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A Fractured Song
Chapter 231: Love Goes On and On

Chapter 231: Love Goes On and On

Her mother was much taller than she was, but her stooped posture meant that Frances didn’t have to reach her hands up.

“I am so proud of you,” Edana said.

The words were familiar, the sudden and heated emotion in her mother’s voice, however, made Frances almost miss a step, even as she smiled. Not that they were paying too much attention to the beat with all the raucous carousing and toe-tapping around them.

“Thank you, mom. I’m the luckiest daughter in the world,” said Frances after a moment, accompanying her slightly-out of breath declaration, with her widest smile. Edana grinned back. Nothing more needed to be said, especially with the love that emanate from the Grandmaster’s face.

Yet, in the midst of being twirled by Edana’s slender hand, a thought bubbled to the surface, above the many that swirled in Frances’s mind. It was a question that made Frances purse her lips, but the buoyant joy that lifted her steps loosened her lips.

“Mom, can you humor me?”Frances asked as she stepped back from Edana.

Pulling her daughter close, Edana arched an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling I won’t like this question?”

Frances giggled. “You’re probably right, but I really do want to know your thoughts on this.”

“Is it about how many children you want?” Edana asked. She held her very serious expression as Frances gawked for a moment longer, before bursting into chuckles that shook her shoulders. “Sorry.”

Frances coughed, hoping she wasn’t too red in the face. “That’s quite alright. But well, I’m thinking two.”

“A good number,” said Edana in a sage tone, one hand stroking a non-existent beard. “Now, what is your actual question?”

Taking a breath to collect herself, Frances set her lips in a thin line. “Mom, what do you think would have happened if I hadn’t been chosen to go to Durannon?”

Edana’s jaw stiffened and the pair’s dance slowly came to a stop. It wasn’t as sudden as if someone had cut the music, but it made Frances clench her teeth and study her mother’s suddenly closed off expression.

“I really don’t like this question, even if it is a very good one. Walk with me, please.”

Taking up her mother’s arm to support her, Frances walked with Edana, squeezing past partygoers and towards the more quiet tables.

“What are you trying to answer with this, my dearest student?” Edana asked, glancing at her daughter.

“There are two questions I’m trying to answer, mom.” Frances raised one finger. “I’m wondering if it had to be me to defeat Thorgoth. Couldn’t someone else have done it?” She raised her second finger. “The other question I have is if I could have become who I am, or someone who is able to accept and love herself, if I hadn’t come to Durannon?”

Edana nodded. “Some would say both questions are pointless, since we live in a moment brought about by the way things have played out.”

“But you are not some people,” said Frances, chancing a smile.

Edana smiled back. She was still frowning, but it was a quizzical one, rather than a worried one.

“I believe that if you did not come to Durannon, you would still be able to reconcile what happened to you and grow to become a beautiful young woman,” Edana said after what seemed like an eternity.

Frances nodded. “I’m not so sure myself. I was in a really bad place.”

“You have always underestimated yourself, Frances,” said Edana.

“And you have often been biased towards me,” said Frances, flashing her mother a smirk.

“Guilty as charged. Perhaps we could ask someone who knows you very well. Ivy’s Sting?”

Frances’s wand thrummed, a sonorous Hmm resounding in Frances and Edana’s mind. I believe your mother has the right of it, Frances. Even when you were at your lowest, you always had the strength to choose to be kind and caring.

“Everybody has their limits,” said Frances.

A burst of affirmation like a firm nod, pinged through Frances and Edana’s minds.

Of course, but I have been with you through your triumphs and your failures. I’ve witnessed your thoughts and innermost secrets. Even when you have fallen, you never lost that wish to do the good that had been denied to you for so long. Even when you felt worthless, you offered comfort to those that had none. And when you had all the power in the world to ask for something for yourself, you made a wish that would help others. For these reasons, I believe that your quality would have been noticed, like your mother and I did, and like your friends and loved ones have, and they would have come to raise you up.

Frances, eyes wide, looked up at Edana, who nodded, her emerald eyes slightly teary.

“Oh. I—I’m glad you both think so,” said Frances. She smiled. “And…I think you just answered my second question as well.”

“How so?” Edana asked.

“If it hadn’t been me, it probably would have been someone else to defeat Thorgoth. Someone taught with if not love, with kindness and compassion, instilled with duty and determination. Someone who felt guided, valued and confident enough to do what is right. Flawed as this world may be, I got to where I was thanks to you both, and many others from Durannon.”

“The odds of someone succeeding the way you did are quite small,” said Edana.

Frances nodded. “I know, but I choose to believe that people want to do good and choose life over death. Some may stray, but if the majority choose to live, and make decisions that allow us and our children to truly live, then our future will be bright.”

To choose life or death. To live for the future, or die in the past, refusing to learn from it, or to overcome it. A simple and hard choice. I think I agree with you, Frances.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Edana smiled. “I as well. I do suppose though that our choices are not over.”

“Far from it, but we’ve taken the first steps, and thanks to the Otherworlder System, we have a hint on what we can do and what we need to do,” said Frances.

“I take it you already have some ideas, dearest?” Edana asked.

Frances returned her mother’s smile. “A few.”

“Well, they can wait. For now, let us enjoy the present and our time together with our loved ones now,” said Edana.

“Thanks for reminding me, mom,” said Frances, wrapping her arms around Edana.

“You’re always most welcome,” said Edana, returning the hug.

***

Her feet were slightly sore, but a giddy bubbly happiness floated Frances to the table where her daughter and first apprentice were sitting next to the love of her life.

Morgan was chatting eagerly with Timur and so Frances moved to sit next to Hattie, but her apprentice shuffled over to make a space between her and Morgan.

“Thank you, Hattie.” Frances paused for a moment as she gave the smiling half-troll a once-over. “How are you feeling?”

Catching onto her master’s meaning, Hattie nodded. “I’m doing much better. I am wondering what to do now, though.”

“What do you mean?” Frances asked.

Hattie pursed her lips, looking thoughtful. “The war’s over, so I’m not a war mage and I am your apprentice, but you said I’d have my mage graduation ceremony soon.”

“Yes. Did you have any ideas on what you would like to do?”

“I hadn’t given much thought until now. I know I want to be close to you, Morgan and all my friends. I also know I want to be doing something helpful and gratifying, but what it is precisely I’m not sure.” Hattie glanced at Frances. “Did you have any idea of what you wanted to do when you were younger?”

Frances giggled. “I’m not that much older than you are, but as to your question… Honestly I hadn't given much thought to it either. I sort of found what I wanted to do after the war by accident.”

“Which is?” Hattie asked.

She frowned. “I didn’t want to at first, but if being the Archduchess of Athelda-Aoun means being able to help with the rebuilding efforts and preventing a future war, then I will gladly accept that position. Also, we have captured Queen Berengaria, there are also going to be Thorgoth loyalists that will need to be apprehended.”

“You would want to continue fighting?” Hattie asked.

“Yes, to prevent a future war,” said Frances.

Hattie blinked. “Didn’t the Otherworlder system say there wouldn’t be a Great War ever again?”

Frances tried not to look grim, but she couldn’t stop her smile from fading. “No, it said there wouldn’t be a Great War between Alavari and Humans. There may yet still be more wars in the future, maybe even worse than this one. While I can’t possibly prevent that, I can do my best in the time I have to maintain peace for as long as possible.”

Much to Frances’s relief, her apprentice didn’t look too worried by that pronouncement. She only bobbed her head in agreement.

“I’d like to do that too. Though, I’m not sure how. I know I don’t mind fighting, but it’s not something I’m always comfortable doing.”

Feeling slightly impulsive, Frances reached out to touch the back of her student’s hand. “You’ll find a way, Hattie. I believe in you.”

Turning her hand over, Hattie squeezed her teacher’s hand. “I know. I really know now.”

They embraced, Frances gently stroking her student’s hair, whilst Hattie rested her head against her teacher’s shoulder.

The hug was interrupted by a quiet tap on Frances’s shoulder. Letting go of one another, Frances turned to find Morgan, her lips smeared with Hearthsange ice cream.

“Mom, did you make a deal with Galena?”

An uncharacteristic guffaw spat out from between Frances’s lips. She didn’t mind that she was chortling loud enough to make Timur blink. “Whatever makes you think that?” she asked.

“How did you make this so good?” Morgan squawked, shoveling another spoonful of the orange-colored ice cream into her mouth.

Frances borrowed a spoon and at Morgan’s nod, took a bite from the ice cream. “Hearthsange is already the best thing in the world. I just managed to tweak it with my existing ice cream recipe, which I made from trial and error and a bit of magic.”

“Is this a desert from your world—I mean, Earth?” Hattie asked.

“Yes. I didn’t actually know this one, but Elizabeth and I worked to re-engineer it.” Frances flashed Timur a smile. “I served it to Timur on our first date.”

The prince’s brow furrowed for a moment before fondly returning Frances’s smile. “I recall. Chocolate right?”

“Yes,” said Frances. Her eyes now half-lidded, she gave Timur a certain look that twisted his lip in a roguish grin. Before Morgan or Hattie could remark on her expression, she gently patted her daughter’s head, her eyes on her apprentice. “Morgan, Hattie, thank you for helping us.”

The pair beamed back, Hattie with such joy that the edges of her eyes crinkled. As for Morgan, she grinned and then pursed her lips.

“So, am I still grounded?”

Frances crossed her arms. “Young lady, you explicitly went against my orders!” However, she could not hold her mock frown nor hide the giggle that warbled her ‘stern’ voice. When Morgan opened her eyes as wide as she could, Frances could only let out a long sigh.

“I won’t ground you, but you’re apologizing to Renia for endangering yourself and you and Hattie are taking some mandatory dueling lessons. We need to go over your shield spells,” said Frances.

Morgan winced and her head dipped. “Oh, okay I really should do that. She must have been worried.”

“Yes, but she will understand. Just like how my mother came to understand that I had to do what I felt was right,” said Frances.

“What if I disagree with you, mom?” Morgan asked.

Frances took a breath and glanced at Timur, who smiled at her reassuringly. “Well, we’re still a family. I’m still going to love you no matter what.”

Morgan, looking up at her, swallowed, before stabbing her spoon into her ice cream. She almost barrelled into Frances as she hugged her tightly. Her arms wrapping around her daughter, Frances soon found Timur’s arms around her as well. It was perfect and warm, and Frances wished it would last forever.

Alas, the trio untangled themselves with Frances immediately chanced a glance at her first apprentice, who was beaming happily at them.

Raising her hand, Frances brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen into Hattie’s face. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about you. You are taking a week off. No lessons, no ‘helping out’ at Respite.”

Hattie giggled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Frances chuckled and helped herself to some of the food Timur had gotten for her. As she ate, listening to her daughter and fiance talk about getting some new furniture for her home, a sudden thought came into her mind.

Thorgoth was defeated. She’d helped to save Durannon and while many lives were lost, the future unfurled in front of her. So many possibilities appeared forth in her mind, so many that Frances went still quite suddenly.

There was a quiet, soft nudge from Ivy’s presence. Frances?

“Frances, are you alright?” Timur asked.

Shaking her head, Frances took a breath and smiled without effort. “Yes. I’m quite—no, I’m better than alright. I just realized that I have my whole life ahead of me.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, just a little teary-eyed. “And I cannot wait to live it with you all.”

***

The End

Author’s Note: So this is the end of Frances’ story but not the end of the stories in Durannon.

Whilst I get my next original series ready, I’m going to write an aimed 60K novel focusing on a new heroine set just 10 years after the end of A Fractured Song. This novel is intended to be a standalone adventure intended for anybody who hasn’t read the series. Just hit the next chapter button for the first chapter.

Here’s the blurb.

The Lost Princess

Rowena knew the adults that fed her were not her parents. Parents didn’t have magical contracts that forced you to use your magical gifts for them, and they didn’t hurt you when you disobeyed. Slavery under magical contracts are also illegal in the Kingdom of Erisdale, which is prospering peacefully after a great continent-wide war.

Rowena’s owners don’t know, however, that she can see potential futures and anyone’s past that is not her own. She uses these powers to escape and break her contract and go on her own journey. She is going to find who she is, and keep her clairvoyance secret

Yet, Rowena’s attempts to uncover who she is drives her into direct conflict with those that threaten the peace and prove far more complicated than she could ever expect. Finding who you are after all, is simply not something you can solve with any kind of magic.