Authors: Thomas Rath
Thane shook his head and then looked up at them and smiled. “And where is it that you plan to live, here?”
Dor shook his head slowly. “Ranse has asked us to come and live in Calandra. He wants to replant the city with trees and flowers and has asked that we be his chief gardeners.”
Thane smiled at the thought. What better use for a Chufa than to take charge of making things grow?
“He promised us that we could build our own hut on the castle grounds in the woods surrounding it,” Tam blushed slightly, “where we can raise a family.”
“I will visit you there as often as I am able,” Thane smiled, though they could sense a feeling of melancholy behind his words. They were all growing up and the world was no longer the small patch of woods where their people still lived in ignorance. Their paths were separating and the thought of it hurt. Certainly, they would still be able to see each other whenever they chose but it would never be the same.
“Actually,” Dor said, “we were hoping that you would come and make your home near ours.”
Thane smiled at the thought, feeling the draw of friends and family but he knew that his destiny was taking him elsewhere. “That would be wonderful,” he said drawing smiles from his friends that he quickly turned away, “but I have other responsibilities that I cannot leave for another.”
Dor’s countenance dropped slightly. “I understand,” he said, though his tone said otherwise.
“Who else is there to tend to the YeiyeiloBaneesh trees and help them to flourish so that one day our people may return to their proper place?” Thane asked. Then his voice dropped as he added, “And who else is there that can find the other TanIs’ Zadok stole and release their spirits into the afterlife?”
Tam reached out and touched his arm. “That is something we should all take part in,” she said glancing over to Dor who nodded enthusiastically. “Ranse can find others just as suited to plant his trees for him.”
Thane smiled but shook his head. “No, this is a task that was appointed to me alone and I will fulfill it. Plus, I will have Erl and Jne as company.”
At the sound of his name Erl thumped his tail on the ground where he lay curled up enjoying the bit of sun that touched the meadow around the YeiyeiloBaneesh trees. He had not left Thane’s side since Jack died; a comfort to both of them.
“Now,” Thane said in a cheerful voice that only sounded slightly forced, “let’s get on with joining you two as one.”
* * *
The spring air was invigorating with a slight chill that clung to one’s skin but with the promise of a beautiful warm day ahead. The tiny hill overlooking Calandra was carpeted with new grass springing up to meet the warming rays of the vernal sun and was mixed with a myriad of colors flashing in the breeze from fresh wildflowers that filled the air with a clean and soothing aroma.
Chtey’s hooves marred the ground as he crested the rise giving Thane a clear view of the area from where he sat upon his old friend’s back. They paused for a moment giving him an opportunity to scan the fields below and beyond. “It will be good to see everyone again,” he said as Jne rode up to stand beside him, Erl stopping on his other side. “A lot has changed since last we were here.”
Erl whined slightly and then nuzzled a cold, wet nose into his hand. Thane laughed, stroking the wolg’s fur and then scratching him behind the ear. They had come for the coronation, of course, as well as the wedding that would follow. The real wedding would take place on the Plains of Enn, but the happy couple had been convinced by the soon to be king that the city deserved to celebrate with them now that they had become endeared to its citizens.
Thane brushed the hair from his face only to have it playfully returned by the gentle breeze. His eyes lifted to the clear skies in time to watch the giant bird dropping down out of the west, the small figure of a boy firmly planted on its back. He smiled, remembering the tiny warrior and his stout heart knowing that another brave lad would be anxious to greet his friend again and possibly be the death of the castle staff as they certainly would return to their former mischief. It reminded him of himself and Dor when they were younger and he couldn’t help but wonder if they too wouldn’t find some sort of trouble to earn themselves a scowl or two. He would welcome such innocence again.
Jne reached out and touched his leg, all visible signs of her injuries gone. “Well,” she said, “shall we go and see our friends again?”
Erl turned a circle and yelped, his excitement to be on their way evident.
Thane turned his bright green eyes on her, taking in the beautiful smile that she seemed to reserve just for him. His heart leaped filling with the love that she offered him and that he shared with her. “I love you, Jne,” he said softly, her face seeming to brighten with the words.
“I know,” she replied, with her characteristic grin. “Now, let’s get you and Erl off of this hill and into the city to reunite Dor and Tam. I’m sure that they are just dying to see you. You have kept to the woods too long.”
Thane glanced at Erl who sniffed at the air as if finding in it a familiar scent. “Are you ready, boy?”
Erl slowly wagged his tail, not wanting to let go of the smell he’d latched onto but finally relenting as he turned and bound down the hill toward Calandra’s open gates.
“Hey,” Thane yelled, urging Chtey into full stride as he and Jne chased after him, just as anxious to be in the loving arms of friends once more.
THE END
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