What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 25

Sunlight sprinkled into the corridor, dust particles twinkling like sprites in the light. Father decided to head back to his room to rest, but I did not feel like the need to lay down in my thoughts once again.

"Erline!" a warm voice called. I twirled around and saw Alyard, dressed up. I tried hiding my blush as he trotted up to me, catching a whiff of lavender off of him. 

"I'm surprised you're up," he caught his breath, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. I stroke his hand and laughed.

"I actually have been up for quite awhile. Father and I decided to get some fresh air together,"

"Ah. Didn't it rain throughout the night, though?" he ran his fingers in tangled knots, drenched with rainwater still.

"It wasn't so bad. I could not sleep and since nature is a remedy, I decided to go outside to get some fresh air. I happen to bump into Father, ironically who also was having issues sleeping. He and I talked about life and bonded over our fascination of the ocean..."

"Ah," he smirked. "Runs through your veins, eh?"

I gently elbow his side and looked up at him. "You're sounding like Gery nowadays, a compliment, of course."

Alyard rolled his eyes and shifted his weight. "Say, breakfast is bound to be ready, would you like to grab something to eat?"

"I'd like to clean up a bit first," I brushed off some dirt off of my nightgown. "Plus Samena invited Father and I to have some breakfast with her, before she went to carry out her duties. I'd go for an extra cup of tea, though."

"Go ahead and go get cleaned up whilst I go check up on the food." He rubbed the sole of my back and headed towards the stairs,  lavender and hints of honey lingering behind. 

~

My room swallowed me up in a bubble of warmth as I shut the door behind me. I noticed a fresh gown sitting on a chair- a profound royal blue. Tatiana must have left this for me. Before handling the dress, I slipped off my boots and lathered my hands with soap that lingered with notes of berries. 

I unraveled my hair from the sticky braid and grimaced as I tried pulling it apart- rain and my hair do not mélange well together.  I wet my hair and applied the rose-scented soap to my hair, leaving it down to dry. 

I slipped into the soft, delicate gown and slipped on a pair of flats that lay underneath the chair- feeling like a noble lady. I grinned at my reflection as I clipped my front hairs back with some pearl-accented barrettes. 

~

After a jovial feast of tarts and exotic fruits, I glanced over at Father, wondering if he should declare his final decision. He closed his eyes, smiled, and gulped; his Adam's Apple doing a somersault as he cleared his throat to garner everyone's attention. 

"I hope you all had a great night's rest," he commenced, squaring his shoulders back to appear less bashful. "Erline and I have touched base... I will  be going home with her... I feel that is best for myself... and her."

I picked at my nails, anxiously avoiding the unpredictable reactions. Alyard reached over and enveloped my hand, his warmth seeping me into a source of ease. 

"If you think that going back to Nilopoia with Erline is best," Uli softly said, with hints of sadness and understanding. "I concur. I respect you either way. All knights are brave in their own ways. Even if that means being a knight for his family." 

"You, all of you, will always be welcome back here in Zalfa. Many fall victim to trying to do what's best for everyone else, but it's doing what's best for yourself that would actually benefit everyone in the long run." Dasniz smiled, creases greeting his eyes. 

"As to you all," Father sipped the remainder of his tea. "Are welcome to visit us as well, though our services would not be as grand."

Dasniz swatted his hand and snorted. "None of this grandeur truly matters. Just your company makes everything worthwhile. Speaking of services..." all eyes turned to Edouard, who sheepishly grinned. 

"Yes, uh," he glanced over at Father. "We have arranged transportation for you all to get home... more safely than how these two arrived."

"That is very appreciated," Alyard piped in, chuckling at Ed's side comment. "However, we left our horses and pony, the pony belonging to our fallen comrade, with some stable ran by an older gentleman with the name of Hank."

Edouard nodded. "We were notified of that. He also cares for our horses. But it's no issue. They can either be kept here or escort you all by carriage."

"Uh," I looked at Alyard. They were a fundamental part of the first act of our excursion... and since I live off in the outskirts of Allience, having a horse would help provide transportation and of course having that bond with an animal is something that no one could reject. 

"I'll take my horse, Nyx." I confirmed. 

"Ah, I live inside the city of Allience, so it would be hard for me to watch over Tide... but I do not want to give him up."

"Al, you could live him with me. Since you are my significant other, you are of course allowed to come down whenever you would like." I nudged his side playfully. He nodded and nudged my side back, adjusting his posture to face towards Edouard. 

"Very well," Edouard brought out stationary and a quill pen, presumably taking note of our requests. "What about the pony?"

I squeezed my eyes, not wanting my grief to overtake me. Even after sometime, Feralo's fate still seemed a distant nightmare, one that keeps lingering and never evaporates. However... Elfin could possibly help aid Feralo's family over in his home city of Geafra. 

"Elfin belonged to a young lad, Feralo," I thought aloud. "We encountered him in the first phase of getting here, we were arrested by some mad prince by the name of Scott of Geafra, and I initially met him as he was offering to help lend a hand. He was arrested for stealing bread, I believe, as his family was impoverished. He met a fatal end as he passed away from injuries when we were first crossing the border... so we honoured him in the traditional Geafran way. I was thinking of possibly of having Elfin tagging along and since Geafra is a potential pitstop, having Elfin has a relic of remembrance of Feralo could help give his family more financial security, depending on their trade, and of course comfort for their fallen family member..."

"Pft, Scott of Geafra..." Dasniz retorted to seemingly himself. "Such a toff plonker he is." 

Aside from that sly comment from Dasniz, Uli nodded. "Even though he is a 'toff plonker' as His Majesty puts it, we could arrange for him to find Feralo's family so it would be easier on-"

"Though that is a thoughtful gesture," Alyard shifted back into his chair, letting out a sigh. "I fear that would get Feralo's family into some sort of disarray. Don't worry about contacting the chap, we'll find a way to seek them out."

Uli nodded and looked over at Dasniz. "This has been quite a pleasant breakfast, but I encourage you three to gather your things and anything you potentially will need. Your escort will be here sometime after mid-morning tea."