Epilogue
In the year 464-HE (Human Era) a great battle took place on the sands of the Great desert of Tortall. The armies of Jonathon of Conte and his allies marched against a force of men reincarnated to serve for a purpose which no human would. The leader of this army was King Jonathon's own cousin, Duke Roger of Conte, who had twice already been slain by Alanna the Lioness, the King's Champion.
Roger had been bought back to life by the unwilling efforts of Jonathon's two oldest children, Prince Roald of Conte, and Kalasin, Empress of Cathark. These two were among Jonathon's army, though Kalasin did not fight as she was mother to the child who would become the instrument of destruction should her father's army fail.
While the two armies fought and died the real battle took place between only three people. Jonathon and Alanna came one last time against Roger, as envoys of the Gods against the forces of Chaos with whom Roger had made a pact.
In the last moments of this battle, as it seemed certain, even to Jonathon and Alanna that there was no hope remaining for them, the Lady Knight raised Lightening- her first true sword and one fused with an evil weapon of Roger's own making, and decapitated the sorcerer. Then she and Jonathon used their magic to burn Roger's body, and the battle was ended.
It was only at that time that Kalasin's child, though it had been born months before, began to live, and his mother too was reborn from the darkness which had grown over her.
Many men were killed in the battle, including the king's uncle Duke Gareth of Naxen, but many more survived to see the Empress hand the child to his grandmother for the first time.
Neither Alanna nor Jonathon returned to their families after that battle, and it was widely assumed that they had lost their lives. Whether or not that is true, I cannot tell you, but I know that if they are dead, that they did not go to where mortals do when they die, but instead to the stars, as the old Bazhir prophecy of them; The Night One and the Burning Brightly One.
Tara, I hope that you understand this, though maybe it is unfair of me to ask you to. I'm glad my father has not returned, for your father is a good king, and without the burden of his crown Jonathon and his champion may love each other in peace. I'm not being callous Tara, and I suspect you know that and understand.
I'm not even sure if your brother knows the truth of what happened that day; we've never spoken of it. Don't ask it of him, Tara, to forgive our father for loving a woman other than our mother. He knows just as I do what lay between them, but he cannot bring himself to accept it. Maybe he will someday, when your grandmother is dead and that guilt no longer burdens him, but you and I cannot ask it of him sooner.
I haven't explained this very well Tara, because I don't want to do it the injustice of explaining it properly with words. I hope you can understand without me explaining in more detail. Tell you father that I love him, and that you cousin sends his greeting.
This perhaps I can explain more fully; I nearly lost my child, but had Duke Roger been victorious I would have stayed with him even as all that I loved was destroyed at his hand. This was not my will, but still I would have done it, simply because I had no choice. I am grateful for the sacrifices that were made that day, probably more than any other human being, because I had already lost some of what we were all to lose.
I know this makes no sense Tara, but it is what you asked of me, nothing more and nothing less. I would give you more if I was capable, but I don't know how to do it without surrendering some of myself. I love you always, and all the rest of our family too.
Strong arms picked her up and carried to the waiting chariot. She was rested gently against the seat and then left, but not alone.
A gentle kiss was laid upon her forehead,
"You have done well my daughter," whispered the voice that no longer hurt her. "Enjoy your journey. I will be there when it is over,"
A feather light touch to the hand registered on her senses, and then the presence was moving away. It paused for a moment, and she heard a whisper, but could not determine the words. Then it was gone, and she was able to open her eyes to her lover.
The chariot breezed into motion and rose into the night sky. The Night One and the Burning Brightly One rode into the sky in a chariot of fire.
Without making a single noise she flew to him and he to her, so that they met in the middle. He kissed her fiercely, gripped her so tight that if she still had breath it would have been choked from her, but she held him just as tightly. She opened her eyes and looked at the stars around her, and turned back to his bright blue eyes.
"I love you Jonathon," she whispered.
…
I'm sorry to everyone I have confused in writing this story. I cannot honestly say that it was not my intention because it was. This story is over now, as much as stories ever are, so I guess I ought to answer some of the questions that have been put to me.
I think the most memorable review I got (other than my first) was one which asked about the nature of Roald and Kalasin's relationship, and whether I was implying anything. I was exquisitely pleased to receive that, because yes I was implying something, but what I was implying was nothing more than an implication; it didn't really exist, even in the story. I guess that makes no sense, and I apologise again for causing confusion. It's an art form to me; I just can't help it.
Most other questions I won't answer, because I hope I already have, but there was one about Kalasin's baby which I couldn't answer, regrettably. The gist behind that was that there was something volatile in the combination of Kalasin and Kaddars' blood, because of the Tortall vs. Cathark thing (Roger's making) and had Roger's army won the battle Roger would have been reborn into that child, to become the ruler of the new world. So until the battle was over and won the baby had no soul, and because the spirit is an essential part of a living creature it was draining off Kalasin's and because she didn't want that she was trying to not feel so the baby couldn't take her feelings away. If that still doesn't make sense, send me an email with specific questions because I'm not going to post anything more to this story but I don't want to leave anyone bitter, so I'll try to help.
Last thing, the Alanna Jon death one. I refuse to answer that properly in the story, but because a couple of people who read this on paper will demand to know and you probably deserve to know more than they do (I'm going to get told off for saying that)… yes, by definition Jon and Alanna died; as in, they left that world and they couldn't return. But by personal definition, no they didn't. Basically, it's a matter of perspective. Just make what you like of the last bit of this chapter (before I started my bit)
Thanks for reading this. I'm saluting you all for bearing with me, because if I'd been reading this, I would have given up. If anyone wants to play with any of the things I've done here, they're welcome to. Now piece of advice, then quote, and then I'll shut up.
Advice: If your heart isn't in a story and you know before you start that you can't end it in one or two chapters, find someone who'll continue it for you or don't start.
Quote: "Death is the only pure, beautiful conclusion of a great passion,"-D.H. Lawrence via Spike and Dru(Buffy) wallpaper
Shutting up now. Goodnight. *Waves*