17 Home in Ellos

A few days after Jaelan's delivery of the egg and the successful transference to Lady Senisari, things returned to some semblance of normalcy.

The craze that had befallen the half-god immediately receded upon the egg giving a bright and radiant glow from within the Priestess. Its luminance was so vibrant that every occupant in the tent reflexively turned their face away and shielded their eyes.

Then almost as if waking from shock, clarity returned to the young warrior, and he went lax in the hold of his friends, head falling onto his chest and sweat matted hair tumbling down, sleep claiming him by the toes and allowing him rest until the next day.

Only then, the flaps to the pavilion were pulled open, allowing both Chieftains to rush inside and take to matters. Jaelan was immediately wrapped snuggly within a blanket and lifted by his father, the Chieftain's muscles rippling as he exited the tent and stood firmly in the downpour to access his people who were still kneeling in rings about the tent. The Ellos clan had stood to their feet and bowed their heads low. Many faces bore signs of relief and hope for the future.

With his long wet hair plastered to his neck and face, the Chieftain turned and began to walk quickly back to his abode to lie his son down in a bed, his wife following on his heels also drenched to the bone. Her hands were clasped together as she peeked over her husband's shoulder. Eager to catch a glimpse of her son, who she hadn't seen in over two months. The lines of worry wrinkled her brow as she caught sight of the pallor of Jaelan's face.

"Call your daughters," She ordered once Jaelan was lying on the bed. "I need them to help me get him back in order."

The Chieftain nodded his head. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on his wife's forehead before turning and departing from their home.

Long fingers grabbed a sash from the bedtable, and Jaelan's mother drew her long, frost-white hair up from her face. Her eyes never left her son's reposing face.

"Oh, Jaelan." She murmured, one hand cupping his cheek with affection. "Of all my children, how is it you who manages to worry me the most?"

She sighed and got to her feet—intent on getting her son back on his feet in twenty-four hours or less.

:::

Upon Jaelan's awakening the following morning, many things needed to be taken care of.

The two young warriors were seated together by the breakfast table, their fathers across from them, each sporting wrinkled brows depicting how years of leadership aged them. Talk of business began before the women could even bring food to the table.

Jaelan filched a plump, red grape from the bowl, his eyes never leaving his father as the man lectured in detail about what had occurred while the two of them had been on their search for relics.

Sipping jasmine tea, Wylen nodded as his father motioned with his hands, retelling the visions Priestess Senisari had shared with them. He stole a glance at Jaelan from the corner of his eye and smirked when he saw his lover pop grapes into his mouth one after another. His cheeks were puffing up like a woodland chipmunk.

"This is not something to be taken lightly." The Aldor Chieftain traced his beard with his fingers and looked to his companion. "We need to hasten the pace for everything."

The Ellos Chieftain nodded, "Indeed."

Now having understood fully about what transpired, Wylen and Jaelan felt relieved of the tension they carried on their shoulders for a little over a fortnight. It was good to be back around familiar faces. And having their fathers by their sides, they knew whatever would come their way; reinforcements would be standing right behind them.

Priestess Senisari had still to awaken, but the two warriors were not worried. Their fathers assured them that the young Lady had foreseen all and had revealed to them in advance what to expect upon the successful delivery.

"That was our son," Wylen repeated under his breath for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. His fingers drummed a beat over the table covered with assortments of platters while he continued to listen to the others speak of the future.

By this time, they were joined by the Crown Prince Taemor, as well as Eunuch Heekam and the Great Priestess. Jaelan remained by his side, his regal and captivating grace having returned to him now that he was in complete control of his faculties—and had consumed his full of sweets and breakfast.

Squeezing his hand beneath the table, Jaelan looked at Wylen and smiled, remembering the glowing egg vividly.

"Mhm," He hummed back low in a velvet tone.

It all felt surreal to him, like a dream. He could hardly believe that through the whole month of their return back home, he'd been growing a child within him. He had been creating a life inside his body without any knowledge of it even occurring. After the shock of it all had worn off, he still couldn't believe that he, a man, had borne life.

"The joining ceremony will commence tonight. "Jaelan's father announced after having his cup filled with sweet wine. He lifted it to the level of his eyes and smiled widely, the beads woven into his long flowing hair reflecting in the metal goblet he held. "It would be an honor if you would attend, Crown Prince."

The young men snapped their heads back to the ongoing conversation.

"Tonight?" Jaelan mouthed to Wylen.

The other shrugged, excited.

The wine was brought to the table and was immediately poured for all those seated.

"It would my pleasure," Prince Taemor insisted with a smile, giving his head a slight bow and sneaking a glance at the two warriors sitting side by side at the farther end of the table. His adam's apple bobbed in his throat as he witnessed Jaelan lean over and whisper something into Wylen's ear, making the other clothed clansmen grin wider. He returned his gaze to the awaiting Chieftain. "It is my honor to be part of something of such caliber. To think I had a part to play in bringing this prophecy to fruition. I am astounded."

Wylen's father chuckled, letting the wine trickle down his throat as he drank from his cup.

"This joining ceremony will be an exceptional one." The Ellos Chieftain smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "After all, it isn't every day that we join two different clans together in union. Especially two unique souls like these." He motioned towards his son and Wylen.

"I would love to assist in any way I can." The Crown Prince continued, eyes radiant as he raised his cup. "It is on my insistence that I leave with you my most trusted man." He turned to his eunuch, gesturing towards him with an open hand. "Eunuch Heekam will stay with Jaelan and Wylen to help them in any way he can. If you ever need anything, send me word through him."

Wylen and Jaelan smiled wide, honored beyond all means as they bowed their heads to the Crown Prince.

Heekam smiled in turn, having already known he'd be staying with the two men. There was just something about the pair that drew him. It was indescribable. As if he had known them in another life. In another world, eons ago. He could feel the warmth bubbling up from the bottom of his chest as he watched them. A sense of belonging rippled out from him like a droplet of rainwater in the serene flow of a river.

The Crown Prince had spoken to him about the matter late last night, and together they had determined it best for him to stay beside the two men. Knowing there was a lot to be handled in the future if the prophesized child were to create an empire.

"As we discussed yesterday," Wylen's father chimed in and placed his goblet back on the table surface, the beard across his chin, quaking as he spoke, "We're going to have to find land and form a settlement when Lady Senisari awakens. Neither of our villages can support all of us fully. We will need to move and join into one unit."

"Come now," Jaelan's father chuckled, looking happily upon his son and catching the happiness in his gaze. "We'll have plenty of time to discuss that later. Let's focus on celebrating tonight."

"Yes!" Heekam agreed. "Tonight should be all about Wylen and Jaelan. No talk of business and prophecy for the rest of the day. Let the wine flow until neither man can tell their behind from their face!"

Wylen's father laughed, throwing his head back and creasing his eyes humorously. "Alright then!"