Valtava: Dragon Sword

Chapter 13

"Tony, great news!" Uncle Ralph said excitedly at the breakfast table. "The workers have notified me that they have a ship ready for sail tomorrow. You can finally make your way home!"

Tony looked up from his bowl of lotus seed soup, almost dropping his spoon. "Really? I can leave tomorrow?"

Uncle Ralph patted him on the shoulder. "Yes, lad, you've been waiting for long, but now the time has finally come!"

Tony turned his attention to see Ada entering the dining room, with a maid helping her walk. She was still quite frail, but Tony was glad to see that some colour had returned to her once-pale skin. "Mother, Uncle Ralph, good morning!" She sat down at the table, smiled sweetly at Tony, and said, "Good morning, Tony."

Tony melted at the sight of her as he realized how much he had longed to see her up and about again. He opened his mouth to express his joy of seeing her, but a voice inside his head prompted him to stop. He was very soon going to leave her, and he knew it was very unlikely for them to meet again. I'm just a passersby. No point in letting feelings develop, he thought.

Madam Colipan spoke instead and asked, "Ada, you can finally join us for breakfast now. How are you feeling?"

"I'm a lot better, don't worry!" She shifted her eyes to a bowl of lotus seed soup that was being placed in front of her by a maid. "Lotus seed soup! My goodness, it's been forever since I've had this."

Madam Colipan turned to Tony and said, "Tony, we must have a special dinner tonight to bid you farewell. I will instruct the chefs to prepare their best dishes for you."

"Madam, you've already been kind enough to let me stay at your mansion for several weeks. I wouldn't ever be able to repay your good deeds."

"Bid farewell...?" Ada repeated, her voice trailing off. "Tony, are you leaving already?"

"Yes, we've just received news that one of the ships is ready for us." Tony saw the sadness in Ada's eyes and forced himself to look away, knowing that he would only make himself feel more regretful by looking at her.

Tony spent the day tidying his room and packing his belonging for the journey the next day, and in the blink of an eye, the sun was already beginning to set. Everyone gathered for a feast that evening, enjoying the exquisite dishes and chatting about the latest advancements in Elonia and the successful harvests from the farms surrounding the city. Tony tried to concentrate on the discussions but found his mind shifting between many different thoughts at once. He missed his home dearly but at the same time, he felt an unwillingness to let go of his new acquaintances in Elonia. Perhaps I can return in the future when matters are settled in the Northern Lands. But as soon as he thought back to his home kingdom, he realized that there was chaos occurring there and it would be another struggle resolving the conflicts between the Hollow Men and the rest of the tribes. His mind only became more of a mess the more he thought, so he finally told himself to shove matters aside that night and enjoy his last night in Elonia.

After what seemed like several hours of dining, he returned to his room and took another glance at his belongings, making sure everything he needed was packed. He then sat down and held the Dragon Sword in his hands, trying to calm himself by admiring the beautiful carvings on the sheath and handle. He suddenly heard a knock on the door and heard the familiar high-pitched voice, "Tony, are you in there?"

Indeed, when Tony pulled open the doors, Ada stood there with a graceful smile. She was dressed in a pink silk dress, with ribbons adorning the braids in her hair. Tony looked down to see a tray in her hands, carrying a jug of wine and two glass cups.

"Ada, what are you doing here so late?" Tony asked.

"My mother asked me to bring you this wine to try," she said. "It's our city's specialty wine, brewed by the most talented vintner!" She walked into the room before Tony could stop her, and she placed the tray onto the table. Knowing he could not object, Tony and Ada sat down and he watched as she poured the wine into the two cups.