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Summer of Victory: Interlude #20
A Man's Passions The couple stands on a small balcony looking over Aberglain. Owen's hands rest on the railing. Calisse's smaller hand rests on top of one. "It's a beautiful morning, isn't it?" she offers. "We're both home. That alone makes it a beautiful morning." Owen turns to face his wife. She's even more lovely now than the day I married her, he thinks. "But yes, the sunrise was magnificent this morning." "You hardly slept last night." Calisse knows that something is bothering him, but eases into it gently. "It's this upcoming trip, Calisse. I don't know that the Court of the Land will understand the proposal." Owen brushes Calisse's golden hair behind her ear. "I know you understand. And certainly Gwenllion understands. The people of Geoff understand. But it's Gyri hands that push the plows and weed the fields and pluck the apples from the trees. They come home and wash the dirt from their hands every day. They feel the connection. They know what it is to have a relationship with the Oerth." He sighs. "The Court of the Land... that very word... Land. It has a completely different meaning for them." "Owen, love. I have faith that you will make them understand. The Court has their hands in different things - things that you must start to get used to now that the war is over. They do their own hand-washing at the end of the day." Calisse rests her head on her husband's shoulder. "It is your passion for the land that will bring the understanding." Owen kisses Calisse's forehead and wraps his arms around her. "It's not just the trip. There's so much more. I'm hearing reports from the Dim that the trouble there is increasing. And Gorna is still partially occupied. The high elves have named a new king. And there's no word from King Garnet of the gnomes. And the Old Faith... " "Shhhhh." Calisse silences him with a gentle kiss. "One thing at a time. You are a strong leader with a High Court to rival those of legend. Take care of your people and they will take care of you. They are strong. And they love you. You saw how they cheered you at the final battle of Gorna. When you were there to lead them, they followed you immediately. They would follow you anywhere. My adventures in the Fey lands are proof of that." Owen steps back a little and is suddenly more distant. "That is what worries me. They followed so easily and so many of them to their deaths." Calisse sighs. "Owen they knew whose life was more valuable. None of them could save the land but you could and you did!" Moving in close, she takes his hands in hers. "Their sacrifice made our victory possible." "And what about our sacrifice?" he asks, squeezing her hands tightly. "What did we give up?" Calisee frowns. "Months of separation. Wasn't that sacrifice enough? The Greenman is satisfied, what does it matter." Owen looks over the city, almost as if he is afraid to look directly at his wife. "I suppose I am still not quite myself. I am having trouble seeing things so clearly as you." "Then let me help you find yourself once more." Gently, she tugs on his hands with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Chuckling, Owen takes a few steps, scoops his wife off her feet, and carries her inside. 
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