Free The Gathering by S L Dearing

ago with Jerry and Liam Turner."
    "Cool!"
    Joe turned to his mother who merely waved him off and reminded him about dinner as Ellen Turner had reminded her nephews.   Rachel asked about Rebecca.   Alia touched Rachel's face and moved her hair aside.
    "She just rode in with the Paulists and Hannah Turner.   There's your best bet."
    Rachel turned to her mother.
    "Same rules for you, Girlie."
    Rachel jumped back on her horse and trotted into the camp looking for the Paulist quarters.
    "And don't neglect putting your horse up,” Lorraine yelled after her daughter.
    The greetings continued until Vivian's assistants stepped forward and began to remind Alia that the guests needed time to rest.
    "Well, it would appear as though everyone's being ushered to their quarters so they might rest and prepare for the evening festivities."
    Aaron kissed Alia's hand.
    "Then we'll follow these fine young men and get our people settled."
    They walked back to the wagon and got in.
    "See you at the bar, Sean," yelled out Aaron.
    “Damn straight!   Wait till you try my new ale!”
    Sean laughed and waved as the wagon passed.   He then leaned towards Alia.
    "Did you know many rabbis before the War?"
    "No."
    “Me neither, but I get the feeling they weren't quite as…festive as he is."
    Alia smiled and shook her head, as she watched the wagons role into the barren.
    She turned to Sean.
    "I’m going to go and get changed.”
    Sean nodded and replied.
    "I'm gonna check with Duncan and Janeen and make sure that everyone is getting settled and that they have everything."
She smiled at him and turned towards the castle.   As she walked she looked up to the sky and there against the blue of the morning was another lone raven.   It circled and hung above the city.   Alia smiled and walked to the castle, grateful to see the bird.
    The raven landed and watched until she entered the hall.

 
     
     
     
     
    15
     
Slowly through the rest of the morning, wagons arrived at the Fail.   The bustling energy was electric and everyone was busy helping one another.   Alia was glad for all the kindness she was seeing from her meeting hall window.
    "Your Highness?"
    Alia turned around.
    "Yes, Vivian?"
    Vivian was shifting in her tightly laced shoes, obviously uncomfortable.   Alia sighed.
    "What's the problem, Vivian?"
    "Well, President Merganser has requested an audience with you."
    Vivian attempted to avoid the gaze she knew was now directed at her, but eventually she raised her eyes to meet the queen's and was immediately sorry.
    "I'm sorry, Your Highness.   I told him I would check your availability, but I didn't confirm anything."
    Alia shook her head and crossed her arms.
    "It's not that, Vivian.   I told him just this morning that I wouldn't have time for several days.   Just tell him we'll try to fit him in later in the week.   I don't think I can take his advances for the time being.   He's such a jackass."
    "Who's a jackass?"
    Alia turned to see her daughter, Sara, walk into the room.
    "Who else?"
    Sara pondered briefly by looking at the ceiling and tapping her chin with her finger.   She then snapped her fingers and pointed at her mother.
    "This early in, I would have to say…a Crystal."
    "You're so clever, Daughter."
    Sara shrugged and smiled.   She walked over to Alia and hugged her.
    "Don't worry, Mom, they'll be gone soon enough."
    Alia lifted Sara's face and looked at her seventeen-year-old.   She had Paul's eyes, deep blue and thoughtful, always so gentle.
    "Why aren't you outside shopping?"
    Sara smiled.
    "Coeli and I are going out later.   Besides, they aren't really set up yet."
    Sara stepped away from her mother and sat on the bench.
    "I didn't mean to interrupt, so go ahead and finish what you were doing."
    Alia looked over at Vivian, who was waiting patiently.
    "Is there anything else, Vivian?"
    Vivian realized that she did not have any more news, good or bad, to tell Alia, so she quietly shook her head and excused