Samual (70 page)

Sam groaned quietly. But he had always known that that was going to happen and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Best of all the people are starting to reclaim their homes. Returning to their abandoned cities, and starting to rebuild what they can. In fact for the last month we've been debating the same. Do we return to the original Shavarra or remain here in this new Shavarra in Golden River Flats?”

“Only yesterday the elders made the decision that we should go home. That the original city of Shavarra is our home and we will return to it. It will however be up to each person individually to decide whether to stay or go. But the elders will organise a caravan for those who want to return and the rest can continue to build this new city here. Most people I think want to go home though.

“Ever since the defeat of the Dragon the rainbows have been in the sky and that accursed drum has been playing. The city is filled with unconscious people and many more simply too exhausted to move. As I said no one will see us.”

“The whole city?” Somehow Sam couldn't quite believe that.

“That infernal drum is powerful beyond understanding. Most people have collapsed. Thousands are lying on the ground like drunks who've passed out across the entire city. The rest are probably doing the same in their homes. Or if they had any sense, they've run.” She laughed. “That damned drum comes from one of the underworlds! It belongs with the sylph!”

Sam laughed with her. He didn't really know anything about the drum or its power. And truthfully he didn't really care, save that he thought it might be fun to see some of the elders cavorting around under its influence. But one thing he did care about.

“And you and your family – our family – will we be returning to Shavarra?”

“We hope to. I hope to. It is our home, and I have not seen it in many years. I ache to return to it. If you're willing?” She asked the last carefully, as if fearing his answer.

“I will go anywhere with you. You know that. And I have – we have – a home near Torin Vale which I want you to see.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Besides, I have to return and replant a forest else the shadelings will come after my head.”

“As long as I don't have to ride a moose there! Or a roc! Or –,” he shuddered as the memory returned, “– in the mouth of a dragon!”

“Beloved, you know none of those things ever happened! When the tales are told you will have ridden on the back of a great dragon with a flaming sword in your hand. Or on the back of a phoenix as you raced into battle. The Fire Angel does not ride on a moose!” She laughed happily.

She was probably right Sam realised. He had read the tales of the previous Fire Angel – the real one – and he had guessed that they had been written by wine soaked bards more interested in a fine story than the truth. But it didn't matter anymore. The war was over and he was no longer the Fire Angel – if he ever had been. He was just a husband and in time a father. And that was a far greater thing to be.

It was a strange thing to realise, but everything he had been through was someone else's intent. He had started out on his journey as an angry man. And that anger had made him powerful. But that power had been a lie in a strange way. It had never been his, just something he had been loaned. And not so he could defeat the Dragon. Just so he could be the Fire Angel. And perhaps also so that the Goddess could have her creature returned to her. Now that the anger was gone and the power had been returned he had become just a normal man again. A man in love, and that was a far greater thing. It was a lesson neither his brother nor the Dragon had ever learned. And he guessed that no matter how many times he tried to tell that tale, it would never be heard. Instead the Fire Angel would have come and defeated the Dragon in glorious combat. Because that was the way that those who had arranged all this, wanted it told.

And he didn't care.

“Aylin mi elle we should go and start packing. I want you to be in our home well before our child is to be born.”

“It can wait a few hours husband.” She smiled cheekily up at him from the long grass. “You still have a little more riding to do!”

Sam smiled back at her as he reached for his wife. And he suddenly realised that he didn't care about anything else she had said. He only cared that he was with his wife and their family to come. He had finally returned home.