Chapter 13: A Sky Full of Stars
Xantus spiraled down from the heart of the dark blue sky, weaving through the clouds and dodging the gusts of wind spiraling upward from Autumnia's landscape. The winter sun was already in its decline, and the chill in the air was beginning to take over. The spirit dragon swept low against the moor, taking advantage of the updraft to launch itself back into the air. All the while, Esther could feel what it felt, careful keep their feelings separate, as it absorbed the darkness from the land and the power of the dark creatures that inhabited the fields. It was feeling something that was not quite happiness but it was akin to purpose and fulfillment. Every time she summoned Xantus on the plains outside of Hamelin she could feel the dragon's spirit become more tame and less angry. The minor creatures scattered before the large dragon and soon the plain was once again clear of all extraneous monsters. Esther reached a gloved hand upward to the sky, signaling the spirit to come to her and it did so, rather obediently.
"Return," Esther called out, and the glowing summoning circle at her feet shone brightly as the dragon passed through the gate, and disappeared entirely when she deconstructed the gate with a wave of her hand.
She let out a little laugh of self-satisfaction and surveyed the landscape. Construction was on hold for the upcoming holiday but the roads leading in and out of the city were almost fully repaired, as were the rails that led in and out of the mining caves. With the help of one particularly large Darkwing the plains and moor stretching towards the ocean and up to the forest were almost completely cleared of miscellaneous monsters, which in turn gave workers the opportunity to rebuild the trade passages. The outposts on the road to the port were complete and the Emperor had already sent soldiers to man the watchtowers overlooking the roads and the mines. Minerals and ores would soon be flowing into Hamelin as it once did during the previous ruler's reign. Drainage canals and levees were also in the works to farm the plains outside of the City. Swaine was expected back tomorrow from his journey to Perdida after negotiating the treaty Hamelin proposed to increase trade and exchange technology with farming techniques in the future.
A gust of wind took Esther by surprise and she braced herself against the sudden chill. Immediately her fiancé was beside her and draping a heavy, fur-lined cloak of dark purple velvet over her shoulders.
"Esther you'll catch a chill without wearing more. This certainly is not the desert."
She turned to wrinkle her nose at him. Autumnia was living up to its reputation for chilly winters and so Esther was already dressed in a heavy, teal wool gown with brass buttons all the way up her throat in traditional Hamelin fashion. "All these layers are kind of stifling and distracting when I'm using magic, Marcassin."
"I will not have you catching cold the day before our wedding," he said with feigned seriousness. She giggled to hide her shyness. He touched her chin gently with a gloved hand and brought her gaze upward to meet his.
"If you are finished here, there is something I would like to show you."
She raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"A surprise," he smiled mischievously.
"We're not even married yet and you're keeping secrets?" she taunted playfully.
"I would never keep anything from you," he insisted in earnest. "Unless I want you to be surprised." Marcassin leaned over and kissed her gently on her cheek. His boyish grin warmed her heart. Her hand inadvertently rose to her chest to check the erratic beating underneath.
"It's a wedding gift," he said simply.
She laughed and eyed him suspiciously. "Another one? But you've already arranged everything, including my trousseau."
"That was a necessity because you need to be dressed for the weather here and you deserve only the best." He stepped closer to her and held her hand over his heart. "Having dragged you away from the desert sun the least I can do is keep you warm." From his tone she knew he was still feeling guilty about that. Esther wrapped her arms around his middle and squeezed the breath out of him.
"As long as I have you I never feel cold anymore." In response, she felt his arms wrap tightly around her.
"But you also gave me a beautiful engagement ring that hardly ever sees the light of day since I'm always wearing yet another pair of gloves you've given me."
"Your hands need to keep warm while you summon," he insisted. "You are, after all, doing a great service to the Empire when you let your Darkwing absorb the darkness from the landscape and scare away the other monsters. It's a matter of public service, and not because I'm spoiling you or anything."
"I have twenty-four pairs already," she laughed.
"They need to match the dresses I bought you." She looked up to see he was pouting slightly and she burst out laughing again. The sound of her laugh was infectious as Marcassin found it difficult not to join in.
"Are you sure you're not spoiling me?"
"Who can say?" he shrugged nonchalantly.
He led her to the coach waiting for them and handed her into the carriage. Esther wondered if she would ever get used to be treated like someone's most precious person for Marcassin was extremely attentive and handled her with great care. From the way he listened to what she had to say or watched her every movement, or how he opened doors and escorted her everywhere with elbow extended, Esther felt more for him every day, and quietly apologized to Queen Cowlipha and all other members of his fan club for stealing away their idol.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close as the coach's mechanical engine jolted forward and pulled them back towards Hamelin. Esther warmed her cheeks against his chest as the cold air blew through the open window. When they approached the city gates and she heard the familiar churning of the steam powered mechanisms pulling the heavy door apart. She felt the rush of warmer air from within pass over them and was welcomed by the hum of machinery against the voices of the citizens going about their business before nightfall.
They alighted the coach at the front of the palace and Marcassin dismissed their personal guards as he led her inside. All the while he was checking his pocket watch as he pulled her along and started up the stairs to the clock tower.
"We are almost there. This tower is the best place to see it," he said as they mounted the spiral staircase to the top.
"What are we doing?" she laughed as she was pulled along for the adventure.
"You shall see," he smiled sweetly back as they reached the top. He pushed open the stained glass doors and led her onto the balcony. Down below she could see the people of Hamelin, smaller from this perspective, go about their business as they hurried home from work or school. The fires and lanterns of their homes were lighting up one by one as the smell of dinner beckoned them inside.
"The view is lovely from here. I never thought of Hamelin as comforting or homey until now," she sighed and leaned against the wrought iron balcony rail adorned with sculpted vines and flowers. Marcassin pulled her close to him so that face was only slightly distanced from hers. The sudden movement caught her off guard and her wide eyes expressed anticipation for what would come next.
"I cannot kiss you if you are staring at me," he said matter-of-factly. She dutifully closed her eyes and felt his lips gently touch hers.
"I am glad you like it here. I know it will take some getting used to," he said almost apologetically. "I want you to always feel at home here, with me," he said quietly.
Realizing the depth of the loneliness he endured for the sake of his country Esther hugged him fiercely, almost protectively. "You're making this too easy for me, Marcassin. How could I have any objections?"
"Do you love me?" he asked.
She burst out in laughter. "Of course I love you. Stop asking me."
"I have to keep asking you, Esther. I need to hear it from your lips." She saw his boyish pout again, a face he only let her see, and used her fingers to turn his frown back into a smile. Underneath all the regal attire and commanding presence, Marcassin was still that same boy who craved affection.
"I do love you," she grinned contentedly.
"Good," he smiled. "After we are wed there will be times that I am busy and will not be able to hold you and kiss you when I want to…" he frowned slightly at the thought. "But I will do my best to make you happy. When you look up at the night canopy I want you to know you are the only one I have chosen to love more than anything."
With those words the cathedral bells started to chime to signal the sunset. She blushed to think they would be exchanging vows there tomorrow. Marcassin had gotten rid of the city sirens since Esther had expressed her dislike of them. She looked up as the pleasant ringing echoed throughout the city as the machines rotated the roof of the city and pulled the color of the night sky above them in place. But to Esther's surprise, it was not the usual, artificial night sky above them. Bright little lights started flickering across the canopy and over the entire city until Esther realized she was looking at a replica of the constellations over Al-Mamoon during this time of year.
"What…?" she breathed in wonder.
"I asked Queen Cowlipha for maps of the stars over the desert during the different seasons and she gave me copies as a wedding gift. Queen Cassiopeia then offered to replicate the stars in the canopy above the City so that they will change with the seasons. Do you like it?"
She was speechless. Esther beamed at him for she had no words that could fully express her feelings for him at that time. Instead, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and showered him with little kisses until he silently leaned in for a longer, more fulfilling kiss that stemmed from the mutual affection of their joined hearts.
Finis.
Authors note: Oh my, you two… You're too much. Get a room. ;-p
I started this entire story with this last chapter in mind. I came up with the title before I had even decided how to tell the tale. This story is slightly different from my usual, since there is no antagonist here except what Esther battles inside of her. So this is more personal an approach to storytelling than I'm used to. The self-realization and the introspective journey to find her own happy ending subdued the plot for me and I almost lost interest without a single sword fight or rescue mission in sight. My writer's block came when I didn't know how to wrap the loose ends and tie the dragon to the girl and the girl to the prince and the land she really hated in the beginning. With a little help from Oliver and Cassiopeia the loose ends ended up tying themselves.
I want to thank Coeur de pirate, for writing a beautiful score for Child of Light, which I have been listening to nonstop for inspiration as I wrote this, in addition to the score for Ni no Kuni written by the wonderful Joe Hisaishi. Nothing inspires me more than a good score.
Also thanks to my audience, however small, for your suggestions and support.
Until next time,
-Kero