novel bin Chapter Forty-Six: Archfrost Epilogue: Frost & Farewells
Chapter Forty-Six: Archfrost Epilogue: Frost & Farewells
Chapter Forty-Six: Archfrost Epilogue: Frost & Farewells
It was a cold day in the northern lands when Colmar passed on.
I knew it would happen today because he asked me to write down his journals final entry on his behalf. Coincidentally, we were on the first day of the Earthmoon and the beginning of autumn. The season of summer and war had come to an end; now was the time for harvest and burials.
We had allocated a small cabin for Colmar and a wheelchair for him to sit in. Beni and I tended to him while the rest of our group guided the airship through cold winds and icy clouds. Unfortunately, the prototype airship was not a semi-autonomous vehicle like the Vernisla was, as I didnt have time to enhance it with my power before we departed. It required a crew to work.
Colmar looked through the porthole during the entire trip. The frozen air of the winter lands covered it with a layer of ice, but my friend didnt seem to mind. He spent his last few hours detailing his willbequeathing most of his belongings to the Snowdrift hospicesand various observations about the interactions between his soul, the body it occupied, and Belgoroths leftover essence.
I admired Colmars work ethic. Few apothecaries would be so dedicated as to spend their last moments analyzing what killed them.
hence why I believe that while a soul autonomously produces essence, it is also malleable enough to be reshaped by outside influence, Colmar recounted. Beni stood at his side, his hands pushing against the Alchemists glove. This does call into question the very concept of identity. Is it my soul that fades away, or merely the essence imprint believing itself to be a birdkin long gone?
Since my mark wont let me transfer you to another receptacle, I would assume that you have a soul, I commented as I wrote down his observations in the journal. What do you say, Benicio? Does he have a soul?
Little Beni looked up long enough from his work to nod at me. He would know. He had spent hours stabilizing Colmars essence in an attempt to prolong his unlife.
You are outvoted, Colmar, I quipped.
I have forgotten the value of peer review, Colmar replied with slight amusement. Be kind to include young Benicios contribution in the thanks and closing words. And yours too.
It is quite the long list youve recounted. Colmar wished me to include hundreds of names, from his dead mentor Johannes and former apprentice Liliane, to all the Heroes he had encountered and numerous others. Youve met so many people.
I have. Colmar marked a short pause, as if to ponder something. Young Benicio, would you kindly leave us for a moment? What I must say next is for Robins ears alone.
Beni did not argue. He bowed at Colmar and then politely closed the door behind him as he left the cabin.
The child is bright, just like his mother, Colmar commented.
He is, I confirmed. Do you know that he designed the wheelchair youre sitting on?
Is that so? Colmar asked. He reminds me of of
My friend struggled to finish his sentence, but I could guess who he was thinking of. He reminds you of Liliane, doesnt he?
Yes, Colmar confirmed, his voice slightly weaker than before. I feel my mind slipping away, Robin. It becomes harder and harder to recall names.
Im sorry, I replied. It was such a terrible thing to decline mentally and be aware of it; and doubly so for a bright mind like Colmar. I had to lighten his burden somehow. Do you want me to lend you some of my skills? I did purchase a few that could help you.
Colmar denied my proposal. You are very kind, my friend, but we cannot run the risk of you losing them if I expire suddenly. Worry not. I shall see this through.
I hoped so. According to our maps and Eris information, we should reach the City of Wrath soon enough. I prayed that Colmar could cling to unlife until then.
Robin, Colmar said, his voice sharper than ever. Once I pass away, I would like you to publish my journal.
I squinted at him. All of it?
Yes. Tell my story as it is. Spare nothing. Colmar marked a short pause, though I couldnt tell if it was to ponder his next words or because the effort cost him a great deal of willpower. It is not up to us to decide what people should or shouldnt know. Let them decide for themselves.
Many will try to censor it, I warned him. The mere fact that an undead beastman wrote the text would lead to a scandal. The Arcane Abbey wont let the truth of the Demon Ancestors spread, and I suspect many would rather ignore how the beastmen came to be. Not to mention those flowers that started the Purple Plague.
Let the book-burners try to light their bonfires. I guarantee you that one copy will always survive to reach future generations. Knowledge can be buried, but never destroyed. Colmar let out a sound akin to a wheezing rattle. I do not expect everyone to believe my tale, Robin, or draw the right conclusions from it. For every ten people who understand that the Nightseeds are an evil that must be stamped out, one fool will mistake them for his ticket to immortality.
But you dont believe in hoarding knowledge.
No, I do not. Colmar raised his index finger at the porthole. I took the fact he still had enough strength to do so as a good sign. Look at this marvel, Robin. You and Marika assembled it by using tools and techniques developed by centuries of engineers. Would this airship have seen the light of day, had the men who invented ships kept the schematics for themselves?
Probably not. I closed the journal. Im not afraid of change though.
Neither am I. I guess that is why we got along so well together. I could have sworn I saw a spark in Colmars empty glass eyes as they stared through the porthole. I cannot tell what impact my knowledge will have on future generations, nor how they will see my work, but I hope it will inspire them to make the right choices.
I believe it will. I stared at the journal in which Colmar poured his entire life and beyond. I held the weight of his soul within my hands. I will do as you ask, Colmar. I will see to it that your story is spread far and wide.
Thank you, Colmar replied. Then someone knocked on the door, harder than Beni. Yes?
Soraseo entered the cabin. She was dressed for battle, but did not carry her helmet. The slight shame in her eyes amused me. Despite being a master of movements, I could read her like an open book.
Were you listening, Soraseo? I asked her.
Yes. Soraseo blushed slightly. I have apolog She quickly caught herself. I noticed she stumbled on her words more often when emotional. I apologize, Colmar. I did not mean to.
It is fine, I trust you, Colmar replied warmly. I take it that we will land soon?
The City of Wrath is within sight. Soraseo moved to grab the wheelchairs handles. Are you ready?
Colmar waited a moment before answering. Are you?
I could see the answer written all over Soraseos face. Two seasons ago, she had been ready to drop everything in order to get a single step closer to the Deadgate. Now that her objective was within sight, she found her heart beset with doubts.
Forgive me, Colmar, Soraseo said with some hesitation. But can I ask you a hard a difficult question?Thi/s chapter is updated by
There are no difficult questions, only difficult answers, Colmar replied calmly.
Soraseo stared at him in confusion, which neatly proved his point. He means yes, I translated. You can ask him.
Soraseo nodded slightly and gathered her breath.
Do you fear death? she asked with a low, faint voice.
No, Colmar replied without any hesitation. I did once, but I have come to understand that those who fear death are burdened with regrets. They are ghosts haunted by what they have done, or worse, what they could not.
Colmars fingers lightly tapped on his wheelchairs armrests. I do not think that my serum is what kept me existing as an undead. It was the spark that began my transformation, yes, but not the fuel that sustained it. My regrets over failing to save Heros Rest from the Purple Plague are what kept my spirit from passing on. I could not rest until I eradicated that pestilence.
But some of the gardens might still be out there, I noted. You said to me once that you suspect the Knots were refining the original formula. The fight goes on.
It does, Colmar conceded. But I trust you and the others to complete my task in my stead. You have fought a Demon Ancestor and won. You can do anything.
I chuckled at his confidence. We have six more to go and the last one nearly slaughtered us all with ease. I wouldnt bet on our odds of defeating them all within our lifetime.
How good that you never play a game without fixing it first then, my friend.
You know me well, I replied. Well do our best.
You have my word we shall defeat the Ancestors. Soraseo respectfully bowed at Colmar. You may face the Soulforge without regrets.
Colmar let out a wheezing sound. It is not death that you should fear, Soraseo, but an unfulfilling life. If you reach the end of a road without looking back, then you will not waiver at the finish line.
Soraseo listened to his wisdom with her full attention. Colmar never learned of her true identity since he had been absent from our journey to Walbourg, but our friendship and adventures must have given him some insight into her past. His words were not lost on her.
Thank you, Soraseo said respectfully. My mind is cleared of clouds.
She was ready to confront the Deadgate too.
A few minutes later, we gathered on the airships deck after it landed. The air was so cold outside that Marika, Beni, and I had to bury ourselves under a mountain of fur coats and caps to protect ourselves from frostbite; and even then I suspected we would suffer some anyway. Soraseo alone appeared to be unbothered by the chilling wind, while Alaire and Silverine seemed used to it. Both had scouted ahead to find the spot where Eris promised to await us.
We had landed on a snowy plain overlooked by the most dreadful place I had ever seen.
Whereas the horizon was a white expanse of ice going on forever and crossed by a frozen river, the City of Wrath was a hideous, blasted mess of black and red stone. Its crooked towers could be seen from leagues away. From the height of its monstrous curtain walls and the ground its ancient buildings covered, I assumed it used to be a sprawling metropolis before the Sunderwar. All of Snowdrift could fit within one of its districts.
However, I found nothing inspiring about the place. Its calcined stones all bore the mark of flames and half the towers had crumbled under the weight of centuries past. A dense cloud of crimson essence so thick as to obscure entire buildings covered it like a vile blanket. Most ominously, the ice that ruled over these lands stopped neatly at the citys outer walls, and its sprawling streets appeared untouched by the frost.
This place is so evil that even the snow wont touch it, Marika muttered as we climbed down from the deck and onto the ice below. Soraseo lifted Colmars wheelchair barehanded and jumped after us in a single leap. Ive never seen a Blight so intense.
The wind carries the smell of blood too, I noted. I would have thought that Belgoroths demise would have exorcized this place.
Marika shook her head. The evil that men do often outlives them.
The Lord of Wrath was gone, but it wasnt his power that sustained this cursed place. The anguish of his victims and of massacres past had stained the land to such a degree that the Blight endured centuries after their demise.
How long would it take for this ancient wound to heal? Centuries? Or would it remain until Pangeal rid itself of war and wrath? In any case, I doubt we had enough pure runestones in the world to purify it.
I banished these thoughts from my mind for now. We werent here to destroy this place, nor did we intend to linger around it for long.
Eris awaited us near a rudimentary camp of one mammoth fur tent and a campfire. Like us, she had traded her usual clothes for a thick mantle of white fur and a pair of gloves; one that fit her well, if I did say so myself.
Two other creatures were present too: a beastman and his stonetusk mount. The latter was by far the most intimidating of the two. The mammoth-like creature was large enough to carry a house on its black, and its white wool meshed very well with the snow. A single, cyclopean yellow eye stared at us above a set of sweeping tusks of curved ivory. Stonetusks earned their name for their fearsome ability to petrify their enemies with a gaze, but I sensed no hostility coming from this one.
Whereas Beni observed the creature with childish amazement, I was more interested in its beastman companion. The hulking creature stood tall and upright like a man, yet matched a polar bear in size and wore lamellar leather armor. A coat of dense white fur covered black skin marked with runes and frostbite. His fearsome, simian face showcased a mouth full of sharp fangs and intimidating pale red eyes. A silver mark shone on his forehead, representing a wolf with stag horns and bearing the Erebian numeral for nine.
The Hunter.
Youre early, Eris teased us. Miro hasnt cooked his breakfast yet.
I couldnt wait to see you again, I replied charmingly before kissing her on the cheek. My lips were so cold I thought they would stay frozen on her skin.
Good answer, Eris replied with a laugh before managing introductions. Everyone, this is Miro, our Hunter and tour guide. Miro, these are the tourists I told you about.
The names Mirokald, the Hunter said in a booming male voice akin to cracking ice, and in near-perfect Archfrostian too. He waved his enormous paw at us in a clumsy imitation of the human hand gesture. Happy to make your acquaintance.
Could you be a yeti? Colmar asked with sudden interest. I heard tales that your kind had gone extinct over the last decade.
Far from it, but unlike the tuskmen we prefer the mountains and glaciers over the flat lands to the south. Mirokald pointed at the pot stewing on the campfire. Want some?
Im disappointed, I said before examining the cooking pot. I recognized the food as fish stew. My mother said that yetis ate children for breakfast, but this doesnt smell like human flesh.
How would you know what a cooked human baby smells like? Mirokald replied with a laugh. As I suspected, he had a sense of humor. Your mother was mistaken. The only humans fat enough to warrant the effort live in your cities to the south, and its a pain to carry them back home.
Little Beni approached the stonetusk, which looked at him with its single eye. The child recoiled a little, but dared to touch the creatures wool.
Beni his mother scolded her.
Let him play, Old-Ma only eats tundra grass and moss, Mirokald said, before studying Beni more closely. The child doesnt have a mark.
Benicio is my son, Marika replied with a polite nod. I am Marika Lunastello, the Artisan.
Im Robin, the Merchant, I said before continuing with the introductions. The warrior in red is Soraseo, our Monk, and the man in the wheelchair is Colmar, our Alchemist.
I am Alaire, the Cavalier, Alaire introduced herself, her arms crossed. Where did you learn the Archfrostian tongue? I didnt expect to hear it so far north.
I learned your language decades ago. One of your lords kidnapped me when I was a runt and tried to civilize me. His tutors lashed me whenever I got a word wrong. Mirokald shrugged his shoulders. I guess the lessons stuck.
Alaire and I both winced at his tale. Your former captors name wouldnt happen to be Sigismund, would it? I asked him, recalling a tale from our march on the capital.
Could be. Whoever that lord was, I hope hes dead. Mirokald glanced at Colmar. Deader than you at least.
I do not have much time left, Colmar conceded. He pointed at the City of Wrath with his remaining fingers. Do you know the way to the Deadgate? I would rather avoid perishing on the threshold of this terrible place.
Let me grab a bite and Ill lead you to the doorway, Mirokald replied. The Lord of Wrath and his dragons departure caused a decrease in the local monster population, so we shouldnt encounter too much resistance. Still, the wise warrior does not march on an empty stomach.
I shall protect you on this journey, Soraseo promised. Nothing in this city can prove worse than the Lord of Wrath.
For sure, but its no easy walk either. Mirokald seized a boiled fish from his stew and swallowed it whole. This places power waxes and wanes with the tides of war and peace. So long as hatred endures somewhere, it will keep giving birth to undead and monsters.
It will fade away one day, I insisted, both for his sake and my own. Though we may not be here to see it.
It will grow quiet for a few decades, until Zharkov gathers a new horde, Mirokald replied with pessimism. Then a new war will break out and its power will return.
You know Zharkov? I asked with a frown. It didnt surprise me. The beastman warlord was probably quite famous on this side of the border.
We spent time in captivity together. Methinks he remembers the lashes and punishment more than the grammar and math. Mirokald let out a sigh heavy with pale mist. Zharkov and I escaped together, but we havent seen eye to eye since. Hell never stop trying to make humans pay for what they did to us.
Zharkov is probably dead, Alaire noted. Belgoroth annihilated the army that he gathered.
Mirokald snorted. The snow speaks to me, Cavalier. Zharkov and a few of his hardliners live to kill another day. Now that the border with Archfrost is wide-open, hell make a nuisance of himself. He wont have the numbers to inflict much damage, since his followers are probably greatly demoralized by Belgoroths rampage, but he always bounces back eventually. Hell fight to the death.
The possibility of raids starting again worried me. I doubted it would amount to much since Belgoroths rampage devastated the beastmen tribes and Archfrost was more united than ever, but peace was a fragile thing. I couldnt let a hardliner ruin a once-in-a-century opportunity for both sides of the border to reach a compromise.
Our Priest suggested using her power to make your lands more fertile, and the Knight rules Archfrost, I informed Mirokald. They will listen to beastman ambassadors. If you know any chieftains who would rather make peace than war, you should send them our way.
Mirokald didnt seem convinced. I try to stay optimistic, but there have been too many broken promises on both sides.
The people who made them are all dead, I insisted. So why not try with their replacements?
I cannot hear her, Alaire said, slightly disappointed.
Ah, I feared it might happen, Mirokald complained. Some ghosts cant speak. I dont know why.
Do you want me to read her lips? I suggested. Or sell you that skill?
No need. Alaire shook her head and smiled at her mother. She understands me. That is all that matters.
I didnt push the subject further. Alaire joined her hands in prayer and muttered words under her breath. I was too far away to hear them, but it caused her dead mother to adopt her daughters posture. The ghost vanished soon after and Alaire returned to us.
Are you well? I asked her.
Im fine, Alaire replied calmly. I just wished for Mother to listen to what I had to say. It is done.
I see. I didnt ask for more details. Whatever Alaire said was between her and her mother. I had no right to learn more.
I prepared to hand Colmar over to Eris when I heard his voice coming out of the suit. Let us go together, Robin.
Mirokald tried to dissuade him. No ghost will appear for two living visitors.
I am no longer alive, Colmar replied. If my hypothesis is correct, my presence wont change anything.
Well we have nothing to lose, I decided. We might as well try.
I approached the Deadgate while carrying Colmar on my back. The closer I moved to the rift, the fresher the air. I couldnt quite put it into words. The essence that radiated from it sapped my strength and soothed my mind, but not in a way that invited suspicion. The light instead filled my heart with a deep sensation of peace.
A woman appeared on the other side of the threshold in a robe of immaculate sunshine. I could hardly see her features beyond the blurry veil that separated us. Her warm blue eyes felt familiar to me, however, as did her fair hair and gentle face.
Mother? I asked, my voice dying in my throat. Was that how my mother looked? It had been so long that I had almost forgotten. Is that you?
The woman smiled at me. She did not speak, however. She didnt even stretch her lips to mimic words as Alaires mother did. She simply stared at me in utter silence.
It is as I feared, Colmar whispered in my ear.
What? I asked in confusion. Whats happening?
Souls that go to the Soulforge are stripped of their memories and are then reincarnated, Colmar explained. I had wondered how their ghosts could appear on the Deadgates threshold if they are immediately sent into a new vessel. I think I know why now.
I scowled upon putting two and two together. These are not souls, but their leftover essence.
Im afraid so, Colmar confirmed. This is not your mother, not completely. It is an imprint of her mind and memories at the moment of her death. A fleeting frame in time.
Soraseos mother could speak back, I reminded Colmar. Why cant Alaires or mine?
Because Soraseos parent died around a year ago, Colmar replied. More recent echoes have enough consistency to remember their lives and even speak, but old ones like your parents or Alaires mother are no more than silent images.
I stared at the image in front of me with a heavy heart. My mother had perished earlier than Alaires, so what remained of her essence could not answer my questions nor understand them.
When the dead passed on, only their feelings remained.
I am sorry, Robin, Colmar apologized.
Dont be. She doesnt need to say anything. I nodded at my mothers reflection. Her smile speaks louder than any words.
I could feel her warmth from here.
Of all of my lifes regrets, not saving her had been the one that weighed most on my mind. If I had noticed her cough earlier If I had spoken up to my father If I had found a doctor that could treat her How many times had I asked myself those questions? My sense of reason knew I couldnt have changed anything, but my heart never accepted it.
Now that Id faced her though Now that I sensed her warmth from beyond the veil of death, I knew that she didnt blame me. My parents only ever wished me well.
I would continue to do good in this world. I would make my mother proud, so when I meet her and Father in another life, I could say that I did my best.
Your turn, I told Colmar.
He chickened out at the last second. It has been so long, Robin I doubt I will see anyone.
You cannot know until you try. I shifted Colmar from my back to my arms. Youve traveled so far for her. You should at least see her face.
My mothers image disappeared when I moved Colmar closer to the rift. No forlorn soul emerged from the Deadgates light. For a brief instant, I worried that the imprints of Colmars acquaintances had long faded away.
And then she appeared.
A small girl, gaunt and scrawny, with shaggy hair and a gentle face. She faced Colmar like my mother did with me, without word nor judgment.
I heard a noise coming from inside my friends suit.
A sob.
I could have saved more Colmar whispered, his voice heavy in bitter sorrow. So many more
No, no, I said in an attempt to reassure him. Colmar, dont say that.
You cannot fathom it, Robin the number of lives that slipped through my talons Colmar had no eyes to shed tears with, but his soul cried out nonetheless. The most terrible thing about being an apothecary is realizing how little we can do to help.
He felt so heavy in my arms. His suit was an empty pile of leather and steel, yet filled with a century of regrets.
You have saved thousands, I reassured Colmar. Millions. You have saved generations from the plague and the Lord of Wrath. Countless Lilianes will grow old because of your valor.
I couldnt tell whether Colmar heard me. His mark faded in and out of existence alongside the last vestiges of his unlife. The ghost of Liliane extended a hand at him from beyond the Deadgate, inviting him to rest.
Colmar spoke for the last time. I am glad I could fly with you.
The mark on his hand flew away, upward and outside the chasm. His suit suddenly became lighter than a feather. A form appeared behind Lilianes specter, tall and dark. I heard gasps behind me. Soraseo, Eris, and Alaire all approached the Deadgate at once, forgetting Mirokalds advice.
Lilianes image did not disappear. In fact, another figure joined her. A tall birdkin with crow feathers and stunted arms. He took Lilianes hand into his talons and stared at us. His red eyes radiated wisdom, intelligence and gratitude.
Gratitude most of all.
Thats impossible, Mirokald said in disbelief. First time Ive seen two at once
Could it be Eris whispered. She struggled to believe her eyes. Is this
Its him, Soraseo confirmed, her voice solemn.
It was Colmar. How he looked when alive.
He and Liliane saluted us one last time, and then they were gone forever.
We left the City of Wrath by twilight.
By the time we exited it, Beni had completed four tours on Old-Mas back and two on Silverinesmostly because the jealous pegasus insisted, or so Marika told me. She was slightly unhappy to have missed Colmars last moments, but I didnt think he would have liked to rob her of a chance to reconnect with her son for anything in the world.
Beni hasnt spoken again since, she told me, But I know he will, soon. I can tell. I have waited over half a year to hear his voice. I can wait a bit longer.
He has a wonderful voice, I replied kindly. I regretted not catching that moment in a soundstone. He got it from his mother.
Marika scoffed and lightly punched me on the shoulder. Have you made peace with your past?
I think we all did. Except for Eris, at least. Still, we could all look to the future without old burdens. Now we must decide where to go next.
I am not certain myself, Soraseo said. She faced the northern wind and let it blow on her face. I must ponder that question.
How about the Shinkoku Empire? I suggested mirthfully. Now was the time to unveil my surprise.
Soraseo frowned at me. I cannot return home, Robin.
As a matter of fact, you can. Your late father decreed that you should return with your mother, or not at all. I brought out my secret weapon from under my coat: a soundstone. That promise is now fulfilled.
Soraseos eyes widened as her mothers voice came out of the stone. Her ghosts last words echoed across the snowy waste like a distant echo, clear and perfectly preserved. Eris covered her mouth and the rest of my friends were left speechless for a brief moment, much to my delight.
As for Soraseo, she did something I would never have expected.
She laughed.
I didnt recall ever hearing her do so. Not like this; not so loud that she had to hold her sides. It was such a refreshing and musical sound, like a symphony of water.
I do not believe that this is what my father meant, Soraseo said after calming down. It felt so strange to see someone as straight-laced as her react this way. I had truly put her in an excellent mood. That alone felt like a great victory.
Who cares what he meant? I replied with a wink. It is what he said that matters.
Being a nun, I cannot lie, Eris added. So believe me when I say that the letter of a decree will always trump its spirit.
I comprehend. Soraseo smiled ear to ear. It will take a very long journey to return home, my friends. Would you kindly escort me there?
If you dont mind stopping along the way, I replied. Half a dozen nations separated us from the Shinkoku Empire. Not to mention that we would have to find a place where to bury Colmars suit in a way that honored his memory. Who will join us on this marvelous adventure?
Do you even need to ask? Marika said with a laugh, while her son raised a thumb up at me from atop the stonetusk. Were in.
Eris settled on a part-time job. I will have to work on Lady Alexios behalf now and then, but I promise to spend all of my free time with you.
Alaire pondered my proposal for a moment, only to shake her head. I will stay in Archfrost, she decided. Some of my fathers cultist associates are still at large, as are Zharkov and other demons. Roland and Therese will need help in taking them out.
They will, I conceded. But what then? What happens once you have run out of foes to fight?
Then Silverine and I will go where the wind takes us. Alaire caressed her pegasus, who quickly neighed in approval. Fight those who would pray on the weak and cleanse the countryside of demons. Act like a knight.
You are a knight, Alaire, I replied. If not in name, then in all the ways that matter.
Alaire chuckled. Careful with the flattery, Robin. Eris might take offense.
I dont, Eris quipped. Practice makes perfect, and I love it when he flatters me.
I mean what I said, Alaire. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed Alaires evolution. The angry, hot-tempered woman who nearly arrested me on our first meeting had blossomed into a confident and valorous warrior. It has been an honor fighting at your side.
It truly was, Marika confirmed. Its truly a shame that we must part ways.
I am certain that we will meet again, Alaire reassured her. I will give you something to remember me by until that day.
I raised an eyebrow when Alaire drew her sword. To my surprise, she proceeded to grab her lovely braid and swiftly cut it. Her untied hair fell on her shoulders.
Here, she said upon offering me her braid. This is for you, Robin.
Wait, I said, struggling to believe my eyes. You have finally decided to honor your promise?
Who would be foolish enough to break a Merchants contract? Alaire replied, her eyes alight with amusement. Take it as a token of my affection.
I have to say, you look good with short hair. Eris put a finger on her cheek and examined Alaire closely. A shame I am in an exclusive contract now. Truly a shame.
A shame, I confirmed. I wasnt against experimenting when in an open relationship, but the idea made me uncomfortable when I was truly committed to someone. I promise you to work twice as hard to fill the void Alaire left in your heart.
Alaire blushed in shock, much to both of our amusement. Please leave me out of this.
Eris, of course, denied her request. Oh, thats right, your heart already belongs to Therese.
The two of you deserve each other, Alaire said in annoyance. I forbid you to do anything salacious with my braid. I will know if you do.
Duly noted, I replied after taking the braid into my hands. I promise I shall treasure it.
Mirokald let out a grunt. Are you done? We need to bring your ship to a safe place before nightfall. Otherwise you will find it buried in snow by morning.
Our ship? Eris put a finger on her lips. Come to think of it, we havent given it a name yet.
We should decide on one before we go on a new adventure, I confirmed. How about
Marika immediately put her foot down. I forbid you from naming the ship, Robin. Your picks are always surprising and constantly terrible.
I was about to suggest Prince Beni, I quipped. Little Beni immediately clapped in response. See? He likes it.
Dont spoil my son, Robin. Marika put a hand on her waist and thoughtfully considered it. How about the Colmar? It is a good name.
I couldnt agree more.
The end of this volume.