Chapter Sixteen

Devona froze. It was really him… here… in Ascalon.

She couldn't tell what exactly what was going on from her position, she was too far away and his back was to her… but he appeared to be addressing and demonstrating something to the farmers of the southern fields. Perhaps if she got closer, she'd learn more.

Her footsteps were light and stealthy, as if she was afraid of spooking an animal that would run at the first instinct of being discovered… or as if she was afraid it was all an illusion, and didn't want the dream dashed once she got too close.

She stopped herself, straightened, and took a deep breath. This was silly… was she twelve? She was fairly certain she wouldn't have to chase him around the neighborhood and tackle him anymore. Another deep breath, and her next strides were deliberate… perhaps a little too much so as her greaves clanked heavily on the dusty earth, drawing the attention of even the scarce wildlife nearby.

Coran was startled by the sudden sound, but certainly didn't panic, and in fact, once he identified the source of the footfalls, his face brightened. That was a good sign, wasn't it?

His first words were somewhat nervous, nonetheless, "Good day to you… Captain… I hope I'm not interrupting any maneuvers. If… if I am… I can gladly reloc…"

At that point, Devona was nearly plastered on him, and she silenced his lips with hers.

Okay… that wasn't entirely in her plan, but she could work with it. At least… until she remembered they had an audience. At that point, she jumped back as if she had been scalded. "I… I apologize… that wasn't what I meant to do." She stumbled, rocking on her feet in discomfort, her entire face burning red.

"Well, I must admit I approve of your improvisation." Coran answered. Why couldn't he be as flustered as she was? Now she felt even more out of place.

But, even if the prince didn't share her discomfort, he clearly identified hers, as well as the source of said discomfort. "Alright, gentlemen, class time is over. You know what you need to do. One green bag of seed for your fields, and everyone with a waterway or large body of water on their property is to take one blue bag of algae. Get moving, now."

When the astonished farmers didn't react quite as quickly as Coran would have liked, his tone dropped and reiterated his orders more firmly, momentarily jerking Devona from her adolescent crushing. Of course, the hopelessly smitten blush returned full force when he turned back towards her, and gave her a lopsided grin.

Damn Aidan, he was right. She was acting so damned female… and certainly not suitable for a person of her standing and stature. She really should have a problem with the way she was behaving…

… Anytime, really…

… Like right now…

… Well, maybe not "right now" right now…

… Maybe in a few moments…

At that point, Coran had put his hands gently on her waist, and leaned his forehead against hers. "I do apologize for the distraction. Now, where were we?"

"I think you were complimenting me for my improvising." She replied, then nervously added, "What… I thought you had left."

"I did." The prince answered. "And when the Krewe reports that everything has been distributed properly, I'll do so again. There's still a copious amount of work that has to be done in Atal Ra… even if my plan was to abandon my position the moment the Asurans have secured everything they seek within the Academy. However, someone told me that I have responsibilities to this kingdom… and in retrospect, said person was probably right. So, every so often, I suppose it would be prudent to emerge from my cave dwelling, and use my influence to exact some of those responsibilities."

One hand moved from her waist to just under her chin. "I wasn't running away. I learned that lesson nine years ago. Anything you need, anything at all… do not hesitate to bring it to me."

"And if I said I needed you here?" Devona queried softly, testing his empty promise for what it really was.

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"You know what I mean." The warrior answered glumly.

"My father can't live forever… even if it may seem like it at times. Nor will he always be fit to perform all the duties of the monarchy, even if he denies such a day will ever come." Coran said lightly. "There will come a time where I will be needed here in Ascalon. When that time comes, I will return for good."

She allowed her frown to twist upward warily. "I suppose that will have to do for now." Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she leaned into him, her forehead resting on his chin as his arms snaked around her middle warmly.

A cough interrupted the moment, and Devona didn't even need to see who it was to know who… the warm, loving aura that had been surrounding her turned to ice, the prince's heartbeat, which had been swift and calming slowed to a disturbing crawl, and his muscles tensed in annoyance.

"When I heard you were here, I wasn't sure I wanted to believe it." King Adelbern declared as Coran stepped back from Devona and turned his back to the king. "But… you honestly have nothing to say to your own father?"

"All that needed to be said was said nine years ago." Coran retorted sharply. Devona's mind was gradually starting to catch up to the drastic shift in the climate of her surroundings. She involuntarily hugged herself from the chill that she swore she could feel in the air.

To her astonishment, Adelbern did not respond the way Devona assumed he would. Rather than the defiant, confrontational rebuke the warrior expected, the monarch was morose and apologetic. "Is that still the wedge driven between me and my only living child? Coran… I know the errors I have made. I should have… paid note to your misgivings. I was wrong, but I have learned my lesson. Please…"

That plea definitely stirred something in the prince, but it wasn't forgiveness. "Learned your lesson?" He snarled bitterly. "Learned your lesson? Is that what you think this is about?"

Four strides placed Coran face to face with his father. "Do you think the dead care that you 'learned your lesson'? Do you think that the survivors that lost everything due to your foolishness, your stubborn pride, your inconceivable disregard… do you think they will forgive you because you 'learned your lesson'? You give them this…" His right hand gestured broadly towards the horizon, "Your inane desire to reclaim what was lost caused everyone, not just you, to lose everything. But that's okay… because you 'learned your lesson', is that it? Perhaps if you would stop to think that maybe, just maybe, it isn't all about you, then just maybe could you get to the heart of my ire."

"Headmaster Coran!" An Asuran voice squealed; the small being dashing as fast as his little legs could carry him from the south. "Urgent notice from Atal Ra, sir!"

And once again, as swiftly as he had shifted from loving to furious, Coran's mood altered to level headed business. He gave the messenger a slight bow, and once the pleasantries were returned, took the shimmering white page from the Asura and unfolded it. "It appears we will have to continue our debate another time, father. Unexpected events have occurred below, and I must address them promptly."

The king was so staggered from his son's violent eruption that his head moved in acknowledgement before his brain could catch up. Coran paused momentarily before leaving, then locked eyes with Devona. "One more thing, with your permission, I would ask that Captain Devona assemble her guild and report in at Atal Ra. What I discover may affect Ascalon, and it's only fair your people are represented."