Farewells

The woman smiled at Chastain and nodded.

“Where-where am I?” Ebony looked around in confusion.

“You’re in Mane Country, My Dear.” She softened her tone. “My husband is Lord Marshall, we’ve prayed for another child to keep Samuel here company.” She gestured to the boy next to her. “Would you like that? He’s a good boy and he’s wanted a sister.”

The boy nodded.

“We’ll take good care of you. I promise.” “Ebony eyed her warily and looked back at Chastain who nodded slowly. “You’ll be safe Ebony.”

“I’ve been talking to her. She’s a good woman.” Chavias confided to Chastain.

Lady Marshall had been receptive to seeing him as he Spirit-Ran.

Looking back at the woman, Ebony nodded slowly and walked away.

“She’ll be well.” He reassured a mournful Chastain.

Chastain covered her mouth to cover a sob as she took a step back and watched the view before her fade back to the inside of the Bell Tower.

“They’re young enough they won’t remember much.” He told Chastain. “Dread Portals make your memory foggy. Especially when one is young.”

“Is that what this is?” Chastain asked.

Chavias nodded down at her.

Once back in the town square with the girls staring at her, Chastain watched their expressions grow morose as they registered Ebony was gone.

Understanding dawned and they grew fearful.

“We didn’t get to tell Ebony goodbye!” Riaura cried outraged.

“Tell each other now than.” Chastain said harshly to mask her own pain.

They quickly hugged each other while crying mournfully.

“We haven’t time to be sad.” Serdephe said, her own voice resigned.

“Chastain is right. Already the sun is cresting.” She gestured to the tops of the trees now turning yellow in the distance.

“Every moment is precious.” Chastain asserted. Swallowing hard.

“I don’t ever want to go back to that cottage!” Riaura cried.

Meralee was, thankfully, awake now. Sitting quietly on the ground. Doe eyes intent on Chastain.

It was Riaura’s hand Chastain took next. Huge green eyes lifting slowly to meet her pained expression.

“Not Sabine?” Riaura’s brows drew together and her eyes watered instantly.

Chastain gave her head a shake. When they entered the doorway this time, they emerged to see the face of a kindly old man sitting on a rock near a pond.

“So, you’ve come!” He smiled. “I’ve been seeing your face in here.” He tapped his temple. “And I knew you’d need my help.”

Because I sent you the images. Chavias had worked to penetrate the King of Nightway’s dreams.

“I’ve yearned for a child of my own, an heir, to take Nightway Kingdom, when I’m gone.” He offered her his hand. Asking in a hushed voice. “Care to be a princess?”

Riaura beamed but looked up at Chastain.

“Go.” Chastain urged.

Chastain only spared a few seconds to watch as they headed across the drawbridge to a lovely castle.

A woman waited in the entryway with dark hair and dark eyes. A look that made Chastain’s stomach sink.

“Alazar comes by here often.” Chavias crouched before Chastain. “He’ll see that Queen for what she is and look after your friend. And so will the king. He’s a good man.”

The old king murmured soothingly to Riaura. “That will be your mother, my lovely Queen Marod.”

Chastain followed the glowing light back into darkness. Grasping Serdephe’s hand.

“But Meralee?” Serdephe objected.

Chastain shook her head. “She’ll be fine if we hurry.” She told Meralee to wait for her to come back.

Chavias prayed they were quick enough.

Serdephe pulled her hand away, meeting Chastain’s long look. “I’ll go. You don’t have to take me.”

Bold creature. Chavias thought. Impressed.

“If I don’t then I’ll never know where you are to come find you someday.” Chastain said anxiously.

“If we are meant to meet again, we will.” A flicker of rare emotion flitted over Serdephe’s face.

Wise child.

A strange old woman welcomed Serdephe warmly promising to teach her all the secrets of potion making.

Sabine was guided through a land where snow fell in soft flakes, and lead to the loving arms of a widow woman.

Chastain hand clung to her small fingertips as they slid away. “It’ll be okay.”

The woman shed a tear upon seeing the incredible beauty of the young girl. Biting her lip, she collected the child in a warm hug. “He told me you’d come. I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet one of your kind. One look at your face and it is plain to see what you are.”

A descended angel.

“Wait until you meet my fiancée, Little Dove. There’s no man finer. Together we’ll be a family.” She smiled. Brown eyes soft as she stared at the lovely blue-eyed girl.

Sabine turned back through the sheet of white and looked forlornly back at Chastain with her impossibly blue eyes.

Eyes so huge that they haunted Chavias. A tear crept down her cheek and froze there along with a sheen of frost. The snow suspended a moment and Sabine whispered goodbye to her sister.

“Back in.” Chavias ruthlessly ordered.

We have no choice but to hurry.

Chastain dutifully trudged back into the gleaming flow of light.

Finally, it was, Meralee and Chastain entering the Tower. Immediately transported to a bustling city road. High canyon walls surrounded the city.

Even Chastain looked around in confusion.

“You’re in Meadowbrook, Grier Country.” Chavias supplied.