Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) (83 page)

Jeff,
Zimma, Gaereth, Carl and Helwin went as a group. Ethbar and Rengeld were tied
up with Imogo’s official presence and had to decline. Much to their delight,
they ran into Halric and Gurthwin. In high spirits and good voice, Halric
gathered other Alemanni as they went. Gurthwin hobbled along aided by his
staff, muttering as usual. He didn’t miss a thing and proved quite willing to
sample local brews.

Some
hours later they ran into Ethbar and Rengeld. After a few words of greeting,
Rengeld was forced to hurry off in order to check up on troops assigned to
patrol the carnival. Upon being introduced to Gurthwin, Ethbar chucked the rest
of his scheduled duties. They stopped frequently to more closely debate this
issue or that, and quickly fell behind. Ethbar waved for the group to go on
without them, hooked Gurthwin’s elbow with his own and led him toward a cart
selling ale.

Lamps
were lighted as evening drew on, lending an exciting air to the scene. Numerous
bands wandering the streets took a deep breath and really laid into it. To a
rhythmic clapping of hands, the crowd formed into lines on either side of
streets throughout the craft section. Old-timers called out the dance and the
lines skipped together with a shout. Skirts held out of the way, hands on hips,
thousands of clogs crashed to the cobblestones in quick time syncopation.

On
the sidelines, Zimma gripped Jeff’s arm with excitement. “I have never seen
anything like this!” She pulled him toward the nearest line. “Come, love, let
us join in the merriment.”

“Well,
okay” Jeff dubiously replied, “but don’t be surprised if I fall flat on my
face.”

Helwin
still felt shy around city folk and hesitated when Carl suggested they dance as
well. Always more outgoing than Jeff, Carl pulled her toward the action. Within
minutes Helwin was laughing and skipping with the best of them.

The
bands got their second wind, ale flowed, the night fled. The foursome staggered
home shortly before the sun made its appearance. They met for lunch and
resolved to be more moderate, but dragged home in a sorry state three nights
running.

The
morning of the official ball, both couples groaned around their rooms and were
even a bit snappish. By the time Jeff and Zimma were ready to leave for the
palace, spirits and good temper had revived.

Zimma
wore a forest green gown with gold embroidery around the hem, accented by a
lighter green sash at the waist. A gold necklace set with bits of emerald
glimmered and sparked around her neck. Throwing a light wrap around her
shoulders, Zimma paused at the door to stick her tongue out at him and spun
from sight.

“Hey!
Come back here!”

Jeff
snuffed the candles and hurried out the door laughing. “Why is it I always seem
to be chasing after that woman?”

Strolling
toward the palace arm in arm, Jeff breathed deeply of the fresh spring night
and gazed at the milky expanse of stars winking in the night sky. They were
nearly to the palace when he stopped and pulled Zimma into his arms. Music
flowed from the entrance, and streams of people hurried across the plaza to
join the celebration.

“In
my wildest imaginings I never dreamed such a wonderful woman could be mine. I
cannot imagine life without you….”

A
picture of Magda smiling into his eyes at their parting abruptly came to mind.
He and Zimma frequently talked about Magda, but it really hit home that he was
a father in the fullest sense. Magda would have given birth to their child some
months ago. Jeff could not find any words that would fit the moment or do
justice to either woman.

Zimma
smiled into serious yellow-green eyes and pulled his head down for a kiss. “Or
without Magda and our newborn child. Yes—I understand this and share your joy.
Do you not yet comprehend? I love you for what and who you are, and that shall
bind me to you until we are no more. There is no recourse to that love,
Jeffrey. Do you, then, imagine there remains a moment-to-moment risk that I
will spurn you? No, were Magda and our child present to share this wonderful
evening, all would be complete.”

Breaking
free of his arms, Zimma caroled laughter and pirouetted away with outstretched
arms through pools of lantern light. Gown and hair swirling high, her laughter
overflowed with happiness.

Spellbound,
Jeff watched Zimma and recalled a question asked what seemed many years ago in
an enchanted forest. The answer leaped out at him: he was not alone, had not
been alone for many months. True understanding that was much more durable than
emotion found a home and opened his heart like a flower to the sun. Jeff threw
his head back and shouted laughter. He caught Zimma in his arms and spun
around.

“I
belong to you and Magda. To our child. To this wonderful world. I finally
understand what that means. I really belong!”

Zimma
pulled herself up until her eyes were so close that he lost himself in their
depths and mystery.

“Yes,
of course you do. You have come to us and are ours forever.” Zimma smiled.
“Welcome home, my Jeffrey.”

Closing
her eyes, Zimma kissed Jeff softly. Lost in one another, they forgot time, war
and death as two moons rose over city walls.

###

About the Author

Submarine medical officer, general physician, psychiatrist,
sailor, master bread baker and wanderer – Dale B, Mattheis has seen a lot,
learned a lot, and eventually was moved to
capture some of
those insights in the science-fiction series,
The Alarai Chronicles
.

Exile
to the Stars
and books that follow in this series resulted
after five years of writing, editing, and learning the trade. Each book is
packed with adventure, exploration, and amazing new vistas that challenge the
will to survive. The author understands what physical and psychological survival
require.

Physical Map of Aketti

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