Homeward Bound

[DoS Archive]

From: ajadragbn@aol.com (AjaDragbn)
Date: 18 Apr 1998 00:55:09 EDT

Aja stood at the top of the stairs in her house, looking around. Maria swept by the bottom of the stairs on her way into the den where they gathered their things for the journey to Ballentyne. Aja carried her bag down and set it next to the others. Rico walked into the house and stood by her side.
"This everything?"
"Yeah." Aja looked over her bags and nodded a bit.
"Well, I'll take them down to the ship. We'll set sail whenever you are ready."
"Thanks, Rico."
"Don't mention it." he touched her shoulder softly and motioned to the other men to start taking it out of the house. Maria bustled back into the room and stopped in front of Aja.
"Everything in the kitchen is set. Are you sure Lord Huma won't be staying?"
"I don't know, Maria. But if he does, then it's not hard for him to put things the way he wants it."
"It's a shame he doesn't come with us."
"Maria, he really can't. Leaving now would put his Baronship in danger and that's far too much to ask of him. That and I really think I need to see home by myself." Aja looked at their portrait that hung above the fireplace. "I'll miss him, Maria."
"I know you will." Maria looked up at the portrait and then at Aja. "I'll bet he's gonna be missing you as well." Aja could only nod, her eyes welling up with tears. Trevor woke up from his nap, Aja picked him up and held him to her.
"Let's go and say goodbye to everyone, shall we. Then we'll see if Daddy will come wish us farewell." Aja glanced up at Maria who shook her head slightly. Aja sighed not having seen Huma all day, she wondered if he didn't want to see them off.
As Aja walked out the door for the last time she looked back. After she had been home, things would be so much different. She just wondered how much different.

[DoS Archive]

From: ajadragbn@aol.com (AjaDragbn)
Date: 21 Apr 1998 21:55:20 EDT

Aja stood on the deck of Gypsy Runner and stood looking at the ship yards as they disappeared from sight. She knew the message would reach Huma that she had gone. She knew he didn't want to see her go.
Aja wiped a tear from her eye as she turned away and was surprised to run into Rico.
"What's with the waterworks?"
"Nothing, Rico."
"Have anything to do with that messenger you sent?"
"You saw huh?"
"Sure did." Rico looked back at the guys on deck, then back at Aja. "So, you set Huma free?"
"Yeah. It's for the best."
"He won't think so."
"I don't know how long I'll be gone. He shouldn't have to wait for me, Rico." Aja sighed and turned her gaze back towards the docks. "He'll forget about me in time. I'm sure."
"And if he doesn't?"
"I don't know, Rico...I just don't know." Aja walked towards the railing her eyes staying focused on the yards, until they could no longer be seen.