Legon Ascension (29 page)

“I’m sorry for fearing you before, and thank you for bringing me on board and protecting us,” she said.

There was a blur of red fire on her other side and she yelped, jumping out of the way and bumping into Opes, who steadied her with ease. She pressed her back into Opes, moving out of the way of a flaming ruby raccoon in front of her. Its glowing eyes took her in.

“Sorry Emma, this is my familiar,” Opes started.

She spun to look at him “What?”

“He’s made of magic, he’s a familiar. They are connected to their master and when he sensed my emotions he came to investigate. Forgive me, he won’t harm you.”

She turned back to the little creature that was making its way to her on the rail. It leaned out and sniffed her. Tentatively, she reached out and patted its head and then scratched its ears. He’s kind of cute,” she said, and then the raccoon jumped at her and she caught it. “Whoa, hey there, you’re not so bad,” she said, petting it then turning to Opes. “I’m sorry…”

He laughed. “Don’t be, by all means keep him company—keep him out of trouble, and just so you know, you can always contact a Venefica with their familiar.”

Opes wandered off leaving Emma with whatever this thing’s name was. The creature was warm in her arms, just like a real animal would be, and it was playing with her necklace. “Do you like that? Kovos gave it to me.” The raccoon looked up at her with more intelligence than any animal and she wondered just how linked it was to Opes.
 

* * * * *

Edis spent most of his time on the Propero relaxing and learning everything he could about the ship, its crew and the Elves. At first the ship reminded him of that house they’d found Legon in as a baby, but the ship was smooth and streamlined. It was organic, but it also exuded the perfect balance of depth and elegance. Presently he was enjoying a hot cup of something, leaning over the stern of the ship. They were almost to Seeon and he was surprisingly nervous to see his children. Legon would be different, this he knew, but what of Sasha? He’d always protected his little girl and she had been through a lot since he had last crushed her in his arms.

Thin arms wrapped around his waist and he pulled them tight around him. “How are you, love?” he asked.

Laura rested her head against his shoulder. “I’m ready to get off this ship. It’s amazing, but I want to see our children.”

He turned to face, her bringing her in close and kissing her forehead. “I know, I want to see them too. Do you think we will like the capital?”

“Do we have a choice?” She asked with a chuckle.
 

They didn’t have a choice. The human lands were no longer safe for them. They would be in danger nearly all the time outside of the Pawdin Empire, and while they could live wherever they liked, why would they pick any place other than where their children were?

Arkin came up to them. “We will be there soon. Opes and the crew apologize, but they do not have any clothes for you other then the ones you brought. I suppose we should have picked some up in Manton when we dropped off Mick.”

Laura spoke. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with what we have?”

“Nothing, it’s just that they are hot and also the Elves dress differently than us. You do not have to wear their attire, but, well, you will see.”

Edis didn’t know what to make of that, but had more important things on his mind. He spotted Emma along one of the side rails with that red raccoon that didn’t seem to leave her side. She was with Opes and he was pointing to something. They went down to join them.

As soon as they were close, Emma said, “Edis, Laura, look, they are farming. They are growing food under the water. Isn’t that amazing?”

Edis looked out to where she was pointing and sure enough there were several Elves in small boats with others in the water going under and coming back up with what looked like fruit. Opes yelled something in Elvish and one of the Elves threw several things at the ship. Three blurs arched across the sky and in quick succession Opes caught them without a sound.
 

“Peach?” he asked, holding them out.

“You grow them under water?” Edis asked, taking one.
 

Opes just smiled, waiting for them to take a bite. Edis was a little unsure. There was an orchard in Salmont and they grew peaches the old-fashioned way. He didn’t think this water one would be the same—he was right. When he bit in his mouth filled with juice and he heard Laura give a little groan, as did Emma. His mouth filled with the most delicious peach he’d ever tasted.

“I’m going to assume you like them, based on the groans of delight from all of you. We can control plants perfectly so we make the fruit just the way it needs to be. With the sea we can make better plants and the fruit tends to have more juice.”

* * * * *

Laura finished the peach and decided that even if they were never allowed to leave the capital, so long as she got peaches she’d be fine with that. Looking over the side of the ship, the city was coming into shape. Along the shore were trees that didn’t look right; they were too big and not natural looking. As they got closer and she could see more than the shape she saw that they were buildings. She could make out terraces, doors and windows. They were fascinating and she wanted to examine them more. Then, as they rounded a corner, the ship entered a large harbor and her mouth fell open with a plop.

Seeon stretched out in all its bewildering glory before her. The hillside was painted in every color of autumn, with bright dots of color from flowers that had no business being in bloom this time of the year and all of the buildings were covered in them. The sight of it almost broke her heart. The harbor was full of ships, some like the Propero but many far more breathtaking. Before this she’d thought she’d never seen anything more beautiful than the Propero, and now she understood that it was truly a war ship.

“They are so different,” Emma said, looking up.

Laura followed her gaze and her mouth plopped open again as she took in the glittering forms of Dragons over the city. She realized what Emma meant. Laura had seen a Dragon when she was finishing her certifications in Salez. Those were not like the ones she saw now; these seemed to glow like dreams coming to life.
 

The ship was pulling up to the dock. There were Elves in the same dark purple as Opes and his men, spread out along the dock. After the ship was tied down they disembarked onto the dock. She’d gotten used to the constant movement of the Propero and it felt odd to be on a stable surface again. As they walked Opes was in front and on either side of them members of the house guard flanked them. But she wasn’t noticing much, she was looking for her children.
 

At the end of the dock they came to a group of Elves. Everyone was dressed exquisitely and Laura understood what Arkin meant about clothing. In the center of the group were three people. One was a blonde whose beauty was stunning even from afar, her lavender dress accenting her perfect form. Next to her was a man with a white and purple robe. He was an Elf and he too was incredible. Next to him was a beautiful girl with a purple dress and thin white robe. The girl smiled and Laura’s heart skipped as she realized she was looking at her daughter, which meant that next to her… “Legon…” she said, trailing off. He smiled.

She wanted to run, wanted to race to her children and hold them, but she resisted, knowing they were public figures and she didn’t want to break any protocol. They were at a stop now and she could see the three people smiling warmly.

Opes spoke, “Un Prosa, as promised, your family.”

Before Opes could go on, Sasha rushed forward to her mother. Laura opened her arms just in time to catch her daughter. She squeezed her tight, letting herself relax now that she knew her children were safe.
 

“I’m so happy to see you! Did you enjoy the Propero?” Sasha asked.

“It was wonderful! Look at you dear, you look amazing!”
 

Sasha beamed at her and then turned to Edis, who scooped her up in one of his bear hugs. Laura turned to the Elf in front of her. “Legon you look… look so…”

He smiled and hugged her. “I look different, I know.” She didn’t respond but ran her hands down his face, not quite believing he was real. The blonde was there now, looking at Laura in a way that made her feel like this woman had known her for a year. Legon spoke, “This is my fiancé, Iselin.”

Laura took in her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. “It is very nice to meet you, Iselin.”

* * * * *

Emma stood, still not sure what to do. They were almost to Legon, Sasha and Legon’s soon-to-be wife Iselin. The emotions of the day were strong and she couldn’t decide how she felt. On one end she was sad, still mourning and worried about the reception she would receive from the Elves, but she was happy for Legon’s family. She was scared to talk to Sasha. What should she say?
 

“Sasha…” Emma started, but was cut off as Sasha hugged her. “It’s ok,” she whispered into her ear.

“But I’m so sorry, Sasha,” she said, choking, but then Legon was there and Sasha gave him a meaningful look.

“Hello Em, it’s been a while,” he said in a smooth tone.

“Legon, thank you, and I’m sorry for…” She didn’t know what she was sorry for, and she needed to control herself.

Legon leaned in and wrapped his arms around her. She felt his mind, vast and alien to her. There was an immense power that she couldn’t describe. The power and his mind reached into her. She felt all of her pain brought forward and with a flick of the power she felt the pain swept away, tossed aside. In its place she felt Legon and his love and then unexpectedly she felt what must have been Sasha and her love as well. Her knees buckled and she leaned into Legon’s arms as she let all of the pain leave her from the time Kovos had left Salmont up until this second. She stood up and away from Legon, seeing compassion on his face as he said, “Welcome home.”

Chapter Seventeen

Settling In

“I was once told by an old friend that life moves and bends so fast that it is impossible to relax unless you just let life happen.”

-Conversations in the Garden

Laura snuggled up to Edis in the large bed that was now theirs. She wasn’t too hot or cold. The bed heated and cooled based on the occupant, and she had never slept as well as she did now that she was in the capital. She turned over, looking out the window as the sun made its way up the sky, lighting the harbor. She was excited. She and Sasha were to deliver a baby this morning. She wasn’t sure how you could time something like a baby, but she wasn’t going to question anything. She got up and ready for the day, and made her way across the massive palace until she arrived at the designated room.
 

When she entered there were people already there. A blonde Elf sat in something that looked like a chair, her belly swollen with pregnancy. Next to her chatting with Sasha was a brown haired Elf who turned to look at her as she entered.
 

“Good morning, you must be Laura. This is my wife Elsy, and I am Toonok.”He beamed, striding across the room to grasp her hand. Elsy waved and smiled.
 

Laura was taken aback. She’d never seen people so calm right before a baby was about to be born. She turned to her daughter. “Ok, what do you want me to do?” This too felt odd. Sasha had helped her deliver many a baby but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to do it on her own yet, but still…

Sasha pointed to a table with a box on it. “Will you get those for me please and we can start.”
 

Laura did as she was told and picked up a light wooden box, handing it to Sasha. Laura could see that Elsy had her feet in some kind of strap, which looked uncomfortable. If she had to be there for any amount of time…still, Laura wasn’t going to say anything, but she was definitely bothered by the total lack of concern that everyone, including Sasha, was showing.
 

Sasha plopped herself down on a stool and moved in closer to Elsy. She pulled out a crystal from the box. “Ok Elsy, are you ready?”

“Yes, please, my parents are coming this afternoon to see the baby and I don’t want to rush.”

She didn’t want to rush? Were these people all mad? Laura had to say something “Elsy, Toonok, I’m not sure what you think is going to happen here, but delivering a baby is a lot of work and dangerous. Elsy, I’m sorry, but you will need to rest and who knows when this baby will come… I understand this is your first child…” she was cut off by Elsy and Toonok laughing.

Elsy spoke, “Thank you, but this is number twenty for us. We have been together for almost 4,000 years. With magic I assure you that there will be no problems today, trust us.”

Before Laura could even try and get her head around that, Sasha cut in. “Things are different here. Look, you see this crystal I’m holding?” She asked, holding up a little clear crystal then going on. “This will make it so that Elsy feels no pain. There are a series of crystals that I will use that will heal any wounds the mother or baby might receive, and other crystals with spells that will even pull the baby out. Then we will place the baby on that tray you saw next to the box of crystals. From there spells will clean the baby, check its vitals, and determine its health. Elsy and Toonok will be ready to leave with the newest member of their family in about twenty minutes from now.”

Sasha didn’t wait for a response, but just started working. Laura had to admit she was of no use. She couldn’t even speak most of the time she was in so much shock. Toonok even asked if she needed anything. As Sasha had promised, in no time at all Laura was handing a darling little boy wrapped in cloth to Elsy, who was beaming with delight. Toonok leaned in and kissed the baby and then his wife. “Thank you so much Un Prose, this was very kind of you.”

“Anytime, I love this. Babies are so cute. You have to bring him to visit.”
 

Elsy was up and holding the baby again. “We will, you can count on it, and thank you Laura for your help and concern.” With that the family left, leaving Laura alone with Sasha.