Return to Turmus

With Trusk's hasty departure, I had to book passage back to Turmus from Ar and that left only Nigel with me. Suddenly I was questioning being so far away from Aris but this time away from him was needed and too, I must do some things on my own and I know I am heavily dependent on him. He has been with me for a great many years.

Plainly, the journey was horrid. Conditions on the way home were a bit less than I have grown accustomed to but I had a chance to practice the patience I do not possess. Highly irritable by the time we pulled into Turmus it was Aris I saw first; before I knew it I was in his arms weeping against him. I suppose it is true, you can't run from emotions, they only wait for your return to the places you feel safe. So far I had been able to push off the pain by keeping busy and focusing on business, it was only a matter of time. The ride to the winery was talk about the winery and Aris said there was surprise waiting for me there. While he wouldn't tell me what it was, I know for a fleeting moment I knew what I wished it was but soon we were talking about the morning. I would have a good night sleep and we would meet over a long breakfast and a pile of papers. The bottling had gone well and I had an overflowing warehouse of case upon case of perfect wines!

I realized he was taking me the long away toward the house. The winery calmed me, soothed every travel ache and pain. I breathe well here. Surrounded by my success. I noticed he avoided the road to the stables which was the quickest route to the house. This brought me to ask, "Have you seen him?" He looked at me tenderly, he perhaps was amazed by how long it took me to ask but nudged me as the wagon came to a stop and pointed outward toward the river and grinned. "Surprise", He said.

I looked out toward the river and screamed. There she was! I was off the wagon and running toward the docks and stopped dead to look at my ship! I own a ship! My business will grow, I own a ship! Majestically she rocked softly with the river waves. A small crew I noticed worked on her. Aris came up beside me and said we had a Captain though he felt Trusk would have been better. I had to agree, I miss him and looked forward to the adventures that were to be had on this ship. However the crew was busy making minor changes or adding a shelf here or there. I came aboard to give my inspection. I got a few looks but looked right back. This was my gold I was standing on! I did have to take out a small loan on the property to finish paying for it but it will be worth it ten fold.

I went into my cabin and looked around. I remembered the teasing between Trusk and I. My saying that I would decorate with pretty colors and pretty things. He firmly told me no or the men would be in a riot in no time. Of course I planned on smuggling some things in. Once in my cabin, how would he have known? The smile faded for a moment but I let that moment pass. After well over an ahn of going through the entire ship I stepped out to the dock. We will christen her the first voyage out which will be down river toward Port Cos. I need to hug my children.

I stood for a long moment looking at her name boldy painted, "The Wandering Vine". The winery and the ship aptly named. It describes us all. I watch people that have known people forever, have thrived in the same place for so long. Such a longing there is in my heart to be like that. Settled, part of a community. Remembered.

Once back to the house, I finished up a few details with Aris and closed myself in my room. After a long hot bath and laid in my bed for ahns, restless and exhausted. Glad to be home even if now it meant dealing with the things I ran from.