The Lupine Saga 127

The morning arrived after a good rest on a plush bed. Va’il slept well, surprised at how he could get used to such a comfortable bed after sleeping on the ground for so long.

He got ready quickly, this time without worrying about any intruding maids, and then quietly waited outside Ruby’s room, sitting patiently next to the door. After a much longer wait than he could have ever expected, the door opened. A hand came down and patted his head a few times. He looked up to see a pleasant smile.

Soon enough the guards led them to where a carriage was waiting. It was stocked full of food, bedding materials, extra clothes, water, and other provisions, and had a small accompaniment of armed guards, though less than a dozen.

This time, they really were returning, the realization finally dawned. There was still that small doubt that they wouldn’t make it, considering all they had been through and the troubles at each leg of the way. But Ruby and Va’il gathered their thoughts and sat in the carriage prepared for the two of them.

Ruby got in first, wearing a more casual, comfortable dress in green. Va’il still wore light blue and white, though the material wasn’t as fancy as the night before. They sat across from each other in the enclosed carriage, and then were driven off, escort in tow.

They didn’t have to run, to save their strength, to save water, but there was still a silence. They looked out the windows, watching the scenery go by. They’d every so often look at each other. Va’il would sometimes stare, and Ruby would look away, though she never did it in a way that seemed as if she cared. They stopped a few times to eat, and they were notified that they had left Hallum at the end of the first day. They slept, and then continued the next day, through foreign territory.

“Hey.” Va’il spoke up at one point.

“Yeah?” Ruby asked.

“Are we all right?”

“Of course. We’re fine.”

“No, I mean us two. Talk to me,” Va’il said.

“It’s a long journey back still,” Ruby said.

“Ruby, you haven’t said anything since then. Yeah, it’s a long, boring journey. You know that. So, are we all right?” Va’il asked.

“Yes,” Ruby said.

“But then, why?” Va’il asked.

“You’re not good about leaving things alone, are you?” Ruby asked, her voice snappy.

“No, I’m not,” Va’il replied.

“I know. I know you’re not. That’s why, that’s what’s best. Because you won’t give up like some other stupid boy might. That’s why it has to be you,” Ruby said, almost mumbling.

“What, Ruby?” Va’il asked, unsure of her meaning.

“No, that was to myself. Va’il,” Ruby said. She then got up a little and turned around. She sat herself next to Va’il. She turned to look at him, and then smiled. “This is better.”

“Are you all right?” Va’il asked.

“Yes, I’m fine now. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry Va’il. I didn’t want you to see me or ask me. But you’d ask anyways, I know that. But it’d be worse if you didn’t,” Ruby said.

“It’s all right. Just be Ruby,” Va’il said.

“I know. And just be Va’il. Keep being my knight. For a little longer, please,” Ruby said.

“Yeah, of course.”

They did casually chat throughout the journey back. They thought about their journey, and talked about the events that’d happened, and how they thought people may react when they came back. Soon enough they noticed the landscape of Farrow, and there was an indescribable feeling at the sight. They both talked as if happy, but Ruby was also feeling extremely apprehensive. Va’il really did want to return home as quickly as possible.

But for Ruby, the important part of the journey now was talking with Va’il about what had happened. Remembering it, laughing about it, getting their stories straight about it all, and getting depressed about certain parts of it. Va’il didn’t ask her about Murasaki any further, and Ruby didn’t volunteer any information about what had upset her so much. Much of it embarrassed her. But she had learned something about herself. There were things that did still upset her strongly, things she had thought she’d put away and resolved. And she also learned that she couldn’t stop herself from breaking down in front of Va’il anymore. She wanted him to see her at those points now. She was comfortable with it. She knew she was both weak and strong. And she felt that she could show all sides of herself to him. For a while, at least.

The day came when a tunnel through a mountain, the tunnel leading into Rising, was in view. And though Ruby was happy, her heart felt the weight, the realization of what her return meant. And the further realization that enough time had passed that she was old enough to stop attending Makeen. The courses were only to go to around the age of seventeen anyways, or sixteen in Va’il’s case. She was no longer the small girl she was when she first met Va’il. And he wasn’t the same small boy anymore. He was taller than her now, and she was a young woman. Looking at him now, she realized just how much he’d changed from when they first were taken away by Derlik. She hadn’t really noticed, since he’d been at her side all the time, but he was different too.

He’d calmed down compared to when he was younger, or so it seemed. Or was it just because of the situation they were in? He’d gotten taller and stronger, and even his face had changed just slightly. But it was still obvious to her that he was younger than her. He still had that air of mischief, even if he didn’t have the opportunity to practice it. He still looked at her with clear eyes, staring at her honestly, almost painfully so. She really didn’t want things to change. But, she couldn’t answer what part shouldn’t change. All she knew was that there was going to be a separation at one point, one she had expected for years.

She had spent some time trying to prepare herself in the past. But the past year had ruined that wall she built up, torn it down brick by brick until none of it remained but one stone, one part that couldn’t yet be budged. She knew now, watching the silver boy, that she would never be able to handle it or rebuild that wall. And that, to her, as painful as it sounded, was better than the alternative.

Ruby had a wish. She didn’t care how it was accomplished anymore. She didn’t care what circumstances arose to fulfill it. She didn’t think she’d be able to do it herself, so she had to hope and wish that it would come true. She could accept anything for it, as long as her wish came true.

“Don’t separate him from me,” Ruby thought, hoped, and wished. She only asked for this and nothing else, thinking anything more than that would be impossible. She stopped herself from wishing for her feelings to be returned, and for her status to change. There was only so much she could rationally hope for. She was a smart girl, she knew anything further would be too much to ask for, to burden herself with. And so, she hoped and wished for something simple, something that could be accomplished in other ways than the best one, the one she wanted but dared not think of.

And then, the day arrived. It was true. The familiar sight, the city of Rising, was truly in front of Va’il and Ruby.

About James Ashman

I write books of the fantasy, heroic, and adventure types. So far. I'm an author who loves fantastic stories.
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