Here's the final installment. Thanks to everyone who has commented so far and I look forward to the final reviews!
Chapter 8
Cast Light Upon the Darkened Earth
Lyude and his companions were greeted warmly at Scalla's home. Her mother hugged him and straightened his tie. "You have grown to be such a handsome young man." she said. "You take so much after your mother. Almarde was always so afraid you would learn the truth some day and hate her for hiding it from you."
"There is no possible way that I could have ever hated Almarde." said Lyude, "She was a mother to me before I ever learned she was my real mother."
"So you do know now." said Brianne with tears in her eyes.
"Vallye and Skeed told me." said Lyude.
"Oh, they did, did they?" she said looking at them both in a measuring way.
Lyude changed the subject quickly, "How have you been, Brianne?" he asked. Brianne smiled.
"Oh, just fine, dear. I've been hearing a lot about you lately. You've had quite a time of it, haven't you?" she asked sympathetically.
Lyude sighed, "We all have, Brianne. I'm sure that things have been quite stressful for you as well."
Brianne shook her head, "We've managed." she said. "But really, dear, let's make this a happy visit. I daresay we all could use a breath of fresh air."
"I couldn't agree more." said Lyude.
It was getting dark by the time Lyude and his companions left Scalla's home and headed for Lyude's house. All were tired from the days events and went to bed shortly after their return.
Lyude was the first to rise the next morning. His dreams had been troubled and he had not rested well. His crimson eyes were bloodshot as he sat at the table. He was there stirring idly at his tea when Skeed came in and sat beside him.
"Good morning." he said awkwardly as he realized it was probably the first time he had ever said those words to his brother. Lyude merely nodded his greeting, still stirring at the dark umber liquid of his tea. His mind clearly elsewhere. Skeed cleared his throat nervously. Seeing Lyude in this sort of humor was not new to him, but now he actually cared.
After the way he had always treated his younger brother he didn't know quite how to act around him. He had no idea what he should say. Right now he just wished he could see Lyude smile, but Skeed also realized that he had little to smile about. He had a difficult task ahead of him and by this evening he would be formerly introduced as the head leader of their country. It was a heavy burden.
Skeed couldn't help but admire the policies his brother had in mind, though he wished that
Lyude had chosen to take more command than he had. His brother seemed to think that everyone should have a right to question their government and the cities should have a say in how the government was run. That was a very new concept. Anyone that had not shared the emperor's opinions had regretted it one way or another.
He looked Lyude's way once more and saw him finally take a sip of his now almost cold tea.
"What's on your mind, Lyude?" he asked finally.
Lyude sat down his cup, gazing into the rippling pool in sad reflection. "Everything and nothing." said Lyude. "I just don't know what to think anymore, Skeed. I'm just a soldier. I did what I had to do."
"You did more than that, Lyude. You saved us all." said Skeed seriously. "You have done well."
Lyude looked to his brother and a small smile crossed his face. "You don't know how long
I've longed to hear you say something like that." he said, tears teasing the corners of his eyes. "I always wanted your approval... Always." Skeed looked down at his hands folded neatly before him on the table.
"Listen, Lyude. I know that Vallye and I have always been cold and distant. We haven't been the family that you deserved... I'm sorry. I feel honored to call you my brother."
"Skeed... I"
There was a knock on the door and the two brothers turned abruptly. It had been quite a frantic rapping. Vallye came out of her room and opened the door.
"Who are you?" she asked a figure at the door.
"Is this Sir Lyude's home?" sobbed a wavering, barely audible voice.
"And if it is?"
"P...please, I would like to see him." Lyude rose suddenly as Vallye began to refuse. He had recognized the voice in the second attempt. "Alyssa!" he said rushing to the door.
Vallye swept aside and Alyssa threw herself into Lyude's arms sobbing uncontrollably. He held her close to him, allowing her to spend her tears, unsure what he should do to comfort her. When her tears had abated a little he lead her to the table and asked Vallye to make her some tea.
Kalas and Xelha came into the parlor moments later and saw Alyssa seated next to Lyude, their seats drawn close. Lyude's cheek rested against her hair as she leaned heavily against him clinging to him and sobbing uncontrollably. They sat there for several minutes, Lyude waiting patiently for Alyssa to calm enough for her to speak.
When Vallye brought the tea Lyude thanked her and drew Alyssa away, stroking her hair and handing her the cup. Alyssa nodded and took a small sip, the warm liquid soothed her throat and calmed her slightly. "Alyssa, what's wrong? What happened." asked Lyude gently.
"I...it's my father..." she said, fighting back more tears "He...he was just too mad. He couldn't recover, he couldn't handle the defeat, he's been following this madness for thirty years. I...I tried so hard to calm him, to bring him back to sanity but he'd just given up. He hung himself last night after I went to bed. Oh, Lyude, he's dead!" she sobbed again and Lyude held her close, unsure of what he could say, or what he should do. All he knew to do was hold her and be there with her.
"Alyssa...I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry this happened to you." he whispered into her hair.
Skeed and Vallye watched them with surprise and a hint of suspicion. Alyssa finally drew away, her tears had dampened Lyude's chest. "I didn't know what to do." she said, her voice
constricted by the lump in her throat, "I couldn't bear it, I couldn't be alone. I had to find you, I had to see you or the sorrow would have enveloped me completely." He stroked her cheek, wiping her tears away, his eyes speaking much more than words ever could. "I love you, Lyude." she said breathlessly.
Lyude didn't speak at first, he just drew her close and kissed her. He held her close and cradled her in his arms. "I love you too, Alyssa." he whispered finally, "I'm here. I'm not going to leave you. It's my turn to take care of you. They parted and he looked into her eyes.
"You're exhausted." he said, "Why don't you get some rest? I'll be here when you wake."
she nodded and he took her hands in his own. They rose and Lyude showed her to a bed. He sat in a chair and stayed with her until she fell asleep and quietly closed the door behind him. He sighed as he sat at the table.
"How is she?" asked Xelha.
"Absolutely exhausted." he said wearily, "Heaven knows how long she's been running around Mintaka trying to find me... I wish that there was something more I could do..."
"You did enough just being there, Lyude." said Xelha, "She loves you. She'll be all right."
"When did this happen?" asked Skeed. "I never knew about this girl."
"We never bothered to learn much anything about our brother's life, Skeed." said Vallye harshly. "How long have you known this girl, Lyude?"
"Not very long, really." said Lyude blushing slightly, "She was there when I needed her and we became close. I didn't realize just how precious she had become until I thought that I would
lose her... Now she's lost her only family and I can do little to comfort her. I don't know what to do." he said hopelessly.
"She'll tell you." said Xelha placing a hand on his shoulder, "You just have to know how to listen."
"Thanks, Xelha." said Lyude. "Will you stay with her? I have to be at that address soon and I really need to change my shirt."
"Of course. If she wakes up I'll let her know what's going on. Don't worry, she'll understand. Just go."
Lyude nodded and thanked her. He quickly changed his shirt and he and his siblings left to prepare for Lyude to make his formal address to the people.
A few hours later, when Lyude stepped forward to the pedestal he looked out over the crowd. It wasn't long before he spotted Kalas and Xelha, accompanied by Alyssa, who seemed much better. Vallye and Skeed stood on either side of him as he addressed his people.
"Citizens of Alfard. I am honored and privileged to stand before you today as the shadow of the empire fades away. I would not see it revived. For the Empire was our bane, a series of thoughts and beliefs that blinded us to our true potential. It was a sickness that alienated us from our would be allies and brought us to near destruction. Only through the efforts of all can Alfard be reborn and become what we wish it to be.
As one man, there is little I can do to heal this land. But if we all work together to rebuild our nation and stand beside our neighbors there is little that we cannot accomplish.
It must be remembered that Alfard is not it's ruler, but all of it's people. Without you, the citizens of Azha and Mintaka, this great country could not stand, and that must never be forgotten again.
I ask you to help me in the tasks ahead, to stand with me as we rebuild this great nation. It is time for the true flame of Alfard to be reawakened. May the flames within our hearts cast light upon this darkened earth and guide us to a new age."
A loud cheer erupted from the assemblage and Lyude took questions. It was another two hours before he was able to leave the stage. Alyssa was waiting for him when he reached the end of the steps. Her eyes had cleared and she seemed in better spirits. "I am so proud of you." she said kissing him on the cheek. "That was wonderful."
"Not bad, Mr. Eloquent." said Kalas punching Lyude on the shoulder playfully.
"So what now, Lyude?" asked Xelha.
"Now I must arrange to meet with the leaders of the other nations. They have taken the time to aid Alfard in it's recovery, it is time Alfard did the same." said Lyude, beginning to walk toward the imperial fortress. "I have a few ideas how we can help each other as we adjust to life on the earth. Alfard will adjust quickly, given that we never did have wings of the heart, we did not depend on them. As the people of the other nations lost them when we returned to the earth, Alfard can contribute much to the effort. I think though, the first order of business will be to send some Iron Beetles to Azha."
"Whoa, did I just hear you right? Iron Beetles?" said Kalas.
"Of course. The Iron Beetle was first designed as a mining tool, when Geldoblame saw their military capabilities he had all of them taken from Azha and remodeled as weapons. It will make the Azhan's work much easier with access to them." said Lyude.
"Geez. I thought you'd gone nuts or something." said Kalas, "Don't just go announcing your sending imperial weapons to villages out of the blue like that!"
Lyude raised an eyebrow, "You know better than to think I'd do anything that would harm the Azhans. I think that it is you that may have a bolt or two loose." Xelha giggled. The four companions continued to walk together, Lyude hand in hand with Alyssa.
By the end of the week, Lyude was on his way to Diadem to meet with the other nations' rulers. Alyssa was accompanying him along with Vallye and Skeed. They had chosen to assemble in Diadem due to some remodeling being done in Anuenue. It felt strange to be returning to the cloud nation. After two years being stationed there as an ambassador, he felt awkward returning as the leader of a nation. They landed at Castle Elnath's dock and were met by Gibari and King Ladekahn.
"Lyude, welcome." said King Ladekahn, shaking his hand with a smile, "And who are your companions?"
"This is my brother Skeed and my Sister Vallye." said Lyude introducing them each in turn.
King Ladekahn smiled and nodded to each of them, Gibari nodded too, though hesitantly. Alyssa made her way down to the dock and moved close to him. "And this lovely lady is my faience, Alyssa." added Lyude wrapping his arm around her.
"Huh!" said Gibari looking amazed.
"Faience?" said Ladekahn raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Well, it's certainly a pleasure to meet all of you. A special greeting to you miss. Congratulations to both of you." Alyssa smiled and thanked him.
"Go, Lyude, you old Romeo." said Gibari clapping him on the back. Lyude smiled sheepishly.
"Yes, well, I think we should probably get on with the meeting." he said.
The meeting was quite lengthy and lasted for several hours but by the end each had agreed on a treaty between all of the nations and a plan for continued communications between them.
That evening Lyude went down to Nashira and spoke with the villagers. Andrea was especially glad to see him.
"Are you gonna walk with me, Sir Lyude? I've never walked with an emperor before."
Lyude smiled uncomfortably, "I'm not an emperor, Andrea, but I'll walk with you nonetheless."
The cloud passage no longer existed but Lyude walked with Andrea and Alyssa where it had once been. In it's place was a beautiful meadow with a stream running along it's length. A road of rose quartz was under construction there leading to the castle town. They stayed until the sun set, watching as the sun reflected off the quartz, giving a rosy hue to the surrounding grass.
The three were stretched out together on the grass, Andrea had fallen asleep. Alyssa sat close by Lyude's side. "I can see why you loved this nation so much." she said resting her head against his chest. "It's so beautiful here. I wish I could see more. I wish I could see it all, all the other nations."
"One day you will." Lyude told her. "Someday I'll take you around the world and we'll see all of its wonders."
Alyssa smiled, "I've already discovered the greatest wonder of the world." she said quietly.
Lyude tightened his arm around her waist. "You know what? So have I."
Lyude looked to the sky, a soft breeze stroked his cheek and he felt again the presence of Almarde, giving them her silent blessings. He sighed in contentment. With Alyssa by his side he felt that anything was possible. Yes, there were many trials ahead of them and the going would be difficult, there were many wounds to heal. But this moment was theirs, and for now that moment was enough. As Lyude looked over the meadow he felt totally at peace. For the first time in his life, things seemed as if they just might work out.
