After War Storm

Mare

We took Eve's car but before leaving she wanted it say goodbye to her brother and since we had enough time, I didn't mind.

Ptolemus and I still weren't the best of friends but we were civil, for Eve's sake. It wouldn't be good for her if her best friend and brother couldn't stand to be in the same room as each other, though I did avoid having to do that as much as I could.

She knocked on his door after the ten minutes drive and it was opened by Wren. "Hey Wren," Eve greeted her "Is Tolly in?"
"Yeah he's in the kitchen." Wren lead us through the house into the kitchen. Even though they had lived here for almost two years, I still hadn't been in this house more than a couple of times. My brother was dead because of Ptolemus and whilst I know he didn't intentionally kill Shade (he was aiming for me) and really was only fighting for his side, which I completely understand, I know I will never be able to forgive him for what he did. Not unless he can bring Shade back, but that is impossible, no one can do that.

"Hey, Tolly," Eve hugged him as she sat down next to him.
"Ptolemus." I nodded in his direction but didn't  sit down; I remained standing, leaning against the wall. Wren set a glass of water in front of Even and handed one to me.
"Mare." He nodded back. As I said, civil.
"So, what's up, Evie?" Ptolemus asked her.
"I just came to say goodbye."
"Goodbye? Why? We're are you going?" His eyes slid to me and I nodded curtly. "Are you really going back there?" Ptolemus asked Eve.
"Yes," she answered "I want to see how it's changed, what's new. Plus I need to be emotional support for Mare. Like I'd abandon my best friend at a time like this."
"You asked her to go?" Ptolemus shot an icy glare at me.
"No, she asked to come." I glared back, shifting off the wall. I could feel my sparks in my fingertips, there but unseen.
"Guys," Wren cautioned. "There's no need to start anything. That would not be a good way to leave."
"You're right," Ptolemus stood up and made his way over to his wife, wrapping his arms around her from behind and quickly kissing her cheek.

"Then, can I come too?" He asked. I almost choked on my water.
"You, want to come?" I asked with wide eyes. "Why?"
"Because I don't want Evie to go alone."
"She won't be alone, she'll have me." Even though Eve would have me, I think she'd benefit from having her brother there. She's made it no secret how much she detested the old Norta but it wasn't the county, it was who it forced her to be. It would be tough for her to go back but I know she wants to. I think she hopes everything will be perfect there now. I don't know if it will be.
"Fine," I conceded "you can come." I felt guilty, though, since my family was staying here.
"Great, I'll come too," Wren added.
"Isn't this turning into a fun little party," I said sarcastically.

"But I told Elane she couldn't come, since I thought it was just going to be the two of us," Eve said.
"Normally, I'd say she may as well come now, but she is 6 months pregnant."
"Oh, right," Eve laughed "I forgot." I had to laugh too and so did Ptolemus and Wren.

"If you're both coming, then you better go pack," I told them.
"Yes, let's go." They returned only a few minutes later (much less time than it took Eve to pack), both holding a small bag.

"We're ready," Wren told me.
"Then let's go."

Evangeline drove us to the airfield which took about 45 minutes. My family was waiting at the airport when we arrived, including Farley and Clara. "Auntie Mare!" She said excitedly as we came into view and I scooped her up of the ground and hugged her. Clara was two and looked very like Shade though her hair and nose were like Farley's.

"How are you Clara?" I asked smiling at her. She was now sat on my hip.
"Good. Where you going?" She asked me.
"Norta," I told her though she probably didn't know where that was. "I have to go and see someone."
"Who?"
"You probably don't remember him. You were only very small." I tapped her nose and she giggled. "His name is Cal." It was the first time I had said that name in two years. She shook her head. "Don't know him," she said.
"Depending on how this goes, maybe you can come and meet him."
"Yay!"

"Ah, Mare Barrow. It has been awhile."
"I spoke to you two days ago Premier."
"Over the phone. It has been a long time since I last saw you. You are looking well."
"Thank you."
"I just came over to tell you that your plane is ready and to wish you luck. It is not an easy thing you are doing now though you have faced many difficult decisions and challenges in your life even if you are only young. I hope it goes well for you."
"Thank you Premier. I hope all goes well for you as well."
"Your plane is that one." He pointed to the black plane nearest us. "Goodbye, Mare Barrow. I'm not sure when I will see you next." With that he turned and walked away.
"Goodbye Premier David," I called out. He raised a hand to signal he had heard me. Strange.

I set Clara back down on the ground and turned to the boy reaching for me from Gisa's arms. "Hello, baby. How are you?" Ti smiled at me, not fully able to talk yet. I sat him on my hip before saying to Eve: "We best be off then."
"We?" Mum asked.
"Eve's coming with me," I explained. "She wanted to go back to Norta as well and wanted to come back with me. And then Ptolemus is now coming because he wants to go for Eve and Wren is coming because Ptolemus is coming."
"Oh," Mum said. "That sounds complicated but if you all need to go back then, good luck. I'll miss you."
"Me too," I said as we hugged.

Next I hugged Trammy, followed by Bree, then Clara. I paused at my Dad. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie," he said, pulling me in for a hug. "I will miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Dad, so much." I could feel the tears coming to my eyes but I held them back.

I wanted to say goodbye to Kilorn but he had travelled to the sea on a fishing trip with one of his new friends: Peter. I had written to him to tell him where I was going but not to come himself. I told him to write back to me soon.

"I love you all," I said as we walked across the tarmac to the waiting plane. A chorus of I love yous was my reply.

Eve, Wren Ptolemus, Ti and I boarded the plane and I waved to my family as the plane took off. The flight was several hours so I decided to sleep through it. Ti slept beside me.