The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (48 page)

“Come Father,” Merula said tenderly, “let’s take you out of this heat.”

He nodded in agreement.  Grasping his cane in one hand and holding to Lepsis with the other, the three made their way into the mansion.  Jessica was left staring after them.

“It’s sad, isn’t it?” John said behind her.  “He can’t be older than Anton, and yet the years in prison almost broke him.  Larone’s done everything possible for him.  I couldn’t have done more myself.”

“Lepsis seems very good to him.  At least his last years should be happy ones.”

The pounding of horse’s hooves on the drive interrupted their conversation.  They turned to see Cordon and Ophir riding up together, dusty and dirty.  John ran to meet them.  Ophir dismounted first and as soon as he did, John grabbed him in a tight bear hug.  Ophir stood rigid in the embrace, a look of bewilderment on his bearded face.  John let him go only to grab Cordon in the same tight squeeze, however Cordon hugged him back.  It was like two brothers reuniting after years of separation.

Ophir smiled.  “I left Galland as soon as I received your note about Lepsis and Anton’s wedding plans.  To see Anton married after all these years, and to Naydeen at that, is an event I would never miss.  I met up with Cordon by chance at the Twin Hills.”

Cordon grinned from ear to ear at John.  “I see you don’t have too many scars to tell me about.  My lessons on swordsmanship finally paid off.”

John grinned back.  “I have a lot to tell you.  But first, there’s an important matter we need to discuss.  Where I come from, it’s customary for a man to ask permission of his lady’s family to marry her.  So Cordon, as Lyrista’s older brother, I’m asking you for her hand in marriage.”

Cordon looked thunderstruck and Jessica was momentarily afraid her dad’s friend would actually say no, but then tears welled up in Cordon’s eyes and he thickly said, “She said yes?”

John nodded. 

“Finally.”  Cordon grinned and threw his arms around John in a huge bear hug.

Going Home

The triple wedding was held five days after the touring group returned to Rendaira from their desert explorations.  Dignitaries from throughout the country arrived during those days, and Rendaira was filled to capacity.  Even one of the barracks had to be made into a guest hall.  The ballroom overflowed, with each of the thousand chairs occupied and soldiers standing in every available space. 

The grooms, all three of them, were dressed in their finest clothes.  Lepsis wore traditional Maronian attire of deep purple and cream satin robes.  He had a thick gold cord draped around his neck that touched the floor on both ends.  His head was bare and his long hair pulled back, secured by a golden clamp. 

Anton dressed in traditional Esparian clothing consisting of deep blue velvet pants and a white silk shirt elaborately embroidered in silver.  He wore several long, heavy silver chains, and a broad silver band adorned his right middle finger.  It was obvious someone had tried to help him with his hair, but it was a lost cause, still frizzing out on the ends.

John chose his blue and silver military uniform with the Sword of Judgment polished and strapped to his side.  The coat lay unbuttoned revealing a white satin shirt and a deep red satin sash, much like a cumber bun, around his middle.  Jessica had made the shirt and the sash.  She wanted him to wear the colors of their native country.  Nobody would understand the red, white and blue other than Gaylee and themselves, but the red added a pleasant accent to the uniform.

A full orchestra assembled for the occasion, and when the music began, the brides came walking down the aisle, one by one.  Escorted by a clean-shaven, short haired Farin, and dressed in a white, flowing gown, Merula was the first to come.  A golden tiara belonging to her mother adorned her head.  Jessica smiled at Cook Stratin, who cried tears of happiness, while the other staff members beamed with pride and joy.

Naydeen came next, escorted by Larone.  A simple, elegant gown of ivory silk fit her like a glove.  The hem of the gown and the end of the long sleeves were embroidered in gold thread with many of the same designs matching those on Anton’s shirt.  On her head swirled a garland of tiny pink rose buds held together by gold ribbon.  Her eyes sparkled, and when Larone gave her hand into his brother’s, he kissed each of them on the cheek.

Finally Lyrista, accompanied by Cordon, walked in.  She wore her best blue and silver military uniform.  Jessica had given her the Sword of Mercy to wear, and it was tied to her side by a thick red cord.  Her face shone just as brilliantly as the fabled sword.  Her head was bare, but her soft blond hair, which had grown out a bit since Jessica first met her, was actually curled and softly framed her face.  Upon her entering the hall, every soldier snapped to attention and smartly touched their left fists to their foreheads, and then struck their left breasts smartly, saluting her in honor. 

Jessica sat on the front row of chairs along with Gaylee, Ophir, and Reese.  Varnack lay positioned at her feet.  Before leaving for the two-week tour of Demar, Jessica had given her makeshift uniform, which she had worked so hard to sew, to Merula with the request it be cleaned for the upcoming wedding.  When Merula returned it to her the night she returned to Rendaira, Jessica was amazed at the transformation the clothing had undergone.  Someone had lovingly re-embroidered the blouse, covering it in silver and gold patterns.  The pants were embroidered down each side seam and around the cuffs to match the blouse.  Jessica complemented the ensemble with a thin, dark red satin belt.  Her curled red hair cascaded around her shoulders, and for the first time since arriving on Edia, she felt truly beautiful.

Merula’s father, Regulator Tirus, stood at the front of the room.  He wore the silver ceremonial robes of Palium High Regulator.  With the aid of his cane, he stood straight and tall, beaming at each couple when they came to kneel before him.  His body may have been broken, but his voice rang out strong and vibrant as ever.  No one strained to hear his words as he performed each marriage with solemnity.

All three husbands turned to their respective wives and kissed them, while the wedding guests erupted into deafening applause.  Good food, good drinks, and fine music marked the party that followed.  There were no fewer than twelve long tables set up with food of every type and description.  A wide variety of drinks were offered at a large booth set up beside the tables, and the orchestra played non-stop. 

Jessica’s wounds had healed at a phenomenal pace and no longer gave her pain.  After the weddings, she congratulated each of the couples.  It was a bittersweet time for her as she attended the celebration with mixed feelings. 

She noticed how easily her Grandmother mingled with every group in attendance.  Gaylee spent the evening gliding from Maronian and Esparian dignitaries to units of soldiers and servants.  Envying the older lady’s grace and talent, Jessica felt out of place.  She tried to follow her Grandmother’s example, but soon ran out of things to say.  Larone rescued her once by asking her to dance.  Farin also gave her a turn on the floor, leaving her breathless from the spins and twirls. 

As the night wore on, Jessica saw the newly married couples disappear one by one from the ballroom.  Lepsis and Merula went to the guest house, Anton and Naydeen to a deluxe guest suite, while John and Lyrista retired to Daenon’s former quarters, Gaylee having redecorated the entire apartment.

Giving up on socializing, Jessica finally went for the food.  She had a mouth full of crème pudding when Reese walked up.  “The wedding was…nice,” he said awkwardly.

“Yes, it was.  I hope they’ll each be very happy.”  She reached for a square pastry filled with a purple mystery fruit and sprinkled with sugar.

“I heard about what happened to you at the Colossus Forest,” he shook his head.  “Jeema was such a fool.  It was his first big assignment and he let it go to his head.  He didn’t take any precautions.  I’ve seen him and he feels pretty bad.”

Jessica took a bite of the pastry and was pleasantly surprised by the cherry taste.  “Did he tell you I tried to warn him…three times?  You should try this,” she pointed to the pastry in her hand, “it’s wonderful.”

Reese shifted his feet nervously.  “Lepsis has asked me to head the security forces here in Demar.  It’s an offer of a lifetime.”

Jessica set the pastry down and took a good look at Reese.  He was tall by Ider standards, dark, and handsome.  A neatly trimmed beard added to his already attractive features.  He had an endearing boyish shyness and was a good person at heart. 

“Reese, I think that’s great,” she said honestly.  “I can’t think of a better man for the job.”

He smiled and slightly relaxed.

“I want you to be the first to know I will not be staying here much longer.”  Jessica spoke softly, but Reese looked thunderstruck. 

“Where are you going?”

“Home, back to Earth.  I have a whole different life there.  I want to go to school and be with my best friend, Rachel, again.  She’s going to be my roommate and I can’t let her down.  I want to see where it all takes me.”

Reese sighed and Jessica saw several different emotions travel over his face.  Finally he asked, “Will you come back?”

“I don’t know.  I truly don’t, but if I can, I will.  My Dad is here as are many people I’ve come to care a great deal about.”

He nodded, then he held his hand out.  She shook it and smiled warmly at him.  “Good luck, Jessica.  I hope your life is full and everything you want it to be.”

“Thanks, Reese.  You take care of yourself and always watch your back.”

“Hey, Reese.”  Someone calling from behind him interrupted their goodbyes.  Jessica saw Jeema beckoning him over.  At the sight of Jessica, Jeema turned deep red, worry crossing his face.

“Go,” Jessica smiled.  “Tell him not to worry, he’s forgiven.  I’ll see you later.”  She watched him for a few minutes after he fell into easy conversation with his friend.  Jeema seemed to relax, then turning toward Jessica, he bowed.

Scanning the crowds of people, Jessica spotted her Grandmother talking with Regulator Tirus.  She was about to join the two when Ophir walked toward them, his eyes fixed on Gaylee.  Bowing low, he offered her his arm to lead her to the dance floor.  Surprised by his grace and polish, Jessica smiled.  All at once, she felt very tired.  She did not belong there.

Desiring the safety of her chambers, Jessica turned to leave.  “I have been watching you.  You seem lost.”  Larone fell into step beside her.  He held his arm for her, then led her to the back of the mansion.  They strolled through the waist high hedges of the beautiful garden.  The distant sound of laughter and music drifted to where they walked.  Two moons and numerous stars showed down, illuminating the paths in their soft, mellow light.

“Uncle Larone, show me the star that’s my sun.”  He pointed to a faint grouping in the northern sky.  “My role here is finished now,” she sighed.  “It’s time for me to go back.”

“I thought this is what was on your mind.  Have you discussed it with your father?”

“Yes, I’ve told him.”

“Then I will talk to Anton at the first opportunity,” he promised.  “You can leave as early as tomorrow if you wish.”

She was astonished.  “You mean it?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Oh Uncle Larone!”  Jessica threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.  “I might still make the first day of classes!  And I can see Rachel, and I can see
Thomas
!”

“Thomas?”  His eyebrows went up, but he smiled knowingly.  “I understand,” he nodded.  “Jessica, you have done everything required of you and more.  I am proud of you.  You can count on going back tomorrow.  Everything will be ready, but I am afraid I will miss you very much.”

Jessica went to bed that night with clashing feelings.  On the one hand she felt excited to go home, and on the other she was sad about leaving her newfound family and her father.  She could not guess what her grandmother would do, but in the morning she would find out.

Breakfast consisted of leftovers from the celebration.  Not feeling hungry, Jessica grabbed one of the cherry-like pastries and set out to find her grandmother, finally locating her in the kitchen. 

“Grandma, I’m going home today,” she announced.  There was no easy way of saying it, so she felt the direct approach was best.  “Uncle Larone promised to have everything ready.”

Gaylee was sorting through fresh herbs, and at Jessica’s news her hands stopped in mid-air.  “I knew this was coming.”  She turned to face her granddaughter.  “I’ve wondered how I would react when you told me, and now I know.”  She sighed, “I’m going with you.”

“With me?  Honestly?”

“Yes.  I could live here as an honored woman, but I would always be just an honored woman.  On Earth I have friends, people who care about me, Gaylee, not Lady Saylon.  It’s been a good visit, but I want to go back too.”

* * *

Larone was sitting outside on a bench under the same shade tree where Jessica had met Merula’s father when his two nieces located him.  Gaylee told him of her desire to accompany Jessica. 

“I anticipated this.  Perhaps someday, you will come back and wish to stay.”

Jessica wondered if anything ever surprised her all-knowing uncle.

“So there ya are,” Anton thundered from the front door.  “I’ve been searchin’ all over this place for ya.”  In a grand mood, he nearly skipped over to where they were.  “So ya want to go back, do ya?” he addressed Jessica.

“It’s hard to leave, Uncle, but…yes I do.”

“We’ll miss ya, Jessi.  But I know yer young and ya need to spread yer wings.”  He looked at Gaylee.  “And ya need to go with her, huh?”

Gaylee nodded.  It seemed Anton had anticipated this decision as easily as Larone. 

“All right,” he smiled.  “I’ll have everythin’ ready in a couple of hours.  I’ll send ya back to yer door.  Once yer there, the hole’ll dissolve and not activate again.”

He looked around at the other guests roaming the yard.  “We don’t need an audience for this.  I guess I’ll set it up so’s you’ll enter the hole from Daenon’s office.  That work?”

“It will be fine,” Gaylee affirmed.  And so it was settled.  Anton went back to his rooms to finish his calculations.  Larone excused himself and disappeared around the side of the mansion.  Gaylee said she needed to write a few letters, so left to find paper and writing equipment, and Jessica wanted to find her father. 

She found him with Lyrista in the back garden, meandering around knee high, thornless rose bushes.  “Dad and Lyrista!”  Jessica ran up to meet them. 

“Jess, we were just about to go look for you,” John said.

She laughed.  “Look Dad, this is your time together.  You don’t need to worry about me.  Honestly.  I’m so proud to have Lyrista as my new mom.”  She hugged them both, then stepped back, a sad smile on her face.  “I’ve come to tell you--Grandma and I are going back home in a couple of hours.  Uncle Anton is setting it
up as we speak.”

“So soon?”  John was startled.

“Oh, Jessica.  I would never want to drive you away,” Lyrista said worriedly.

“No, no.  You don’t understand,” Jessica quickly explained.  “I’ve already talked to dad about this.  I told him nearly a week ago I wanted to go back.  It has nothing to do with you, Lyrista…well…actually that’s not true.  Now that I know how happy he is, it makes it that much easier for me to leave.  I won’t worry, knowing he’ll be happy with you.”