Marin, Book 1 (The Xortha Chronicles)

Chapter 27: Homecoming

Marin

Chapter 27: Homecoming

    Marin and Abby returned to Shintzu and got their room back at The Stormhammer. Abby told Jilly that she met Daggin and told him, "Jilly sends her love."

    "Tha's a sweet thing ta do, lass. Thank ye," said Jilly, "So 'ow'd ye get home so quick?"

    "We found a spell that allows us to travel great distances in a single step!" said Marin with a huge grin, "It's so wonderful! No more treks through snow for days just to get where we're going!"

    "Ah may hafta ask ye ta sen' me ta Kazak Deep some time," said Jilly.

    Marin went to their room to study spells. She couldn't help feeling like she needed to use her new portal spell to go home and let her parents know she's alive and well. But at the same time, she was afraid of what they would say. Would they try and force her to stay home? Marin knew she would never allow them to do that to her, even if the laws were different there. Then there was Abby, her wife. There was a time when it would have sounded strange for Marin to say she had a wife, but now it's normal. She loved Abby with all her heart and can't imagine life without her.

    Abby walked in, "Why are you setting in here alone? Come out and have a pint with me."

    Marin stood and hugged her, letting the hug linger. "I don't want to let you go." said Marin.

    "Marin, I love you! Now is there something wrong?" Abby had concern in her voice.

    "I know your parents, but you don't know mine. It's making me uncomfortable." said Marin, "I want them to know that I am proud of my wife no matter what they have to say about it."

    "Thank you, sweety, but if its bothering you, why don't we go see them? You won't know what they'll say until you see them, and it's obviously bothering you. Lets just make the trip. I'd really like to see where you're from." Abby did everything she could to sound encouraging.

    Marin sighed, "OK, when should we go?"

    "Well, we have two whole months until next term starts and we both want our Master titles so any time between now and start of term is OK for me." said Abby.

    "Lets go tomorrow then, since it's not a major trek anymore I don't think it should be a problem." said Marin.

    In the morning, just after brekkies, Abby and Marin went to the outskirts of town and Marin cast Portal. The doorway opened up to a spot along the road about a bow shot from Marin's family home.

    "This is Sleepy Willow, my parents live right here." said Marin as she pointed and led Abby to her old home.

    They got to the house and knocked on the door, a moment later Natty answered. Natty's eye's went wide. She threw her arms around Marin crying. "My baby's come home!"

    Marin returned her hug, "Hello, Ma. I've missed you." Marin stepped back, and before she could say anything, Jeb walked up.

    "Natty, who's .... Marin! Lights of heaven, child where under the stars have you been?"

    "Hello Pa. It's a long story but I'll tell it if you want to listen."

    "Well, it better be a good tale! I searched high and low for you for a month!" said Jeb

    "Before we go too far, there is someone I want you to meet. Ma, Pa, this is Abby. She's my wife." said Marin waiting for their reaction. "Wife!? What kind of nonsense have you been up to? We thought you were dead! Now you come here and tell me you married a woman? That's impossible! Women can't marry each other! Marin, you cut out this nonsense right now! I had a young man ready to marry you when you went missing and he still needs a wife. I'll take you tomorrow so you can get a proper husband..."