Camelot Dialectical Journal
Previously, he might have taken risky shortcuts there and back, but now, he had so much to live for and would exercise caution.
The horizon paled, and Taran knew he had to get moving. He and Ero agreed they would leave at first light. Taran needed time to dress, toss a few final items into his traveling satchel, and say goodbye to his mother. Veerah would want to see him off, but he would allow her to sleep until then.
After a quick wash, packing, and dressing, he wandered into the main room and crouched next to his mother’s bed. She slept, but this one time, he would have to wake her.
“Ma.”
Cadha opened her eyes and the corners of her mouth quirked up; that was the best she could offer in terms of a smile.
“I’m leaving for Camelot now. …show more content…
“Thank you for seeing me and Ero off today, everyone. We appreciate your good wishes. Stay safe and warm until my return from Camelot.”
“Can you bring back honey cakes from Camelot?” called out a little girl no older than three.
The crowd chuckled, and Taran replied, “I don’t know if they would hold up well during my travels, but I’ll try.
“And there is one last thing I would like to say.” He took Veerah’s hand in his. “Veerah and I will marry immediately upon my return home.”
A huge roar of approval rose from the crowd. As the people cheered, he removed a silver betrothal bracelet from his belt pouch and slipped it onto Veerah’s arm. Arlen had been the one to ride to Ce and back in a day to obtain the piece of jewelry; Taran owed the young warrior a great deal.
“Oh, Taran.” She threw her arms around him. “I did not expect this.”
They shared a long kiss in front of everyone, and the villagers clapped the whole time. Ero cleared his throat, signaling it was time to ride out, and Taran released Veerah. His missed the warm sweetness of her mouth already.
“Bee, Arlen, keep her safe,” said …show more content…
To know what went on between us?”
Damn. Ero had him figured out. “Yes. But only because –”
“Because you love your mother. I know.”
“Why wouldn’t you speak of it before?”
“Because it hurts. To know I’m losing her.” Ero rustled around in sleeping furs. “This is going to be a long story. Are you wide awake?”
“Very.”
“It all started the day your mother arrived in Maetae from Ce,” said Ero. “King Kahl informed me that day I was to be her guard, and I took the oath forthwith. And your mother… She was so beautiful. She is still. But that day, I recall it in such vivid detail: Her pure white dress with adorned with blue stitching at the bottom, the way hair was pinned up into a beautiful twist, and how a few waves escaped and framed her face… I’m sorry. You’re her son and probably don’t want to hear that.”
But he did. Naturally, Taran had no interest in hearing about anything related to his mother and sex, but he liked the way Ero spoke, like a man in love. And to know that Cadha had been loved soothed Taran’s heart.
“I want to hear it,” said Taran. “As much as you’ll
The horizon paled, and Taran knew he had to get moving. He and Ero agreed they would leave at first light. Taran needed time to dress, toss a few final items into his traveling satchel, and say goodbye to his mother. Veerah would want to see him off, but he would allow her to sleep until then.
After a quick wash, packing, and dressing, he wandered into the main room and crouched next to his mother’s bed. She slept, but this one time, he would have to wake her.
“Ma.”
Cadha opened her eyes and the corners of her mouth quirked up; that was the best she could offer in terms of a smile.
“I’m leaving for Camelot now. …show more content…
“Thank you for seeing me and Ero off today, everyone. We appreciate your good wishes. Stay safe and warm until my return from Camelot.”
“Can you bring back honey cakes from Camelot?” called out a little girl no older than three.
The crowd chuckled, and Taran replied, “I don’t know if they would hold up well during my travels, but I’ll try.
“And there is one last thing I would like to say.” He took Veerah’s hand in his. “Veerah and I will marry immediately upon my return home.”
A huge roar of approval rose from the crowd. As the people cheered, he removed a silver betrothal bracelet from his belt pouch and slipped it onto Veerah’s arm. Arlen had been the one to ride to Ce and back in a day to obtain the piece of jewelry; Taran owed the young warrior a great deal.
“Oh, Taran.” She threw her arms around him. “I did not expect this.”
They shared a long kiss in front of everyone, and the villagers clapped the whole time. Ero cleared his throat, signaling it was time to ride out, and Taran released Veerah. His missed the warm sweetness of her mouth already.
“Bee, Arlen, keep her safe,” said …show more content…
To know what went on between us?”
Damn. Ero had him figured out. “Yes. But only because –”
“Because you love your mother. I know.”
“Why wouldn’t you speak of it before?”
“Because it hurts. To know I’m losing her.” Ero rustled around in sleeping furs. “This is going to be a long story. Are you wide awake?”
“Very.”
“It all started the day your mother arrived in Maetae from Ce,” said Ero. “King Kahl informed me that day I was to be her guard, and I took the oath forthwith. And your mother… She was so beautiful. She is still. But that day, I recall it in such vivid detail: Her pure white dress with adorned with blue stitching at the bottom, the way hair was pinned up into a beautiful twist, and how a few waves escaped and framed her face… I’m sorry. You’re her son and probably don’t want to hear that.”
But he did. Naturally, Taran had no interest in hearing about anything related to his mother and sex, but he liked the way Ero spoke, like a man in love. And to know that Cadha had been loved soothed Taran’s heart.
“I want to hear it,” said Taran. “As much as you’ll