Legon Restoration (16 page)

She ignored him, instead choosing to show him her point by gracefully gliding through the sky, turning and rolling like a dancer suspended in space. He tried to follow with her but had a hard time, though to his credit he didn't crash once.
 

It was late in the day when they turned back for home. The air cooled as the sun set and it felt wonderful.
 

"You really are learning quickly," Iselin said.

"Thanks, I have a good set of teachers," Legon said warmly and then his tone cooler, "and I don't have a choice, time isn't on our side."
 

She didn't say anything, he could feel that she wanted to disagree with him, tell him that there was no rush, but then she'd be lying. Legon knew that he didn't need to be ready in the next week or month; he had several months to get ready for going back to the war. But he wanted to be there with his people fighting, doing everything he could to rid the land of the Iumenta, but despite that he also knew that if he wasn't ready he would be more of a hindrance than anything else. It was that plain and simple truth that kept him working himself to the bone every day. Sasha was doing likewise. Now that she was able to grow plants to will, she was learning everything she could on growing crystals so that she could assist her team. She was also learning how to use the fenna and already working on Binnon. Years of being a class two magic user had taught her many lessons, now all she had to do was learn how to master her new power.

"How long do you think it will take her to master Binnon?" Legon asked.

Iselin thought for a moment. "Not as long as most, she's been using magic for years now and has been pushing herself during that time. Sasha has a lot of power; she just needs to learn how to control it and how to sustain it."
 

Legon sensed Iselin's pride with Sasha. "She reminds you of yourself doesn't she?" he asked.

Iselin was embarrassed. "Yes and no, her drive is much like that of my own, and I think of her as a sister."

"You know she sees you as a mentor. Every tip or suggestion you give she takes to heart."

"I know it's sweet of her, whenever she trains with me it's fun to watch how hard she tries. In truth it makes me want to work harder myself, both of you have done that. Others see the work that you two are putting in and that news makes it to the front lines, let me assure you. Don't think those fighting the war feel you have abandoned them," Iselin said

Seeon was rushing below them now and Legon focused on landing properly. The Palace was right ahead of them and he slowed letting his back feet touch down. Before his front paws made it to the ground he shifted back into an Elf form. Iselin did the same next to him. They walked along the roof top gardens hand in hand on their way down to dinner.

Chapter Eleven

The Planes

"Realizing the place I held in the world and the place of my love put a troubled world at ease for me. From that point on I have been able to see things how they really are and in them find joy."

-Confessions of Love, The First Wife

Through dint of much effort over the months since she'd Ascended, Sasha finally had a familiar, the ruby flamed cat looked up at her, its mind connected with Sasha's.

"So," Legon said, "what are you going to name it?"

Sasha scratched behind the cat's ears. "Princess," she said, then turned hearing more than one stifled chuckle.

"Princess, huh?" Legon said, but instead of responding to him Sasha narrowed her gaze on Edling, whose thoughts she could read all too well.
 

"What's wrong with Princess?" she asked acidly.

Before Edling could defend himself Iselin spoke. "I like it," she said approvingly.

Legon rolled his eyes, "Love, no offense but you named yours Cat, you really aren't an authority on naming things..."
 

Iselin gave her husband a stern look, "I'm naming all of our children."
 

Legon laughed, "Great, what are you going to call them? Child One, Child Two and so on?"
 

Iselin smiled sweetly, "I will eat you..."

Legon laughed harder. "Whatever, I'm bigger than you now, HA! Ya didn't plan on that one did you?" he said blocking Iselin when she tried to punch his arm. The two went tottering off bickering playfully.

"Do you think we'll be like that?" Edling asked eyeing their retreating forms.

Sasha stood up holding Princess. She liked how Edling had assumed that they would be married some day.

"What, you don't think that way?" he asked smirking at her in a challenge.
 

Mental networking meant that there was no such thing as a bluff so instead she just leaned in and kissed him. He kissed her back putting an arm around her, "You are good at changing subjects you know that?"
 
Then looking back at Princess, "And what form do you take when you're released for battle?" he asked the cat, petting it.

"A puma I think, that was my goal but she won’t be strong enough for that for a little while, maybe a day or two. It was amazing how much energy she took to make."

Edling scooped Princess up in his hands looking at the glowing crystal in her center. "That and with you making her from a hybrid of Elvin and Iumenta crystal technology, it will be hard to determine her true power," he pointed out.

This was true, once Sasha had mastered growing crystals with the Elvin techniques she was able to focus more on combining what they knew about the Elf and Iumenta styles. She'd also managed to get her hands on several Iumenta crystals from Bonta, which had proven useful. "It's amazing, now that we have found some common ground the advancements we are making are incredible, I thought it would take us ten years to get where we are today."
 

"But do you think we will be able to apply anything we have learned into the war?" Edling asked.

Sasha nodded, "Yes in fact I do. As you know, there is a small Iumenta Dragon Dome that lies between us and the Capital city Bailaya. Its size suggests that it was built for the same reason we built the Precipice Dome, it's a public relations peace."

"Yes I know, most people think that it will fall if we hit it hard enough."
 

"It would yes, BUT, what we have learned can be of use. I think now that we understand the makeup of Iumenta crystals we will be able to use that to try and weaken the domes defenses," she explained.

Sasha didn't care to talk about the war anymore; it was all that was being talked about these days. And if it wasn't being talked about it was seen. Sasha hated going out into public just to see a man or woman fall dead to the ground as their spouse was killed in battle far, far away. The whole thing made her sick. The thing that bothered her most was the looks in the eyes of those that were old enough to remember the War of Generations, there was always fear in their eyes and a deep sorrow that would never go away. It was this she realized, that was the curse of immortality, the things that wounded one for a lifetime stayed with immortals for millennia.
 

She started walking with Edling, wondering what it would be like if he were to die. The thought made her gut hurt and he commented. "I am not going anywhere and neither are you," he said softly.

Princess leapt out of Edling's arms and into Sasha's, rubbing her head under Sasha's chin. Familiar’s consciousness was in essence inside of the Venefica that created them, making them extremely adept at knowing what their master’s were thinking and feeling.
 
It linked both ways and Sasha could feel the little animal’s concern for her. She held the cat closer and tried to push her mind away from the war.

* * * * *

Barnin was thankful that his unit was being transferred out to the plains. He was looking forward to the change in scenery, and being in the plains liberating co-ops and villages meant that he didn't have to deal with sieges on large cities. Both of his new units had come together nicely. The unit comprised of veterans came together well and Barnin had a high opinion of most of the men. The rookie unit was still coming along, but had been making progress.
 

They headed south east away from Bonta and the Kayloose River. Ahead of them lay the vast plains of Airmelia, to the north was rolling hills and forests, something that was near nonexistent in the plains. Barnin knew that there were small forests but from what he'd seen on maps they hardly deserved the name. The plains were riddled with lakes and streams that fed the Empire’s farm lands.

The road they were on was wide enough for two horses so Ankle was riding next to Barnin. "Do you think we will see the main army?" Ankle asked, referring to the Pawdin forces that were moving north from the Elf lands.

Barnin answered "I don't think so, when I received our transfer orders command said that Coreum had fallen to the Elves. From what I was able to gather the Iumenta and Elves are doing most of the fighting with both sides ignoring human units."

Ankle nodded. "So what we can expect, pockets of human resistance but not a major force?"
 

"That's what I was told, reports also indicate that the plains have started to rebel, they are in a state of civil war in some of the large cities. I don't think we are going to see a lot of Cona soldiers in the co-ops and villages we are liberating," Barnin explained.

"So some of the villages we come to could be friendly and others hostile?"

"I think so but at any rate we will need to keep sharp. It's possible that some of these towns don't know which side to trust and I dare say that in some of the more secluded co-ops the people may not even know about the war yet," Barnin said.

The land before them was flat with the horizon stretching on forever. It was an odd sort of feeling for Barnin and his men; all had grown up in mountains, and the wide open plains made everyone feel exposed and vulnerable. Ahead of them a small town came into view. A stockade wall surrounded the town from what Barnin could see as they approached. He told his men to be ready for a fight but not to draw their weapons.
 

A man in each unit was responsible for carrying the flag for the Cona Republic. Barnin checked to make sure those flags were in full view as they came in close to the town. The town didn't have a gate and Barnin could see groups of people at the entrance looking at them. They were armed, eyeing Barnin and his men, presumably trying to figure out which side Barnin's unit was fighting for.
 

When they were close enough for the people's faces to be made out Barnin saw them shouting at each other and oddly enough waving at him and his men. His units slowed down. The townspeople came streaming out from behind the wall, all cheering and waving colored banners. Barnin slowed his horse to a walk as he entered the town, people parted before them. A young woman with brown hair and brightly colored clothes bounced up to him extending her hand, looking like she wanted to talk to him. Barnin leaned in his saddle to try and hear her and to his surprise she kissed him full on the mouth. Red faced he straighten up and turned to his men who were experiencing some of the same, others were being handed kids who climbed up on his men’s shoulders and waved to the people.
 

He saw Ankle who smiled, yelling at him, "I guess we should classify this town as hostile?" He laughed.

* * * * *

Legon lowered himself into a pool that would only hold four or five people. Its water was hot and steaming like it always was, from walls in the side, jets of water and bubbles relaxed sore muscles. It wasn't late but still dark out. Legon leaned his head back looking into the heavens, above him the sky was filled with the tiny points of light that were the stars. He breathed out; seeking constellations, wondering who else was looking upon the same scene as him.

"Would you care to join us Edling? Iselin is changing and will be out shortly," Legon said hearing foot falls. Legon turned to look at him.

Edling smirked. "How'd you know it was me?" he asked.

"You passed my guard when you came in, and you step louder than my wife."

Edling nodded. Just then Iselin came into view in a robe; she greeted Edling and came up next to the pool taking off her robe. Skintight fabric wrapped around her waist and chest leaving most of her smooth skin exposed, Legon smiled remembering the first time he'd seen a bathing suit. She got in the pool with him groaning as she sat down. "I am sore everywhere, I'm making you train with Opes tomorrow. Really Edling, you are welcome to join us, Legon has a spare suit if you need," she said.

"No thank you, I was just hoping that maybe I could speak with you for a moment," Edling said to Legon, sounding uncomfortable.

"Go right ahead," Legon said.

Edling took a moment before speaking. "I am aware that this is a custom from where you come from, I'm not too sure how to go about it but...I want to marry your sister," he blurted.

Legon laughed, "Well Edling, I appreciate you asking my permission, but you're suppose to ask her father, not her brother."
 

Edling frowned and muttered something to the effect of, "Knew I was wrong."
 

Legon spoke again, serious this time, "Edling you promise to take care of her the way I have?"

Edling paused for a moment. "Better than," he said with conviction.

Legon felt himself relax in a way he never thought possible, knowing that Sasha would be taken care of. "Then let me welcome you into the family," he said his voice surprisingly heavy. Edling thanked him, leaving Legon and Iselin alone.

Iselin came up close to Legon putting her arms around him. "I don't understand your feelings, you are happy for her and you like Edling, but somehow you feel sad. Why?" she asked.

He thought of how to explain. "It's an odd sort of thing. I have wanted this day for my sister for almost as long as I can remember...but in a way I feel like I'm losing her. She no longer needs me for her episodes or to grow things for her, or even...even to protect her from people in town. That’s been my life and hers, we are so connected emotionally and mentally, in many ways I am just as connected with her as I am with you. We have always been like that, even from before we could talk in each other’s head."