Radiance

Chapitre Six

The trek back was much less enjoyable. When I got the job at first, so many years ago, it was with the knowledge that I enjoyed being alone. I liked silence, for it allowed me to think, and fall into my own thoughts and memories fondly.

Now, there was little fondness in my memories, and so, I had learned to hate my own company.

I took half as long to return than it had taken us to get there. This was largely due to the fact that there were no storms, less baggage, and I knew my way around quite well. And, without the need to watch after the others, I was able to move at my own pace, with much less time for sleep and eating and a lot more time for moving.

I was easily able to remain hidden from an array of creatures, and for once, I found myself eager to return. For the first time in a long time, I had a reason to return. Kianti was waiting for me, and I had already taken far too long.

Four days later, I arrived at the annex. Hiro, my boss - a large, burly bear of a man - was sitting on a lounge chair, but the moment I stepped through the doors, he rose to his feet.

"Dear gods, James," he said, and I noticed the bags under his eyes. "Look at the state of you! What in the heavens happened to you?"

I shrugged, a slight smile tugging at my lips. "There were a few setbacks," I managed.

He laughed, loud and booming, and then I chuckled a little, too, because I was alive, and I was home. "Setbacks!" He exclaimed. "You've been gone for 12 days, lad! Why, I even had your woman come in and-"

"My woman?"

"Yes, a fiery little thing. Full of life. A wonder how you managed to encapture her. She was asking of your whereabouts. Said something about leaving for home soon, and wanting to see you again."

My heart dropped. "When did she say that? Did she say when she's leaving?"

He shrugged. "No clue. But she did give me the name of the inn she was staying at. The Gold Boar?"

I dropped my bag right then, rushing out the door too fast for Hiro to even comment that I should wash up before seeing a lady. And so, ragged and tired, I rushed across town, making a beeline for the Gold Boar inn, praying that Kianti was still there. I could've sworn the winter season lasted longer than that. Why was she leaving so soon?

I burst in through the front doors of the inn, my long, dark hair in a frantic mess as I searched the taproom for Kianti.

And there she was, holding baggage in her hands. She was beautiful, all clean and pretty, and I was a mess of a man, more mud than human. And still, she let out a squeal of joy, and she ran to me.

"James, I thought you would never return!" She exclaimed, stopping just shy of an embrace. Part of me longed to take her up in my arms, but I knew that would be a horrendous idea. I hardly knew her, and though I was aware that I was falling for her, at the time, I was still greatly in denial.

"I'm sorry I took so long," I managed, attempting to catch my breath. "I ran into some troubles."

She looked at me for a long minute, then laughed a musical, wondrous laugh. "I can see that!" She exclaimed. "It's a good thing you came, I was just about to leave." She reached into her brown satchel and pulled out a slip of paper. "Here, I wrote this for you. It would be nicer to tell you in person, but I really do have to catch the boat. I've input where you can mail your letters to me."

"Letters?"

She grinned. "Of course. You will be writing to me, right? That is what is traditionally done when courting a Ferlonian woman."

My eyes widened. "You're from Ferlon?" I was aghast that I hadn't known, though it did make sense that her name was an Ibarian word now.

She grinned. "Yes, I am! The land of ice. Not everywhere can be as warm as Akamesh. But worry not, I live in Eliset, so it's not too cold." Eliset, the strangely warm city in the center of the vast country of Ferlon. "Now then, that's the letter address of the university of Eliset. I expect you'll be sending them to me, along with the address where I can send mine to."

I smiled. "So then, I take it that you are okay with me officially courting you?"

A laugh burst out. "Okay with it?" She said with a chuckle. "Dearest James, I would be disappointed with anything else."

But was I okay with it? Was I ready to take that step forward, after 2 years of solitude? I closed my eyes and took a breath. I had already come this far, and, if I was being honest with myself, I was longing to go further. I wanted to know her. I had only a glimpse of her, and already I was longing for more.

As Kianti handed me the letter, her address enclosed inside, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The thought of officially courting her filled me with both joy and trepidation. But seeing her standing there, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, I knew deep down that I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by.

"I'll write to you," I promised, clutching the slip of paper tightly in my hand. "And I'll eagerly await your letters."

Her smile widened, lighting up the room with its radiance. "I'll be waiting," she replied, her voice soft and full of warmth.

We stood there for a moment, lost in each other's gaze, before reality came crashing back in. Kianti had a boat to catch, and I had to clean myself up before I could even think about starting my first letter.

With a sigh, I stepped back, reluctantly releasing her from my gaze. "I should let you go," I said, my voice tinged with regret. "You have a journey ahead of you, and I need to freshen up."

Kianti nodded, her expression mirroring my own hesitance. "I suppose we'll have to say goodbye for now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"But not forever," I interjected quickly, a note of determination in my tone. "I'll see you again, Kianti. I promise."

Her smile returned, a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty of our parting. "I'll hold you to that," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She reached out and grabbed my hand gently before returning to her bags and making her way out of the inn.

With one final, longing glance, I turned and took my own path, back to home, my mind spinning with thoughts of Kianti and the promise of our future together. As I stepped out into the crisp winter air, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within me.

This was just the beginning of our journey, I realized. And no matter where life took us, I knew that Kianti would always be by my side, guiding me through the darkness and into the light. With a renewed sense of purpose, I set off towards home, eager to find whatever awaits me in this new season. Things were finally looking up.