Fifteenth of Frostmaire

The Artax River seemed to be the only thing that hadn’t changed in the chaos. The water still ran its course, driven by currents that could sweep the strongest men off their feet even as children played in the shallows. Belkai couldn’t help but smile at the contrast as she sat on the grassy bank and let her feet slip into the ice cold water. A light breeze ruffled the thin fabric of her red sleeveless dress, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling, resting her weight on her elbows. Davos was beside her in a leather jerkin and trousers, his sword laid by his side. He watched Belkai, smiling at the rare contentment that she showed as the water ran over her legs. She glanced over and returned his smile.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, and sat up as she reached out and held his hand.

“I’m thinking that it is good to see you happy.”

“I have everything to be grateful for,” she said, and squeezed his hand. “With you here with me. I didn’t think we’d make it.”

“And here we are.” Davos sighed. “What did the Council decide?”

“We will meet monthly for now,” she answered, watching the water. She sensed something unfamiliar swimming nearby. “Eventually we will start a school to introduce novices to the basics of magic, test them before they are assigned to an Order. We’ve been too independent over the centuries.”

“It’s going to be a dangerous world,” Davos said. “I’m glad they have you to guide them.”

He turned when he heard a splash. Belkai smiled as two strange creatures breached the surface. At first Davos thought that they were human. Certainly they had human torsos, dark green hair streaming across their bare skin. It was only when they dove back under that he saw their thick, turquoise scaled tails, and looked at Belkai in surprise.

“Not everything is darkness, Davos,” she said with a smile, watching as they came back to the surface further out. They seemed quite curious about the humans onshore, and Belkai realised that they must have been the first that they’d come across. “This is new to them too. Delorax looked at their land and saw only death that he could bring on us. But there will be new kinds of beauty too. We’re not defined by our darkness.”

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“No,” Davos agreed as he looked at her, “we’re not.”

Belkai met his eye and her smile shifted. “When I fought Delorax, he showed me my past. He confronted my regret. He thought it would cripple me.”

“And it didn’t.”

“No, it didn’t.” Belkai shook her head. “He never understood redemption. Or forgiveness. He never really understood the life that you gave me.”

Davos kissed her softly, ignoring the giggles of the water women. “So what happens now?”

Belkai sat back and sighed. “Now I need to find a new home for the Brilhardem, somewhere we can rebuild in peace. If you’re still willing to follow me.”

“With all my heart,” Davos assured her as he stroked her cheek. “Where were you thinking? I know you have a plan.”

Belkai laughed. “I was thinking about Rignar’s Hold. Larton, specifically. I hear it’s a good place to raise a family.”

“It would be good to see the city again,” Davos agreed, but froze when he saw the twinkle in her eye. “What do you mean, family?”

Belkai raised an eyebrow and bit her lip. “I’m pregnant, Davos. We are pregnant.”

“But...when?”

Belkai gave a playful smile. “It seems you have a preference for elven felt.”

That was nearly a month ago, Davos realised. “You can be that sure?”

Belkai shrugged. “I wouldn’t be much of a mage if I couldn’t sense what was going on in my own body.”

Davos didn’t answer, but pulled her against him and kissed her. He let their lips linger for several long seconds before he pulled back, his eyes wide. “There is no one I would rather have a family with, Belkai.”

She stared deep into his eyes and saw only love. She ran a hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. They held each other close as they looked out on the river at the women frolicking in the sun. It was a new life in a new world.

Belkai laid her head on Davos’ shoulder and smiled. “Take us home, my love. Give me a new beginning.”

“As you wish,” he whispered as he ran a hand down her arm. “Here’s to us.”

Belkai her eyes and tuned out everything but the feel of Davos’ body and his breath on her skin. This was home; it always had been. It was time to stop running and let herself live.