The sun began its descent over Sela and Riven's outdoor wedding, casting a golden hue over the river of Jordans at the edge of the property. The air was filled with the scents of wildflowers and fresh water. Sela's hair, a lush cascade of pale brown with faint rouge tips and curls at the ends, caught the light, and her dark brown eyes sparkled with fidelity as she turned to her new husband. Riven, with his striking dark blue hair, met her gaze, a small, healed scar across his lips visible as he smiled.
Sela noticed how he instinctively covered the small, fading mark across his face near his left eye with his hand, a self-conscious habit. She smiled softly and gently moved his hand away, her fingers tracing the faded, almost silvered scar. The color in that particular eye seemed a shade paler than the right.
"It's a part of you," she whispered, her voice filled with endearment. "A beautiful part."
He squeezed her hand, gratitude in his eyes. They both turned toward the baptizer standing on the riverbank. With a solemn gesture, the baptizer led Riven into the flowing water first, then Sela. As the audience watched in honor of the newly joined couple, they were baptized in the cool river, swearing to protect each other forever and ever.
As they emerged from the water at high noon, the baptizer, a man gifted with elemental magic, used a subtle application of wind magic to clean and brush off any residue from their fine wedding clothing, leaving them perfectly dry and immaculate for the celebrations.
The reception was a vibrant affair, filled with music and laughter. Riven and Sela were soon separated by well-wishers, colleagues, and special guests. Riven found himself talking with Jax, a friend from his adventurer's party, when a casual question caught him off guard.
"It's a shame your mom couldn't make it for this occasion, Riv," Jax mentioned, taking a sip of spiced wine. "She'd have loved the spread."
The words sent Riven pondering, a small cloud forming over his otherwise perfect day. He politely excused himself and moved away from the noise, making for a quiet spot near a blooming magnolia tree. It was there that Sela found him.
"A penny for your thoughts, husband?" she asked, wrapping her arm around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Just thinking about my mother," Riven replied, his gaze distant. "Jax mentioned her not being here. Just... wondered where she might be right now. I haven't heard from her in weeks."
"I understand," Sela said softly, rubbing his arm. "She knows you love her, Riven. And she knows how happy you are today. She's probably just busy with her work."
"Maybe," he sighed, the worry not entirely fading. "Just wish she could have seen how beautiful you look today, Sela. She's the only one who knows how much I wanted this."
Sela smiled and pulled him closer. "We'll see her soon. For now, we celebrate us. You can ponder her location later. Come on, the cake is about to be cut."
She left him alone for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, taking a moment to breathe in the scent of her hair. It was then that another friend from his adventurer's party, Morgaine, rushed up to him, apologizing profusely for her lateness.
"Riven, I am so sorry! I woke up late," she exclaimed, smoothing her formal dress. "Had to retake a few magic lessons and study thoroughly in the biological and communication center at the Magic Towers. Boss is a stickler for protocol."
"It's fine, Morgaine, the party's just starting," Riven assured her with a smile. The Magic Towers were the heart of academic and business magic professions, and Morgaine worked with powerful mages daily.
After a brief conversation, she pulled a stamped letter from a hidden pouch. "I almost forgot. My boss in the paperwork department had this on his desk, stamped with his name, likely meant for the official post. I recognized your name on the internal address. It originated near the trade routes on the West Coast, the complete opposite side of the shores from us in Airabel."
Riven took the letter, his brow furrowed with curiosity. He broke the wax seal and opened it. It was from his mother, Ms. Anscalt. As he read her situation and the frantic plea hidden within the small print, his eyes widened in shock. The hand holding the parchment trembled slightly.
Morgaine saw his intense reaction and immediately stepped back, her calm composure returning. "I'll leave you to it. Enjoy the party." She walked off calmly to rejoin the others.
Riven read the note again, a faint smirk touching his lips that grew into a full, hearty laugh. His mom hadn't lost her charitable, stubborn will. He quickly folded the letter and slipped it into his pocket, rejoining the celebration. He had to enjoy this moment while it lasted.
Later, under the night's starry sky with crickets chirping in the background and lanterns already floating in the air, the peaceful scene enveloped the newly married couple. They found a quiet spot away from the music. Both of them started to speak at once, but Riven gestured for Sela to go first.
"I know you're going to tell me what Morgaine showed you in the letter, but first, why'd you have such a tense reaction, dear?" Sela asked, her tone gentle but curious.
Riven took a deep breath, looking up at the lanterns. "It was from my mom. You know how emotional I can get when it comes to family." He looked at her, his expression serious for a moment before a playful grin returned. "Do you want to know the details now or later?"
Sela smiled and nudged him gently. "You can whenever you feel ready, alright? But make that soon, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," he responded half-jokingly, and they changed the topic, their happy night continuing.
Meanwhile, cutting back to Ms. Anscalt, she had passed the Martian terrain and was now traversing The Silverenia Roads. She was exhausted but focused, having found refuge in a simple inn for the night. The coachman had assured her that she would be in Airabel around early to late morning in three days' time.
Three days later, she was finally on the last leg of her journey: a short boat ride across the estuary. It was proving difficult. Flash was wailing, much to her distress. For some reason, he didn't like the rocking of the boat at all. The soft storm outside made the ride choppier.
Ms. Anscalt tried every trick she knew. Finally, she resorted to distraction, using a simple game of peek-a-boo and making him follow her moving hand with his eyes. Slowly, the wails subsided to whimpers, then quiet yawns. Relief washed over her as he finally drifted off to sleep. She laid him down on the small, hard bed of the cabin.
Alone for a moment, she practiced her water magic on a small potted plant she'd kept with her since leaving Whimster—a small piece of home, and one of many she intended to give as a souvenir to her son once she arrived.
The cabin was quiet save for the rhythmic rocking of the boat and the soft rain. In the dim light, Flash opened his eyes, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above him.
Wait, where are we again? the infant Keisuke or in this case Flash thought as he slowly regained his adult minds inner monologue surprisingly, his small face remaining blank and innocent as he processed the new surroundings.