Chapter 27

Anagantios 3

632 AAD

Cain,

How are the refugees holding up? Glitch has spent hours in his lab trying to develop a translator for the older ones. He's almost got it working except the program he put in for the guild has it interpreting everything in rhyme. I may have thrown it against the wall...twice.

Nearly everything is set for Azkadellia's coronation. She and Mother have retrieved the emerald from the Gray Gale to start the binding and I... well, I have done a whole lot of nothing. Tutor says I have surpassed most of what he can teach me, my etiquette lessons have pretty much been given up as a lost cause, and my political science course is on hold until after Az takes the throne, waiting to see how things shake out. I'm not sure what to do with myself and I don't know what my role is here anymore.

I think it's time I go and find it.

And as always, come home.

DG

(Attached is colored sketch Az and Lavender, holding the emerald between them)

Anagantios 10

632 AAD

DG,

The refugees are mostly settled in Central City. It seems to be the best solution. They have all amenities at their disposal and can develop a community around their common experience. Your mother has set them up with some housing and jobs and they are grateful. As soon as the the Headcase gets that translator working, though, send it. Right now our communication consists mostly of pictures and hand motions which is even less effective than you'd imagine. I can't help but feel a little kinship to them as people out of their own time. Ten years was enough... but a millennium?

Speaking of that, I understand what you mean, that loss of purpose. Give it time and don't do anything rash. If there's one thing I'm certain of, destiny is not quite done with you, whether we like it or not.

Wyatt

Anagantios 16

632 AAD

Cain,

I have seen your drawing ability and I imagine the refugees were pleasantly surprised when they arrived at real housing instead of cardboard boxes held up by sticks.

Don't worry, I'll stay put, at least until you return. I don't mind being a royal adviser, but I feel there is so much more I can do. If Az is to be the head of the OZ, I can be her hands and go actually make a difference. But I want you there with me.

I miss you,

DG

(Attached is a sketch of his hat dangling from her desk chair and her robe pooled on the floor)

Cain's ears burned as he recalled their last time together. He had surprised himself with his brazen behavior but couldn't quite regret any of it. That memory of her underneath him, the feel of her against his hand, and how she looked when she came was forever scorched into his mind. He had felt more alive at that moment than anytime since emerging from the suit.

His drifting thoughts halted as there was a knock on the door of his rented room.

"Father?"

Cain nonchalantly folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket before turning to face his son. The Cain men greeted each other with a handshake that pulled into a hug.

"I hear that was quite the battle up north," said Jeb, patting his father on the shoulder, "Lots of rumors going around about gnomes and Azkadellia... and did DG really blow up a mountain?"

Cain nodded and motioned toward the door. "This is a two pint conversation."

"You're kidding," Jeb deadpanned.

"No. She tore a hole in the ground and threw him down it, then fell in herself."

"That girl's a magnet for trouble."

Cain tilted his head in agreement before steeling himself for the next part of the conversation.

"Jeb, there's something I need to talk to you about before you hear it from someone else."

Jeb's eyebrows raised as he took in his father's uncomfortable posture.

"Son, DG and I have become close in the past few months...It's going to be an official courtship soon," he paused to gauge Jeb's reaction.

"But...you're so old."

Cain reared back as if struck. ""The suit cuts it down to about a seven or eight annuals difference. But I dont care about that...I care about you and I realize this might be difficult for you."

Jeb ran his hands through his hair in agitation, a gesture Cain recognized as his own.

"Do you have any idea how large of a shadow you cast?"

Cain's jaw opened slightly as he tried to process what his son said. Jeb scratched at the condensation making its way down his glass. He hadn't sounded angry, more thoughtful than anything.

"A resistance martyr...did you know your name was mentioned in memorial speeches and battle cries as an example to live up to? Ten years go by and we don't make a dent in Azakadellia's forces, despite all of our efforts. Then you come back, barely aged a day, and it's all over. We've won. You become a legend in the army, wiping out Longcoats as you make your way North. And now you're going to marry a royal princess."

"I didn't say marriage, Jeb."

"But you intend to marry her."

"I am going to be with DG. I don't know if that includes marriage or not."

'What's the difference?"

"I- I don't know," Cain sighed in frustration, "Look Jeb, I think DG is going to need a lot of support over the next few years and I don't know if that life is going to work with a marriage and kids, I just don't. But I do intend to be there."

His son stared into his drink for a minute before speaking again, "It's ok, Father, it really is. I wouldn't be thrilled about it no matter who it was but... you deserve some happiness too. I realize that. I just need some time to adjust to the idea."

"I still love your mother, son, I always will. But who I was and the life I had with her is different from who I am and the life I have today. I love them both, Jeb. Not more or less, just different."

His son swallowed deeply and nodded before motioning over their waitress.

"I think we're going to need a few more of these."