Ashes and Kingdoms

Full of water, the lake mirrors the sky, and as far as the green meadows can see, the cattle flock.

Nothing indicates that it was once a big city there. Even faint street tracks. A mere glimmer continued from the south to the lake, and a carriage stopped at its end.

There were two figures, nestled in a view that seemed lonely as desolation.

Ten years.

A word spilled by the youth was deeply emotional and satisfying. Relax one exhale, and he looks back at the person on the straw and narrows his eyes.

"In ten years, it's finally here. Thanks to you. You and the earth have regained their greenery with the efforts of the dwarves (Eifanes). Thanks."

The person I thanked was the woman who hid half her face in a mask. Waving long dark hair plays in the wind.

"We are not alone, Master Senato. You and His Majesty the Emperor have struck the right hand, so we could focus on bringing the barren wilderness back to life."

"Lord Farnein, the wise woman of the woods, the healer of the earth. Compared to you, my powers are insignificant."

Senato bows his head in awe. But when he looked up again, there was the harshness of the exchangers.

"It's going to be difficult. No one claimed ownership while it was a land of cursed earth, a land of death where no grass could grow and no bug could live... but if it recovered enough to let go of the cow, then the troubles would be avoided. Whether it's going to be the same as before"

I say that much like I'm half talking to myself, and no, that was this one problem, and I rub my face. So he looked at him like he had come up with something.

Why are you a cow? I know you fatten the soil with livestock manure, but sheep are more resistant to lean land, and you can get hairs. "

"Cows just eat the grass leaves that are out on the dirt, because sheep will be uprooted. Ordinary land can be careful and manage your head count to keep you from eating up, but this is... a thin piece of skin has finally just been stretched out on the dead earth. With a slight caution, we'll be back in the desert again."

"Really, I didn't know. It's also the secret of the dwarves."

"No, if you're a livestock farmer, you know."

Farnayne answered with clarity, then laughed small.

"I didn't even know I was going to tell you. There's a lot to be taught by all of you who work with me... and they lift me up like I'm a sage, but I'm actually not that knowledgeable."

"But in fact, reports have come from all over that your knowledge of plant growth is helping. It is also because of you that Nakte's reconstruction has progressed. [M] I'm probably running around on His Majesty's behalf, but you show up everywhere, just like Dragon Marquis. Did Master Utier teach you one of the mysteries?

Senato's tone and expression soften as they used to. Farnayne lay her eyes down embarrassed.

"I'm nothing. It's just that Master Utier's dragon is helping us a little... because the dragon of the god of hidden powers (Org) has the power to connect different times and places just a little bit. I'm just a human being, without any power or mystery."

That's what she said. She was the voice that didn't seem to believe her words. Still, she dares to emphasize.

"As a child crying in the back of the woods and essentially nothing has changed"

"... I guess so"

Awakened by old memories, Senato stares smudged and furnayne. Seems like someone else is no longer completely apart from the girl who once hid in a tree sea and couldn't even behave like a human being. Experienced the mystery of timelessness, the same appearance of rebirth.

Slightly, he snapped.

"You don't ask for anything. With strange powers and knowledge, connections to dwarves and dragon marquises, we use all of them for the earth and do not ask for anything in return. Even praise and fame. That's not what kids can do."

Farnayne laughed unexpectedly at Senato, who was seriously impressed.

"No, I'm asking for it in return, and I'm taking it. Do you think you are not happy that you have been so close to the next Emperor, and have even given him the pleasure and praise? You take your value lightly."

"... yeah, I guess. No, but it doesn't even seem like you recognize the value of power."

"Just kidding. How grateful we are to you and Lord Varys for your generosity. Even if we take one of the cattle, we can only do it safely with the permission and protection of His Majesty the Emperor."

Farnayne responded with hesitation, then fluttered and dyed her cheeks.

"If I say that I have a childish motive to be praised by you, regardless of power, can I be stunned?"

"No way," Senato replied instantly. "It's more of an honor. Such dedication is a waste for me as an individual stripped of power"

Furnaine also smiles back in silence at him, smiling at him in a dazzling manner. What we understood each other made sense without words.

I have the trust I have now because they showed courageous compassion for a girl with a wounded ugly beast when they were once fugitives of childhood and nothing together. I have no interest or intention, because I behaved as an individual.

A gentle breeze blows through the calm silence. A far-fetched cough arrived from the carriage, and Senato wandered.

"Apparently, time runs out.... you want to come with me?

A subtle, natural, answer-knowing voice. The last question I always throw at you every time I see you. The reply was also, naturally, something that should have been.

"No. I am with the earth"

"Then my gratitude and respect go with it."

Senato said sternly and, politely and deeply, boarded the carriage without saying goodbye.

The carriage grows smaller as it rattles through a roadless field. Slightly, a dwarf woman appeared around the edge of the lake.

"Yes, I've delivered the seeds. I haven't had enough cow food this year, and the milk is at best for the veal to drink. I hope I can make butter or something next year."

"Thank you, Igesa"

"You're welcome, because it's a waste of time just waiting for me with the carriage soldiers.... Did you drop him off again, Farnayne?"

"Yeah, there's nothing I can do to get to the capital."

"He's not asking you out because you're useful."

"I know."

We've had several interactions before. Farnayne spins words, staring at the shadow of a carriage that has become about a bean grain.

"... me, I love Lady Senato. That one didn't run away scared of me being ugly. With the most seemingly excuse of keeping it calm until it naturally healed, he didn't even justify giving up that he couldn't do anything about it, and he just continued to be patient with the little things that kept him eating. Because I love that honorable heart and deed, and now I want it back. To all this earth, where Senato will live and be ruled sooner or later"

That was a confession with a heat as strong and bright as the sun, despite a whisper disputed by the wind.

Igesa, listening in silence, exhaled one slow breath, deepening her eyes and mouth wrinkles.

"Anyway, it's magnificent. I guess you're just a little out of the ordinary after all."

"I wonder.... maybe? But if you're in the wrong place, there must have been someone who thought the same thing and offered love for a long time. Marriage, you know, it's not just a romantic achievement to get along with men and women. Right?... hey, don't laugh. No more."

Igesa shudders her shoulders and leaks a sneaky laugh at the “Sage in the Woods" who has become a normal maiden of love. Farnayne turned red and outraged with great indignation, swelling and turning that way.

At the end of his gaze are the lakes and the earth, which are spacious and unobstructed. In a cool breeze, dark hair dances lightly. She held it down with her hands and narrowed her eyes to make her feel good.

My lips dull and move small. Whatever the unspoken words were, a happy smile was telling the story of it all.

(Final)