The Finale
By Jane Carver
Two long moon times it took them to reach the Ancadian fleet. Time filled with sorrow, explanations, contemplation, learning, and joy. Gambrel told her everything about the journey. He left out nothing, gave full details of the horrid trap he and Pessios lived through.
Between them the two managed to pilot the Forbidden back to Wedon where they buried their friend in the manner of his people, wrapped in soft cloth, the finest dress, his eyes open, ready to meet his gods as one deserving of honor.
Their piloting skills not up to navigating across the universe, Gambrel hired a pilot to get them home. Home…a word he though of with warmth and hope.
As Pessios advised, he talked to Vangee about Xantis, his first wife, and Lindan, the daughter who sacrificed her life in order to warn her father of a trap. His decision to kill Haggin and his partners, return her to Captain Merlo and leave. Hard it was to make her understand he thought she would not love him after he killed in vengeance. But he added, “Pessios warned against doing your thinking.”
So, he asked her what she thought.
“I think friend Pessios a wise man, ‘Brel.” She snuggled in his arms in their cramped cabin aboard the Forbidden. “No matter what you do, I cannot live without you. I am your partner for life. I do not want you to go.” Her words settled where Gambrel would be for the next several hundred years.
* * * *
The day the Forbidden rendezvoused with the Fenix, Gambrel handed Vangee aboard with all the gentleness of a man in love, a man soon to be a father. Captain Merlo swept her into his embrace before passing her on to others. Soon came Mirril, Jacon’s widow.
“I am so sorry.” Vangee held the weeping woman. Not only had Mirril lost her husband, but her daughter as well. At the last minute, knowing Haggin planned to use her as leverage against the Radiant, Bassik ran back into the Unseen. Haggin rammed the door of the spacer closed. Too late to get the girl back, Haggin left her on the doomed ship. From earlier communications, Mirril knew this already. Still the sight of Vangee, returned safely, stood as a reminder of her lost husband and child.
“Vangee. Gambrel. Come with me please.” Captain Merlo called the couple to his side. Even Mirril smiled for the first time since they arrived. In fact, all around them seemed unable to contain their smiles.
“What good humor plagues this group, sire?” Gambrel noticed Vangee smiling; as a Radiant she reflected the mood. Captain Merlo moved in closer.
He whispered, “If you could see one person again—besides Pessios—who would it be?” The man stepped back as Vangee looked up at her husband with teary eyes. For long seconds they stared at each other. Gambrel clearly read her thoughts.
At the risk of his voice cracking, he responded, “Dara. Sweet tiny Dara.” He gathered his wife close as she wept softly. Somewhere behind them, a hatch opened then closed with a solid thud.
What did he hear? Had he been away from civilization too long? The sound of light feet pattering across the deck came closer. His throat threatened to close. She was… dead. Dara died in the warehouse.
Didn’t she?
Something thumped against his tall leather boot. His eyes closed, Gambrel prayed this was no dream. He opened then lowered his gaze. A pair of shining female eyes met his, orange curls—longer than the last time he saw them—rioted around a grin that spread from one side of the tiny face to the other.
“Up, ‘Brel.” Dara commanded as she held out her arms.
Afraid he might hurt her in his enthusiasm, Gambrel collapsed on his knees, his mate beside him as they gazed in awe at the sight of a very alive Dara. The child cuddled in his embrace and protested with a squeak when Vangee wrapped her arms around them both.
“How?”
“She was badly hurt. Dara alone survived that day.” Captain Merlo laughed as the child squirmed in their tight hold. “She has no father or mother now,” he added slyly. “Perhaps you know someone who will have her?”
“Oh, I know who will love her forever,” Vangee told the captain as Gambrel’s laughter boomed across the deck, and Dara settled into his embrace. Vangee wrapped her arm around her husband and laid her head above his heart. Three lonely people found home at last.
And that conclued your journey with Gambrel and Vangee. I hope you enjoyed the story.
Stay tuned as I present stories of a different kind…stories I wrote for a magical Texas town called Spellfire. Normals and paranormals live side-by-side. And oh the trouble they can get into.
Leave a Reply