Epilogue



    We returned first to Rausten, giving back the Sacred Twins to Pontifex Mansel. We stayed there for a time, celebrating, and I came to know and like L'Arachel much better than I ever did on the march. Somehow, she also bullied her uncle into letting her become engaged to Rennac. We all heartily wished them both joy.

    This was the time that Ephraim and I pulled Seth aside, in a little room, and began to 'discuss' marriage with him. He argued a bit at first, relasping into his old reactions, saying that Prince Innes was a much better match than he. Ephraim yelled at him impatiently, but I showed Seth the ring he had given me, and he shut up. I smiled apologetically and put my arms around him. He returned the embrace, bent his red head and kissed me.

    After a moment, we looked up and saw Ephraim was no longer there. Seth grumbled slightly about brothers-in-law-to-be who run off at the worst times, but I laughed and ran out of the room to find Ephraim to actually plan the wedding.

    At dinner that night, as I waited in the corridor for my turn to enter the banquet hall, Ephraim and Seth walked up behind me, engaged in a technical discussion of lance-work. Seth laid an arm over both of our shoulders and changed the subject. "I still wish you two hadn't 'lorded' me." We gave him an extra title as an early wedding present. Lord Seth of the District of Pender...

    Ephraim fixed him with a hard stare. "Seth, just how old are you again?"

    "Er... twenty two, Lord Ephraim."

    "Just wondering. You're so proper, I didn't think you had the nerve to initiate... a group hug!"

    After a brief tight embrace, we three of Renais stepped out to take our places at the tables of peace.



Chapter 22: Sacred Stone    Contents