The Truth Over The Wall

Epilogue

              *Because the story must end where it begins.*

Five years later...

Crystal clear waves, the color of the sky lapped upon the warm, white sands. Amara sighed as she looked down at the water rushing over her feet.

From her spot, which was a large black rock jutting out of the sand she could dangle her feet, and feel the water on her skin. Or she could pull her legs up beneath her and watch the waves swirl around her as though she sat on the surface of the water in the middle of the ocean.

She sighed again and pulled her legs up to hug them to her chest as she balanced her chin across her knees.

A few feet behind her, Uncle Gavin played at making sand castles with his granddaughters and grandsons –children to Amara's cousins. He had his sleeves pushed up to his elbows and his breeches rolled up to his knees as he kneeled beside a castle tower and patted it down with water expertly.

"There you have it, little ones," Uncle Gavin said brushing his hands together, "the Araaian castle! Home to the Leomhann."

Amara managed a small smile as the children all stared at the mighty structure in wonder and awe. She looked past them to the great mountains that they had all climbed down to spend the day on the beach. Her eyes took in the height of the mountains where the Eberhardts lived.

And just past those mountains was Raaidehn, capital city of Araaia: Dominic's home.

Dari, a dear little girl of six with brown curls and a button nose, scooped up a handful of wet sand to toss at her Aunty Mari.

Smiling Amara turned around unexpectedly, and with a flick of her hand showered them with a spray of ocean water.

The children squealed and ran back toward Gavin for cover, waiting. But when Amara did not come running at them in retaliation they looked up to see that she continued to sit in her spot, staring out at the ocean.

"Grandpa?" Dari asked Gavin with her arms wrapped around his neck, "Why is Aunty Mari sad?"

Gavin patted her little hand as he said mostly to himself, "Because it must be that time of the year."

Ash sat a little ways off with a frown fixed on her face as she looked at Amara. When she met Gavin's gaze she nodded as if to confirm he was right.

Grabbing his cane Gavin got up and walked to where she sat. Standing just behind her, he cleared his throat.

Amara jumped and shook her head before she looked up and smiled at him, "Uncle!"

"Mari," Gavin said fondly, "Mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all." Amara said sliding to the left to make room for her uncle. The dearest, kindest, sweetest uncle in the world.

"So," Gavin said without preamble bracing both his hands over his cane before him, "what were you thinking about?"

Amara blinked at him in surprise before she shrugged, "Just some things."

"Yes, but what things?"

Turning back towards to the ocean, she exhaled, "All of it really."

She had started thinking about her life with her parents and then the voices. And how they had left her with Ash while they went looking for answers. And then Dominic...

Her eyes narrowed as the rest of the memories flashed before her eyes too quickly. Hanalea and Alistair, her promise of friendship. A village in Tafah, the graves of her parents.