He laid it in her hands. “That’s the last one. Is there anything else you want me to do?”
Smiling, she looked him over. Dressed in gray work tunic and trousers, he was his usual self — humble and unassuming, but now eighteen years old, he had grown into a strong young man. “Not at the moment, Wallace. You’ve been a jewel.”
“Oh! I forgot!” Wallace pulled a small box from his pocket. “The portal messenger brought this. The label says it’s from the Mesolantrum army.”
Koren bounced on her toes. “It’s finally here!”
“What’s here?”
“Follow me. I’ll show you.” Koren walked to the fireplace and set the sculpture of Alaph in the spot near the center of the mantel she had long reserved. Madam Orley’s figurine stood next to it, holding a cooking pot. Petra sat in a chair reading a book, and Tibalt watched over her with a drawn sword. Lattimer held a Starlighter cloak by its shoulders, as if ready to drape it over someone. Tamminy stood with his held held high and his eyes toward the heavens, singing a prophetic song. At the very center, Cassabrie, wearing a white dress and blue cloak, stood with her arms outstretched as if offering something to the entire world.
Koren took the box, opened it, and withdrew a ribbon with an attached medal. Silver and shining, it read, “Medal of Valor, Tibalt Blackstone, Hero from the Dungeon.”
Fighting tears, she pressed it close to her chest. “It’s perfect! Just perfect!” She turned to Wallace. “It took forever for them to get it right. I had to send it back three times.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“This.” She draped the ribbon around Tibalt’s figurine and let the medal rest at his feet. After aligning it, she whispered, “I wish I could have given this to you in person.”
“Well,” Wallace said, “I’d better get going. Frederick is coming to check on our crops. He’s going to teach us something new about getting rid of bugs.”
“That’s great. I’ll be down to see him soon.”
When Wallace left, Koren slid into her desk chair and waved an arm at the wall. The whiteness cleared, replaced by a stunning view of the Northlands scenery. Now covered with green grass and plowed fields, the countryside looked nothing like a frozen wasteland. Lush crops flourished, flowers bloomed everywhere, and the river sparkled as it ran freely through the fertile meadow. Men, women, and children darted from place to place, either working the farm or splashing in the river.
Koren smiled. It was all a dream come true.
She slid a figurine on her desk closer — Orson holding up a crucible—and stroked his cheek with a finger. “It was your dream, Daddy. If it wasn’t for you, we’d all still be slaves.”
Koren pulled a parchment from a drawer and set it on the desk. As she dipped a quill in an inkwell, memories of each sacrificial death flowed through her mind. For as long as she lived, the people of Starlight would never forget their love.
Writing with the quill and dipping for more ink frequently, she poured out her thoughts.
Dear Jason and Elyssa,
I watched your wedding again today, and I look forward to your visit next week.
I received the medal for Tibalt. It was worth waiting so long to get it personalized correctly. I think he wouldn’t have minded his name being spelled wrong, but I wanted it to be perfect for him. I’m sure he’s happy.
I enjoyed reading your recent letter and the news about peace in your land. Randall’s installation as governor will be an exciting celebration. Randall already sent me an invitation to be his personal dinner guest at the affair, and I accepted. I know what you’re thinking, and I will not disguise my impression that he is a courageous and sacrificial gentleman. May the Creator guide us as we learn more about each other.
If it isn’t too much trouble, please bring the video tube of Orion. Wallace is ready to carve his likeness. Orion’s tragic death after the wedding was a shock to us all. Since he became such a model of the power of mercy, I want to honor him with a figurine.
When you come, I’ll make sure Myrrid is here in the Northlands. He is a handsome young dragon, the image of Magnar with just a hint of Mallerin’s eyes. Xenith is wary and staying aloof for now, but I think she’ll warm up to him when he is of age.
We are all looking forward to your arrival, especially Deference and Resolute. Resolute wants to show you the moat and how she tamed the creatures therein. Deference started a hospital and is training two doctors and a nurse. She’s hoping Elyssa will explain what she knows about stardrop therapy. Although we no longer have stardrop material, just last week she discovered a way to infuse light energy into a body that might have the same effect.
That’s all for now. I love you both with all my heart. I know someday we will be together at the Creator’s fireside, and we will never leave each other’s company again. Until then, you will be in my daily thoughts.
With great affection,
Koren
She rolled up the parchment and tied a ribbon around it. “Yes,” she whispered, “with great affection.”
“Koren?” Deference peeked into the room. “Will you go for a walk with me?”
“Gladly.” Koren slid away from the desk and joined Deference at the door. “I have to take a letter to the portal courier.”
“I love walking there, and I saw Arxad and Fellina and Xenith flying over that way.”
“Excellent.” Koren took her hand, walked out of the room, and closed the door behind her. “Let’s see what our dragon friends are up to today.”
About the Author
Bryan Davis is the author of the bestselling fantasy series Echoes from the Edge, Dragons in Our Midst, and Oracles of Fire. He and his wife, Susie, have seven children and live in western Tennessee, where he continues to cook up his imaginative blend of fantasy and inspiration.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
Other books by Bryan Davis
Dragons of Starlight series
Starlighter
Warrior
Diviner
Echoes from the Edge series
Beyond the Reflection’s Edge
Eternity’s Edge
Nightmare’s Edge
Dragons in Our Midst series
Raising Dragons
The Candlestone
Circles of Seven
Tears of a Dragon
Oracles of Fire series
Eye of the Oracle
Enoch’s Ghost
Last of the Nephilim
The Bones of Makaidos
ZONDERVAN
Liberator
Copyright © 2012 by Bryan Davis
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