The Silvering of Loran
Page 17
“Has it really been that obvious, Kelamar?”
Kelamar walked over and tapped Topen on his shoulder.
“To anyone trained for observation, it’s been one of Loran’s least kept secrets—and now, yours as well.”
“Soon it will be no secret at all. Loran and I are to meet with Gilvius and Leanna tonight.”
“For what it’s worth, I can think of no better pairing,” said Kelamar. “I’m confident Gilvius will extend his blessing.”
* * *
The sound of two quick raps on her door brought Leanna to the entrance of her chamber. When she pulled the door inward, Loran entered and swept her arms around her mother. As she squeezed her tightly, Topen followed Loran into the room.
Gilvius called out from deep within the chamber.
“Topen! I have not yet had the opportunity to properly thank you for all you have done.”
Topen nodded to Leanna as he passed by to greet Gilvius.
“It is through the efforts of many that Nepsaril can no longer harm your family,” Topen stated, while moving through the chamber.
Gilvius, well aware of Topen’s humility, just placed his hand on Topen’s shoulder at his arrival.
“Still, if your devotion to the Avileens is not to be recorded in our history, we can at least honor you in private. Come, let us sit.”
Gilvius directed Topen to the rectangular granite table in the front of the chamber. Leanna and Loran quickly joined them.
“My beautiful wife has taken a great deal of time filling in the gaps of my memory,” Gilvius informed Topen. “I have missed so much,” he said, while he gazed lovingly at his daughter.
“Loran, you revealed earlier, quite openly, your affection for Topen,” said Leanna. “Few who witnessed it would doubt you are in love.”
Loran looked at Topen. Her green eyes sparkled and pierced his when he returned her gaze.
“And what of you, Topen?” probed Leanna. “You, more than any of us, understand what it means for you to share Loran’s love.”
Topen didn’t immediately respond to Leanna, but scanned the pensive faces of everyone in the room, as they waited for his reply. Even though Loran knew of Topen’s desires from their bonded silvering, his hesitancy incited anxiousness within her.
“I pause, not due to uncertainty, but because I know what my answer will mean to your family,” said Topen when he finally spoke. “I would not be here with Loran tonight if I did not feel as she does.”
“While I have been lost in the grip of evil, Leanna has anticipated this day for many years,” said Gilvius. “After having my life only recently returned to me, I am proud to discover my daughter has carved her own destiny, and found true love. It is a rare thing,” he added, while looking upon his true love—Leanna.
Leanna felt tremendous joy for both Topen and Loran, but sadness that she had to speak her next words.
“Then, you must travel with Topen to his land. He has sacrificed much already for all of the Avileens, and his journeys are not yet complete,” said Leanna. She grasped Loran’s hands and held them close to her. “You both deserve the chance to live together, and grow old together.”
Loran peered into her mother’s eyes with a tearful smile, and then her father’s.
“You have always been so wise,” whispered Loran to Leanna.
“Unless you have further need of me at this time, we will leave in the morning,” announced Topen.
“Rolam is learning quickly from the magical books in the library,” said Gilvius, “and our stones are once again secure, along with an ample supply of the silvering. Do not concern yourself further; you leave us replenished in our needs.”
As they all rose from the table, Leanna hugged Loran tightly and then released her to go to Gilvius. Leanna then stepped to meet Topen. She embraced him and whispered into his ear.
“Watch over her.”
“Forever,” he assured.
Leanna knew she needed no such promise from Topen, but felt relieved at his utterance of that single word.
After Loran and Topen closed the chamber door on their exit, Leanna turned to Gilvius.
“Do you think she really understands that she will see us age rapidly with each visit, while she will be forever young to all of her family—far into the future?”
Gilvius took his wife into his arms and passed to her a reassuring smile.
“I think our daughter is as wise as her mother. After all, her best attributes, she received from you,” Gilvius proclaimed.
* * *
Loran and Topen descended the chamber staircase, having just left Leanna and Gilvius. When they neared Loran’s chamber, she stopped and placed her hand against Topen’s chest—halting his movement as well.
“When you hesitated to answer Mother about your feelings towards me, I was surprised that I felt anxious,” said Loran.
“Please, come inside,” instructed Loran as she opened the door to her chamber.
Loran moved through her chamber and halted at her mirror near her bed.
“I do not want either of us to begin our lives with doubt,” she said, while gazing at her reflection in the mirror. “As magical beings, we actually share our feelings.”
Topen strolled over and stood with Loran.
“I wasn’t able to share with you in our brief bonded silvering, but now I can,” said Loran. “If we bond again now, we will know if there is any doubt between us.”
“Such a bonded silvering will be intense and intimate; more so than the last one—since you will share as well.”
“I certainly hope so,” Loran teased, and then stepped backwards to the mirror. She waited for Topen to approach.
As before, Topen eased slowly towards her and grasped her hands when their bodies pressed tightly against each other. But this time, Loran lifted her mouth to Topen’s and kissed him while they became encircled in light. Their bodies glowed and lingered in euphoria in front of the mirror—for what seemed like an eternity to Loran—before merging and passing through the glass.
* * *
In the early dawn, just as the last of the darkness gave way to the blinding rising sun, Topen sat atop Daramose and waited alone on the road in front of the castle. He peered down the well-worn road ahead of him and patted Daramose on the neck, while he indulged in the memory of his first meeting with Loran. Far ahead and over to a point on the wall, he spotted where Loran’s secret entrance to the castle resides. Because of their last bonded silvering, he now knew how important that memory is to her.
When Topen heard the sound of hooves behind him, he looked back to see Loran and her white mare, Hermesis, rushing towards him. They swiftly halted when they reached his side. Hermesis wore the same blanket under her saddle as Daramose—its backside laced with the silvering solution.
“Sorry I’m late.” Loran spoke her apologetic words quickly. “I just had a few extra items to pack.”
Topen leaned over and noticed the bulging saddlebags draped across Hermesis—a raised eyebrow was his only reaction.
“When we are at full gallop, let Hermesis sense Daramose’s rise into the air. As she follows, you only have to picture your destination in your mind to arrive there safely,” instructed Topen.
Loran nodded and tried to calm herself, to visualize Topen’s manor. She had discovered from their last bonded silvering that the entrance to Topen’s manor was just as she had once dreamed. So, when both of their horses bolted down the road, with the slightest of prompting from their riders, Loran could clearly see the manor in her mind
As they raced side by side, ever faster down the road, Daramose jumped high into the air, and Hermesis followed him without hesitation.
The sky was glowing with their ghostly trails when all four disappeared in mid-air, immediately after two quick snapping sounds. They left behind only wisps of smoke, which soon faded into the sky.
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