Chapter 22

It was mid-summer that Forever welcomed two hara on their way to a training session at Harling Gardens: Ashmael and his long-time consort Phylax.

What with the flurry of political activity immediately following the Ascension, Ashmael had been occupied solidly for months and it had been several years since he had paid a visit to Galhea. Cobweb looked forward to seeing him again, as well as meeting Phylax, whom he had never met. He was curious what he would be like, especially considering their ultimate destination. Cobweb mulled it over: Ashmael hosting? Or would it be his consort?

The day of their arrival, the sky was heavy with clouds and rain poured down in sheets. Cobweb stood in the second floor window he had always used to watch for arrivals on the drive. Finally the two horses appeared and the hands ran out, ducking under hooded cloaks, ready to take them to the stables, while the riders slid off their mounts and hastily removed their bags. Cobweb smiled, knowing his skilled hospitality would be most welcome and appreciated.

As it happened, Swift and Seel were in town at that particular moment, so it was left to Cobweb to offer greetings as well as refreshments. Hot tea and delicate sweets, covered in sugar powder, were brought out into the sitting room as servants took away the visitors' wet cloaks. Ashmael and Phylax sank gratefully into the couch.

"I really have been missing the old Parasiel hospitality," Ashmael said. "It's good to see you."

"Likewise, my friend." Over the years Cobweb had indeed grown to respect to the prominent Gelaming, for while at first he was full of cockiness, over time his manner had tempered. Privately Cobweb wondered if this was the result of his chesna bond.

Phylax was not at all what Cobweb had expected. Ashmael had long seemed to favor the most markedly soume of hara, including Cobweb himself, and yet this Phylax was, if anything, the more solidly masculine of the two of them. Phylax was a dark beauty, reminiscent of Pellaz, but with a stronger jaw and heavier build. His hair was cropped short.

"I thank you for letting us drop by on the way to Harling Gardens," Phylax said before taking a sip of his tea.

"It only makes sense," Cobweb remarked, "since Ashmael will want to meet with Swift anyway and it's a long journey all the way up."

Ashmael reached for another cookie. "Ah, I forget, you've made that journey yourself."

"Six times," Cobweb noted.

"Six times?" Ashmael asked, swallowing. "These are delicious, by the way."

"Thank you." Cobweb had not even tried to cookies, as he was leaving them all to his guests. "Yes, I've made numerous trips up to Harling Gardens. Summertime trips."

"I wasn't aware. So you must know what we should expect then?"

Cobweb nodded. "Oh, yes. From that and writing letters. Lisia and I are always in touch."

"It seems the friendship you struck up with him has lasted a long time," Ashmael reflected.

The statement meant more to Cobweb than Ashmael could know. "Yes, and it's been excellent for both of us. We had a lot to recover from and learn."

"So true," Ashmael agreed softly, glancing over to Phylax. "And Lisia is happy now?"

"He's been very successful," Cobweb told them both. He gave them an update on Lisia's latest publication and how several chesna couples had gone up to the mountains on holiday that spring to take classes and then conceive and even birth their pearls. Several lodges had been built for that purpose in the nearest town, with a small industry developing around couples vacationing and beginning new life.

Ashmael and Phylax were impressed and reassured by these descriptions. They were soon to be sampling the school's offerings themselves.

Finally Cobweb had the opportunity to work the conversation over to where he wanted it. "So, Ashmael," he began, "I'm curious why you and Phylax need to visit Harling Gardens."

The pair exchanged confused looks. "I think that's obvious," Phylax replied.

"Ah, but what I want to know is... Well, Ashmael, you're very high caste. What help do you really need, whether it's conceiving or becoming a father?"

Ashmael chuckled, as did Phylax. "You're right that count, Cobweb -- I really don't think I need that help. Still, I thought... well, when Phylax and I began talking about it, I decided it would be a gesture to Lisia, after all these years. Remember, he was the one who kept saying--"

"'That har knows nothing about harlings!' Yes, I remember." Cobweb remembered anything and everything Lisia had ever said. His beloved was enshrined in his heart.

"Well, Ash wanted to go up as a gesture but also," Phylax added, "he wanted to learn more about hosting and all the rest. About birthing and raising harlings."

Cobweb quirked an eyebrow. "So, Ash, will it be you?"

"Yes," Ashmael replied steadily, with only a trace of hesitation. "I think so." He reached out for Phylax's hand. "We think that seems right."

From that point they moved away from the subject and onto news in Galhea and Immanion and various other corners of the world. Ashmael finished off all the cookies and finally Cobweb escorted his visitors upstairs.

Leaving Ashmael and Phylax in their guest bedroom, he headed back to his own room. Talking about Harling Gardens and thinking of chesna bonds had brought about inevitable thoughts. Would he have to make another trip? Would Lisia ever visit again? And when could they be together -- forever? The longing in his heart was wailing, growing stronger and stronger.

Cobweb sensed the visitors were taking advantage of the bath. Opal was at a swimming party at the home of another family in town. Swift and Seel would be gone several hours. He had time to think -- and time to plan.

He was tired of waiting, of feeling powerless. He was Cobweb. He could make things happen! In other circumstances, he would have resorted to magic, changing Lisia's mind by exerting his own powers, but in this case, he knew that would not do. There had to be free will or at least, an absence of coercion. Maybe he should simply get on his horse and ride up there, take Lisia back to Forever?

Riding. That was it! All at once the idea came to him, something direct and yet elegant. And it was perfect timing as well. Running a brush through his hair and grabbing his money pouch, Cobweb laughed as he turned the doorknob and headed out, bound for town.

The next morning Ashmael and Phylax were just finished dressing for breakfast when Cobweb sauntered into the room bearing a package.

"Good morning," he announced, holding out the wooden, latch-top box.

"Good morning," Ashmael returned, only then turning fully around and seeing the apparent gift. "For me?"

Cobweb pulled the box back. "No, Ash, for Lisia."

Ashmael smiled. "Ah, you want me to deliver it?" He reached out and took the box from Cobweb's hands. "This is fairly heavy. What is it?"

Phylax, who'd been putting on his shoes, looked over from the bed. "Yes, what is it? Just the box?

Cobweb couldn't resist wanting to show them. "No, actually it's something I bought in town yesterday."

"Show me," Ashmael said, bringing the box to the bed. "I'm curious what you would have bought him. Surely some frilly dress!" Before Cobweb could react, Ashmael laughed. "Only joking -- well, half-joking." Unfastening the latch, he said to Phylax, "You won't believe how soume he is."

"I think he's less so than you may remember," Cobweb told the general, who now had the box open and was drawing out the several pieces of clothing inside. "He's learned sansu and has ridden a horse all the way to Galhea on his own."

Phylax and Ashmael were holding up the garments, examining them. "Which is what this outfit is for," Ashmael speculated. "Light riding jacket, heavy riding jacket, and these pants, which are also for riding."

Phylax was holding the pants and chuckling. "I see what you mean about being soume. Look at the way these are made. Tight to the knee, then they flare out. It's rather--"

"Attractive," Cobweb finished for him. He had been lucky to find the outfit already made at one of his favorite tailored clothing shops in town, then had it fitted on the spot based on his recall of Lisia's proportions. Fortuitously, outfit was all in bright orange, Lisia's favorite color.

"Very attractive," Ashmael agreed, moving to put the two jackets away, only then noticing the two items in the bottom of the box: A long yellow silk scarf and a sealed envelope. He looked to Phylax and their eyes met. He then turned again to Cobweb. "So, think Lisia will want to come riding -- to Galhea?"

Cobweb was caught off guard, a rare occurrence. "Well, of course, he could use these for that."

Ashmael clucked his tongue. Phylax, meanwhile, was folding away the clothes into the box. "That's not what I meant." He motioned to the chairs set by the windows. "Come, sit."

It was only too obvious to Cobweb that somehow Ashmael had guessed at his motives. Still, he had been avoiding discussing the issue for so long that he continued to play at the game. "So what are you getting at?"

"Only the obvious." All three of them were now seated as Ashmael stretched his legs. "Swift and Seel told us."

Phylax nodded slightly in confirmation. "They told us you and Lisia are practically chesna."

"That's none of your business -- or theirs!" Cobweb burst out angrily.

"Ah, but it is now -- we've got your package to deliver!" Ashmael gloated. "Come on, don't worry, we'll do it, but I really have to understand this."

"Understand what?"

"Well, for starters," Ashmael began, "why you haven't just gone out and taken what you wanted."

Cobweb sighed. It was time to explain himself and at once, he felt a sense of relief expanding in his chest. He told Ashmael and Phylax the circumstances. Lisia had work to do -- this was why they waited. Cobweb wanted him to come live in Forever. He wanted to be bonded. Perhaps the gift would be a sign. The letter he had written had been a plea. Did Ashmael think it could work?

"I've never heard you so under confident in my life," Ashmael chuckled. "Do I think it could work? Sure I do, especially if I convince that pig-headed chesna of yours that he's got to come down here -- and convince you to go up there in exchange."

Cobweb was confused. What did Ashmael mean?

"It's a simple solution," Phylax offered. "You two have remained separated because Lisia has his life at Harling Gardens." When Cobweb nodded, he went on. "Well, did you ever think you were keeping your predicament a little black and white? You both keep thinking you have to live either here in Galhea or up in the mountains. Did you ever think about alternatives?"

"Like what?"

"There are several possibilities, the most obvious of which is you two living here during the fall and winter when it's warmer here than in the mountains, then in the spring and summer when he has work to do, you move up there."

"The summers are beautiful," Cobweb said quietly. The solution that had eluded him for so long seemed to have arrived.

"So you see," Ashmael began, "all we have to do is convince Lisia for you -- which I feel confident we can do."

Cobweb was nervous about leaving this personal matter in anyone else's hands, but Ashmael assured him. "We'll give him your gift and then find an opportunity to talk to him about your 'problem.' I'm sure I can convince him -- no magic even. Swift says--"

"Swift says what?" Cobweb wanted to know.

"Swift says Lisia has loved your for years. He saw it when Lisia was down here to help deliver Swift's pearl."

It was true. Cobweb only hoped that the gift, coupled with some personal persuasion, could bring that love to make a committment.