Chapter 5: The Return Home

[Cat]

A few weeks had gone by when Cat walked into the girl’s tent and saw Amy sitting on her bunk reading a letter with a troubled look on her face. “Is something wrong?” Cat asked with concern.

“It’s from father,” Amy replied. “He wants us to come home.”

Cat looked surprised. “But why, we haven’t made any progress finding my father yet.”

“It’s just for a party.” Amy said, “But that’s a long trip for all of us just for that.” Then Amy proceeded to tell Cat about their cousin’s engagement party.

Cat smiled and said, “Oh Amy, we should all go. It will be fun to see all our relatives together for a happy occasion. Asuir will get to meet them all too.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~

You must read here for the party story. And you should read it before the next part of mine. You will need to scroll down to read the party...its in Amy's part of remembering the past. My story will then pick up again after that party.

www.rodguildsite.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=asuirlore&action=display&thread=1190560596

[Cat]

*Written by Sue and Daniel*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The girls sat in earnest discussion the evening after they returned to Caleb’s country home. “I know it’s rushed, but all of the relatives are here now.” Amy said. “It would be so convenient….and …..honestly, I just don’t want to wait!”

“We will all pitch in and help,” Angel said excitedly.

With the help of their mother, Sara, and Caleb’s cousin Mary, the girls worked to organize Amy and Asuir’s wedding.

It turned out to be not as much work as they anticipated. All of the relatives jumped in and volunteered with specific help, so Caleb’s home was soon turned into a beautiful site for a wedding. Word had been sent to the guild of the impending wedding, and a few of their friends had traveled to help and to attend the wedding.

*******

“Amy, Amy, aren’t you ready yet?” Angel looked as if she would start bouncing up and down any second with excitement. Her sisters looked on and chuckled. Ice looked very comfortable in her long dress. Cat and Kenzie on the other hand were practicing walking without tripping over the hems. Neither of them liked wearing dresses and avoided having to most of the time. They were, however, happy to make an exception this time.

“Are they ready downstairs?” Amy asked with a smile. Her cousins were amazed at how calm and serene she looked. She didn’t seem to be nervous at all.

“Almost, said her aunt Sara as she winked at Amy, “Caleb is just having a little talk with Asuir now.”

****

The main dining hall where the wedding ceremony was to be held was packed with guests and family members from all across Cantha. Asuir was stood by the door dressed in his smartest imperial attire, being inspected by Amy's grandmother. "Oh such a lovely boy" she said pinching his cheek, a terrified look on his face as he tried not to struggle from her grip.

"Well don't we look smart?" Asked Caleb walking over to them.

"Yes...but..ah.." Asuir tried to answer through the socially accepted assault that was grandma Mackenzie.

"Do you mind if i take a moment of Asuir's time?" Caleb asked grandma Mackenzie, pulling him into the study.

Inside Caleb shut the door behind them and took a seat in the room he first denied Asuir's request for marriage years ago. Asuir took as seat in front of him rubbing his cheek.

"Crazy old ..." Asuir noticed Caleb's glare. "....Woman".

"Hahaha...I knew I liked you for a reason, now the reason I asked you in here is a very serious one young man, you marry my little girl today, the only thing I did right is raise my daughter, and if you hurt her, no matter how small...I WILL kill you."

Asuir's eyes opened widely to a look of fright before Caleb burst out laughing.

"I'm just messing with you son...I'm sure you will make a good husband, now lets get you married" Caleb stood up.

"You have to stop doing that Mr. Mackenzie" Asuir gave him a brief scowl before shaking his head and laughing.

"Oh" Caleb turned to Asuir "Your best man has the ring right?"

Asuir put his hand into his pocket and played with the wedding ring, "Uh..yes..he does..i'll..just go get him.." Asuir ran out of the study in a hurry back into the main hall. Looking around franticly through the crowd for a last-minute best man, he mumbled to him self "Best man...best man..lets seeeee..Aha perfect."

Asuir walked over to Calif Born, who was still holding a chicken leg in his mouth and a second in his hand which he had taken prematurely from the buffet table.

"You, best man, now, no time to explain". Asuir grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into the study almost pulling him over..

"Here he is!" Asuir pointed to Calif, Chicken still in mouth, wondering what was going on.
*****

Angel, Ice, Kenzie, and Cat walked down the stairs, each escorted by Asuir’s groomsmen. Cat grinned at the nervous look on Asuir’s face and then winked at his best man in amusement, wondering why he was holding a chicken leg.

Then Amy came down the stairs, escorted by her proud father. Asuir looked stunned as he saw her in the most beautiful dress he had ever seen. She was wearing the one her mother had worn at her wedding. It was almost like her mother was there, to Amy’s way of thinking.

As she reached Asuir, they smiled at each other, and then both turned to face the monk that was to perform the marriage ritual.

The vows were exchanged and then the words they both were waiting to hear were said. They were husband and wife.

********

[Brul]

....musta been some gooood chicken...two fisted and still holding it in the wedding party

[Cat]

The girls decided to stay a while at the country estate and visit with their mom before she returned to Ascalon.

“How are you doing Catherine?” Sara asked her oldest daughter. She had talked to Angel and found that Cat was determined to find her father. This caused her a bit of concern for her daughters’ safety, and she was trying to decide whether telling Cat what she knew would make things more dangerous or less dangerous for them.

Cat sat quietly a moment, looking at her mother. She could tell something was bothering her, but hadn’t a clue as to what it was. As was her nature, she decided to tackle it head on. “What’s on your mind, mother? You look worried.”

Sara chuckled, “Reading my mind again, are you?” She looked into the distance for a moment, and then decided that it was better to regret what you did do than what you didn’t.

“Being here reminds me of Amy’s mother. She and Caleb were so happy when they married, just like Amy and Asuir are. Beth and I were friends with Asuir’s mother. Did you know that?”

Cat looked stunned. This was a complete surprise to her. She began wondering what else she didn’t know. “No, I didn’t know.”

“Yes, we went to school together here. It was a long time ago.” Sara watched a cat playing with a bug on the front stoop as she carefully thought of what to say next.

“Do you remember when we came here for Amy’s mother’s funeral?”

“Yes.” Cat replied. “She died in an accident. Amy was devastated. So was Uncle Caleb.”

“Yes…an accident.” Sara quietly repeated.

Cat raised a brow at her mother’s hesitation. “It was an accident? Wasn’t it?”

“Your father didn’t think so.” Sara replied. “Don’t mention it to your Uncle Caleb; he never said anything to him. He had no proof of it.”

Cat looked puzzled. “Why haven’t I heard any of this before?”

Sara sighed. “I haven’t mentioned it because after your father looked into what happened, he became fearful for our safety. He left us to protect us from someone. I don’t know who for sure, so don’t ask.”

Cat sat there looking shocked. She had misjudged her father’s motives for leaving, and felt a little perturbed that she hadn’t known the truth before.

“Please keep this to yourself,” Sara requested. “I know it’s been a long time. But it still might put all of you in danger.”

Cat looked stubborn for a few moments, then nodded to her mother and looked into the distance deep in thought. She was even more determined to find her father now. Added to that, she was determined to find out what had happened to Amy’s mother.

[Crimerian]

oooooohhhhhh nice, and so the story will unfold but watch out for the curve ball

[strider]

i'm looking forward to reading more. the plot thickens!

[strider]

*taps foot impatiently*

[Cat]

I do need to work on this. *writes it on the to do list*

[Brul]

Don't make me come over there and "edit" that to do list and put it on top...

[Cat]

The girls enjoyed their stay with the kinfolk and friends for a few more days, and then headed back to their original task. “Amy, you and Asuir don’t have to go back with us now, you know,” said Cat. “We’ll understand if you want to settle down in Kaineng.”

“Don’t be silly, we are going with you.” Amy firmly took hold of some of the luggage and loaded into the wagon. “This time we are going in style.”

And indeed they were. Amy’s father had provided them with a wagon to travel in. It would allow them to travel more comfortably. They would still be setting up camp, but with more amenities.

It was just the girls and Asuir traveling this time. Everyone else from the guild that had come to the wedding had gone back sooner. They sat talking each night around the campfire. Cat asked Amy and Asuir questions about their childhood. When they met, what they remembered of their mothers, so many questions. She worked it into the conversation along with other things, trying to hide that it was the information she was keen to have. As far as the rest of them knew, they were just making conversation.

She didn’t bring up anything about when Amy’s mother died though. She didn’t know enough herself to ask specific questions, and there was no point upsetting Amy when it was likely that she wouldn’t even recognize what was important to her search for the truth.

As they made camp the last night out before they would reach the guild’s encampment, Cat thought over what she now knew. Asuir’s mother was named Len Saphira. She had died during childbirth, and for some reason they had never had contact with her family. Asuir’s thoughts were that perhaps they somehow blamed him and his father, Jarred Laheri, for her death. That was only speculation though, as he had never met any of them.

Asuir smiled whenever he talked of his father. Cat was a bit jealous; it was obvious that Asuir and his father were very close. Just like she had been with her father, only her father had left. Then she shook off the feelings, after all, Amy and Asuir had been without their mothers, just as she had been without her father. There was nothing to be jealous of. Petty emotions lead to petty people she thought to herself. I don’t want to be that way. She then drifted off to sleep.

[Brul]

moar plz....waaay to short....but good

[strider]

i concur.

it was a very good teaser, but entirely too short. the people demand more!