The Ivory Star

Epilogue

Eric Corbin married Lady Tamarra of Ophidia alongside Angus MacTavish and Nessa of Armond in a double wedding ceremony amid friends and the flowers and fountains of Valerion's garden.

Lord Erastus and his retinue brought an entire caravan of food, spices, exotic animals and birds, silks and fineries from Tejun, Jewel of Alhaqra, for gifts and celebration. Lord Skaand brought fifty fine horses, furs, and cattle. The retinue from Ophidia came bearing monstrous barrels of tal, wine, beer, baskets of fruit, sugar, and meal. It became a celebration as there had not been in a thousand years.

The newly-weds paraded through the middle ward in a gilded carriage drawn by eight snorting white chargers through a mob of cheering onlookers and well-wishers. A phalanx of Alhaqri knights in polished armor and rich bright-colored trappings followed in their wake. The ten remaining Red Dragons, in finest silk and astride prancing war-horses followed them, and a group of flowered maidens laid a carpet of moon rose petals behind them.

The gigantic feast was held that night in the middle ward, under the twinkling stars. The newly-weds, the lords and ladies and their families, sat at the high table, which was at least fifty paces long, built especially to accommodate them all.

Eric was greatly pleased and amused to see a certain flaxen-haired former serving girl sitting next to Capian at the festivities.

Musicians from all corners of the Four Lands piped up a grand dance that lasted for hours and hours. The festive mob danced and sang and drank far into the night. They were celebrating many things. Two grand weddings, the death of Uhr, the defeat of the Slayers. The new Council of Twelve. The glorious plans for the restoration of Arnath and its palace.

And late that night, Capian set Starjumper free. The monstrous bird voiced a single sad scream, and launched itself into the air, heading for the mountains. Capian, leather harness in hand, watched his faithful mount and beloved friend dwindle to a speck in the silvery moonlight. The great bird would be sorely missed, but if he ever would have need of Starjumper again, he would find him. But, for now, Capian, Son of Andorus, was Lord of Armond, with all the attending duties and responsibilities.

The four newly-weds spent the night in the House of Andorus, although they slept little, and when morning came, Eric was pleased to see Capian leave his room with Lina at his side. Eric smiled at them, and Capian blushed terribly, while the pretty woman on his arm merely laughed with joy.

The huge Alhaqri caravan prepared for Lord Erastus's journey back to Tejun. Lord Skaand left that same morning, with his soldiers and retinue, bound for the mountainous lands of Tyberia.

Amongst all the commotion, Eric pulled Angus aside. "Let's go for a ride," he said, with a twinkle in his eye Angus had never seen before, "We have much to talk about."

Angus readily agreed, and they quickly saddled two spirited black mares. Soon the bank of Crystal Lake was at their side as they rode at a leisurely walk.

"So what are your plans now?" Eric said, in English for old times' sake.

"My wife and I," Angus answered, rather liking the sound of that, "Are off to the Frontier to oversee the restoration of Obereth's estate and lands, and serve as regents until young Valerion is old enough to oversee it himself. After that, who knows? That'll be a few years down the road anyway."

"And I," Eric said, "Have a land to help rule." He grinned. "And children to bear. She says she wants dozens."

Angus laughed deeply, shoulders shaking. "Who'd have thought it?"

"What's that?"

"Us. We graduate from one of the finest naval academies in the known galaxy, and we were practically nobody. Then we land on some remote, uncivilized world, where we've both married princesses and saved the world. Hell, man, we're lords of all we survey! God, it's a ramming fairy tale!"

Eric nodded grinning, watching the splash of a fish leaping into the air after a spring insect. Then his face grew serious. "Have you missed home, Angus?"

"At first, but then I realized I love this place, and these people. This." He raised his arms to the endless azure heavens, to the glittering lake, to the emerald hills. "This is Earth as it once was. As it should have remained, could have if we'd have been a bit less greedy. Let's hope these people, in the centuries to come, take better care of their world."

"Maybe that's why they were brought here in the first place," Eric said. "I've often thought about what this is all about, what it means. This world, these people, why were they brought here? Who did it? 'A great experiment,' they said. It's all a mystery. I'll visit that derelict ship again someday. When I do, are you with me?"

Angus answered him gravely, "Do we really want to know what secrets that ship holds?"

Eric thought for a moment, then nodded. "Exploration. Discovery. That's what being human is all about."

Angus nodded his head, rubbing his smooth shaven chin. "You're right. When you go, whenever it might be, I'm in."

And the two rode on for a while, into the rising sun, trading tales of high adventure.

The End