The Asterian Dream

XVII: The Long Winter Begins

Fasela yawned and stretched her arms as she awoke. The sun was beginning to peak over the horizon and the room was awash with beautiful light. She could not remember how she got into bed, but she did have a dream in which Conrad carried her to bed, tucked her in, and kissed her on the forehead before leaving.

She would be lying if she said she didn't like it.

She went out into the hall and into the other bedroom to check on Melron. There, she found him fast asleep, snoring quite loudly. Smiling, she went over and gently pulled the covers off of him.

"Come on Melron, time to get up," she said, gently shaking him.

Melron yawned before opening his eyes. He seemed to be quite put off. "Tsu, I was having a great dream, and you ruined it!" he said, pouting.

She laughed and scooped him up off the bed. "Well why don't you tell me about it during breakfast?" she asked, carrying him out of the room.

Sighing, he nodded slowly. "Okaaaay, but you have to tell me a story tonight to make up for it."

"We have a deal," Fasela said as they entered the living room.

Conrad wasn't in the living room, but the front door was ajar. Fasela put Melron down and went out to the front porch just in time to see Conrad walking over carrying a bundle of wood.

He waved to her as he walked up the steps of the porch. "Didn't expect you to be up this early," he said. "Sun rose not but half an hour ago."

Fasela shrugged and held the door open for him. "I've always been an early riser. Besides, the morning is so beautiful here on the isles that I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Conrad carried the wood into the kitchen where he placed the logs in the stove. He was about to begin cooking some Quari eggs but Fasela insisted that she do the cooking. He begrudgingly agreed and went over to the living room, where Melron was standing, fascinated by a large map of the Citadel and the surrounding lands.

Conrad went over and stood beside him. "Amazing, isn't it? A kingdom several ages older than any living creature."

The two of them looked at the map for quite a while, Melron pointing out all the details Conrad didn't know about.

". . .and there's the school where Tsu went," he said. He then shook his head. "Lots of bad people there, but some good too."

Conrad shook his head as well. "Yeah, typical royalty and their snobbish ways." He then looked down at Melron. "Glad to see you're feeling better today. I was quite worried about you."

Melron looked up and smiled. "Thank you for saving me Mr. Conrad. I dunno what I would have done."

Conrad knelt down and patted him on the shoulder. "You're very strong to have survived that. You have the heart of a hero, always remember that."

"You do too Mr. Conrad. Tsu has told me about it," Melron replied.

Conrad chuckled and stood up. "I wouldn't be so sure about that." He then frowned a little. "I have a lot in my past that I have to pay restitution for."

Melron shook his head. "I don't believe you could be something bad. Would a bad guy have kept me and Tsu safe? Nope." He then grabbed Conrad's hand and started pulling at him. "Cmon, we gotta eat."

Conrad reluctantly followed Melron as he was dragged to the dining table just in time for Fasela to approach carrying two plates. The plates were full of delicious food. Fried Quari eggs atop toast, smoked meat of many different kinds, and Polion berries covered in powdered sugar. Melron squealed in joy and jumped into one of the chairs. Fasela set one of the plates down in front of him. "I know you like all this food, enjoy it. You need the energy." She then went over and put a plate down in front of where Conrad was standing. "And you need to sit down and eat too."