ishtar showed Homer how to fly with a tree branch. Homer liked this magic he learned.

The peasant Alaric soon discovers his innkeeper is ill with headaches and soon dies after the New Year celebration. The Hermit gave herbs to cure the pain, but could not stop the demon from taking his soul. Valnar is granted the innkeeper’s possessions at a meeting with the chief. The innkeeper had no children and adopted no one else who had a claim to the property. He hires Homer’s brother and sister-in-law as manager who help clean the rooms, teach inventory counts, getting supplies, and tend the stable. After the first snow fell, Grand Prince Dracon left the village for the last time. He was given gifts and prayers sung. The chief asked that he not forget his life in Adar when he becomes king later on. Dracon assured the village that he would not forget them. He bid farewell to his cousin Dinah. He headed west to Alexandrial where the great-grandson of Empress Athena’s brother resides. They stop in Rosewood Ravine where The Hermit’s pupil Priest Vim resided. He had a pet wolf as well named Hari. Vim explained Hari was a banshee who announced the elf Echo’s impending death and her husband Ryan, the chaos god, changed him into an animal to prevent his wife’s doom. Poor Echo was blown into dust trying to save Iris and The Wizard and Ryan refused to change him back into a banshee. So Vim took him in and takes care of him. Jason the Wolf enjoyed having a playmate. They took to wrestling each in the dormant garden and howled at the moon together. Justinian, Lord of Alexandrial, welcomed the entourage and revealed a mosaic of Empress Athena painted just before she left to marry Emperor Olic. The middle age lord called for a grand feast and invited guests to the fortress city to dine with them. Everyone was in awe of the royal guests. Ophelia taught Dracon how to accept the stares and comments people feel the need to make. Much like Lexie, she was stoic and walked gently with purpose.

They met the lord’s family. They were allowed to enter the pregnant daughter-in-law’s bed chamber. Her pregancy was going well and will give birth in another month. She is from Litsy and inquired of any news they heard. Dracon blurted out how his uncle is arranging a betrothal for his son with the lord of the city. He was inspecting the land around Adar recently. The daughter-in-law replied her younger sister was quite the horsewoman and rather jump a fence than open a gate. Dracon reacted that his cousin would be a good fit for her. Jason requested allegiance to him when he regains his crown. During the time of Minerva, Justinian’s father pledged support for Boudicca and refused to change while she was alive. Now that she has been gone for a year, perhaps Jason could persude him. Queen Jopria regained the eastern hills and Victyrian Swamps when she granted an estate to her brother to secure the area. Prince Grigor built a grand city from ruins named Wynnfield and a shipping empire making the city dwellers rich with possessions. The Lord of Litsy gave his allegiance to Queen Jopria after Grigor chased off pirates attacking the coast. Justinian replied he would switch allegiance if Jason desposes his wife. His armies would support him as king. They left Alexandrial with good tidings and the lord gave Jason a sword of Athena’s. It is said she had it with her when King Dylan surrendered and she gave it to her brother to remember their victory. Jason should have it now, perhaps it will bring him luck.

They follow the hills west into the Kadacian Anasazi Mountains where Eurick’s daughters Lydia and Ionia live. The valleys were covered in snow and preparing for the winter solstice next month. Princess Lydia welcomed the royal guests and sent word to her sister at the winter palace in Athel along the Anasazi River. Lydia lives in Fort Lucien with her general husband Felix, Prince of Kadacia. Prince Felix is away inspecting mines along the Anasazi River to the west in the foothills. Prince Oskar was out visiting friends. Her son smirks that he is probably visiting Lady Epona. Lydia tells him to be quiet because that is how rumors become scandals. Princess Lydia affirms her husband will never ally himself with a Blythan king and the Anazasi hills will remain part of Kadacia. King Jason inquired after his son Xander. Lydia affirms he was granted a plot a land and built a hut for himself and his new wife. His former maidservant married a peasant and her daughter with him is currently working at a tavern. Jason left to visit his son and his new wife. He returned with Xander and his wife, along with his half-sister. Jason invited them to Illium to live in the palace when they arrive. Oskar returned from Lady Epona’s house and delighted to have dinner guests. They feasted on ground squirrel, apple cider, cheese, bean pies, and honey-coated fruits. Oskar spun tails of sailing across the seas with Prince Vidar. Prince Vidar had recently married a Kassian woman and expecting their first child. He lives in the Onoba colony on the Kassian coast. Nafusi, the King of Onoba, is also married to a Kassian woman and their children are learning archery. Dracon asked who Lady Epona is. Lydia answered she is widow with an infant son whose husband was recently killed in a battle with nomads. Lydia’s son whispers she refuses to marry Oskar because he has no property and no title other than being an exiled prince. Lydia quickly shushes him. King Jason invites Oskar to his court when he returns to Illium. Oskar is eager for another adventure, nothing ties him to Fort Lucien. General Prince Felix returns the next morning and welcomes his guests. He swiftly declines Jason’s alliance offer and will keep his territory with Kadacia. Jason and his party prepare to leave. Oskar asks Lady Epona to marry him one last time. Hearing that he is leaving to live in Illium with the king, she changes her mind and promises to come to him when Jason is king again.

They depart on horseback and head towards the capital. They are greeted eagerly at every village and citadel. Naturally, word spreads the Grand Prince was coming to the capital in a round about way instead of via ship with his uncle Grigor. Ophelia explained the lesson of diplomacy towards the borderlands that Dracon will need when he becomes king. As they reach Bradsleigh, it began to snow and Ophelia began to behave strangely. Her husband Aelous, god of winds, felt much blood being spilled. The priestess feared something awful had happened and Bradsleigh was no more. The party set up camp in the frost and toasted themselves by the magic fire. During the night, the cold winds of Aelous shook the tents making Amazon frightened they were going to be buried in the drifts by morning. Ophelia promised they would safe. The next morning shone the bright sun melting much of the frigid air. A strange elf was in Ophelia’s tent sound asleep. Ophelia explains he had a long night. Away from the camp, Oskar notices people coming this way. Time passed to reveal they were peasants carrying nothing but their frost-covered cloaks. At a closer look, many seemed bloodied and terrorized. Jason, Xander, and Oskar leapt on their horses tied to sledges to meet these people. One woman looked as if she were about to topple over into a snow bank. Jason approached the woman and an old man limping beside her with a staff.

“Mistress, you appear to be ready to topple into the snow. May I offer our campfire to rest at.” addressed Jason. The shivering woman did not respond but kept walking without a glance.

“You have to forgive her, lord, we have been walking in the cold for hours. Kiara, the nobleman is speaking to you.” answered the old man.

Kiara looked up with vacant eyes and stared at Jason. Jason slid down his horse to observe this fragile creature with pale blue eyes and tiny features to see a half starved blonde beauty in a cloak white from the snow. He came nearer and grasped her tiny frozen hands.

“Mistress Kiara, you look as if you are about to collapse in the snow. Please come rest by our fire. You may ride upon my horse.” offered Jason. Kiara glanced at the old man.

“Thank you, lord. My daughter is not well. Her husband was murdered yesterday during a raid on our village and she is about to give birth. She has not spoken since.” explains the old man.

Jason smiles and whistles for his horse. He pushes the woman atop his horse and offers the sledge to the old man. He covered the man with a fur blanket and pulls on the reins. Xander and Oskar bring over frozen peasants reeling from head wounds. At the campfire, they feed the peasants warm broth and Ophelia heals them. The old man explains they were heading toward the lord’s fortress over yonder.

“We will escort you there. My name is Jason. This is my son Xander with his wife Talia and his sister Amazon. My son Dracon. My cousins Ophelia and Oskar. We are on our way to Illium.” introduces Jason.

“What business have you in Illium, Lord Jason?” asks the old man.

“To recapture my throne from my wife,” answers Jason.

“King Jason,” gasps the old man, dropping his bowl. “Our exiled king has returned like the Oracle of Nix has foretold. May we come with you?” Jason smiles as he blushes.

“I was hoping you would ask that,” replies Jason. They pack up the lodgings and tools to set off towards the coast where a grand fortress overlooking a bay sits on the sea wall. They place Kiara and her father with the other peasants on the sledges bundled in blankets. Near the city gate, Kiara cries out in pain.

“We are almost there Kiara, hold on.” orders the king.

They reach an inn and take Kiara upstairs. The mistress of the inn gathered towels and boiled water for the delivery. Jason met with the new mother alone in a bed chamber.

“Mistress Kiara, may I ask about your husband you named your son after.” asked Jason. Kiara began to weep and kissed her babe.

“You may ask, Sire. He was a good and kind man loyal to all his villagers. He fed wanderers and travelers when they had nothing to pay him with. He always sacrificed the best lamb to the gods. He farmed the lord’s land from sunrise to sunset and never once complained like other peasants. He played the drums during festivals and wrote songs to honor me. I came from another village on the coast so when we married a year ago I knew no one. He introduced me to all the villagers and encouraged me to sell my garden vegetables in the market. He was a great man loved by all the villagers. He took in my father when my mother died last year. Then a man slashed an axe into his face and my father pulled me into the river woods to escape. I wanted to die beside him, but father said I must give our child life to honor Almar.” recited Kiara kissing her son again.

“I am sorry if this pains you. I was curious, mistress.” responds Jason. “May I also be so bold as to ask if you are part-mermaid. Only mermaids of the southern seas have pale blue eyes like yours.”

Stunned, Kiara did not answer. The infant cried and she fed him milk. Jason kissed her forehead and left without a word. He sought out her father and asked his opinion for a potential betrothal. He agreed to speak to his daughter. Another day went by and the royal party set off again leaving the new mother behind. Her father promised to come to Illium once they hear King Jason has returned to the throne. It tore Jason deeply to leave Kiara. Xander voiced his observations of his father to him.

“You look upon Kiara the same way you once looked upon mother. Are you planning to marry her? You know you must be very gentle with her. She has lost her husband and gained a child in two days.”

“I know son. That is why I am leaving her behind to sort her feelings out.” replies Jason.

After a long journey around Blythe, they reach the majestic capital of Illium. Dracon was in awe of the tall whitewashed stone buildings and streets covered in broken sea shells. They rode passed fountains filled with water from the aqueduct and temples with circular columns. He could not wait to tell Homer and Valnar about this city, they would never believe him. Brick bridges crossed the streams leading to the sea and large avenues were covered with carts pulled by oxen carrying every delight imaginable. Oskar, Xander, Talia, and Amazon stay in a nearby inn. Grand Prince Dracon and King Jason as a wolf enter the palace gates with their bodyguard Ophelia. They are guided to the throne room and promptly announced. Queen Jopria embraces her son’s return in her throne room. She thanks Ophelia for the escort, sends her regards to Dinah, and gives thanks for raising him away from the war with Kadacia. When she asks where Dracon found his pet wolf Grecken, Dracon answered it is Ophelia’s pet. Ophelia explained the wolf was a companion of her tutor, Prince Alaric the Great. Quenn Jopria winced at the sound of his name. Dracon further recited his journey to The Oracle of Nix for an omen for his return to the capital and meeting this great wizard. One day he be a hero recited in song. Displeased at her son consorting with exiles, she orders a magician to sense the identity of this animal. Her fears are to be confirmed. The gray wolf transforms back into King Jason wearing his crown and his drawn bow aimed at Jopria. Shocked at seeing her husband again, Jopria looked helplessly at her son. An arrow struck her heart and the frightened servants bowed to His Majesty. Blubbering, they beg for forgiveness from Jason. The nobles race out of the throne room and magicians make themselves disappear. King Jason announces his return by sitting on Jopria’s throne with the gold-tipped staff his grandfather Emperor Rurick the Conqueror once held. A valet rises to take off Jopria’s fur cape and placed it over Jason’s shoulders.

“Forgive us, King Jason. We had to follow the Queen’s commands to keep our heads.” the valet bows and kisses His Majesty’s ring.

“There is nothing to forgive, please rise.” answers the restored king.

The End.