by Adam Witcher
“I’m not convinced he isn't!” King Gareth said as his wife took him by the arm to leave. “I still can’t explain anything the man did. It must have been magic.”
They walked away, leaving Anton and Petra alone. The princess pushed her food around with a fork.
“Great-great-great-grandchildren, huh?” he asked. “Sounds like quite a legacy you’ll leave.”
“Yeah… about that…” Petra fidgeted and set down her fork. “I… I’m going with you. I can’t stay here, in this time, knowing what I’m missing. What you’re doing is so much bigger and more important, more… adventurous. Besides, you need me! I’m much better with a blade than you are. Plus, you owe me a beam sword.”
“Petra, I have no desire to leave without you.”
The princess smiled and stabbed a potato with her fork.
“Besides, remember what almost happened in the forest with Ana? I’ve got to see that through.”
She playfully punched his arm across the table.
“Of course that’s the only reason, right?”
“I wouldn’t say it’s the only reason.”
***
On his way back to his bedchamber, Sabina approached him and Petra.
“Anton,” she said with a mischievous grin, “May I borrow you for a few minutes?”
Petra nudged him playfully.
“See you two in a little while,” she smirked. “I’d better go talk to my parents.”
Sabina led him to her bedchamber.
“I just want to say, meeting you has been incredible,” she said. “I know Petra will be leaving with you. I wish I could join you, too.”
“You have kids,” he said. “I understand. Plus, somebody’s got to man the outpost. Who is there now, by the way?”
“I have my sons helping me,” she said. “They’ll learn to keep a secret. I can’t be cooped up there all day, every day.”
“Good.”
He looked around the room, remembering their magical evening together.
“Saying goodbye sucks,” he said, “but it was a pleasure knowing you.”
“Saying goodbye does suck,” she replied. “So, let’s not. I have a better idea.”
She leaned in and kissed him, and Anton’s body surged with electricity. He cupped her beautiful breasts.
“One last time?” she asked.
“Let’s not think of it that way,” he replied, kissing her again.
If it truly was their last time, they made it count. Afterward, they made it count again.
***
With Ana and Petra at his side, Anton walked through the forest toward the chronosphere. Warm sunlight streamed through the trees. During his week of unconsciousness, Ana had repaired the whole thing. Still disguised as a boulder, it lay waiting to take them on their next adventure. He ushered the ladies inside, and just as he stepped in, Anton heard a voice calling out. To his surprise, Gregor was chasing after them. The old man’s robes waved in the breeze.
The sun was right in his eyes, and Anton squinted to make out the manservant.
“Anton, sir,” Gregor said when he was near. “If I may, I would be humbled to join your expedition. This family and house are safe for a time, but if what you say is true about those monsters’ return, I would like the opportunity to fight against them in the future.”
Anton considered his request.
“You know what, sure,” he shrugged. “The chronosphere might be a little cramped, but you kicked ass. I’m not sure we would have beaten them without you. Get in.”
Gregor followed inside, and Petra shrieked with delight when she saw him. The panel shut behind them. Ana and Anton assumed their seats, Petra and Gregor huddled on the floor wherever they could find space.
Ana checked diagnostics while Anton set the controls for their next destination, nearly two and half centuries away.
Outside, the bright sun had obscured Anton’s vision. Now in the dimly lit chronosphere, he anticipated the sickly feeling of time travel. Ana was focused on making sure all the inputs were calculated properly. Petra was marveling at the magical machine. It was too bad that they were so distracted. Maybe if they hadn’t been, they would have noticed the yellow glints in Gregor’s eyes.
Endnotes
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