We were in no rush to send Apollo back to Callist so we offered for him to stay the night and just relax with us. He earned it after all. The man had spent his whole life being spiteful and villainous and now, for the first time, he could just be a normal guy. It appeared as though Delilah really was the goddess of second chances.
All of us, myself, Apollo, Wraith, Emily, Arduwan, Anabel, and Stephanie just spent the night laughing and talking. It was the first time since we came home to that horrible murder scene that we were able to truly enjoy anything. And even though Emily was a little standoffish, I could tell she was happy too. Having Stephanie and Anabel back was nothing short of a miracle. It took something like that to make me recognize just how fantastical all of this was. After a year of this madness it all sorta became background noise to me. You know, jumping worlds, sorcery, steampunk villains. But I’d made some really great friends. Not to mention gain new appreciation for some old ones, through Stephanie and Wraith.
So the next day, we started to say our goodbyes. It was time for Wraith to get back to his…business. And for Apollo to start his new life outside of being a dark clergyman and general or the Devil King.
“I can’t thank you enough, Apollo,” said Stephanie, with tears in her eyes, as she hugged him goodbye.
“Yes, thank you so much for what you’ve done,” Anabel added.
Apollo appeared to be blushing as he accepted their thanks and replied, “Not to worry ladies. It was all in a day's work. If either of you ever find yourselves in Callist, perhaps you could…pay me a visit?”
He was awkwardly hitting on them, wasn’t he? This guy really did have some similarities with Wraith.
“Arduwan,” I said, “I think for the time being, either you or I should always be at the mansion unless we have to go off somewhere for something serious.”
“I agree. But why do you need to return to Callist now anyway?”
“I’m going to escort Apollo anywhere he wants to go. I owe it to him to at least see that he gets safe refuge. Besides, I have something important to talk with Wraith about.”
“Well, as long as Wraith’s with you, I guess it’ll be alright.”
After calming Arduwan’s nerves I went to grab Wraith and ask if he was ready. I found him and Stephanie talking in the kitchen. The two of them seemed startled that I came in. As if they were being cautious not to raise my suspicion about something. I didn’t like that.
“Hey, Eric,” she diverted, “Anabel has some lunches she’s packing for the three of you while you’re taking Apollo wherever it is he wants to go.”
“Great. It’ll be nice to not have to rely on rations in the desert for a change,” I said, as I feigned a lack of concern over walking in on their conversation.
Emily was already in the basement with Apollo and Arduwan as the rest of us came downstairs to get ready to leave. I knew she wasn’t going to want to do a public display of some heartfelt goodbye in front of everyone, but it seemed really weird how little attention she gave to me. There was a time where that attention was unwanted.
Nonetheless, we said our goodbyes to the girls and made our way down the well. Arduwan crossed over with us just long enough to call three horses for us. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but Wraith and I told Apollo we’d escort him to wherever he’d like to start his new life.
“Hmm,” he said, as he scratched his chin and looked out beyond the canyon, “I’ve never been to these lands before. But I’ve heard that the Grasslands are quite nice.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty lush there. Lots of interesting people. Especially in Braytown,” I noted.
“But then again,” he continued, “I’ve heard that Vale is a magnificent place. I feel bad that I was preparing to conquer it. Perhaps a new life there would suit me.”
“Perhaps.”
He paused for a moment and then said, “Though the high seas have always called out to me…”
“Just…pick a direction and we’ll take you there,” I irritably insisted.
“Okay…Braytown it is!”
* * *
So the three of us began our journey to the western city of Braytown, the place where I first met Arduwan. There were many opportunities to be found there. Apollo was as giddy as a school boy on our journey there.
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“I’m not sure what I should do,” he said, “maybe I could become a bartender and hear tales of other adventurers. Or maybe I could settle down with a little wife and herd sheep. The
possibilities are limitless!”
“Well, whatever you do, just make sure to keep your head down in case any agents of the Devil King are around and could recognize you.”
“Nah, his reach isn’t as far as Braytown, yet. By that time, I’d make sure that none of them would recognize me.”
All day long, Apollo spent our ride into the Grasslands speculating about his new life. The world was his oyster. We reached Braytown early in the morning and it was as bustling as ever. It was the biggest smalltown this side of Vale.
“Well, this is where we’re gonna part ways,” I declared, ”I’ve got my own journey to get back to. I wish you luck and thanks again for everything.”
Wraith tossed Apollo a small bag of gold.
“Thank you both! I am as indebted to you as you are to me. Please don’t be a stranger if you’re out this way again.”
After we bid him adieu, we began our journey back into the desert. We rode side by side as I struck up a conversation.
“Ya know, this is the first time it’s just been the two of us since before you got dragged into this crazy world walking stuff,” I said.
“Ha, yeah. That’s true.”
“I’ve got some important things I wanna discuss with you. Most important thing first. Clearly things have gotten more dangerous. They already were, but I’m completely wiped out from this latest series of crazy. I need to chill and lay low for a while. Can I count on you for something while I’m doing that?”
“Of course, buddy. You know I’ll help in any way I can. What do you need?” Wraith assured.
“I’m gonna stick close to the mansion for a while in case Alabaster shows back up. I know the Oracle didn’t foresee it, but I’m still bothered by it. Anyhow, after him, the only remaining Devil according to stones is the one here in Callist. At some point we’re gonna have to confront him. He may not be nearly in control of this world yet, but we got lucky stumbling into his plans for conquering Vale when we did.”
Wraith sighed and said, “I agree. What do you suggest we do to prepare?”
“I want you to contact the Thieves Guild. Get as much information on the Devil King, his whereabouts, his generals, his spies, anything. We wanna be as informed as we can possibly be and hopefully be in a position to make a move against him before discovers our existence and what we’re up to. We have the advantage right now in that we’re anonymous. But he knows somebody took out one of his generals.”
“Right. I can do that. Anything else?”
I hesitated for a moment as we kept riding before I continued, “Yeah. Can you tell me what that was you and Steph were talking about in the kitchen the other day?”
Wraith took a big gulp and replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, man?”
“You’re a terrible liar, Wraith. If it was about how she kissed me when she woke up from death, I’d really like to know.”
He paused again and gave a funny look before changing his tone and saying, “Well, you know. That might’ve played a part in it.”
“Seriously?!”
“I don’t know…depends on how much you wanted her to do that.”
I breathed deeply and said, “Ya know, If you had asked me even six months ago, I would’ve told you that would've been the greatest thing that could’ve happened to me. Now I think it’s possibly one of the worst.”
“Oh yeah. Why do you say that?”
“Because things have gotten a hell of a lot more complicated since winning Stephanie back as a girlfriend was the primary goal. First, her and Anabel. Then me and Steph starting over fresh as good friends again. She’s even been running my business dealings in Higgins place. Then there’s the Emily thing…”
“What exactly is the Emily thing, Eric?”
I glanced over at him and debated saying anything further. I simply said, “I don’t know, man. For whatever reason, she’s wants to be reserved about the whole thing. I’ll tell you when there's something to tell.”
For once, he respected my wishes and changed the subject. We rode on until we reached the spring. I asked if he wanted to come back to the mansion again for a bit but he insisted he get back to his merchant post.
I went back by myself and when I came back on the other side, there was a fresh towel waiting for me. A simple convenience from Anabel that I had missed these last few expeditions. For a moment, I had heard movement upstairs. But then things got really quiet. It was ominous. My phone was up in my room otherwise I would’ve checked the security cameras in case there was another surprise.
* * *
I slowly crept upstairs and kept on my guard. I had my sword drawn in an abundance of caution. The entire ground floor was pitch black. When I went into the dinning room, the light suddenly flipped on.
“”””Surprise,”””” the girls shouted out, “”””Happy Birthday!””””
Stephanie ran over and hugged me. The other girls stood by with directions and confetti on the table. That’s right! It was February 16th, my birthday! Last year I totally missed it because I was in Bristol and had absolutely no concept of time.
“I hope Wraith didn’t spoil it,” Stephanie said, as she moved out of the way to allow the other girls in for a hug as well.
“No, he didn’t mention anything.”
“Good. I told him to try and have you back here by now so we’d be ready and I threatened him to keep his mouth shut. I was worried you might’ve heard us talking about it when you came into the kitchen just before you left.”
Oh! So that’s what that was. But when I had asked Wraith if it was about the kiss, he suggested it was. What the hell? But wait. Stephanie said she threatened him to keep him quiet. He was doing anything and everything he could to keep the secret. That son of a bitch!
The spread in front of me was wonderful. There was a chocolate cake with white icing and the number 29 on it. Anabel had cooked a roast duck. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good birthday.
During all the commotion, Emily finally said something directly to me for the first time since we first brought Apollo home. She leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“After everyone’s gone to bed, wait a little bit and then sneak over to my room. I wanna give you your present privately.”