"I'm sorry, what?" said Dart as he leaned on the map table in the Queen Fury bridge.
"It's true!" insisted Commodore Puler, throwing his hands out in excitement. "I just got the letter maybe a half hour ago. I assembled you all at once."
"Why would the royal family come all the way to Donau?" asked Shana.
"To see you!" laughed the commodore. "Well, not just you. Officially, I think it's a trip celebrating the liberation of Donau from the bandits. The king wishes to see his people, as he's been locked in the castle for some time now. But half of that reason must be because I told him we were coming back with you all on board."
"I bet Emille had something to do with that, eh?" mumbled Haschel as he nudged Albert with his elbow.
Dart chuckled as Albert flashed a bright red.
"Don't be nervous, my good man," boomed Puler, gesturing to the king. "Love is like the sea – relentless and breathtaking. You just need to sit back and let the current take you where it may."
"I will… try to follow that advice," said Albert, nodding awkwardly.
"Are they throwing a party for us?" asked Meru.
"That I don't know!" replied the commodore. "But I would expect some level of grandeur, given their status and yours."
"This is so cool," she mused. "I knew coming with you guys was the right decision. Dragons and mirage and kings and parties! And! And! I can use magic!"
She flicked her hand out, and water sprayed Dart on the arm. With a flash of anger, he shook his arm and sizzled the water away.
"How did you do that?" he hissed. "There isn't even any water in here!"
"There's water in the air!" dismissed Meru, gesturing above her. "Water's everywhere."
"Anyway," redirected Puler.
"It's virage," muttered Dart under his breath.
"We should arrive in Donau tomorrow around noon. While I'm not quite sure, I would guess that His Majesty Zior will arrive that evening or perhaps the next day. I'm sure he has a lot of people and cargo with him, and I can't be sure when he sent his letter."
"This is exciting news," replied Albert. "We will prepare accordingly once we reach Donau."
"As expected! Thank you for your time, heroes of Tiberoa! You are dismissed!"
Puler saluted them, and they all filed out onto the upper deck. The ocean surrounded them on all sides again as they sailed south toward Tiberoa, and Dart drew some level of comfort from it. It was peculiar, he thought, given the difficult things that had happened here on the sea. But after a few days in Donau, they would be on their way, finally, to Mille Seseau. To his home.
"You really don't have to use magic all the time," said Dart as Meru began to juggle tiny balls of water.
"I can do whatever I well please," she retorted, not deigning to look at him. "I got our boat back to Lidiera, didn't I? I created a path for us to cross the channel, didn't I?"
"Yes, and it's impressive that you were able to do those things so easily the same day you became a dragoon," remarked Rose, eyeing Meru in a peculiar way.
"What can I say?" grinned Meru. "I'm a natural!"
"I think we just have to deal with the chaos until we're farther from the ocean," said Haschel sourly.
"Yup!"
She let her water fall, performed a cartwheel, and skipped down the stairs to the main deck. And then she formed new toys.
Dart sighed. "I guess, it's back to whatever we were doing," he said.
"Sounds great," replied Haschel. "But let's meet up for cards later tonight!"
"Agreed," grinned Dart.
One by one, the others left as Dart and Shana meandered together over to the starboard bow. There, they took seats on the chairs, gazing out at the rippling ocean, the sun warm on their backs as it began to cast an orange glow across the sky. Night would fall in a couple short hours.
Dart couldn't help but remember what Shana had said to him the last time they'd sat in these seats. Now, everything was different.
They had spent much of the journey back to Fueno talking with each other about anything and everything. Dart had not held Shana's hand since that first night on the beach, but he relished his time with her. He felt that they were making up for all the time they had lost over the past several months of being distant and cold.
So much of him wanted to confess his love to her, but he couldn't seem to find the right moment. Or maybe, he was just afraid that she would reject him.
As they sat, he mindlessly ran his thumb over the bandage on his left arm. The cut beneath, festering and stinging and aching, had remained in place ever since that fateful day in Bale four months ago. He could still remember it; some parts he could recall with perfect clarity. He had deserved to carry this wound and all the irritation it had caused him. The bandit attack when his dragoon spirit had been taken, the fight with Mappi where he had regained it, and his fall into the ocean from the phantom ship – all these instances had been influenced by this wound and the pain it caused.
But now, as he remembered how easily Lenus was able to overpower him in the prison, he realized that it was no longer anything other than a liability. He had been using it as a punishment for himself. He'd justified not asking for Shana's help because he'd thought that he deserved it. And perhaps he had. Perhaps he still did.
What if I can't protect people in the future because of it? he thought to himself.
"I have something I need to talk to you about," said Shana suddenly, and Dart shook his head slightly as he tried to focus on her. "Nothing like that," she said quickly, chuckling at his expression.
He sighed in relief as she continued.
"It's not anything about us. It's about… other things." She looked down and began fidgeting with her fingernails.
"Other things?" he urged, sitting forward to see her face better.
"I'm realizing… that I need to talk to somebody about it. Because I'm… scared. But I'm worried that it will get worse if I tell someone."
Dart began wracking his brain for possible explanations. Was she sick? Dying? Secretly murderous?
With great difficulty, he remained silent and waited.
"It's about the two virage," she said. "And the snake, back in the cave in Serdio. You were there for all of them, but I haven't… I haven't talked about it. How it felt."
"Honestly, Shana, you saved our lives. In all those situations."
"But you can't deny that something is wrong." She turned to him, her eyes sharp now. "It's more than the light. There's something wrong with me, and I don't know what it is."
"We'll figure it out, eventually," assured Dart.
She sighed. "I don't need you to figure anything out. I just need you to listen."
"Sorry," he muttered, sinking back into his chair.
"In the volcano, I could hear some voice calling in a language I didn't understand. And then, the same thing happened in the valley. Only this time… This time I was able to reply." She took a deep breath. "I know what I said. 'Wake up.' It was that simple. But I don't know how I knew what to say. It was like… something else was inside me. I could feel it. Another consciousness that was in my mind, and in that moment, it took over me."
"Another consciousness?" repeated Dart. "Like a mind? A person's mind?"
"I don't know," she said, brow furrowed in worry. "I can still feel it there sometimes. Waiting for another opportunity to come out. And it scares me."
"Do you think this other consciousness is what makes that blue light that killed the snake and the virage?"
She nodded. "I'm almost certain of that. I have no idea where I could have gotten that kind of power. It's not the dragoon's power, either."
"We should talk to Rose about it. Maybe she knows—"
"No. I don't want to tell anyone else. They'll just worry, and there's nothing they can do."
"Then why tell me about it? That's exactly what I'm going to do."
"I know." She offered a small smile. "But I needed someone to know. In case it happens again. In case I can't come back next time. I chose you because…" She reached over and took his hand. "You're important to me. It's you and me, Dart. It has been from the beginning. You know me better than anyone else here."
He couldn't help but grin.
"You and me?" he said, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.
"You and me." She squeezed his hand.
Pausing, Dart glanced at the horizon. Shana's news troubled him, but he was at a loss as to how to handle it. He feared that all he could do was hope that it never happened again. And if it did… he would just have to think of something. But for now…
He stood abruptly, placed himself before Shana, and held out his hand.
"I will do what I can for you, my lady," he said as she giggled. "From this hour henceforth, name me as your personal guard." She took his hand, and he hoisted her up. "Now, if you will join me on the deck."
Holding her hand the whole way, he guided her toward the sun, now dipping low toward its slumber, and the sky was a blazing, fiery red. When they stood in the center of the upper deck, he swept her around until they faced each other, and he held her arm out and placed his other hand on her waist.
"Shall we?" he whispered.
With a chuckle, she replied, "There's no music."
"My lady, there is always music."
And they began to dance. There was no rhythm for him to follow but the beating of his heart. As the daylight waned, the ocean breeze swept over them, tossing Shana's hair as they swayed and twirled their way across the deck. The dance was a simple one they'd learned as children, something Dart had always hoped to be able to perform with Shana. He couldn't believe that he'd finally been given the opportunity.
After a couple minutes, they began to draw a crowd, but Dart didn't mind. His eyes were fixed on Shana, and he felt blind to all else.
As it turned out, they arrived in Donau a full two hours earlier than Puler had predicted. Although she vehemently denied any involvement, Meru was the chief suspect, as she seemed incapable of reining in her magic for even a moment. Whatever boredom she had experienced on the way to Fueno had been destroyed by the abundance of water available for her playful habits. Even cleaning had found its way into her activities.
Even so, the commodore was anything but upset at their early arrival, and the passengers disembarked promptly. The mayor, Lynn, and Kate all waited on the dock to greet them, and they exchanged many a pleasantry. Meru's excitement could not be abated to see Kate so healthy, and after an "accidental" splash on the pier, she was scolded into keeping her magic contained for their time back in Donau. Except for the royal family and the crew of the Queen Fury, nobody in Tiberoa knew of their legendary power.
As Dart unpacked his things in the luxurious hotel, he considered that there may be no more need for them to hide such a thing. After all, the threat of this knowledge had left the country with Lloyd. And they had defeated a dragon, something that would be difficult to explain without dragoon magic. Still, he supposed that they should wait for Zior's permission.
Most of them spent the afternoon and evening in the local tavern, and abundant amusement took shape in the form of Meru trying to hide her newfound abilities from all the people who recognized her – just about every person in Donau. It quickly became evident that she had been all too popular, and it was not long before a dance was demanded of her. Eventually, she conceded, despite her lack of dancer's clothes, and she took the stage in a loose tunic and linen pants. After kicking away her shoes, she began to dance barefoot, receiving excessive amounts of excitement and cheering in response.
About halfway through the evening, a messenger came, announcing that King Zior and his crew would arrive earlier than expected. In fact, they were expected in one hour.
"…Oh," said Dart, glancing between Albert and Haschel.
"Perhaps we should go prepare," said Albert, glancing down at his rugged and casual clothes.
An hour later, the seven dragoons stood at the southern edge of Donau, just inside the city. The mayor and Lynn were with them again, and all of them were arrayed in the most formal clothing they could find. All except Kongol, who wore his normal fur armor. Albert promised to get him some outfits made before they left the city again.
Firelights appeared over the dark plains, and Dart shifted uneasily. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous to see these people again, but he felt that he was the only dragoon with apprehension. In fact, he was almost certain that the only other one with any level of discomfort was the mayor of Donau, who now fidgeted with his cuffs and glanced back and forth among the dragoons.
When the caravan finally arrived, Dart was impressed to see how small a regiment had accompanied King Zior. At the head were two guards on horses, followed by the king himself, regal as ever as he drew his back straight. On either side rode the princesses, radiant in their beauty despite their long journey. Only another three guards, two handmaids, and a small wagon followed behind the royal family.
Zior trotted forward, pushing before the guard with his daughters close behind.
"Greetings from the Twin Castle!" he bellowed, a wide grin flashing at them.
The three dismounted and approached. As they came into the city's torchlight, Dart was able to discern their informal travel clothes and was surprised to find both Emille and Lisa wearing pants. Somehow, he had imagined that they would traverse the whole of the barrens in their usual dresses. Both ladies had their hair tied up and off their necks, and they both grinned joyously at the group. But Emille's eyes could see only Albert, and Dart shared an amused look with Haschel.
"My king," said the mayor, kneeling quickly. "We graciously welcome you to our home. It has been many years since you have graced us with your presence."
"And you have my apologies for that," replied Zior. "Please! Stand. This is a visit of joy and celebration! Not formality and penitence."
The mayor stood and nodded awkwardly.
"And how good to see my friends who have given so much to my country," said Zior to the others. "It is with utmost sincerity that I offer you my gratitude in saving Tiberoa – and my life."
Dart blinked in surprise as Zior bowed low before them.
"Indeed, we cannot offer you enough in exchange for what you have given us," added Emille with a kind grin.
"Your majesties," said Albert with a returned bow. "We did little more than what should be expected, and we regret that we could not retrieve the Moon Dagger. It is enough thanks that we are honored with your presence once more before we leave this country for a long while."
His eyes lingered on Emille, and Zior took note. He chuckled at their interaction and took a step forward before clapping Albert on the shoulder. It was almost comical to see the near foot of height difference between the two.
"The Moon Dagger is a trinket, a symbol. Nothing more," he said. "And tomorrow, we will spend much time together. But from one king to another, how about we call it a night?"
Dart raised an eyebrow at the sudden dip in formality, but Albert seemed unperturbed.
"Albert's a king, too?" Lynn whispered furiously to Meru.
"Yes, and I'll tell you about it later," she whispered back.
"That sounds prudent," nodded Albert. "I am glad that you arrived safely. May we see each other again after sunrise."
Albert
An hour after sunrise, Albert sat with Dart, Haschel, and Kongol around a table, munching on a piece of undercooked toast. He was unsure whether his stomach would let him ingest anything more, and he remained silent as Dart and Haschel discussed the potential of what King Zior would want from them across the day. His mind was away, over by the edge of town where Emille prepared to visit the people of Donau.
"Albert," said Dart, bringing the king back to the table. "Are you excited to see Emille today?"
"Yes," he replied flatly.
Excited was accurate, but not precise. The king was nervous and cautious, even to the point of having sweaty palms that he occasionally rubbed on his knees.
"That's it?" laughed Haschel.
"You love this woman, yes?" asked Kongol.
Albert felt blood rush into his cheeks, and he averted his eyes to try to hide it. He was sure he was unsuccessful, but he could not help himself.
"Obviously, he does," said Haschel with a grin.
"I… do," said Albert slowly.
"Admission?" said Dart.
"I had intended on telling her that today."
"Oh, big steps are being taken!" mused Haschel, placing his chin in his hand. "Tell us more!"
"Actually, I…" replied Albert. "I was considering asking her to marry me."
Eyebrows went up all over the table, and Albert began trying to wave it off.
"But that would be silly, of course. We have barely known each other for a month. She could not possibly feel the same. I should… I should wait."
"Hang on," inserted Dart. "That may seem fast from some perspectives, but the world of politics is totally different, right? These things happen on a dime all the time. Strategic… things."
"Dart is right," nodded Haschel. "You say you love this girl. And I can guarantee that the feeling is mutual. Even on the off chance that the feeling is fleeting and goes away in five years, isn't that more than a lot of kings get?"
"Giganto chiefs would make their children marry whoever was strongest," said Kongol. "There was little love between the chieftains and their spouses. They often had mistresses."
"Yes, it is usually the same with kings and queens," admitted Albert. "I suppose that it might be worth asking, at least."
"There's no way she'd say no," encouraged Dart.
"You're the best option for her on all fronts," agreed Haschel. "Politically and otherwise."
"Would she become queen of Serdio?" asked Kongol.
"Yes," said Albert. "She would become queen."
For a moment, his mind drifted into the thought. He imagined himself back in Bale, crown in place, scepter in hand, sitting on a throne. And beside him sat Emille in equal grandeur.
"Oh, how lovingly she would lead my people!" he exclaimed suddenly, dropping his face into his hands. "They could ask for no greater queen. No one else would possess such kindness and wisdom."
"Then you must ask her for this honor," said Kongol.
Albert nodded slowly as he looked around at his friends.
"Yes," he said. "Yes, I must. There is no other course before me that serves a grander purpose besides our pursuit of Lloyd. And that will be attended to. But when I return from this journey, if she is not by my side, I do not believe that I can return to Bale with a smile on my face."
"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," laughed Dart. "Your people always put a smile on your face."
"It is true," conceded Albert, and he took a deep breath. "I will compose myself. And then I will go see her. But I must see her father first. It would not do to begin our lives through insubordination. I will follow the traditions of Serdio."
"There you go," said Haschel as he took a large bite of bread.
As soon as they were finished, or slightly before, Albert returned to his room and changed his attire. Now decorated with his green cape, an embroidered vest, and leather boots, he took a deep breath before charging out of the inn. The others, who waited for him in the lobby, whooped and cheered as he passed by, and he could not help but grin as he swept out the door and charged toward the southern edge of Donau.
Once he saw his destination, he quickened his pace until he came to the entrance of a large tent that undoubtedly housed the king of Tiberoa. A guard stood at the ready outside.
"Greetings, sir," nodded the guard as Albert approached. "May I ask your business, sir?"
"I wish to speak to King Zior," replied Albert. "It is a personal matter."
"Very good, sir. Wait here one moment."
The guard stepped into the tent, and Albert heard low voices exchanged before he returned.
"You are free to enter, Your Majesty."
"Thank you."
Albert pushed aside the tent flap, decorated with three stars, and stepped inside. It was lavish for a tent, with carpets splayed across the grassy floor and a small table set up on the far side. To Albert's surprise, it appeared that the king had slept on the ground with little but blankets to cushion him. He now sat at the small table, where he had been reading a book and sipping some kind of steaming beverage.
Zior stood and bowed his head.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," he said.
"And to you, Your Highness," returned Albert.
As he recalled his mission, he suddenly found that he could not speak. He opened his mouth, and he said nothing.
"To what do I owe the honor?" urged Zior.
"Your Majesty," stalled Albert, bowing his head. "I have come to… speak to you."
"The guard said you had a personal matter to discuss. Is it about your trip out to sea? I was hoping to speak to the commodore to learn more about what happened, but—"
"It is not about our journey," interrupted Albert. All at once, he regretted his rudeness. "I beg your forgiveness, sir," he said quickly. "I would be eager to discuss that with you later."
"I believe that I am beginning to glean your purpose," said Zior, a smile playing on his lips. He took a step forward. "Is this perhaps about my daughter?"
"Yes, it is. I have come to—"
"Ask me a question," finished Zior.
Albert appreciated the humor of returning the interruption, but it did nothing to calm his nerves. He took a deep breath.
"King Zior, forgive my trepidation. I have come with an errand which seems altogether terrifying to me. Since I have learned of your impending arrival in Donau, I have thought of only one thing, and that is your daughter, Emille. I have spent some time with her, much of it while you recovered in the Twin Castle, and I believe that she and I share intentions. As it is, we have not spoken them aloud; your blessing is required for such a step to be taken."
"You are most courteous to follow tradition so strictly," smiled Zior.
"I love her," confessed Albert. "There is no comparison to her grace and beauty in all Endiness, and it would be an honor beyond words to me if I could be at her side as we navigate life together. With your blessing, sire, I would ask for her hand in marriage."
Having finally spoken the words, Albert forced himself to breathe slowly as he awaited an answer. The joy of his future hung in the air before him, ready to be gifted to him or batted away.
King Zior raised an eyebrow and nodded, clearly amused, although Albert was unsure whether this was a comfort. Then he took a step forward and looked at Albert intently.
"My dear king," he said. "I cannot tell you the number of men who have come to me begging for Emille's hand. They are beginning to come for Lisa as well. You are right to say that they are beautiful, and their beauty extends beyond the exterior. I believe our recent plight with the wingly gave us incontrovertible evidence to that. They are the very image of propriety and royal goodness. It is because of this that I cannot hand them over to any common man. Beyond this, they are my daughters. And it is because of this that I cannot hand them over to any common king."
Albert swallowed, dreading the rest of the speech.
"You, my friend, are no common man. And you are no common king. Even your father did not hold the vast amounts of wisdom that you possess. Beyond this, in your time at my court, you have shown yourself to be kind. You have shown yourself to be good. And if what my daughters tell me about your mythic power is true, I can hold firmly to the belief that you will be able to protect Emille even in the direst of circumstances.
"It is with great joy that I give you my blessing. There is no greater man who can be worthy of my daughter."
All at once, Albert released the breath that he had been holding. Relief washed over him.
"Thank you, sir," he breathed, bowing his head and placing a hand on his chest. "I am not a perfect man, but I will love her and protect her."
"I can ask no more," replied Zior with a smile. "Now, you are dismissed! I believe you have a duty that you must attend to."
A playful light gleamed in his eye, and Albert thanked him quickly before rushing out. With direction from the guard, he stepped over to the tent wherein waited the princesses. They, too, had a guard who announced his arrival, and he was invited in.
As he entered, Emille and Lisa stood, both in casual dress, although they had begun preparing their hair for the day. Their handmaidens stood nearby, waiting to continue their work. Emille's brown locks were down, her wide curls bouncing around her shoulders as she turned to face him. As their eyes met, Albert felt his heart swell, and he could not help but smile. To his joy, Emille appeared equally thrilled.
"Your Majesty," said Lisa. "It is a pleasure to see you again."
"And you," replied Albert, though he could only glance toward Lisa before his eyes forcibly returned to Emille. He felt rude to dismiss her, but Emille's eyes were magnetic.
"I didn't think we would see you again until later," said Emille, taking two steps forward.
"I… have something to discuss with you," he explained.
"In that case, I'll take my leave," said Lisa.
She nodded to the handmaidens, and the three left, leaving Albert and Emille alone in the room.
"Your Majesty," said Emille, bowing her head in deference.
"Your Highness," he returned with a smile.
He stepped forward. He had run through his speech a thousand times on the way over, but now, seeing her before him once again, he worried that he had forgotten it in its entirety.
"I missed you," she whispered.
"As I have missed you. I could think of little else since yesterday."
"We have known about your return to Donau for some time, and I must confess that I, too, could hardly focus on my duties or even our travel as we made our way here."
"You are mighty to have traveled so far," said Albert.
With each sentence, they had edged closer, and now Albert's face was mere inches from hers. His heart thudded in his chest. He longed to kiss her, but… he had never kissed anyone before. What if he did it wrong?
I should have asked the others about this, he thought, although he knew well that there was nothing to be done now.
"You said you wanted to discuss something?" prompted Emille.
"Yes, I…" Albert's voice faltered, and he forced himself to turn away. Moving toward the entrance of the tent, he closed his eyes and steadied himself with a breath. Then at last, he spoke.
"My dear Emille, I have been quiet where, perhaps, there was no need. Duty has always been my priority, and it remained so even during our time together before I left. I never would have imagined that fate would return me to you so soon." He spun and watched her earnestly. "I thought of you every day that I was gone, and I believe that will be true for the rest of my life. Where duty has held me in place, trapped by kingly mannerisms and expectations, I have now been freed." He took a step forward. "I… spoke to your father. I feared his answer, and yet I managed to speak the question. The all-important question."
Reaching out, he took both of her hands and knelt before her, gazing up into her eyes, where dwelt such love that he knew he could never deserve.
"I love you, Emille. I now make this a public declaration, and I will never sway from it. I know that the quest I and my companions have undertaken is a difficult one, and there is no full guarantee that I will return, but I must have you know this, and I must now ask you the same question I asked your father. Whenever I return, it would be the utmost honor for me if you would be willing to take my hand in marriage."
Her expression filled with joy as he took a deep breath.
"Emille, will you marry me?"
She placed a hand on his face.
"Yes," she whispered.
Joyous laughter erupted from Albert to hear her words, and he stood and embraced her before swinging her about the tent. They both wept happily in each other's arms, and then at last, they pulled away to face each other. Albert placed his hands on her face, looking into her eyes. There, deep within, was the soul that would be with him for the rest of his days. Overwhelmed with joy, he pressed his lips against hers.
Rose
"An engagement party?" exclaimed Meru. "Tonight?"
"Yes, tonight," replied Albert, still beaming from his recent encounter. "King Zior is gracious and understands that we have limited time. We must leave as soon as the Queen Fury can take us. So, he has arranged for the event to take place tonight so that we might leave as soon as the repairs are finished."
"Yes! Party time, people!"
"Congratulations," said Dart. "That's honestly amazing."
"We're so happy for you," added Shana.
Albert was giddy. His smile would not leave his face.
And Rose was happy for him.
She stood leaning against the wall of the inn lobby, and the other dragoons all sat around the king offering their mutual excitement. Albert's eyes showed his love to all who would see, and yes, Rose was happy for him.
She had felt that once. She knew the intoxicating feeling. The feeling that someone would be there with her for the rest of her life. The feeling that she would grow old with him. She wished every joy for Albert and his future bride, but that did not erase the tearing she now felt in her soul.
Silent as a shadow, she recused herself and sneaked out a side door. Then she started to walk.
With no destination in mind, she merely meandered, and eventually she found herself near the docks. There were many people there repairing the Queen Fury, and she was impressed with the progress they had made. These experts were working twice as fast as the workers in Fueno, and the repairs joined with the ship flawlessly.
Turning to the side, she ascended a stone staircase railed with flowers until she reached a tall balcony designed to give access to the highest points of ships whenever they were built in the harbor. The platforms were currently roped off, but there was still a stone railing overlooking the ocean. It was here that Rose finally stopped and breathed.
"Why does it still hurt like this?" she whispered to herself.
As clearly as she could remember Fueno, she remembered Zieg. As if the great battle had been yesterday, she remembered what he had said to her the night before.
She reached up around her neck and felt the tight fabric of the dark purple choker that she always wore. Just as clearly, she remembered the day she had first put it on. It had given her the ability to make it this far. Part of her was beyond grateful for it. The other part hated it for what it had done to her.
"They're finding happiness, just like we did," she spoke to the wind. "I'm not jealous. I think. But I'm… scared. Afraid that it won't last. That it can't."
She sighed and rubbed her face.
"I love them all so much. As much as I loved the others. Maybe even more. What if I can't protect them again?"
Her mind's eye brought her back to that day. She'd been helpless as her friends had fallen. As Zieg had been turned to stone.
"I'll never forget you," she whispered. "But I… I have to be happy for them. Stay with me, please."
She bowed her head and wiped a tear from her cheek. If there was to be a party, she would be there, and she would support her friends. Even if she didn't feel deserving of the love of a nation, Rose knew that the others were. Even Meru.
Meru
"This is like a dream come true," mused Meru as she charged down the street with Shana, Rose, and Kongol in tow. Then she spun around and began walking backward while she spoke to them. "A king gave us money to go shopping. How cool is that?" She jumped and spun back around. "You all are the coolest."
"I admit, I'm actually excited about it," said Shana.
"I will be interested to see what your parties are like," replied Kongol.
"It's mostly just a lot of food," explained Rose.
"And dancing!" added Meru.
"And music," grinned Shana.
"I like all those things," said Kongol.
"Did you ever go to any parties?" asked Meru.
Kongol shook his head. "They had very few parties in the Black Castle. And I was not allowed around large numbers of people. The emperor thought it was unsafe."
"I find it hard to believe that anyone would be able to best you in hand-to-hand combat," remarked Rose.
"It is true," agreed Kongol. "But it was how he felt all the same."
"What about before that? With your people?" asked Shana.
A smile took over Kongol's face.
"We had many grand parties," he said, "We held many festivals, and births and deaths were always accompanied by great cheer. It was as you have described – singing, dancing, and food."
"'Deaths were accompanied by great cheer'?" repeated Meru. "You had parties when people died?"
"Yes. While we were not happy in the sense that you may have imagined, we understood that when one dies, they become unified with nature. It is the highest of honors. Therefore, we celebrated."
"I like that very much," said Shana.
Finally, Meru spotted their destination. Thankfully, Donau was a big enough city that it had its own tailor, the same person who had been making outfits for Meru for two years. While she focused on casual clothing to befit the workers of Donau, this tailor also had a knack for finery, and Meru was excited to hand over the giant bag of money she had dangling from her belt.
"We're here!" she announced as she stopped in front of a storefront.
She charged in before holding the door for the others, and soon, they were immersed in a hunt for party clothes. For much of the adventure, Rose and Kongol waited by the front of the store, and Meru and Shana tried on multiple dresses. As Meru soon discovered, Shana was an amazing shopping partner: honest but lavishly kind. After they had each picked out a fashion for the evening, they returned to the others.
"Your turn, Rose!" she said.
"No, I don't think so," replied Rose, shaking her head.
"You don't want to wear a dress tonight?" asked Shana.
"I'm not really one for dresses."
Meru eyed her. It was true, Meru had never seen Rose in a dress, but her mind's eye tried to imagine what she would look like in one, and it was a vision that just had to become a reality. And there, deep inside Rose, Meru could see the little girl that once loved to dress up. She existed; she had just been smothered. It was time to breathe new life into her.
"Come on," urged Meru. "You don't have to actually get one, but you should at least try one or two on. I want to unveil the beauty you've hidden behind that sword!"
"She has a point," said Shana softly. "You would look lovely in a dress."
There was a long pause where Rose's eyes bounced back and forth between Shana and Meru. Then finally…
"Fine," she said.
Meru squealed with excitement and dragged Rose to the forest of finery.
Kongol
For what seemed a very long time, Kongol waited, hunched over by the entrance to the clothing store. He spent much of his time looking around at all the many options, somewhat overwhelmed at first. But then he started to make sense of them and divided them into groups.
When at last he had figured out the organization scheme of the store, the women came bounding back, dresses in hand. Reluctantly, he agreed to follow Meru to a taller room in the back, where a stout woman who only came up to Kongol's waist made some humorous attempts to measure his dimensions. In the end, it had to be done in two batches – one where he stood and one where he rested on his knees.
All in all, he was unsure of this process. The two kings had insisted that he be allowed to get formal clothing for the party, but Kongol wasn't sure how much he wanted formal clothing. Even Albert's comments about needing more casual wear were almost too much for him. Still, he wanted to make his friends happy.
In the end, Meru had an extensive conversation with the tiny woman about the clothes she would make, and then Meru handed over a sizeable pouch that clinked with the sound of coins.
Then they were on their way back to the inn, and Kongol carried the dresses that had been purchased.
"Can she really make clothes in less than a day?" asked Kongol.
"Yeah, she used to do it for me all the time!" dismissed Meru.
"You are… smaller than me."
"It'll be fine. Probably."
When they arrived at the inn, the women went to their room, and Kongol found himself with nothing to do. He left and began wandering around the city, this time paying attention to the energies of the earth around him.
He could feel the footsteps of almost everyone in the city now, and despite the odd looks he received, he began watching how the humans walked and how that corresponded to their footfalls. He began to see correlations, and he smiled. This person limped, that person was steady and strong. This woman had short strides, and this one longer. Walking manifested differently from running.
Then he felt a heavy thump rush through the earth, and he turned to his right. He followed the street and turned a corner to see an overturned cart on a hill.
Quickly, he began helping to right the cart and replace its spilled cargo, and the driver expressed his gratitude. Upon mentioning that he was delivering supplies for the party, the man happily revealed that it would take place down by the beach.
Kongol walked with the man, discussing his trade with him as he ensured that the cart remained upright. When at last they reached the targeted site – a wide part of the beach unveiled by low tide – Kongol helped unload it before searching for someone else to help.
Dozens of workers were running around trying to erect a massive tent that now lay unfolded on the sand. Kongol supposed that it was almost the size of the throne room in the Twin Castle, and he wondered where it had come from. Surely the king had not brought all these supplies through the desert. No matter their source, this was sure to be a party of special magnificence. Only fitting, he supposed, for the betrothal of a king and a princess.
For several hours, he helped lift and move things as Donau citizens prepared the festivities. A lighthearted air was about the place, and each person seemed eager to help. When Kongol spoke with them, everyone seemed more than pleased to be aiding King Zior in such a matter, and they were simply grateful that he had chosen their town for such an occasion. Even with so little time to prepare, they were more than happy to assist.
Eventually, everything was in place. It was only the final touches of decorations that were needed, and Kongol could do nothing to help with such a thing. He retreated, following the sand dunes down the beach until he came to sit on one.
From his vantage point, he could watch as flowers were placed, streamers were hung, and tables were spaced out. A wooden dance floor had been assembled in just two hours.
Kongol marveled at the people's devotion to their lord. He wondered if Emperor Doel had ever held such love from his people. According to Shana, this devotion was evident in the people of Serdio and their love for King Albert. But he wasn't so sure about Doel.
He had spent his entire life in service to Emperor Doel. He had known nothing else, save the precious few years of his early childhood. His heart had grown cold in his world of war and death.
Now, that war was a distant memory. He still fought, and as Lenus and Regole had shown, he would still experience death. But his role in that conflict had changed drastically.
No more was he an instrument to be used at the whims of someone of higher rank and greater power. He was valued for who he was, not his strength. He had friends.
Smiling, he recalled the rush of power that had come when he had transformed on the Prison Island. In the end, it was his love for Meru that had urged him past the threshold, and he would not have wanted it any other way. Now, he fought to protect, not destroy.
His friends had given him a new purpose in life. With their guidance, he was learning the inner strength of kindness, and he was overcoming the tainted past that had left pits of guilt festering in his soul. Here, with the other dragoons, he was appreciated and listened to, valued and safe.
Haschel
"I'm coming, Claire," whispered Haschel.
The ocean lay before him. The sun had begun to touch the horizon to his left, and a cool breeze invited a break from the heat. Haschel's eyes watched the waves as they bounced around, so tame compared to those around his hometown. There, back in Rouge, sea life was treacherous beyond the coral reef that absorbed most of the ocean's boundless force, and to venture beyond it meant a risk to life and limb.
Gehrich had been the first to leave in over a hundred years, Claire the second, and Haschel the third. None of them had ever returned.
For many of his wandering years, Haschel couldn't help but imagine that Claire had been dashed to pieces against the foul sea. Only his encounter with the bandits had proven otherwise. And now, he finally had a direction to follow.
Still, he did not know what he might uncover when they reached Mille Seseau. It was a large country, filled with forest and tundra, harsh to life even in the best of places. There were rumors of dangerous monsters that lurked in the darker parts of the forest, magical creatures that could deceive people and lead them to their deaths. The country was surrounded with riddles that now spoke to Haschel of the remnants of the Dragon Campaign. He wondered how much of the war had taken place in the northern reaches of the world.
He sighed and shook his head. Haschel wanted no part in saving the world. His heart didn't long for glory or renown. All he wanted was his daughter – his family.
The roof of the inn towered a floor higher than most of the other buildings in Donau, and Haschel's vantage point upon it allowed him to see all the way from the distant ridges of the barrens to the sandy reaches of the seashore. He had watched for several hours as Kongol had lumbered around moving things, laughed heartily at the complex calculations used to raise the tent, and then let his mind wander into the sea.
Now, as his eyes returned to the festivities, almost out of his sight, he spotted several people carrying foodstuffs. With less than an hour before the party, it made sense that they would be placing out the food. But when Haschel saw a plate of sweets of a doughy nature, he decided to make a preemptive visit.
After thudding down the stairs, he ran down the hallway, where he discovered Meru in the doorway of her room chatting with the inner occupants. He heard Shana's voice inside, but he was distracted by Meru's outfit. She had acquired a glittery silver dress, sleeveless, with the skirt flaring out slightly and reaching just above her knees. The hem was jagged as it danced about her thighs. She even wore silver shoes to match, and her hair was braided around a high ponytail.
"Wow," he said, stopping to watch her for a moment.
"No peeking!" she cried suddenly before spinning and slamming the door shut behind her. Seeing him, she relaxed and leaned against the door. "I thought you were Dart," she explained.
"Is Dart not allowed to see something?"
Meru nodded. "Shana. We're doing her hair right now and it's a surprise."
"Who's doing her hair? You're out here."
"Believe it or not, Rose is actually really good at doing hair. She did mine!" She touched the side of her head lightly to demonstrate.
"Well, you look beautiful, Meru," said Haschel warmly.
"Thank you," she replied, beaming. "Just wait until you see them!" She pointed at the door.
When she turned the knob to enter, Haschel interrupted.
"Do you want to go raid the party food with me?" he invited. "Get a little sneak peek at what we get to feast on tonight?"
"Hm…" She thought for a moment. "Sounds like fun, but… I should probably come back to help out if needed. We're almost down to the wire over here." Her eyes looked him up and down. "And is that what you're wearing?"
"What's wrong with this?"
"It's exactly the wrong thing to wear to a king's engagement party! Tell me you have something else!"
Haschel let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine, I'll wear something else."
"Great! Then let's go sneak some party food and come back and maybe I can help you with that disaster. And Dart, too. I bet he needs my help."
"What about Albert?"
"Oh, he's good. He's been doing this for years."
"So have I!"
"You might be older than him, but you are definitely not more fashionable, my friend."
Haschel sighed again. "Whatever. Let's go eat some donuts."
Shana
After Meru left, Rose stepped over to grab something out of her bag, and Shana was left for a moment to look at herself. She had been sitting in front of a mirror for nearly a half hour as Rose and Meru had messed around with her hair, and now, she felt nervous as she took in the sight. They had all agreed that having it up would be more prudent given the Tiberoan heat, and Shana couldn't deny that it looked better than she had ever seen it. After washing and drying it, Meru and Rose had worked to secure it in place on the back of her head, twisting and pinning, twisting and pinning. She felt like she had a thousand pins nestled in her hair, and she already couldn't wait to take them all out tonight.
"When did you learn to do this?" asked Shana.
Rose returned with a few extra pins and began placing them.
"When I was young," she replied. "My mother died when I was little, but not before she let me learn to do her hair. I used to practice a lot on my friends. There was a time when it was my favorite thing to do."
"But not anymore?"
Nodding slowly, Rose moved to her bed and sat on it.
"I haven't done anyone's hair in… a long time."
"Well, you remembered pretty quickly," smiled Shana. "You did a great job. Thank you."
"I think you're actually all done," said Rose. "Next is your dress, and you don't want to deal with that until right before we leave."
"What about your hair?"
"There's no need," dismissed Rose.
"Let me try my hand at it," insisted Shana. "I may not have as much practice as you, but I would help out with the other girls when we had festivals at home."
Rose paused, watching Shana carefully. Then she nodded.
"Alright."
With a wide smile, Shana stood and offered the seat to Rose, and Shana positioned herself behind her. Then she took up a brush and began working to straighten the long, black strands of Rose's hair.
When at last she had braided and secured them in place, Rose's hair was a sight to behold. Having seen it in the same style since she'd known her, Shana was shocked and happy to see it now. As Rose took it in, Shana could see that she was pleased, though shadows of sadness were still hidden in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Anytime," grinned Shana. "Now, I believe it's time that we get dressed."
After the task of tying the back of her dress was complete, Shana stared at herself in front of the mirror while Rose changed in the other room. The dress was lavender at the top, and the color deepened as it swept toward her feet. The light straps contrasted her tanned skin, having spent so many long hours in the sun, and the skirt swooped down a gentle slope until the purple hem terminated just above her ankles. Purple sequins came up in tendrils from the hem, and Shana delighted herself for a time in casting beams of light off them, reflecting in tiny purple dots that were thrown about the room.
She smiled.
What would Dart say when he saw her?
As much as she tried not to think about it, this was forefront in her mind. She felt more beautiful than she had in many years, but she would not feel at peace until Dart stood beside her.
At this moment, Rose emerged, and Shana gasped in delight.
Rose wore a deep purple dress that reached down to her knees. The light flair of the short sleeves matched the waves of the skirt, and a black belt circled her waist.
"Rose, you're beautiful!" exclaimed Shana, and she was amazed to see a light blush rush into Rose's cheeks.
The door opened, and Rose jumped, prepared to rush into hiding, but in walked Meru. She had a dab of chocolate on the edge of her mouth, which was now opened wide to see them dressed.
"Oh my gosh!" she mused. Then she rushed forward and took their hands. "I will say with confidence that I used to be the most beautiful woman in Donau, but that is definitely not true anymore. Look at you two! You're going to make even Emille and Lisa jealous."
"That isn't what we're trying to do!" scolded Shana even as she laughed. "We're there to celebrate Albert and Emille, nothing more."
"Yeah? Nothing more? Not trying to turn the head of a certain handsome young man?" Meru winked.
Shana looked down, but she couldn't help but grin. "That would be nice."
"Shana," said Rose seriously. "If Dart wasn't already in love with you, he will be after he sees you tonight."
"Thank you," she beamed.
"Now, let's get down there so we can eat some food and get to dancing!" cried Meru before bounding out of the room.
"Wait, you have something on your face!" called Shana. She sighed and snatched a napkin. "I'll get it on the way, I guess."
Dart
"I look stupid," huffed Dart, gesturing to his outfit.
"On the contrary, you look quite handsome," remarked Albert as he fixed the collar of Dart's ridiculous shirt. Somehow, it felt fancier than what he'd worn to Lavitz's funeral.
"He's right," said Meru. "Shana might just keel over when she sees you in that."
"The vest is tight," muttered Dart, tugging at the buttons.
"Stop that," said Albert as he slapped his hand.
"Listen," interrupted Haschel. "You just have to get through it. Then when we come back in two hours, you can take it all off and sleep naked if you want."
Dart shook his head.
"Are we going to do anything with his hair?" asked Meru.
"I think I like its haphazard charm," remarked Albert.
"Let it be," added Haschel. "He's in enough torment as it is."
"Just because I made you put on something besides those tattered rags you call a uniform doesn't mean that Dart is being tormented!" said Meru, rounding on Haschel.
"Geez, fine!" he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "I still think you should leave his hair."
The doorknob rattled, and they all turned to see the intruder. A moment later, Kongol's head bent down and peeked through the doorway.
"I need help," he said.
"I got it!" said Meru, charging outside.
For a moment, there was silence as the three men looked around at each other. Then Albert sighed.
"I have something I need to say," he announced. "You have both become my truest friends. And I am honored that you would spend time with me tonight as I celebrate a significant moment of my life. Even more so, I am honored that you are willing to dress this way for me. I know that it is not a delightful thing for either of you."
Dart's heart softened despite the fabric squeezing his chest. Stepping forward, he placed a hand on Albert's shoulder.
"That's what friends are for," he said. "Lavitz would have been happy to see it."
Albert smiled with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I wish he could be here," he whispered.
"He is here," assured Dart.
The door opened again, and they spun to see Meru barging in again.
"I present to you all," she announced, "Mr. Kongol, emissary of the giganto people at tonight's special occasion!"
Stepping aside, she gestured to the lumbering giant behind her, who hunched over and squeezed himself through the doorway. Then he stood to await their appraisal, head still slightly tilted to avoid the ceiling.
Dart had to take a moment to process Kongol in anything besides his fur armor. Now before him stood a colorful giganto, decorated in loose linens patterned in various shapes, each dyed a different color, from red to yellow to green. His vest was open and flowing, showing off his muscular build, and his pants came down to a cinch at his ankles.
"Wow," remarked Dart.
"Remarkable," commented Albert. "You carry the strength of your people."
"I am content with this," added Kongol. "It is like something my father once wore."
"You're welcome," said Meru with a bow.
"You planned this, Meru?" asked Dart.
"Yep! All my idea." She smiled and spun toward the door. "Now, I'm going to go get Shana and Rose. You all run down to the tent, and we'll meet you there."
Then she ran out, leaving them to look around at each other.
"I guess… we should go, right?" mumbled Dart.
"Yes, I think they are wanting us there early," replied Albert.
As they made their way to the beach, Dart couldn't help but deride the flowy white sleeves that stuck out of his vest, and he lifted his arms and pointed out how they puffed in the wind. Haschel laughed at him, but Albert insisted that he looked perfectly suited to the event. Still, the fanciness of both Dart's and Haschel's attire paled in comparison to the king that now walked beside them. His hair had been pulled back into a ponytail, and his royal cape flapped in the breeze as he walked. His vest was laced with gold thread, and his boots were embroidered with the sigil of Serdio. All he lacked was a crown, and yet even without it, he still emanated such regality that occasionally, Dart felt a little embarrassed to be standing next to him. Despite being fast friends, Dart knew that Albert's upbringing and rank set him far apart from everyone else in their group.
Upon arrival at the party tent, Albert bid them farewell and ran off to prepare for some kind of grand entrance while Dart, Haschel, and Kongol meandered inside and ventured to find a table. They ended up sitting on the edge of the tent, but only a couple minutes later, one of the party attendants urged them to sit at a predetermined table where they might be more visible. Dart and Haschel rolled their eyes, but they moved, nonetheless.
The tables were already half full of Donau natives clad in proper clothing, almost all of them pointing at them and whispering, and Dart began to tune them all out. With utter boredom, he began to fidget with the napkin next to his placing, but he was interrupted when Haschel elbowed him quite hard. He looked up to see that the rest of their party had entered. By the entrance stood Meru, Shana, and Rose, glancing around searching for them.
Without thinking, Dart stood, eyes fixated on the middle member of the trio. When Shana caught his eye, she smiled, and he felt all the breath leave his body. Never before had he seen her so decorated, and never before had he been so entranced by her. He struggled to return her smile, and he stood frozen in place as she and the others approached.
"Good evening, gentlemen," she said, nodding to the others.
"And to you," said Haschel. "Rose, you're looking particularly beautiful this evening."
"Thank you," replied Rose softly.
At last, Dart tore his eyes from Shana to look at Rose. To his great amazement, she was wearing a dress, and her hair was up. It was as Haschel had said. She was beautiful.
"Hey, what about us?" insisted Meru, gesturing between her and Shana.
"I've already told you that today," said Haschel. "And Shana doesn't care what I think anyway."
"You're beautiful," breathed Dart, and Shana blushed.
"See?"
"In truth, you are all three radiant and captivating," added Kongol.
Meru curtsied.
"Maybe… you could sit down now?" said Haschel.
"Uh, right," muttered Dart as he and the women sat.
"Is Albert somewhere around?" asked Shana as she looked around.
"He's waiting for his grand entrance," explained Haschel.
"Which should be in just a few minutes," added Meru.
Just as Meru predicted, in just a few minutes, two of the king's guard sounded trumpets, and everyone's attention was gathered.
"The king of Tiberoa, His Majesty Zior, and his daughter, Princess Lisa!" one announced.
All heads turned toward the entrance, and the two walked in, arm in arm, smiling as their people applauded. They walked down a red carpet, across the dance floor, and up onto a makeshift dais that housed four makeshift thrones. While they paled in comparison to those in the Twin Castle, they remained the most decorative seats in the area, and Zior led his daughter to them. As he stood before the largest one in the center, she sat on the one to its right.
He then addressed the people of Donau, eliciting applause at his mention of the dissolution of the Gehrich Gang. He invited them to a night of joy and celebration, in part because of this event, but also because of the recent betrothal of the princess of Tiberoa to the king of Serdio.
With the timing of a performance, Albert and Emille entered the room, both grinning so widely that Dart felt his own cheeks beginning to hurt. The people cheered as the couple stepped forward to stand before Zior, and Dart noticed that Albert now wore a circlet, gold with green jewels, matching one that lay across Emille's brow. The two knelt before Zior, and he spoke quietly to them; Dart could not make out the words over the murmur of the crowd. Then they sat on the two thrones to the left, and Zior ordered that the party should commence.
Dozens of servers appeared from the shadows carrying plates of food that made Dart's mouth water. Still, as during the king's speech, he could not help but watch Shana.
Throughout the dinner, their table was alive with conversation and laughter. Contentment flooded Dart's soul, and he wished that all would remain this way. Albert stayed with the other royals for most of the time, but eventually he joined them, and their conversation grew ever heartier. At long last, after three courses, the people were invited to dance as a lovely tune sprang up from a quartet.
"Dart!" called Meru, holding her hand out across the table. "Dance with me!"
Her eyes were alight with expectation, and Dart glanced at Shana. She seemed unperturbed and was grinning to see the exchange.
"I don't know if that's a great idea," he resisted.
"Come now, Dart!" chastised Albert.
"Yeah, go dance with the dancer!" encouraged Haschel. "She's going to make her rounds. We'll all have to dance at some point."
"You know me too well, Haschel," grinned Meru.
"Fine," muttered Dart, and he stood and joined Meru on the dance floor.
"Do you know how to dance?" asked Meru.
"Kind of?" he replied.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I've learned a couple dances."
"Dancing isn't that hard, Dart. And you're going to have to dance with Shana before the night is over, so let me teach you. That's why I grabbed you so fast. Before you could make an idiot out of yourself."
"Gee, thanks," he said.
"So, your hands go here and—well, look at you, maybe you do know how to dance."
"I'm not an idiot."
"You just pretend most of the time?"
"Aren't you supposed to be helping me? Besides, you're freezing."
"And you're burning up, but you don't hear me complaining about it."
And so began a competition of subtlety. While it appeared to others that they were merely dancing to a slow waltz, in reality, they were using magic to irritate each other for the next three minutes. Dart heated his hands while Meru cooled her skin, and they watched each other fiercely as the contest continued.
"Careful!" said Meru suddenly, watching the end of his sleeve. "You're going to catch your clothes on fire!"
"Well, my friend, you're frosting. In a tropical country. At least my thing makes sense here."
Dart quickly reduced the heat in his arm and swept away the cinders that were producing the lightest puff of smoke from his wrist and snickered as the tiny shards of ice began to melt off Meru's arm and evaporate.
The music came to a harmonious end, and Dart took a step away from Meru.
"Maybe we should call it a truce," smirked Meru, holding out her hand.
"For now," he replied, shaking her hand roughly. Then the two spun and marched back to the table.
"What was that?" laughed Haschel heartily.
"Just making sure Dart knows how to dance, that's all," shrugged Meru before sitting.
"We could feel the magic from here," said Rose with an eyebrow raised.
Meru grimaced at them.
"Oops," said Dart as he sat across from Shana.
"I don't mind," grinned Shana. "But I was thinking about taking a walk. Would you like to join me?"
He looked at her in surprise, aware that all eyes were on him.
"Uh, sure," he said, and they stood and left the tent. Furious whispers started from the others when they were only five feet away, and Dart rolled his eyes.
Shana led him out of the tent and made for the beach, where many Tiberoans were now standing around and chatting in the moonlight. She seemed airy, almost floating across the ground as her dress twirled around her feet. Suddenly, she paused, placed a hand on his shoulder, and worked to remove her shoes.
"Hard to walk on sand," she explained as she held up the short heels.
Nodding awkwardly, he continued forward with her, and the silence between them persisted until the party noise was merely a distant rumble. All the while, Dart couldn't help but feel that Shana was expecting something from him, but he wasn't sure what it was. He knew what he felt, but was that what she wanted to hear? Had she brought him here with some kind of purpose?
"Were you tired of all the noise?" asked Dart.
"Not quite, but I was getting there," she replied, looking off at the ocean.
The moonlight glittered on the surface, and the cloudless sky winked at them with eyes full of stars.
"You look beautiful tonight," he whispered, slipping his hand in hers.
At last turning to him, she smiled. Her eyes reflected the light of the stars, and he sank deep into their gaze.
"I've been thinking," he said suddenly. "About… everything. I have something to ask you."
"What is it?" she asked, so softly that her voice was almost drowned out by the waves.
"I was thinking about what I said earlier… about how I've made so many mistakes."
"Dart—"
"No, just let me say this," he insisted. She nodded, and he continued. "I did make mistakes. And I've apologized. There are a lot of things that I wish I could take back, and a lot of things that I wish I would have done. But I… I love you, Shana."
Her eyes lit up with a smile.
"I was afraid of it for a long time. I was afraid of losing you. I didn't know if I could handle it if something happened to you, and so I pushed you away. To the point that I ignored a lot of things, a lot of problems that should have been fixed a long time ago. Problems like this."
He released her hand and pulled up his sleeve, revealing the bandage wrapping around his forearm. Then slowly, he unraveled it and showed her the wound that he had carried for months. The wound that had saved her life. The wound that had nearly taken his in return.
"Dart," she gasped. "I didn't know it was like this. I knew it hadn't healed, but…"
"I thought that I needed to keep it, I guess as a way to punish myself for what I did. But I realize now, thanks to you, that I don't have to anymore. Because I'm not that person anymore. The person who hurt you was scared and angry. And maybe he's in here somewhere, but I'm never going to let him take over me again. Not like that."
"Can I confess something?" she whispered.
Confused, he nodded.
"I knew this was bothering you. I mean, we all did. We saw you fight Mappi, and then with Lenus. But even beyond that. I knew that you were in pain, and I didn't… care. Or I told myself not to. So, I let you suffer. I could have offered to heal it a long time ago. And I'm sorry for that."
"I deserved it," he smiled.
"No." She shook her head. "You didn't."
She took his wounded arm and held her hand above it.
"May I?" she asked.
"Yes, please," he replied softly.
As her hand began to glow, she moved it slowly up his arm, cascading him in a healing light. He was amazed as he felt his skin stitch together, accompanied by an intense itching sensation that had him gritting his teeth. But even more astounding were the wisps of dark magic that issued from it as she worked, puffing into the air and dissipating like smoke. With them went the aching pain that he had carried for so long, something that he had begun to dismiss as normal. And then the light faded. It was over. He was healed.
He marveled as he ran his fingers over the new skin, feeling not even a hint of pain. He flexed his left fist, and nothing happened. He smacked his arm, and no shots of discomfort appeared.
Tears sprung into his eyes without warning.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Always," she whispered back.
Placing a hand on her cheek, he looked into her eyes. Within them lay compassion, love, and safety. Despite the chaos of whatever might be falling apart around them, Dart knew that his heart would be secure in hers.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you, too," she replied.
Then he kissed her – long, sweet, and innocent.
After a moment, he heard the dull thump of her shoes falling to the sand, and her hands found their way to his shoulders. When at last he pulled away, he found that he couldn't stop smiling, and he placed his forehead on hers.
"I should have done that in Lohan," he said.
She giggled. "Maybe, but… I think I like it better here."
She placed a hand on his face and watched him for a moment before kissing him lightly.
Dart smiled again. His heart was full. He felt that he could spend the rest of time right here next to Shana and be perfectly content.
"Where do we go from here?" he asked.
"Well, I think they'll be missing us at the party in just a moment or two," she replied as she touched his neck.
Chuckling, he swept her into a hug, burying his face in her neck while she did the same in his.
"I love you," he repeated, eliciting a melodic laugh.
"We have to go back, you know," she said as she patted his back.
"I guess that's okay, as long as I'm with you."
Finally, he withdrew. He snatched his old bandage off the ground as Shana retrieved her shoes, he straightened his sleeve, and then they walked back hand in hand.
As they entered the tent, their companions all turned to watch. Even Albert, who had returned to sit with Emille, watched them with interest. Knowing grins spread across the group, but before they could explode into a series of questions, Dart leaned on the back of an empty chair.
"Let's go dance," he said.
"What, all of us?" asked Haschel.
"Yeah," nodded Dart. "And we can throw Albert in the mix, if we can tear him away from his future wife."
"What kind of a dance are you talking about here?" asked Meru suspiciously.
"A group dance! Shana, my dear." He turned to her, grabbed her hand, and held it up as she giggled. "Do you remember the Dance of Harvest?"
"Yes, I do," she replied with a knowing smile.
"Do you think we can teach it to these lovely people?"
"I think we need to try either way."
"The lady has spoken," announced Dart. "Come on, guys!"
Then he took Shana by the hand and led her up to the thrones.
"Your Majesty," he said to Zior, bowing slightly. "Thank you for this exquisite party. If I may borrow my friend for a moment?"
He turned to Albert, who watched him with amusement.
"Yes, of course," replied Zior. "That is, if you can tear him from Emille."
"I am happy to see whatever is about to happen," inserted Emille, flashing Albert a smile.
"It seems I am spoken for," said Albert. Then he stood and took Emille's hand before kissing it. "I beg your pardon, my love. I will return."
A minute later, the seven dragoons had formed a circle on the dance floor, and Dart began to teach the simple steps of a dance that children of Seles would perform on the festival that fell after the first summer harvest. For several minutes, they watched him and Shana demonstrate, and Haschel and Meru were bewildered at their display. Cheers from the crowd egged them on, and soon Dart had the entire group, including Rose, making feeble attempts to follow his steps. As Dart had expected, Meru and Albert caught on quickly, but the others had a harder time.
In the end, they were the spectacle of the evening. Eventually, Zior, Lisa, and Emille all joined in, and together, they were able to perform the dance. Clumsy as some of them were, stumbles and mistakes only served to bring them further joy as they reveled in their friendship.
But the most beautiful miracle of all was something that only seven people could really appreciate. When it happened, Shana began to cry even as she danced with a smile, and Dart found it difficult to keep from doing the same. Albert, Kongol, and Meru beamed with joy, and even Haschel seemed moved.
The night was finally complete when Rose laughed.