Disarray

Chapter Twenty-eight

          “I have every intention to spend the rest of my life with you, my love. It is my objective to keep you safe, forever.”

          “And I you.” Raelein promised. “Do not worry; I am less dainty than I appear! I have been told I am quite a swordsman.”

          “So I’ve heard.” Rylan laughed. “Perhaps, one day, I will see your sword fighting skills in action.”

          “I am sure you will. I doubt that intending a peaceful life will actually will it to happen. So far, it appears fate has a different plan than we originally thought, look at the past sevendays.”

          He shrugged.

          “Perhaps. It always seems that the plan of fate is far different than what it seems.”

          “By what do you mean?”

          “I defeated Zayleth, but I also met you. Perhaps that was the reason all along.” He posed.

          “I do not know, perhaps. Or maybe your fate isn’t done with you yet.” Raelein suggested.

          “I hope it is. I do not know how much more stress I can endure.” Rylan stated. “But at least you will be there with me.” Raelein embraced him tightly.

          “I will never leave your side.”

That night, Rylan strode through the dim light of Islea alone. He and Raelein had decided not to go on a walk tonight; they needed their rest for tomorrow.

          As he walked, the excitement for the morning made his heart race, making it rather impossible to sleep. He had tried to force himself to rest earlier, but to no avail. The love he had for Raelein grew stronger with every moment he spent with her, and the anticipation of knowing that he was going to marry her in the morning made it nearly impossible to relax.

          Rylan stopped at the door of Malifar’s infirmary, hesitating a moment. He knew he would never be able to rest without the aid of sleeping juice, but he knew that waking Malifar this late might be unwise. He knocked anyway.

          “Yes, come in.” The old elf called out. Rylan was slightly surprised he was still awake and this hour. He unlatched the door, and strode inside.

          There were several lanterns lit around the room, making the room quite bright. Malifar was sitting at the table, peering up from a book.

          “I expected you would be here soon enough.” He stated with a wry laugh.

          “Why, because tomorrow is my wedding day?” Rylan guessed.

          “That, and Raelein was here not an hour ago for sleeping juice. I saw how much you loved her, and I figured you would have trouble finding rest tonight as well.” Malifar said with a slight, somehow understanding smile. “No one that in love will find rest easily on the night before they are wed.”

          “You’ve been married before?” He inquired gently.

          “Yes. A lovely elf she was. We lived many happy years together until the illness took her from me. We used to teach the young elves together…” Malifar’s voice trailed off. The constant sadness in his gray eyes now made sense. He was always so bitter because he missed his wife.

          “You have my sympathies.” Rylan stated, almost wishing he hadn’t asked.

          “Sympathy? Ha. That did nothing for my Abigayle, and it does nothing now.” Malifar snapped.

          He considered apologizing, but with Malifar’s short temperedness, it would have done nothing.
          “Here,” the old elf handed him a leather pouch. “Make sure you are not standing when you drink it. It is juiced from quite a strong batch of sleeping fruit and takes effect quicker.”

          Rylan thanked him, and departed, he was eager for the impending day to arrive. He returned to his quarters, and smiled when he saw his attire for the ceremony folded neatly on the table. It was similar to the ordinary garments, the tunic and trousers colored like the earth, but more elegant. Graceful designs were embroidered all across the edges, giving it a fancier appearance. It was another joyous reminder of the wedding.

          He took off his boots, and lay back in his bed. Rylan uncorked the pouch of sleeping juice, and swallowed a most of it.

          Malifar had been correct, it did take effect much swifter than normal, and within seconds, he was lost in a haze of deep sleep.