So bleak and desolate, Dylan thought, the time of year the farm looks like it feels.
He looked at the scenery from the barn door. Three months had passed since the Harvest Festival, and it was now the depth of winter. The sky was a thick gray blanket of clouds that covered the land like the ceiling of some vast underground cavern. The trees were bare of leaves, and the land was covered with a knee-deep layer of snow. He needed snowshoes to get around, and a path had been made from the cabin to the barn of their imprints.
Dylan closed the barn door, and took off the winter coat he wore over his heavily patched jacket and shirt. Dylan himself was noticeably thinner since the Festival. The shock of seeing his beloved chapalo turned into a side of meat killed his appetite for a time. But he had to keep going, for Char and Bree, as he had named the new chapalo. He went over to her stall, and seeing him the chapalo walked over to her. He responded by reaching over the gate and giving her a scritch behind the eardrum. In some ways, she was helping to fill the empty space left by Chi. But she could never truly be forgotten.
And of course there was Ayrini.
She had shown up on occasion, doing her best to keep him from despair, to keep him going. Eventually, his appetite returned, and life went on.
He scritched Bree for a time, then went to the bales of hay and got her one. She began eating it once it hit the ground. Then came Char. Then came the onilot, who were starting to bleat. They had heard him some minutes before, and were wondering why he hadn't fed them yet.
At least all they did was bleat, and all it took was a little food to get them to quiet down.
When the onilot were occupied with eating, Dylan got the boots, wheelbarrow, and a shovel, and began dealing with the manure in their pens. It was dirty, smelly work. Still, this was preferable to being back at the cabin until a certain someone was too drowsy to yell and scream. If there was one good thing about the cold and the snow, it kept a certain unpleasantness there.
"Dylan!"
But unfortunately, time and time again it would reveal itself.
Having cleaned out the stalls of nearly all the manure, Dylan looked at the cabin where Grylos was, standing at the door. He put the wheelbarrow and shovel down, exchanged the boots for snowshoes, closed the barn door, and headed over.
"You should have finished by Noon!" Grylos yelled before Dylan had walked all the way over, "It's almost mid-afternoon, and you're still messing around!"
Dylan stopped walking, but gave no immediate answer.
"You still have to repair those old clothes, especially my hat, fix the chair, which should have been finished yesterday!"
Dylan recalled that he'd been in the middle of that task yesterday, but Grylos sent him onto something else. He spoke nothing, feeling too tired, mentally and physically, to respond.
"But first, we're low on wood again, no thanks to you! Every time I turn, you're always tossing in another log in the fire!" Grylos held up a small one and shook it at him to illustrate his point.
Dylan recalled more often than not, it was Grylos who would tell him to put one in, but tired, gave no response.
"Go to the woodshed and get some, now!"
Without as much as a word, Dylan turned and trudged off.
"Hurry it up you lazy dolt!"
A second later, he felt a stabbing pain on the back of his head. The next thing he knew, he was facefirst into the snow.
"Get up and get going! I swear, you'll lie down just about anywhere!"
Dylan raised his head, and saw the small log Grylos had held just in front of him lying in the snow. He held his hand to the back of his throbbing head, nursing the blow.
"I told you to get going! You don't have all day to be playing around in the snow!"
"Yes, Uncle." Dylan sighed. He got up and headed off to the woodshed.
Some hours later, darkness had fallen. Dylan was outside, dragging a small sled behind him, full of wood, as he trudged on his snowshoes.
He opened the door, taking the sled and the latest load of logs in with him.
"About time you got back!" snapped a voice near the fireplace. Close by was a huge pile of wood.
Dylan spoke nothing. He just closed the door, kicked off his snowshoes and began hauling the wood over to the pile. He felt no energy to think of saying anything, and could get only just enough to keep moving. He felt no happiness, no desire to live. It seemed life was just one constant drudgery with no end in sight.
If only he could just leave it all behind. Maybe he'd be with Ayrini, maybe not. At least all this would be over.
Ayrini ...
Somehow, he found a little more strength, enough to keep him going.
Before long, all the wood from the sled was unloaded. Dylan then went to a broken chair, and picked up some tools near it.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Grylos snapped.
Dylan turned, "You wanted me to fix this chair, Uncle Grylos."
"You're not finished getting the wood!"
"But Uncle Grylos, I've been making trips all afternoon. We have far more than enough until Spring."
"Don't 'but' me!" In a rage, Grylos stood up, "When I tell you to do something, you do it!"
Dylan sighed, "Yes, Uncle." He put the tools back down and began to head to the door.
"You little ungrateful ..." Before Dylan was even halfway across the floor, a log zipped past him and hit the wall. Dylan turned, and saw the older mymar at the woodpile, keeping upright by leaning against it, reaching for another log.
"Uncle Grylos!"
"I've had it with you and your attitude!" His anger giving him strength, Grylos threw the second piece of wood toward Dylan, who just managed to dodge, "for years I've put up with your slacking, your goofing off," he reached for another log, "and worst of all, your pathetic attitude to doing any work!" He ended his sentence by hurling the wood at Dylan.
Dylan again avoided getting hit, "Uncle Grylos, what are you doing? You'll wreck the house!"
Grylos reached for another log, "It's your attitude that's wrecking the house!" He then threw that log, which ended up hitting the wall, "You're always going 'but' this and 'but' that!" He reached for still another, "And even when you say yes, you don't really mean it, always giving me that attitude!" He hurled that log at Dylan, which ended up hitting and overturning a small table, "Now look what you've done!!"
"Uncle Grylos," Dylan stepped forward, thinking the wrecked table finally got him to quit, but then Grylos reached for still another log. The youth then quickly retreated to his bed, "Uncle Grylos, stop!"
"No!" Grylos threw the log at Dylan, who ducked behind the bed, the piece of wood just missing the top of his head, "I've stopped before, when you gave your usual 'yes Uncle,' " he spoke the last two words in a mocking imitation of Dylan's voice, "But not this time," he picked up another log, "Not this time!" He hurled the log, striking the bed's wooden base frame, breaking it, "You're going to learn some respect and get rid of that attitude!"
"Uncle Grylos, stop it! You'll hurt yourself doing that!" Dylan didn't think that if he kept it up for long, the older mymar could avoid injury of some kind.
"Not as much as I'll hurt you!" Grylos then noticed a particularly heavy log and reached for it, "You're going to learn some manners around here," he hefted the piece of wood over his head, "even if - "
Grylos never finished his sentence. His expression changed, and he dropped the log.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"
Dylan peeked from behind the bed, and saw Grylos holding his head, crying out in agony.
"Ahhhhhh! Ah! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! "
"Uncle Grylos?!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! " Grylos fell to his knees, screaming, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! " then he collapsed, "NOOOOOooooo......."
"Uncle!" Dylan jumped up from behind the cracked bed, "Oh no!" He rushed over to the stricken mymar. He looked as broken as so much of the house.
Dylan knew there was little he could so now. Noticing he was still breathing, his eyes still blinking, he sat and cradled Grylos' head in his lap.
Finally came a gurgle from the older mymar's throat.
"Uncle Grylos?" Dylan wasn't sure what to expect.
"No. Please." The voice wasn't much louder than a whisper, and it had a higher pitch than his normal tone, "No more hurt." It sounded almost childlike.
"Grylos?"
"Please Papa, no more hurt. No more hurt Grylos."
"Oh ... " Dylan then realized this stroke was far more devastating than the first.
"Please, no more hurt."
"I ... " Dylan wasn't sure what to say, "Why Papa hurt Grylos?"
"Papa say Grylos not do work. Papa say Grylos work all bad. Papa say Grylos cry too much. Grylos bad boy."
Dylan listened. He recalled his parents never spoke much about how their own parents raised them.
"Grylos not mean to be bad. Grylos sorry."
Was this a hint of what they faced when growing up?
"Please Papa. Grylos sorry. Grylos sorry he bad boy. Please, no more hurt."
"No," Dylan put a hand against Grylos' cheek, "no more hurt."
"Ahhh." Grylos' mouth seemed to curl into a smile, "Grylos make Papa happy?"
"Yes Grylos, Papa is happy."
"Ahhh ... " Grylos smiled, then closed his eyes. He slowly drifted off to sleep.
Dylan pondered at what all this meant. So this was the core of the man who had mastered him all this time?
Underneath all the cynicism, underneath all the bitterness and anger, had been a small frightened child.
A child, Dylan reasoned, who would soon be departing this world.
Grylos had died.
Dylan had stayed with his stricken uncle through the night. He never saw him open his eyes or stir around, eventually falling asleep with his Uncle's head still on his lap. When morning came, Dylan found the body already getting cool to the touch.
For a time, Dylan contemplated the man who had been such a big part of his life. For the past several months he had been nothing but misery to him, forever loading him with extra work, controlling every step in his life, and constantly heaping abuse on him. Life had gone from dull to unbearable.
Now, it was over.
But now what would he do?
With nothing else to do, Dylan went to a spot near the cabin with a shovel and began hefting the snow off the ground. While he shoveled the snow, water was heating in the pot over the fire. Ironicaly, the logs fueling the fire that Dylan had gathered for it were the same ones Grylos had been throwing around just before he was stricken. It seemed in more ways than one, they were assisting in his departure.
Once a big enough patch of ground was uncovered, he went to the pot with a bucket. Returning to the spot with some hot water, he used it to soften up the hard ground and began digging. When he ran out of water and soft ground, he went back to the cabin to refill the bucket.
As he dug, Dylan continued to ponder. Grylos' abuses had been such a part of his life for so long, he could almost hear the older mymar yelling at him to dig faster. Then there was the memory of him in his final moments. A side of him he had never before seen, saw only for a few moments, yet would never forget.
Eventually, he decided the hole was deep and wide enough. He went back to the cabin. He got the straw mattress from Grylos' bed and took it down. He dragged it over, and lifted the body onto it, tucking it in under the blankets as if for one final sleep, although this time with the head covered. He then took the mattress and body out to the hole. He then lowered them in, afterwards getting down and adjusting the body so it wasn't out of place.
He then paused. For some moments he just stood there, looking down at Grylos' body. He had been the source of so much pain for so long, the constant screaming, the beatings. Then again, that final glimpse of him revealed he had been through a lot of pain himself.
Despite everything, he could find it in his heart to forgive him.
"Goodbye, Uncle Grylos. I'm sorry it couldn't have been better."
With his final words to his uncle, he then reached for the shovel and began filling in the hole.
.....
Later that morning, Dylan was shoveling the last of the dirt. It was put around a thick wooden pole Dylan had placed at the end of the grave before filling it in. Near the top of the pole, ha had deeply carved in Grylos' name.
His final resting place.
Finally the grave was filled and Dylan patted the soil down with his shovel.
It was done.
Dylan wearily leaned on the spade and stared at the grave for a while, continuing to think and ponder about what had been and what his future held.
Eventually, he felt a familiar presence nearby and looked over.
Ayrini was standing beside him, also looking down at the grave, her expression somber.
Dylan looked at her, unsure what to say.
After a moment she spoke first, not turning her head, "So, it's finally over."
"Yes," Dylan sighed, "it's over." he paused momentarily to think over his words, "Maybe I should have left him like you told me, but I just couldn't abandon him."
"You knew this would happen soon."
"That's what I kept telling myself. I still find it hard to believe he's finally gone, despite what happened last night."
Ayrini turned her head to face him, "He didn't simply die in his sleep?"
"He had another stroke last night, in the middle of one of his angry fits. He blacked out, but not before, ... " Dylan thought how to describe it, "He was talking like a child, begging his father, Grandfather, not to beat him."
"What?" Ayrini was surprised, "My Grandfather would never do such a thing! He'd play a practical joke once in a while, but nothing like that."
"My Father didn't talk about his parents very much. Once in a while, he'd say something, but only a little. The only Grandparents I really knew were my Mother's parents."
"You mean that's how they treated Grylos and your father? But your father wasn't like Grylos at all."
"Maybe Father wasn't treated as badly, for whatever reason. Maybe the better luck he had afterward like meeting Mother helped. Or maybe he had a stronger spirit. I guess we'll never know."
Ayrini looked back at the grave, "I don't see any sign of another ghost if you've been wondering. It seems he's now in the hands of the Creator."
"Yes, it's over."
"And now, you can move on." Ayrini brightened, "You can sell the farm, take Char and Bree, and go off exploring."
Dylan looked at Ayrini, smiling, "Yes. When the snow thaws, I can go to the village and make arrangements, and in the spring the two of us can move out."
Ayrini's smile vanished.
"What's wrong?"
"I ... " Ayrini hesitated, "I can't go."
"What?! Why not? Haven't you tried going other places before?"
"Yes, I tried to go other places, but I'm unable to leave the area of the lake and farm. Something keeps me rooted here."
"Oh, oh no." Dylan's heart sank.
"But you can go." Ayrini's smile returned, "You can go and fulfill your childhood dreams."
"But what about you?"
"I'll be fine."
"But, I can't just leave you here all alone."
"Dylan, the reason you came here is gone. Why not go on with what you wanted?"
"Because," Dylan stepped over to Ayrini, "I'd be leaving behind someone I care about."
Ayrini looked at Dylan, her eye gleaming as if a tear were about to fall.
The two looked at each other for some moments, saying nothing ...
"Ba -a-a-a-."
Dylan glanced to the barn, "I guess life goes on." He looked back at Ayrini, "At least now I'm in good company."
Ayrini smiled, "I only wish my hands were solid enough to help you."
Dylan put on his snow shoes, "The onilot can see you," he grinned, "You can soothe them quiet."
Ayrini giggled, "You're too much."
Dylan began shuffling to the barn and Ayrini followed, her ethereal from walking flawlessly on the surface of the snow not leaving any trace.
Even with Grylos gone, some things remained the same. Dylan still had work to do, and in the barn he took care of the animals and rebuilt a weak support he now had the time to notice. Come the spring would be the farming, as it always had been.
But this time, Ayrini was around, her presence brightening the place. Her smiles and cheerfulness helped to lighten the mood. Over the next few days, the gloom that had hung over Dylan's mind slowly faded. The horror of his former master's screams and taunts gradually lessened, their hold on him slacking. They were becoming more and more just a memory. Instead of Grylos' yelling, there was only Ayrini's sweet voice. Furthermore, instead of a fleeting presence, she was now a constant one.
One day melted into another as the two became close again. After a long day of tedious work passed for Dylan almost without notice, he said shyly ÒIÕm glad you can be with me all the time now. Having you with me makes life good for me.Ó
"It's been good being with you."
The two were going back up to the cabin door. Dylan wasn't using snowshoes now. The sun was shining and the snow had partially melted. It was bare in a few spots, but still mostly covered.
Dylan looked around, "Things have been brighter in more ways than one," he looked at the setting sun, "I should be able to get to the village tomorrow, finally get a few books." He looked back at Ayrini, "But are you sure you can't go with me?" As no one else had been able to see her, someone getting startled wasn't an issue.
"I can try," Ayrini was hesitant to answer, "but I don't know if I'd be able to this time."
"If you can't, I'll try to be quick." Dylan opened the door, and let her in first, "It'll be good having some reading material again." He walked over to the fireplace and put a few logs in, "Any particular ones you want me to get?"
"I don't think there'll be much to choose from until Firstday," Ayrini grinned, "but I'm sure you'll have something in mind if there is."
Dylan smiled back, and after putting some straw and kindling under the logs struck a match and lit the fire, "I'll do my best."
"I still remember the days when we were able to read under the tree," she sat on the bed, "I'm happy that we'll soon be able to again."
"So am I," Dylan thought of those times of the two of them reading story after story. He continued to think as he got a cup and poured himself some water from a pitcher, I hope one of the peddlers will soon be offering eyeglasses. I think I can still manage, but it's going to be awkward.
"Maybe we should get a scary story," Ayrni mused, "How about one of the Soulstealer?"
Dylan did a spit-take, then began coughing, dropping his glass, "Wh- (cough) what made (cough) you want that (cough) one?"
Ayrini then began giggling, "Just a joke Dylan, I wasn't serious."
"Don't do that! You made my heart skip a beat."
Ayrini kept giggling, "You're silly."
Dylan finally managed to crack a smile, "I guess I am."
.....
For the rest of the early evening, the two talked about old times and what they might do in the near future. Dylan would have to run the farm by himself, but he'd been doing so since Grylos' stroke. At least now he could do so at his own pace.
Eventually came time for bed. Ayrini didn't really have to sleep, but could if she wanted. Dylan was letting her use his bed. He slept on some blankets nearby, planing on making her a bed of her own in a day or two as neither felt comfortable with the idea of using Grylos'. The young mymar actually had been sleeping well since the burial, but this night was different. A series of disjointed images, sounds, and feelings punctuated his dreams.
"Dylan."
Ayrini's voice was faint, as if called from a distance, but it was enough to begin to rouse him from his slumber as the images of his dreams began to fade as he began to stir around.
"Dylan."
Dylan finally opened his eyes and looked around. The fire in the fireplace was now glowing embers, but that should have been enough to keep the place warm. Why did he feel cold? Then he saw the door was ajar, the night blackness clearly visible.
He looked to the bed. Ayrini was gone.
"Dylan, where are you?" he heard from a distance.
"Ayrini?!" he called back, "What are you doing out there?"
"Dylan, is that you?"
"Yes!" Dylan got up, "What are you doing?!"
"I woke up and didn't see you, and the door was open. I went out to look and - "
"Ayrini?"
Silence.
"Ayrini?!"
The only sound was the wind whistling through the doorframe.
Concerned, Dylan went to a table where a hatchet was, took it, and headed out the door. He wasn't sure why Ayrini didn't think he wasn't here, or how the door opened. Maybe he happened to have rolled over in the blankets, and some animal was poking around and accidentally opened the door. But what would cause Ayrini to go silent? Something was wrong.
It was a cloudless night, and the moon was full, allowing him to see a little. But some mist from the pond made it difficult to see a distance. It was also making the area look a bit spooky to Dylan, adding to his fear.
"Ayrini?!"
No response.
The fog seemed to be getting worse by the minute. Although he could still see what was close by, the mist concealed what was further away. And it was not knowing what else was out there that made him nervous. Still, he had to keep looking.
"Ayrini?! Ayrini?!"
Finally he saw a faint shape lying down near a tree next to the fence. He went over, and saw he could see through it a little. It was the image of Ayrini, unconscious.
"Ayrini, are you alright?!" Dylan ran up to her. She didn't respond. Dylan was worried. Could something hurt her? If something was wrong with her, what could he do? How could he help someone he couldn't touch?
"Ayrini?" He carefully placed his palm against the outline of her cheek. He could feel her faint warmth. He then noticed the image stirring a little. But she didn't awake.
A cold wind blew, making Dylan shiver. He then noticed something else was nearby and turned.
He saw a dark form, like that of a figure wearing a black ragged robe and hood. It looked like it was over a large man, over a head or two taller than he, but he saw no feet or legs beneath.
"W-who are you?" Dylan turned to face the stranger, involuntary taking a step backward from fear.
"I have come for the girl." It spoke in a deep forbidding tone, sounding most un-mymar.
Dylan shivered, "W-what do you w-want with her?" The specter-like figure was making him more and more afraid, "W-who are you?"
"I am that which has come for her." The apparition floated closer.
Soulstealer! Dylan came closer to wetting his pants more than any moment in his life. He tried to step back, then tripped and fell. He quickly scampered back onto his feet, noticing he was now right next to Ayrini.
"Depart now. Leave the girl to me."
"G-go away!" Part of Dylan felt like screaming and running away like mad.
But that would mean leaving Ayrini behind, to the mercy of this apparition.
"Leave!" The specter floated closer.
"Go away!" Dylan was shaking, but held his ground.
"You dare tell me what to do?! The girl is mine!" The specter came closer, "Leave or I'll take you as well."
"S-she belongs to no one, save the Creator." Dylan's knees were quivering badly, but he found the courage to stay.
"Insolent boy!" I'll devour you as well!" The apparition floated closer.
Dylan brandished the hatchet, "I'm not going."
The specter halted, "You would sacrifice yourself for her? But she is no longer alive. Why do you care?"
"Because I do!" Dylan's tone became defiant, "Now leave her alone!" He raised the hatchet, ready to strike.
The dark image floated before him, as if trying to make up it's mind. Dylan wondered if it was trying to call his bluff. He was truly afraid of it, but he couldn't leave Ayrini to possibly face a fate that was, quite literally, worse than death.
"So you will not leave her?"
"No."
"So be it." The specter raised it's arms. Dylan cringed, expecting it to strike. But he stood his ground ...
But instead, it reached up and began to pull the hood back. The image of the robe broke apart and disappeared. In its place was the image of a mymar, old but hardly feeble looking. His grizzled hair and coat gave him an appearance of refined dignity.
Dylan blinked, then lowered the hatchet, "W-who are you? I thought you were the Soulstealer for sure!"
The old ghost chuckled, "Oh no. Terribly sorry about the fright, but it was necessary."
"Necessary? Why?"
"I suppose you can call it a test," the image smiled, "and you passed."
"Passed ... ? What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"Someone your friend had told you about." He looked to Ayrini, went over and bent down, "Ayrini, time to wake up."
Dylan saw Ayrini blink her eyes, then look up at the image before her, "Grandfather!"
"Your grandfather?!" Dylan was stunned.
Ayrini practically left off the ground, and tightly hugged the other image, "Oh Grandfather, it's been so long! I'd thought I'd never see you again!" Tears streamed down the girl's cheeks.
"I've missed you too Ayrini," the old mymar told her as he hugged her back, "Oh, how much I wanted you to be with me, how many times before I wanted to come down and bring you to your Grandmother and I."
"But why didn't you?"
"I'm afraid that's something I can't explain on this side of existence." He then stood up, followed by Ayrini, and looked to Dylan, "Thank you for keeping her company all these months."
"W-welcome," Dylan was only starting to recover from the surprise, "But why the 'test' as you call it?"
"Test?" Ayrini looked at her grandfather, "What's this about?"
The image of the old mymar looked back at her, "Remember that time your cousin's fiance kept saying nothing could keep him away from her?"
"You did that again?" Ayrini gave him an odd look, but why?"
"You darn nearly gave me a heart attack!" Dylan told him, "Are you upset somehow for Ayrini and I both staying here?"
Ayrini's grandfather looked back at him, "On the contrary, I am very happy she found someone willing to stay by her side, no matter what."
"But, what if I ran?"
"Then I would have taken her home, and she would be reunited with those in her family who had passed on, while you would have gone on with your life."
"But I didn't run. What happens now?"
The old mymar smiled.
"Dylan, I have seen how much you and Ayrini care for one another. Because of this, I am willing to make you an offer. You can go on as before, or you can join her."
"Join her ... ?" It took a moment for Dylan to realize what he meant.
"But Grandfather," Ayrini looked at the old mymar, concerned, "what you're saying, he'd die."
"It is his decision," he answered.
Ayrini turned back to her friend.
Dylan thought for a moment, then stepped up to her, " Ayrini, it wouldn't be much of a life without you."
Ayrini looked upon him with sad eyes, "Dylan ... "
"So be it." The old mymar smiled, then let go of Ayrini and stood beside the both of them.
Dylan turned to him, "But, what about the animals? I don't want them to starve."
"I'll take care of that, don't worry. Now, I want both of you to take each other by the hands."
Both Ayrini and Dylan did so, Although it had always been tricky before, she being ethereal, it seemed less difficult now.
"Now, try and concentrate on each other. Think about the both of you together, not just see and hear, but to touch and hold."
It took no encouragement for Dylan to think of Ayrini. How so much he wanted to be with her not just in spirit but alive. At least in a few minutes, it wouldn't matter. They'd truly be together.
He concentrated, feeling an odd sensation through his body. It wasn't hot, cold, or painful. He didn't ponder it for more than a second. He kept thinking only of Ayrini.
The old mymar reached over, and took them both by the shoulder. Dylan found the strange sensation growing stronger, then found himself blacking out ...
The last thing he was aware of was hearing, "May you both be happy together for all time."
Consciousness slowly drifted back to Dylan. The first thing he noticed was the chirping of birds. The next was that the fur on his cheek seemed a bit damp. He was lying down.
He slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was Ayrini lying down on a patch of green grass under a tree. They were both next to a bush full of blooming flowers. With the dew and the sunbeams coming down at an angle, it was sunrise. The air itself, a little cool, was springlike rather than the cold of a winter morning.
The next thing he realized, Ayrini wasn't transparent! She appeared just as solid as everything else around her.
"Are we ... in Heaven?" Dylan asked in a hushed voice as he sat up and reached forward, his hand going to Ayrini's shoulder ...
And instead of just air, he felt clothes over flesh.
"Mmmm ..." Ayrini stirred around, then opened her eyes and looked up at him, "Dylan? ... What's going on?"
Dylan thought of what to say, then answered, "Reach forward."
She reached to him with her hand, he brought his to her, and they touched.
Ayrini looked at the sight wide-eyed, "Is this a dream?"
"I, don't know." Dylan looked around, "We were at the fence," he then noticed the water nearby, "but we're now next to the lake shore."
"It feels like a spring morning. It must be a dream."
Dylan had an idea, then pinched himself, "Ow!"
Confused, Ayrini asked, "What was that for."
"You don't feel pain in a dream." Dylan looked at her, "Ayrini, this is all real!"
"You ... mean ... " Ayrini's smile became very wide.
"Yes." Dylan's own smile was the biggest Ayrini had ever seen him make.
"I ... I'm alive. I'm alive! " Ayrini sprung up from the ground, and gleefully yanked Dylan up along with her, "Wheeeeeeeee! I'm alive!"
The two swung around in each others' arms in a whirlwind dance for many turns, squealing and cheering in each other's company. Brushing against the flowering bush, a number of petals flew in the air around them. They soon came to a stop, tears streaming down their cheeks. They looked at each other's faces for a moment, then both leaned forward, coming together in a kiss.
They stood embracing one another, not wanting the moment to end.
"Ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a."
Ayrini then began giggling, breaking the kiss, "I- it seems like they always find just the right time."
Dylan smirked, "It does look like they do." He thought for a moment, "At least we know they're okay."
"Yes," Ayrini looked in the direction of the braying, "but it was still winter when ..., and it looks like spring now. How long were we asleep?"
Dylan looked that way as well, "I don't know." He took Ayrini by the hand and both walked back to the farm.
They found the fenced area full of onilot and their calves grazing around.
"Ba-a-a-a-a-a."
"Well, they're still as healthy as ever," Dylan observed.
"Ronk!"
Dylan looked to the barn, "That sounded like Char. Hey Char!"
"Ronk!" There were some scratching noises at the barn doors, then they came open. Char appeared, and trotted over to Dylan and Ayrini.
"Hey boy, good to see you." When the chapalo reached them, both Dylan and Ayrini, still holding hands, reached over to pet him. "We must have been out for a while," he told Ayrini, "He hasn't been this excited for a long time."
"But how long were we out?" she wondered.
"Darnit!" came a voice from inside the barn, "Can't you beasties keep quiet?"
Dylan looked to the barn, "Who's there?"
"Dylan, is that you?" Bree walked out the barn doors, followed by a familiar-looking mymar.
"Priest Gibbal?"
"Dylan, where have you be-" Gibbal then saw the girl next to Dylan and looked at her wide-eyed, "You!"
"Gibbal, it's me!" Ayrini cheerfully shouted.
"Ayrini? Ayrini?! "the priest couldn't believe it, "My Creator, but how?!"
Ayrini, followed by Dylan, ran over to the older mymar, who raced over to them as well. Both met at a spot in between. She gave him a big hug, "Gibbal, I thought I'd never see you again."
Priest Gibbal hugged back, "I don't know what happened, but I don't care. Welcome back."
"It's good to be back, back and alive." She tightly hugged Dylan, "I'm alive!"
Priest Gibbal smiled, "I take it you've known each other for a while."
"Yes," Dylan answered with a smile, "It's kind of a long story."
"I'd love to hear it. I may have told that I didn't care, but I didn't say I wasn't curious."
"Well, it began one day last spring ... "
For some time, the two explained to Gibbal about what had gone on, holding hands almost the whole time.
" ... and the next thing we knew, we were right by the lakeshore." Dylan explained, "I saw, we both saw, Ayrini was solid again." He looked her way and placed his free hand over hers, "Until now, I could only dream and pray for this moment."
Ayrini looked lovingly back at Dylan.
Gibbal smiled, "Indeed this is a miracle in more ways than one. Not only has someone come back from the departed, but two who were alone have found one another. Truly a miracle."
"It is." Dylan looked back at Gibbal, "But, what are you doing here? How long has it been since the snow melted from the big storm?"
"Spring came early. Believe it or not, it's only been about a week and a half since you left, from what you told me." He looked at Dylan, "When you and Grylos didn't show up the Firstday after the thaw, I became concerned and headed over. When I didn't see you around, I thought you'd taken advantage of Grylos' departure by running off right away. Since the animals were still here, I figured you would be back soon as I couldn't imagine you just abandoning them. So I came back every few days to feed them a little. I was beginning to worry something had happened to you."
"You must have come a little early today."
"Actually, I came late yesterday. The stink in there was getting so bad, I thought I better do something about it. Dylan, I don't know how you deal with it every day."
"It isn't easy." Dylan answered with a grin.
That got all three laughing.
"I got tired and sat fown to rest. I must've fallen asleep. The next thing I knew, that chapalo was making a ruckus and getting out the barn door, and then you."
"You should have seen yourself," Ayrini smiled mischievously at Gibbal, "You'd think you'd seen a ghost." She then giggled, followed by the others chuckling after a moment's pause.
"Ah, tis good to laugh." Gibbal cleared his throat, "Once again, I truly am happy for the two of you. If there is anything I can do to help, just ask."
Dylan had still been holding Ayrini's hand. He looked at Gibbal and answered, "Well, we're going to have to bring the good news to her family, get some time for everyone, but after that there is one thing I'd like you to do."
He again placed his free hand on top of the girl's and looked her in the eyes, "Ayrini, there's something I thought I'd never get the chance to ask you until today ... "
And indeed what a reunion it was. Dylan hadn't talked with the members of Ayrini's family as they had moved to a nearby village. The few times he saw one from a distance, he felt too awkward to tell them what he knew. So this was his first meeting with them. Overjoyed at their daughter being alive, they never made it an issue.
The next few weeks were the happiest Dylan had known, certainly since leaving his own family. He was at the farm much of the time to take care of things, but spent as much time with Ayrini as he could. He also kept looking for someone who might be interested in the farm. It didn't take him long to find new owners for the onilot, and eventually sold the farm.
Finally came the Spring Festival. It was a chance to celebrate the end of winter and of course a welcome break in the peoples' lives. There was food, there was music, but this time there was a special event as a certain young couple chose to make this the setting of their special day.
"Dylan and Ayrini Jixsi, I declare you husband and wife."
And with those words, Priest Gibbal sealed the union between Dylan and Ayrini, tying their two outstretched hands together with a golden-colored ribbon.
Dylan was wearing a fancy-looking colorful suit that had been loaned to him by Ayrini's father. It didn't quite fit, and before the ceremony he occasionally tugged at the sleeve and collar. But what bothered him was not being used to wearing something so new. Ayrini herself was wearing the same festival dress she had been wearing for so long in her ethereal form. Although traditionaly a green dress was worn for a wedding, Ayrini wanted to wear it for this occasion.
Both were now each wearing a golden wedding bracelet.
After the announcement and the tying of the string, the new couple was surrounded and hugged by Ayrini's family and the other townsfolk. The area's once poorest farmer was now the center of attention and well wishes. Gibbal himself shook Dylan's free hand and gave Ayrini a hug.
.....
The following morning, just as the sun was starting to rise, the door of a villiage house slowly opened. After peeking to make sure there was no one else about, Ayrini and Dylan came out. Although his traveling clothes were rather plain, they were much better than the patched threadbares from his farming days. Ayrini's dress lacked the bright colors that the one she had for so long had, but dust from the road wouldn't be as noticeable. Both were carrying a few of the sacks and packings they would be taking on their journey, clothes, preserved meats, and other things. Dylan also had with him a bow and arrow-filled quiver. Although they were taking food with them, it would last only so long. So he'd have to get some of their food on the trail. Over the past few weeks, he'd been practicing firing the arrows, as well as learning how to make more of them.
Ayrini looked at some nearby trees, "No matter how often I hear it, I still love listening to the birds singing early in the morning."
Dylan looked her way with a smile, "We'll be getting plenty of chances for that."
Ayrini smiled, and they headed on to a nearby stable where Char and Bree were. They gently woke the chapalo, attached a couple frameworks on the animals' backs and put the packages on, followed by reins, then guided them back to the cottage for the rest.
"I still can't believe," Dylan thought out loud, "after all this time."
Ayrini turned to him, "After all this time your dream coming true?"
"Yes," he looked at Ayrini, "but it pales to another dream that came true."
Ayrini beamed, then the two embraced in a kiss.
After a lengthy moment, the pair each gathered the rest of their sacks & bags, then opened the door and began to walk out.
And they found Priest Gibbal standing there next to the chapalo and a small sack on the ground, looking their way with a smirk.
"Gibbal?" Ayrini looked at him, perplexed.
"How did you know we were leaving now?" Dylan asked him.
"I've married a few other young couples," Gibbal smiled, "They also tended to move out at dawn. I wanted a chance to say goodbye."
Dylan smiled back, "I'm glad you did. It'll probably be a while before we get back. And we may be just stopping by for a brief time before traveling again."
"It isn't just the wilderness we want to see," Ayrini told the older mymar, "I've always wanted to go to Mixinar. We'll have to go there sometime."
Gibbal gave a chuckle, "I'm certain you will enjoy it. Oh, before you go I have a few things for you." He reached in his pocket and handed Dylan a small rectangular box.
Dylan took it, opened it, and held out the contents, "New eyeglasses?"
"Remember when that one peddler told you he sold out his last pair?" The older mymar grinned.
Dylan gave a big smile and put them on, "No crack this time. I think these are better than the old ones. Thank you!"
"You're going to be needing them." Gibbal then reached in the sack on the ground, took two books, and handed one apeice to Dylan and Ayrini. They took them, then opened the covers.
"There's no title, and the pages are all blank."
"Yes," Gibbal then handed them two pens and some inkwells, "As you both read the stories others made, now it is time for you to write down the stories you will make."
Dylan wasn't sure how to answer as he took his pen and inkwells. Ayrini took hers and planted a kiss on Gibbal's cheek, "You've been so good to us. I'm only sorry you never found anyone of your own."
Gibbal answered with a gentle smile and tone, "Perhaps some of us were simply not meant to find our soulmate in this lifetime. I've seen people who married out of desperation, and I believe the single life, lonely as it can be, is preferable to theirs. However, that is something you certainly do not have to worry about."
Dylan extended his hand to Gibbal, "I guess this is it then." They shook hands.
"Take care of yourselves out there. Should you wish to take an extended break from your journeys, my house will always be open to you."
"We will," Ayrini answered, "and thank you, for everything." She gave him one more smile.
Dylan and Ayrini took Char and Bree by the reins, and walked them down the road that would take them out of town. They had no cart with them as they soon could go no further this direction on roads.
Gibbal watched them as they walked on, pleased to have played a part in the happiest moment of his friends' lives, and confident they would never part.
All the time he could see them as they walked off, they held their hands all the way.