Alexander took Isabel’s hand as they stepped out of the fissure and into the valley of the Fairy Queen. Chloe burst into a ball of light and darted off into the trees. Within a few moments the fairies were singing and dancing in the air, moving in and out of the aether, bursts of light illuminating the ancient trees.
He walked with Isabel, just enjoying the day, the peace … her presence. Thoughts of their first visit here brought forth thoughts of the war, something that Alexander was trying to avoid.
They spent several days under the trees in the company of the fairies, taking great care with the planting of the first vitalwood acorn. Alexander smiled at the little mound of dirt, taking Isabel’s hand.
“Wouldn’t it be something if it grew?” she said.
He nodded, an idea suddenly striking him. He raised his light, Luminessence shining brightly with the Maker’s light, bathing the ground where the acorn was planted for a few moments.
Isabel looked at him questioningly.
He shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt, a little light might be exactly what it needs to sprout.”
A few moments later, a Linkershim rose up out of the ground not ten feet in front of Alexander. He was a bit surprised, reassuring Isabel with a squeeze of her hand before she could react.
“Alexander Reishi.”
“Yes.”
“We wish to nurture one of the great trees as our makers did.”
Alexander cocked his head, a bit confused.
“Will you give us one? We will cherish it and guard it and nurture it.”
Alexander looked to Ilona.
“It would be wise to distribute the trees,” the Fairy Queen said. “Perhaps your friends here would be good stewards.”
Alexander considered it for a moment before he retrieved a vitalwood acorn and gave it to the Linkershim.
“You are welcome to visit, Alexander Reishi. We would like to show you what we have built.”
“I just might do that,” Alexander said.
The Linkershim transformed into dirt and soil without a word, vanishing into the ground a moment later without a trace.
“Are you sure that was a good idea?” Isabel asked.
“They’re not like us, but they will take care of the tree,” Alexander said. “And the Maker help anyone who enters the underdark without their invitation.”
“Where do you think we should plant the third tree?”
“I was thinking about planting it in our front yard.”
***
Alexander turned on his heel and started walking the length of his living room again. He frowned when his cattle became spooked. Looking out the window, he saw three dragons land, transforming into women a moment later.
He resumed his pacing.
“You’ll wear a hole in the floor,” Jack said.
Abigail giggled.
Alexander ignored them both.
The door burst open, Anja breathless from running, Tasia and Bragador entering in more dignified fashion a few moments later.
“Are we in time?” Anja asked.
A scream filled the house, Alexander going white in an instant, looking to his father for reassurance for a moment before heading toward the door to the bedroom.
“Wait, Son,” Duncan said. “There’s nothing you can do.”
Another scream sent a shiver coursing down his spine. He had to remind himself to breathe. He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten in front of the door, but he was standing right there when his mother opened it with a smile.
Chloe appeared between them in a ball of light.
“He’s here!” she said, zipping past Bella and into the bedroom.
“Come meet your son, Alexander,” Bella said, smiling broadly.
He entered slowly, tentatively, looking to see that Isabel was all right before his eyes fell on the baby she was cradling in her arms.
“He’s beautiful,” Alexander whispered, sitting next to her and marveling at his newborn son—Chloe floating in a circle over them all. “What should we call him?”
“I thought we’d call him Darius,” Isabel said.
Here Ends
The Sovereign of the Seven Isles
www.SovereignOfTheSevenIsles.com
***
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed reading Reishi Adept as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’m always trying to improve my stories, and ultimately, you are the best judge of my work, so I’d like to humbly ask for your help. Please click the link below and write a short review. Your honest feedback will help me do a better job in the future and will also help others decide if they would like to read my stories.
Thank you,
David A. Wells
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Sovereign of the Seven Isles 7: Reishi Adept Page 53