The Real Father
Ghent had taken some time out from he and Ada's recent discoveries to return to Heor. He didn't intend to stay long, probably not even the night. The weather in his homeland was unusually cold for the time of year. No one had been able to explain the cold front. It didn't bother Ghent much. It was just cold enough for a jacket, which was hardly a bother.
After coming out of the portal, a vehicle was waiting to take him to the base where he'd once been stationed.
He spoke with some of the soldiers, saw how things were changing now that his grandfather was in charge and not Grenholdt. Ghent himself had killed King Rudius of Galmae, so he was not surprised to learn that Danar, his grandfather, was in talks with Galmae for a peace treaty. It had been a long time coming and had nearly been lost many times. Ghent was happy. Happy that his people wouldn't have much to worry about, at least for a time. It was overshadowed by sadness, however. He had come to Heor alone and for a very specific reason.
Ghent was soon riding in a helicopter. It was flying to the outskirts of the capital city, Astca. The flight was uneventful and Ghent hardly spoke a word to the pilot or his assistant. It wasn't that he was ungrateful, he was simply somber. It took a little while to reach their destination. They landed in a civilian airport, but Ghent was immediately provided with an automobile, driver, and escort. They left the airport and Ghent stared out the window for a time. They passed by a flower shop. Ghent asked the driver to stop.
As Ghent got to the door, the woman who owned the store opened the door and apologized to Ghent. "I'm sorry, young man, but I'm just getting ready to close up." He smiled a little sadly at the woman and nodded politely. "I see, I'm sorry, I should have read the hours on your door. I was just on my way to visit my father and thought I should get some flowers." She looked over Ghent for a moment and then touched her hand to her cheek. Ghent was wearing all black, aside from his white button-up shirt. "I see. I think I can help just one more customer. Come on in." The same mild smile appeared on Ghent's face. "Thank you very much."
It wasn't long before he was back in the car. He was holding onto a small bouquet of flowers as they continued on. A few minutes more passed. The car came to a halt outside of a large cemetery. "We're here, Major. It's the second row, all the way to the right, by that mausoleum." Ghent nodded a little and opened the door. "I'll be back in a little while." The driver inclined his head a little and watched as Ghent walked away.
Ghent followed the driver's instructions perfectly and ended up in front of a large, gray marble tombstone. Etched into the stone was: "William Serai. 1954-2007. Soldier, Grandfather. You are missed." It was the first time Ghent had seen Serai's grave. Tears fell from Ghent's eyes and struck the grass at his feet. He set the flowers down in front of the tombstone.
"Happy Father's Day, Colonel."
Ghent had taken some time out from he and Ada's recent discoveries to return to Heor. He didn't intend to stay long, probably not even the night. The weather in his homeland was unusually cold for the time of year. No one had been able to explain the cold front. It didn't bother Ghent much. It was just cold enough for a jacket, which was hardly a bother.
After coming out of the portal, a vehicle was waiting to take him to the base where he'd once been stationed.
He spoke with some of the soldiers, saw how things were changing now that his grandfather was in charge and not Grenholdt. Ghent himself had killed King Rudius of Galmae, so he was not surprised to learn that Danar, his grandfather, was in talks with Galmae for a peace treaty. It had been a long time coming and had nearly been lost many times. Ghent was happy. Happy that his people wouldn't have much to worry about, at least for a time. It was overshadowed by sadness, however. He had come to Heor alone and for a very specific reason.
Ghent was soon riding in a helicopter. It was flying to the outskirts of the capital city, Astca. The flight was uneventful and Ghent hardly spoke a word to the pilot or his assistant. It wasn't that he was ungrateful, he was simply somber. It took a little while to reach their destination. They landed in a civilian airport, but Ghent was immediately provided with an automobile, driver, and escort. They left the airport and Ghent stared out the window for a time. They passed by a flower shop. Ghent asked the driver to stop.
As Ghent got to the door, the woman who owned the store opened the door and apologized to Ghent. "I'm sorry, young man, but I'm just getting ready to close up." He smiled a little sadly at the woman and nodded politely. "I see, I'm sorry, I should have read the hours on your door. I was just on my way to visit my father and thought I should get some flowers." She looked over Ghent for a moment and then touched her hand to her cheek. Ghent was wearing all black, aside from his white button-up shirt. "I see. I think I can help just one more customer. Come on in." The same mild smile appeared on Ghent's face. "Thank you very much."
It wasn't long before he was back in the car. He was holding onto a small bouquet of flowers as they continued on. A few minutes more passed. The car came to a halt outside of a large cemetery. "We're here, Major. It's the second row, all the way to the right, by that mausoleum." Ghent nodded a little and opened the door. "I'll be back in a little while." The driver inclined his head a little and watched as Ghent walked away.
Ghent followed the driver's instructions perfectly and ended up in front of a large, gray marble tombstone. Etched into the stone was: "William Serai. 1954-2007. Soldier, Grandfather. You are missed." It was the first time Ghent had seen Serai's grave. Tears fell from Ghent's eyes and struck the grass at his feet. He set the flowers down in front of the tombstone.
"Happy Father's Day, Colonel."