Isabella sighed and got ready before talking:
- "Well, I will tell you the truth: this journey started with Caoilainn. I was living my life fulfilling my duties and preparing myself to be the Lady of Morirom. That's when Caoilainn told me about Animal Mundi. At first, I got excited, I thought it was a chance to get back at my family, to make them respect me. This feeling got more intense after my father passed away, I thought this was my chance to really get back at my family, maybe even take the throne from their own hands. - Isabella sighed - "this seemed nice, I looked for that." - Richard heard it all attentively. He asked:
- "And then?"
- "Well, as time passed, I'm not so sure anymore." - she paused - "I've had other experiences and learned more. I've lead first Caoilainn and Mazanlold with our first plans, then Morirom and then you came and I ended up leading this journey. Thinking back, it's been quite good to help you all achieve your dream, so maybe my dream is to help others, I'm not sure." - Isabella sighed and laughed a bit - "It feels a little hypocritical, right?"
- "Why do you say that?" - Richard asked.
- "Hm, helping others achieve your dreams but not achieving any yourself sounds a bit strange, doesn't it?" - Isabella shook her head - "Like you are missing something, doesn't it? I'm not sure."
- "Hm" - Richard reacted as he took it all in. - "I understand what you are saying, but I don't think I understand how you feel, I believe I am really different from you."
- "Yeah, maybe" - Isabella was looking around, a little absent.
- "Let me ask one thing." - Richard said with his hand on his glasses - "What if you have to wish for something right now? From what we know, that's what we will need to do."
- "Well, I am helping achieve your dreams, so maybe nothing..."
- "Isabella." - he interrupted her. - "You cannot flee from me."
- "Okay, okay." - she said spreading her arms. - "It's just that I'm not sure." - she looked to the sky - "right now I would wish for the throne of Solerelos or... world peace maybe, whatever is on my mind."
- "Ha!" - Richard laughed - "that's very like you" - she laughed a bit and said:
- "Do you think so?"
- "I do!" - he laughed more - "if you wish for the throne, please give me a position, I will need something to do after this journey." - Isabella burst into laughing.
- "So that is what you wish?! Sure sure, I will make you minister of all knowledge in the world!"
- "I would love that!" - he also laughed. They walked more, laughed and looked at each other laughing more. Isabella asked, after this subsided:
- "So, Richard, are you excited to fulfill your wish?"
- "It is funny" - he smiled - "I am, even though it doesn't feel real yet." - he hesitated - "despite that, something in me wishes it doesn't work."
- "Why?" - Isabella was puzzled. They stopped walking.
- "Well" - he replied - "it is very strange to say that, I'm sorry. I just feel that besides the hardships, these last few weeks were the best in my life so far. It feels like I've found something to look for and friends to share this. Something in me wants it to never end."
- "Wow" - Isabella exaggerated her reaction - "so that comes from the man who didn't have a heart just a few days ago?" - she got closer and stared at him.
- "Yes" - Richard sighed - "these doubts still creep in my mind. But, when I close my eyes and try to feel instead of thinking, I do feel great. I hope I can keep up like this." - she took his hand and said:
- "You've made my day, Richard. I do hope you can keep up like this. And" - she hesitated - "this doesn't need to end with Anima Mundi. We will find something new to do together." - their hearts accelerated as they looked into each others eyes.
- "Thank you, Isabella. You are really helping me a lot." - Isabella was going to continue, but another voice interrupted them:
- "Heeeey Richard! I need to borrow Isa for a moment!" - Isabella and Richard broke their stare and released their hands - "Did I interrupt something?"
- "No" - Isabella recomposed in an instant - "what do you want?"
- "Come with me, let's walk a little. See you later Richard" - Caoilainn took Isabella and went ahead.
- "See you later" - Richard smiled and waved, taking it all easy, ignoring the interruption.
Alone, Richard walked lazily a bit more. Looking down, he found a tortoise on the sand. It was lying on its back. The sun relentlessly shone on its belly and the tortoise visibly fought to turn itself over, but was unable to. Richard watched it for a moment, puzzled. Then, his eyes opened. He knelt, carefully picked it up and turned the tortoise over and released it on the sand. The tortoise took a breath and walked away, relieved. Richard was also relieved and resumed walking.
Meanwhile, Caoilainn just wanted to spend some time with her best friend. They talked, they laughed and they walked a bit. Closer to the end of the day, the four reunited with Mazanlold, still fishing and spent some time before returning to the inn. They had a good dinner and a nice night of sleep, after a really pleasant day.
Please sign in to leave a comment.