The guard bowed in compliance and then left quickly to carry out his orders. Ryaal and Kara soon made their way to Connor and Alina.
“I can never thank you enough for all you’ve done.” Ryaal said to his friends.
“Nor can I.” Kara added softly as she rested her head on Ryaal’s shoulder.
“Your welcome me lord.” Alina said with incredible sarcasm and an awful English accent as she bowed to Ryaal jokingly and then laughed.
Ryaal smiled wide at his friends joke.
“Seriously though…” Alina continued. “You don’t have to thank us. We love you man. We’ll be there whenever you need us.”
“Connor.” Ryaal said noticing the distraught look on his young friend’s face.
“Are you alright?” Connor looked at Ryaal but then turned his attention to Kara.
“There’s something you should know…” He started with deep sorrow in his voice.
“Your sister…she came with us. We wouldn’t be here if not for her. She’s…”
Connor stopped, his words cut short by his not wanting to speak them. Kara approached the young man and put her hand on his shoulder.
“My sister always displayed incredible strength, in both character and heart.” She told him, fondly recalling what she respected most about her sister.
Connor raised his head and when Kara saw his eyes, she knew why this young human was so distraught over her sister.
“You have bonded with her, haven’t you?” She asked.
“Yes.” He answered. “I knew from the moment I met her that no one else would ever compare. The more time I spent with her, the more I could not imagine being anywhere else but by her side.”
“I know how you feel.” She replied, shooting a quick glance to Ryaal and then back to Connor.
“There is something you should know about my sister.” She told him.
“What is it?” He asked sincerely.
“She is very stubborn. So much so, that even death would find it difficult to get through to her.” She smiled just as a loud commotion was heard coming through the streets.
They all turned their attention to the city center where they saw a large group of Ishra and Akirian making their way through the city. At the very front, leading the group, was Larak. To his left were Laros and Rana, the look displayed by Kara’s parents was one of pure happiness as tears of joy streamed down their faces. To the left of Larak were Alina’s sparring partners Maruk and Taruk, and in between them, bandaged and bruised, but certainly not beaten, stood Etria. Kara and her family ran to each other. They threw their arms around her and held her as tightly as Ryaal had earlier. Their family was once again complete.
Rana soon made her way to Ryaal and stood before him. She placed her hand on his cheek.
“I never doubted you for a second.” She said with a smile.
Still hugging her sister tightly, Etria glanced over Kara’s shoulder and through the crowd. There stood Connor, waiting patiently for his chance to hold her once again. Etria stood back, holding her sister by the arms.
“I know.” Kara said softly.
“Believe me, I know.” She continued as she looked over at Ryaal who, though surrounded by a number of people, never took his eyes off her.
“Go to him.” Kara said.
Etria smiled and then quickly headed to Connor who met her halfway.
“You saved me.” She said. Her eyes glistening as she stared longingly at the young man.
“I shouldn’t have let you get so far away from me. I should have protected you.” He said remorseful.
She put her hands on his face and pulled him in close.
“You did protect me Connor. I’m standing before you now, aren’t I? And for the rest of our lives I’ll always be by your side.” She whispered and Connor smiled.
Larak approached as the band of friends and family united by the steps to the throne.
“What now?” Alina asked, always ready for adventure.
“If I might make a suggestion.” Larak spoke up.
“I have given it much thought since first meeting the two of you and on behalf of the Ishra people, we would very much like to extend to you an invitation to study at the Ishra Academy. Ryaal will have much work to do and I believe it will do him well to have you stay.” He suggested.
Connor and Alina looked at each other excitedly and then to Ryaal.
“You are always welcome here. I would be honored if you would stay.” He told them.
“We did plan on going to college.” Connor said to Alina with a smile she quickly returned.
“Absolutely yes! We accept your invitation.” Alina answered for the both of them. The entire group was elated that their young human friends would be sticking around for a while.
As Ryaal looked silently upon the group, he thought about all that’s been lost, all that could have been lost and realized how much more was gained. He had his home and his people. He had Kara. He had his friends. And as he looked at each and every one of them, smiling, laughing, and holding one another, he realized…he had his family.
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About the Author
Lawrence A. Votee is a veteran, freelance writer, and self-published author who resides in Niagara Falls, NY with his wife and two children. Since he was a young child, Lawrence was fascinated by the stories he read, in particular the worlds they took him to, and wanted one day to be able to fascinate others with his writing. He began writing poetry in his teens and dabbled in short stories for his own enjoyment. As the years passed and the responsibilities that often follow a misspent youth began to demand his attention, his writing fell to the wayside. It wasn’t until he was out of the military that he began to write again. After being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his time in Iraq, he knew he had to find a way to get out of his own head. He began writing ‘Aeternum’ and noticed immediately how the memories of war began to slip away as he brought to life a new world with heroes and lovers, friends and foes, fighting with all their hearts for that which mattered most to them. He is acutely aware that his bio should give other information as to his qualifications, but he has none. He has not won any awards; he is not a member of any writing groups, he has never attended a writing conference or workshop, and he relies too heavily on Microsoft Word to correct his grammar and punctuation mistakes. However, his drive to entertain readers, evolve as a writer, and stand head and shoulders above others in his chosen genre, is second to none. Lawrence is currently seeking an agent who can teach and guide him through the literary world and in return he is willing to give that person his utter and complete trust and loyalty, in addition to amazing stories both heartbreaking and action-filled and characters that will stay with the reader forever.
Acknowledgement
I would first like to thank you, the reader. It is my most sincere hope that you have enjoyed this and I thank you greatly. I would also like to thank all the people who have inspired me throughout my life. You readers and writers, friends and family, soldiers and poets, mystics, muses, and musicians, I thank you with all of my heart.
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