Medice Ceres

Chapter 61

"Father, have not you had enough ale? I am not so sure it was wise to stay in the house of a brewer."

He put down the empty mug and wiped his chin with a sleeve. "It be my last one for the day, I promise, my worrisome daughter."

The sound of a horse sent Ceres racing to the window. She peered out at the melting winter landscape. Small rivulets of water sparkled in the late afternoon sun as they dripped from the roof. Her chin trembled as she chewed on her fingernails.

Waithe smiled. "Worry not, Ceres. Allow them time. The guards I sent ahead have only been gone two days and the pass should open soon. I be anxious to see them as well."

She flashed her head around, her blonde hair flinging out. "Do you think they shall still want me? After so long, with so much that has happened?"

He shook his head, grinning all the while. "My dear daughter, of anything in this world, of that I be most sure."

Ceres slunk back to the chair next to her father and slumped down in it, drumming her fingers on the table. Waithe lifted his eyes as a globe filled the room with green light, sparkling as it whizzed around in a spiraling circle.

She tilted her head to the Spirit. "What is it, Phy?"

Ceres' eyes lit up and a smile broadened on her mouth. She leaped up, grabbed her cloak, and dashed out the door, nearly bowling over a dark haired man with hazel eyes that had stopped before the threshold to stomp the slushy snow off his boots. Phy followed her out.

The man entered and turned his head back to the door. "Our Lady seems, umm, excited."

"Aye, my dear Miko. Difficult has she been to live with these last two days since I sent out my men."

"Well, I do have news. Soldiers on horseback approach from the east. I know not their allegiance except that they be not of Kust. Does she already know of this?"

Waithe shrugged. "It would appear a certain Spirit tipped her off. Do you think they could be Lord Girald's men from Woest?"

"Perhaps, if the pass be open. We shall know soon enough." Miko grinned. "Let us greet our visitors with the Lady."

The tightness of Ceres' grip on Waithe's arm made him wince. She squinted and shaded her eyes with a hand against the bright afternoon sunlight. "Do you see them?"

Waithe answered, "Nay... Wait, here they come around the bend. Many riders. I cannot yet make out who they be."

Even from the distance, one rider stood out, a giant of a man who sat head and shoulders taller than the others.

Ceres' eyes widened. "I think that be Yorg... It is! They are here!" She bounced up and down, tugging enough on Waithe's arm for him to teeter on his feet.

Three members of the Medice Guard led the procession, the red-headed Sergeant with the large mustache in the middle. A green and gold banner behind them confirmed that Lord Gerald's soldiers followed. One horse broke free from the group and galloped ahead. On the saddle was a bushy-haired young man with a dark-haired girl. Ceres yelped in glee as she ran towards them, splashing in the slushy snow. The horse pulled up as they came close.

The little girl bounded from the saddle and dashed ahead, a huge grin on her face.

Ceres went down to her knees in the wet snow to collect the running girl in her arms, nearly falling backward from the collision. "Eira, I missed you so much." They hugged each other tightly. The Spirit Phy swirled around them, apparently as happy with the reunion as they were.

Waithe picked up the little girl from Ceres' arms, pulling her into the hug. He smiled. "And I, little one, I missed you as well." He ruffled her hair and whispered, "When you be older, I have quite the tale to tell you."

Alden dismounted. A smile lit up his whole face. Ceres shuddered as he came closer, then jumped into his outstretched arms. She pressed her lips against his as he lifted her up off the ground and swung her around in a circle.

Alden put her back down on her feet. "My dear Ceres, my heart yearned for you. I would ask of you again--"

"Aye!" She pulled back a step and put her fingers to her mouth. "I mean... You are asking me to marry you, are you not?"

Alden grinned as he tilted his head. "That I was."

She jumped back into his arms and whispered in his ear. "Then, aye be my answer. I love you so much." The kiss, radiating with a fiery passion, lingered as they pressed themselves into each other.

Waithe pointed. "Now that, little one, be a worthy kiss."

Lady Jenn led her horse up beside Waithe. "It would appear, my dear friend, that we shall have a wedding to plan."

Waithe hugged her with one arm while holding Eira with the other. "I should think a small and simple affair be appropriate."

Jenn smirked. "That is what all men say." She pulled back and tickled Eira under the chin. "Oh, and this little girl warned us of the impending attack by Scias' army. We were ready and we routed them. Brilliant that message was."

Lord Girald stepped up beside Ceres. She and Alden separated, but held hands. Girald bowed to her. "My Lady, I and the whole of the Realm owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. You are truly a heroine of the ages." She blushed as she bowed in return.

Girald patted Waithe on the back. "They tell me you are now Captain of the Medice Guard. Who would have thought that?"

"An honorary title, I assure you." Waithe motioned Miko to his side. "Lord Girald, I present to you Miko, the Mayor of Eule, and also my host."

Miko bowed. "My Lord, it be an honor to welcome you to our village. May we offer you some hospitality?"

"We must continue our journey to Welde." He glanced over at his youngest son and Ceres, who leaned together for another kiss. "Well most of us... But I think a few moments of rest for the horses and my men would be welcomed. And I should like to sit down with my future daughter-in-law and her father for a tale or two of their adventures."

Waithe smiled. "If I may impose on my host, the Mayor makes a most excellent ale. Let us share a pint or two." He glanced over at Ceres. "That is, assuming my daughter allows me another."

Ceres put on a wry smile. "Given the circumstances, Father, perhaps one more."