User blog:AloofComputer/The man who walked alone: Epilogue

“There you are. I wondered when you ran off to.”

The wizard’s cloaked form leaned by the chapel’s entrance. “Isn’t it time for our monthly escapade, commander?”

The priest scowled. “Excessive drinking is-”

“Yes, yes, Father, I am aware of it.” The mage raised a hand in apology. “But a glass of wine per month is hardly excessive. Care to join us?”

“No. I’ll offer my prayers and sleep. Maybe tonight She will offer me the peace I pray for.” The priest opened the chapel door and stepped in.

“Suit yourself.” the wizard threw, earning the slam of the door as a response. “Come now, Frederic, I have a nice aged bottle that will turn into vinegar if we don’t hurry.”

The wizard and the knight strolled through the streets, entering a small inn. The innkeeper nodded in recognition, motioning to a waitress to show the two men to a private room, where a table was set with glasses, plates and a big plate with steaming pork roast.

“You like to prepare things in advance.” Frederic commented.

“You know me.” He pulled a dusty bottle from a seemingly small pouch. Frederic raised an eyebrow. “Alatar’s last gift. Pretty handy, isn’t it? Especially for bringing things to and from Lescatie.”

“So, how is he doing?”

“Same old, same old. He is still confined to city limits, but he doesn’t seem to mind. Had a lot of hickeys on his neck, mind you.” he smiled.

The commander grunted, filled his glass, and emptied it in one gulp. “How about you? It isn’t easy, covering your disappearances, you know.”

“Yea, about that… the research is proceeding smoothly. I even copied a few good books from Lescatie’s library. But I am beginning to get spooked every time I set foot in there. That skimpy little goat, Lucella, has been giving me weird looks. I asked that brat Mimil about it, but she just shrugged and muttered something about bad tastes. Whatever.” Pallanto pulled a scroll from the expansion pouch. “Here’s a gift from Alatar. A trap contraption he claims can neutralize Ryu.”

“Well, that is interesting.”

“Well… don’t get too excited. He said it isn’t for killing her, just get her too horny to do anything. I swear, that guy...” he took a sip from his bottle. “So, when are you going to break the news to Father? It isn’t easy or nice, leaving him to stew in his own misery like that.”

“Soon, I hope. Let’s pray he takes the news calmly.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Pallanto laughed. “Yea, right. I can already picture him chasing you around the chapel, trying to smite you with that heavy book.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Frederic’s scowl was soon replaced by a troubled look. “You know, I never got around asking you about the unsealing business.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Pallanto smiled. “If it was mad? It was. If it was suicidal? Sure as hell. But impossible? I had my doubts, and so did Alatar. That’s why he had holy energy trapped inside. The point is, with the seeds of corruption already sown, the holy energy would be depleted, sooner or later. He was a first case, but he left a lot of useful notes. I … ehmm… accidentally  mentioned that to Mimil. She should have come to the conclusion I hinted. The procedure is now perfected. If those… ladies decide to break the treaty, they know what’s coming to them. And Alatar’s little campaign sure put the fear of steel and magic to them.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“That boy...” the commander’s voice hinted his pride. “Well, he found his peace. We found ours. Heck, even the monsters found theirs. For now. Let us hope it lasts.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ I don’t hope, Frederic. I know. That’s why I am a wizard.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Don’t get cocky kid. I may actually send for Lucella to turn you into a kid and rape you for all you’re worth. In public.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Keep your eyes closed.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What is it? You got me all the way somewhere, god forbid, but this is getting weird.” Veronica complained.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Almost there. Here, open them.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">They were standing at the forest, at a seemingly random location. “Recognize the place?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The canopy still had some gaps, showing pieces of clear blue sky.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Isn’t this where-” she said, looking around.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes. When we first joined. I thought it would make a nice place for the occasion.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">As Veronica turned to Alatar, she saw him kneeling with a ring made of gold adorned with intricate carvings, and a shining devil gem on it.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Veronica, will you marry me?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">She lunged at him, knocking them both down, with a screech “YEEEESSSSSS!!!!!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">She kissed him deeply, savoring his taste again and again. “You know, you have a talent for breaking every law in the book.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Why is that?” Alatar asked, mildly amused.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“For starters, it is the wife that brings a ring to her husband. And the proof of marriage is what we did here, that time.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You know, I couldn’t give a flying fuck about the rules. You told me to do what I feel is right. That’s what I do now.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Where did you get the gem? Those are expensive.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“That is the gem I filled at my unsealing. Mimil let me keep it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“So, how are you going to further break the rules?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“A wedding ceremony at the temple? Sounds about normal. Say, can I call Druella and company? That would be pretty audacious.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Careful now, Alatar… you are full incubus. Lady Druella could have you fucking me non-stop for days.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> They both smiled and kissed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">P.S. Aaaaaand the epilogue is out. I hope I got right the final closure - I hate leaving loose ends. Unless I intend to continue them in another fic, but this is not the case. In any case, this concludes the series. As my first fic here, and first series for that matter, your criticism is welcome. AloofComputer out.