46. Fishing

They played avonova for some more time, exchanging teams and giving it their all. After that, they had a good bath, a nice lunch and returned to the beach for a more relaxing time. Mazanlold got his trusty rod to spend some time fishing by himself. Caoilainn took a drink, a chair, sunglasses and decided to have some time for herself. Richard and Isabella, on the other hand, went to take a walk. Both of them removed their shoes and socks and started their stroll.

- "Aren't those birds so beautiful?" - Isabella asked looking up to the seagulls and pelicans.
- "Yes, they are." - Richard answered, deeply breathing and looking around.
- "And the sea waves are so charming, let's get our feet wet!" - Isabella pulled him towards the wet sand, where the waves softly washed away.
- "It sure feels good."
- "Doesn't it?" - Isabella replied smiling. She walked around playfully while Richard kept a steady pace with soft steps.

After some walking Isabella said:- "It's good to see you more relaxed. And well" - she glanced down - "how are you holding up after all that happened?" - Richard looked forward and said:- "I'm getting better. The Duke's last scheme did hurt me and Macrina's reaction to me was a bit haunting, but I'm going forward. I have my worries, but I'm giving them time."- "Yes, so do I." - she paused - "We are wounded and must go forward, trying to recover at the same time. It is a lot, but I'm handling it all so far."- "I am glad we can go on, despite all that. And I hope it gets better with time."
- "So do I."

The two walked more. Richard looked at the shore and watched the waves swirling and bubbling on the beach and some boats on the horizon. Thoughtful, he said:
- "Isabella, there is something I would like to know about you."
- "What is it?" - she looked into his eyes.
- "What is your dream?"
- "Well, it is a secret of course" - Isabella replied, touching her lips with her index finger.
- "That's not fair, you know, everyone knows I wish to know all the secrets of the universe." - he looked at her - "I want to know, what you wish?"
- "I will think about it."
- "No" - he stopped and she kept walking - "it is only fair you tell me." - she didn't stop - "You cannot flee from me, Isabella." - with that, she stopped, tilted her head, looked at him and turned around. She said:
- "Okay. You got me this time, let's walk and I will tell you" - she again touched her lips with her index finger. - "but just don't tell anyone, okay?"
- "Yeah sure" - and they resumed walking.

At the same time, Caoilainn got up, wanting to talk. She got close to Mazanlold and asked:

- "Can I sit here?"
- "Sure, just don't speak too loud. The fishes might get scared."
- "Sure thing!" - she set her chair and sat down.

They spent a few moments in silence. However, Caoilainn soon continued:
- "So, how is it going, Mazan?"
- "Well, just two small fries so far, nothing special."
- "Don't you get impatient, waiting all this time for just two fishes?"
- "Actually no" - Mazanlold replied smiling - "fishing is about peace, taking in the atmosphere, being in peace with yourself and sometimes fighting fish." - he looked at his bobber and to Caoilainn - "not much different from meditation."
- "I see" - Caoilainn looked forward - "I prefer more active stuff, but today I am certainly enjoying some peace."
- "Yeah, after all we've been through recently." - pondered Mazanlold.
- "Sure!" - Caoilainn replied - "I need to relax to keep beautiful!" - both laughed. Mazanlold took some time before asking:
- "Are you looking forward to the end of the journey?"
- "Yes I do! I am already thinking about which clothes I will wear and what I will do after we are done! I am so excited!" - she raised her hands into the air. A few moments later she continued - "but I admit I'm worried. The end seems near, but we don't know what is expecting us and more" - she hesitated - "we don't know if the Duke will show up again." Mazanlold agreed with his head. Moments later, he smiled and said:
- "You know Caoilainn, you are one of a kind. You always seem so transparent, so cheerful, so simple. But you have a lot of things going on in your own heart, it is interesting. I hope that you find your dreams, that you have success."
- "Thank you" - Caoilainn smile was radiant - "But Mazanlold, and you, how are you holding up, what is in your heart? You are not gloomy, but you are always serious and all."
- "Well, I guess this is a warrior's way" - he replied - "I always feel that I have a duty, and I try to fulfill it."
- "Well then, what will you wish from Anima Mundi?" - he took a few moments to think before saying:
- "As I said, I feel I have a duty as a warrior, with my comrades, and every other warrior out there. That is to give them the honor they deserve, the respect. And I'd like to wish for that. For them to have all the respect they deserve, all the reverence. And if I cannot wish for every warrior, at least I want to wish for my father and my grandfather." - Mazanlold hesitated - "They had a very unfair treatment, and they did deserve respect from everyone. They sacrificed their lives for people, and it was not fair. So if I cannot wish for honor for everyone, I will wish for honor for them. I think it is only fair and I owe them that."
- "I see" - Caoilainn said - "I understand what you are feeling for your family and comrades. However" - Caoilainn looked at him - "don't you want to wish something for yourself? Honor, glory, abilities?"
- "Well, I really wish to be a better warrior. I really wish for myself to be honored, but all in due time. I'm not sure, but maybe, just maybe, that shouldn't come from a wish but from my own efforts." - he paused - "I believe that it is my duty to set an example for the newer warriors. So, by wishing for the sake of others and not wishing for an easy solution for my life, I believe I am teaching a very important lesson to them. Facing your own problems is the key to the life of a warrior."
- "I feel I understand you better now" - said Caoilainn - "I understand why you want to honor their memory. I also liked your vision of your present and future. I hope the best for you too Mazanlold" - both smiled - "when I become the greatest mage of all" - she looked at the sky - "I want to help lots of people to live happily and chase their dreams. I will be sure to help you and Isabella and Richard a lot too!" - both smiled again.
- "I may even try to be cheerful inspired by you!"
- "Sure do!" - both laughed. They spent some more time together.