Perhaps, Lucia exhorted in her numerous letters for a good reason. Raniero knew that most of the time in the service he spent on the dangerous edge between life and death, often voluntarily in order to win a hard battle or to find out some necessary information. He was lucky. His experience accumulated over the years, but not every soldier who went to the kingdoms border to battle the Mist and the Aryas could ever tell about it. Too many Enas disappeared outside the fortifications. And too many horrors emerged in the Mists trail of wreckage and debris through the marshes, which used to be blossoming forests and lakes no less beautiful than the Rainbow Garden or Crystal Lake protected by magic in the Heart of Basileya. There, outside, where the Light waned and melted, Enas often died in terrible agony, and the survivors reluctantly lost hope That is why many soldiers like Raniero strongly doubted that after the last shining, their crystals became part of the Light, and not the dark that drove them gradually into a vice. It was hard to maintain an impeccable faith when the Mist was frozen in front of them all the time.
Thinking about how close the Mist had approached their settlements, Raniero was almost surprised by the light that lit up the airy-like walls of the royal castle. Landing in front of the fortresss tall and heavy gate, Raniero again showed the order to the sentries.
Welcome home, radiant one! one of the guards greeted Raniero, returning the order to him. Waving at the guards on the other side of the gate, he led Raniero into the castles courtyard. Nobody knew when you would arrive, so the radiant Lucia asked me to tell you that she would wait for you either in the garden or in her chambers.
Thank you, Raniero smiled briefly with unexpected excitement as he stepped into the magically lit garden. There were often celebrations in the royal garden during the day, and in the evenings the castle inhabitants could walk, sing and dance here. By night, it was a rare Ena who stayed in the castle courtyard to gaze at the stars, so Raniero expected that his only company would be the bright fireflies. Raniero walked forward, admiring the well-groomed gardens beauty, when he suddenly heard his sisters voice. Lucia loved to rest among the flower beds and the tamed animals and birds. But this time she was not alone, and Raniero could not help but listen to the conversation.
I have already told you why not, she said in a courteous tone to someone who, despite the refusal, still insisted on his own view.
Radiant one, thats silly! Why do you give up any spark of sympathy? an equally courteous, but more insistent male voice objected to her. Raniero squinted his eyes and took a confident step in the direction of the voices toward the tall sprawling oak tree in the centre of the garden. Noticing from a distance how a fragile-looking light blond Ena in a white tunic went around the tree followed by a persuasive suitor, Raniero shook his head and decided to intervene.
Well, then I must repeat the sympathy spark will only shine when a brave man will fight my brother in a duel and defeat him in an honest battle, said Lucia confidently, continuing to walk around the tree so that the admirer could not see her and could not catch up. That was my agreement with him, and Im not going to break it even for the sake of such a gifted bard as you, radiant one!
These difficulties are the thorny stalks on the way to happiness, you have brought them up with your own hands and only you can destroy them! Besides, to fly to the outpost for the sake of a duel Its Its
Talking nonsense and looking at the oak crown, as if he was looking in the gilded foliage for the right word to end his sentence, the stranger suddenly crashed into a barrier on his way, and that barrier was Raniero. Being head and shoulders above Lucias suitor, Raniero smiled contemptuously.
You got lucky, Raniero said coldly, throwing a camp bag on the grass. I flew here myself.
Hearing a familiar voice, Lucia ran around the oak tree and froze in place when she saw her elder brother.
Nero! she exclaimed, beaming with happiness.
The potential suitor could not share Lucias joy over her protectors return. The bard, who had no skills besides the gift of eloquence, in a duel with an experienced warrior would not have landed a single blow. He vividly imagined it, and was frightened away.
F-forgive me, radiant one! Perhaps I should search for my sympathy spark in another p-place, he mumbled awkwardly, hurrying away from the garden. Taking an unkind look at Lucias failed suitor, Raniero nearly fell from surprise.
Nero! I missed you so much! Lucia rushed to Raniero in flight and pressed firmly against him, wrapping them both up in her wings.
Hello, Beam! Raniero said with an awkward smile. He had become estranged from his shortened name, because only Lucia had ever called him Nero, which eventually became her honourable right and indestructible tradition. Finally realizing that he had really come home, Raniero quietly laughed and clasped his arms, circling Lucia in place.
Lucia did not want to let Raniero go and kissed him on the cheek, smiling at the sight of the brightly shining trace that appeared on his skin where he had been kissed.
I missed you too, Raniero said, staring at Lucias bright grey eyes, suddenly glistening with tears.
Oh, no-o-o, dont cry, Raniero said already knowing why Lucia was upset.
There are two new scars and one of them is deep! Lucia protested, hanging in Ranieros hug and puffing out her cheeks. You dont let the healers cure you during battle! I would not have asked for permission!
Thats why youre the Queens servant, and not a frontline healer at the outpost, Raniero said, smoothly lowering Lucia to the ground. Its easier for me to get a pair of wounds than to write to the deceased healers family that he rushed to his death in attempt to save my face from the scars
But I have only you! Lucia was still indignant. You wouldnt have to write!
And I have only you, so drop this silly idea, Raniero said gently, but confidently, and kissed his sister on the forehead. His touch left a shining curly halo that suddenly appeared to crown Lucias head.
Wouldnt it be better to tell me why I was called to the capital? Raniero asked trying to smile at ease, despite his excitement. There were no explanations in the order for why I was removed from my post as commander