Epilouge

== Epilogue ==
Ivetta shouts, “I love you dad!” just like she did before they were sucked away from Florence a second time. The words leave her mouth in a frantic flurry but then there is nothing there. She’s in her house. At the dinner table her family sits staring at her sudden outburst. Her mother, father, sister, and a young baby are there. Clearly a sister but one she doesn’t recognize. 
Her father smiles and says, “um, thank you honey but, uh, why the shouting?”
Her mother chimes in continuing to eat again, “hmm, you have been acting strangely since you returned. Must be the aftershock. Whatever happens just know your father and I are here to guide you, we all are. We love you, Ivetta.”
Her sister pipes up, “eww, speak for yourself!”
A wave of memories hit her. She’s been home a while but only just now remembers but at the same time she knows that’s not true. She knows she was just fighting that man, his armor nearly fully blackened. A knock comes at the door. A strange wave of joy hits Ivetta. Her mother says, “So early, or we must be running late. Ivetta, answer the door for your friend.”
Opening the door she finds a sight she never thought she’d see again. Her friend, her family: Castor. 
Castor has been back for some time but Ivetta seems to have been on autopilot for that time but now she knows she’s really back. Ivetta nearly bowls her over with a hug that Castor vehemently returns. After they break apart, Castor gives her a wide, crooked smile, “welcome home, for real this time.”
“You did it! We made it!”
“We did it. I…I did…so much. I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“I can’t wait.”
“You'll have to carve out a pretty big chunk of time.”
“I have all the time in the world.” They embrace once more, brimming with happiness. 
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Tobias prepares to block a blow with his sword but suddenly appears elsewhere in midair and comes splashing down into the mud. His horse stands there and flicks its tail looking at him placidly with his liquid, dark eyes. He gets up and swipes slick mud from his robes. The book on revenants in one hand, sword in his right, and two bibles carefully in separate pockets. He surveys his surroundings. On the ground beside him is a corpse that moves. He recognizes the terrible, disgusting state of his homeland and yet, it makes him smile. He dispatches the revenant and swings himself onto his steed. He rides down a path out of the clearing into the perpetually cloudy horizon. 
An unclear amount of time passes. A beautiful cathedral, dusty tomes line the walls. From the altar stretches a huge line of people that extends out the door. They are here to see the pope. Tobias himself. Older, greyer not possessing the same spunk he once had. An attendant hands him a vial with a needle he presses the needle into the arm of the man in front of him, depresses the plunger, and says a little prayer. To each he gives a blessing and cure and the line grows shorter. The attendant informs him, “Holiness, your meeting is coming up.” He nods and retires to his private quarters. He sits down at his desk and holds an old tome given to him by a friend many years ago in shaky hands. He hears a woosh behind him. 
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been quite some time. Castor sits alone on a hill top under a huge oak looking out at the setting sun. A gentle breeze hits her, calls, and calms her. The years have been kind to her. The worry lines that so etched her face in her youth have all but faded and she holds herself with a confidence borne of experience. A small basket sits next to her covered with a cloth that cannot contain the mouth-watering aromas that waft out.
Behind her she hears her magic swirl and woosh. She turns to see Tobias and Ivetta emerging from the glowing portal, it's been quite a while since she’s seen them but even after all these years their friendship has only grown. 
They settle in to their picnic in front of the vista. Castor smiles at Tobias, “how’s life treating you, old man?” Very aware of her own aging, she continues, “cure everybody and their mother yet?”
“Germany is doing well.”
“You look well too.”
“The Lord put his faith in you and so I put my faith in you as well, Castor. In the end it paid off.”
“I’m only glad I could help. I promised I would, it just took a little longer than expected.”
He nods solemnly but with a small smile. “I would like you to have this.” From his simple robe he pulls a small book, “I know the church caused the two of you no end of trouble but I would like to give you the bible I kept faith in.”
“My faith never wavered.” She takes the book gently and continues, “it wasn’t the church that was astray, but the people who were misguided.”
Ivetta chuckles slightly, “I can’t say quite the same but if anything has renewed my faith in Him it would be that journey.” They sit in quiet calm for a moment before Ivetta says, “I don’t think I ever thanked you, Tobias, for teaching me how to shoot. Saved my life multiple times. In a way…in a way I’ve had three dads. The first that died, you, and then Hollinzoller. I’m very lucky in that regard. I’m not sure how you feel about me calling you that but I had to say it.”
“But Ivetta… he is your Father.” Castor quips. Castor snorts and Ivetta chimes in giggling. Then even Tobias adds his hearty laughter. 
The laughter still rings in their hearts long after silence falls between them. 
“But truly, thank you, Tobias.” Ivetta affirms, a smile continuing to brighten her face.
Castor looks out at the vast Caelium about them. “I don’t remember my father but I consider you to be mine as well, Father Tobias.” She turns to grin at him, “even if you were…less than enthused by the magic bits.” She grows sheepish, a rare sight these days, “I’m still sorry I kidnapped you. Really, we definitely did need you though, as it turned out.”
Tobias smiles and places a hand on each of their shoulders, “I’m sure Hollinzoller is very proud of how his daughter turned out because I am very proud of the both of you.” Ivetta bursts into tears. Castor smiles kindly and rubs a hand on the nape of her neck brushing her triangular emblem. Tears prick her own eyes but none fall. 
“That means a lot. Truly.” 
A companionable silence fills the air and the three watch the sun sink lower and lower, past the horizon and into the Caelium. It moves slowly past the small islands, like their own, around them dotted with trees. A warm breeze edged with just a touch of cold ruffles their hair and clothes carrying the promise of another day.
Still looking out toward the setting sun, Castor says, “I know I don’t have to say it but…thank you.”
The End…?
Thanks for reading!