Medice Ceres

Chapter 7

Early in the morning Waithe gathered their things and saddled the horses to continue their journey. The air held the fresh dampness of last night's rain. He gazed again in wonder at the lush landscape that only yesterday stood deathly blighted.

Ceres held Jad in her arms and cooed to him, then was rewarded with a smile that spread through his whole body. She handed the boy to his mother.

Turning to Kane, she pressed a small purse into his hands. "This should help you begin anew."

Kane knelt at her feet with his head bowed. "My Lady, you have done so much for us, far more than I could ever repay. My life is in your service."

Ceres took his hands and raised him up. "Then two things I would require of you. Take care well of your family, and live a life of compassion and honor. One day I would like to return to see how little Jad grows."

"Our door will always open to you, my Lady."

*****

They rode back to the main road, mostly in silence. Waithe reviewed the events of the last few days in his mind, so much unexpected. She turned her head back to him as they came to a fork in the road.

"Take the right, Ceres," he replied to her unasked question as the horses clopped along. "We veer west toward the Grand River. There we may find a barge captain that would take us down the river to Delta. Quite willing be they to take on passengers to earn a few extra coin. And I hope we might avoid any more encounters with bandits."

"Aye, my valiant protector. I have not fully thanked you for saving me from what surely would have been a terrible fate. Your fighting skills were truly amazing." She paused. "But still, I wish death had not fallen to those two men."

"Your heart be truly good, my Lady. But in the reality of the world, sometimes it be kill or be killed. I know which one I prefer. Those men made their choices."

She sighed. "I fear you speak truly. I still have much to learn. I was happy that you spared Kane."

"Agreed. I be humbled by it all, for if not by your request I may have killed a good man and then his family with him. I have things to learn from you as well, my dear Ceres. What you did for that family be wondrous, and I am grateful to have been a part of it."

Ceres paused for a moment. "Waithe, your daughter appeared to me again through your vision, this time older. And again your joy filled me. Would you tell me of your family?"

"It be difficult to speak of them, but in a way, you already met my daughter. I shall if you would tell me of your past. A story for a story?"

"Agreed."

He turned his head to the path and thought for a moment. "I met my wife, Fera, when I was but a young officer. I had not believed in love at first sight, but so it was for us. She was actually a Shaman in the service of Lord Berne in the Lake Lands. Disgusted she became of her craft and left it to be with me, but she would not tell me why nor speak of the Magic. Soon she came to be of child, and our daughter, Aala, was born. This was the most joyful time of my life, that you sensed in my visions."

His face darkened. "When she was almost four years old I left again for war, but when I returned I found my wife dead and my home in ashes. Never did I find Aala. I searched for years until my hope faded away. I know this not to be true, but on rare times in the still of night, I think she may still be alive, somewhere."

He bowed his head. "I know not who would harm my family nor why. Whoever it be, chose just my household, touching no other. To this day I wonder if it was something I did, an enemy provoked, a sign missed. If only I would have been there."