Riani went with Alena to check the castle again.
If anyone had been missed she wanted to be there. This was her school, and she loved it.
She wanted to leave it knowing that it was clear of anyone from the Order of the Elite.
Terin went with them, wanting to make sure that Jan had recovered.
Gant left Sil and Avin to finish off arrangements with Magemaster Sol, while he waited for everyone to gather outside the school.
He always liked to know that nothing was approaching by surprise.
There was no reason to believe anyone was, but still he wanted to make certain.
Sil and Avin found their way back to Sol’s office easily enough. They hadn’t met him yet, and needed to arrange
for some intensive training of his teachers and scholars. Teachers would probably be better dealt with first.
For one thing they could then help teach the others.
From what Terin had said it would also prevent them from undermining the students also being taught if they could
sever them from some of their complacency and arrogance first.
They knocked on the door and entered.
They had neither of them expected to ever see their parents again, and to find them both sitting on armchairs
in Sol’s study caused them both to have difficulty speaking.
As one they looked around for Sol, realised the truth, looked at each other and stood there, mouths wide open
until “Sol” broke the silence
“Silvana, Avinar, is the school clear?”
They both nodded that it was.
Then parents and children rushed to each other and embraced.
Few words were spoken, many explanations, many questions and answers to come.
For now they were reunited after decades of separation. It was a time of tears and gazes and forgiveness.
The brief tale they told Sil and Avin was harrowing.
Their father had almost lost his life at the hands of the Order of the Elite a week after the last time they had all been together.
It had been his wife who had managed to drag him to safety into a portal where they had hidden on Rintar for a while.
Though Sol had been almost drained of his magic Marg had found a healing spring on Rintar that had all but ceased the draining.
Avin hoped their group hadn’t accidentally blown it up with one of the explosive devices. Marg shook her head,
“I would know” she said simply, “It’s not been damaged.”
Sol had been left crippled as far as using magic was concerned but the two of them were still targets for the Order
because Marg was a fairly strong in magic energy.
“You didn’t want to lead them back to us” Sil observed, knowing that she had acted in the same way to protect her own child.
“That was our biggest concern” Marg agreed, “but then we realised also that what they were doing just wasn’t
sustainable, that they would have to expand.” Sol continued. “there’s so much to tell you…we founded a school
here for one reason only. To make certain that there would be resistance when they came. We knew that
Danid had befriended Arrin, a young man then, and over the years he’s become dependant on the Order.
“Has he got mage ability?” Avin asked. “Oh yes” nodded Sol.
Their absence now explained if not fully accounted, Sol and Marg wanted to know about them. Without hesitation Sil
told them of her experience with the order, and what Riani had done to help her. She told them that their
grandchild had died fighting the Elite. They listened, her mother holding Sil’s hands in hers.
Avin didn’t know what to say really, he didn’t feel he’s done that much in twenty years.
“I gathered the best group of magewarriors in the worlds, and found the love of my life” he said eventually.
“Our Riani?” asked Marg smiling. He nodded. “Yes, I can see that you and she would fascinate each other.”
She kissed her son on the cheek approvingly, then turning to Sil she looked at her sympathetically.
“I know nothing will heal the loss of your child, but I want you to know that I’m proud of you. Of all of our
family, but yours has been the greater burden to bear. There’s no judgement here on you.”
Sol echoed her sentiment. “I had never thought to see my children grown into such strength and stature.
We’re very proud of you both."
There were many, many hours of stories and memories to share but there just wasn’t the time.
All of them knew it.
Avin outlined the next steps that they’d planned , the securing of the legion after the court hearing tomorrow
and the training of Sol’s people.
“Including us I hope, “ Marg interrupted. Avin was surprised,
“But Dad can’t cast spellings anymore.” he protested, worried that his father may become a target for retribution
if he was shown to be prominent in the rebellion and anything went wrong.
“No, but I’m the figurehead here, also the paymaster and certain attitudes you might face could be made less
entrenched with me at your side.” Sol offered.
“Yes, it makes sense.” Avin agreed a little reluctantly.
Also, on considering it, he’d rather his parents have every chance should things not go well.
A short knock on the door preceded Riani’s entrance to the study.
“We’re going, Gant’s gone on ahead. Is everything settled here now.”
“Almost” Sol said quietly and stood to take both of her hands in his very old and wrinkled ones.
“Sit for a moment Riani, “ he indicated to a chair and she sat down.
She sensed a very odd atmosphere in here, full of feelings, and a lot of love. She wondered what had been said in here to cause it.
“Riani, “ Sol began. “ I have to say to you that I knew that you were innocent, and I know that the ceremony at the
portal must have hurt you deeply. It was I that slipped the note into your hand, and sent you to my son and daughter on Minthrall.“
Riani was visibly shocked. Old Sol and Marg were Avin’s parents?
He pulled out a little pendant in the shape of a dove in flight on a broken chain." I’ve never had this out of my
possession. We’ve both prayed for your safe return. Its yours by right. You were always worthy.”
Marg flicked her hand, and the chain was as new.
“Will you wear it again, and will you forgive us?” She asked Riani humbly, “Avinar tells us that you are the love
of his life. We don’t want to have discord in our family. Please take back what is rightfully yours.”
She held out the little bird in her hand.
Without hesitation Riani took it and handed it to Avin, then she lifted up her hair so that he could replace the
symbol of her honour and her dignity around her neck.
“There’s nothing to forgive. Everything I ever wanted I found in Minthrall.”
The little bird lay once again against her heart.
Riani turned to Avin and their eyes shared an embrace for a moment.
So many coincidences, little paths all leading them to where they needed to be.
She had known Avin’s father and mother for most of her life.
A world away, she had fallen in love with their son.
“Its always like this with them” she said lightly turning to their father, Teransir, but he was lost in a similar
moment with Elen, their mother. Lost in eyes that were ageless.
It was enough to be with them again, certainly.
In the intense presence of two couples in love, however, she couldn’t help but think of Hirn,
and the demons that he must now be facing within himself,
and wish that fate had allowed those couples to be numbered three.