Magical Hearts chapter 2

Magical Hearts


Meeting my father-in-law: chapter 2



Once we land in a clearing some distance up the road away from the East gate. Justin says, “We did make excellent time. That has to be the fastest carpet I have ever used. You two did excellent on its creation.”

I smile and say, “Thank you Master Justin.” I bend over just low enough to give Isabel a peck on the cheek. Before I move away I whisper, “Thank you Isabel that was the fourth time I tried that enchantment, and the only time it worked. I definitely cannot do that without you.”

Isabel shines at the compliment. She turns her head and catches my lips. I know this is not normal behavior for a betrothed couple. Usually any type of public display is highly frowned upon. However, I truly do not care. I love Isabel, and wish to marry her at the first possibility. If her father accepts the dowry I have gathered, it could be as early as tomorrow morning; because I am orphaned, Isabel need not produce a dowry.

Justin gets our attention. Apparently, our arrival noticed by many within the city. Several children have rushed through the gate to see the wizards and their magic carpet. The children are first, and to Isabel’s delight, one is her youngest sister. Younger girl runs to Isabel calling out to her, Isabel turns in time to catch her as the two hug. The younger looks much like Isabel did six years ago, the same black hair and blue eyes as her sister. Her younger sister says, “Isabel your back, Mommy has been so worried, me too.”

Isabel giggles at her sister’s excitement she says, “Rebecca how could I stay away from you.”

Several adults approach us at an unhurried pace. One of the first is obviously the captain of the guard; I met him once when he was a lieutenant long ago. He had been the one who arrested the Raiders. Some crimes still merit the death penalty in the city, murder is one of them. He oversaw their executions.

Justin greets him, shaking his hand and asks, “Michael, I hear my brother-in-law is in the city. I hope he is not causing any trouble.”

Michael is a good-natured man with a quick wit and goodhearted humor. Smiling he returns, “No more than usual for the old scoundrel, now what brings you here in such a rush.”

Justin tilts his head in our direction. We still stand side-by-side our hands interlaced. Michael recognizes me finally and asks, “What happened to Julius the little boy? Who is it that you have a hold of there, is that little Isabel?”

With a bright smile I say, “Michael it has been a long time, I grew up, apparently we both did.”

Isabel’s little sister is more than a little impatient interrupting she says, “Isabel you were glowing, how?”

Michael smiles and ask, “Yes, that is a very good question how you were doing that?”

Isabel blushes and ask, “When was I glowing?”

Justin answers, “They have not noticed yet, but it happens every time they kiss.”

Isabel and I look at each other. Every time we kiss, we have closed our eyes of course we would not notice. We begin to lean in for a kiss; this time with our eyes open, when we are inches from each other a harsh voice interrupts us. “Isabel Morgan, what is the meaning of this!”

Isabel backs away, her expression makes me spin around and step between her and whatever threat that needs faced. I am only mildly surprised to see the young girl slipper hand around the big man’s finger pulling on it she says, “I want to see Isabel glow Daddy.” I know now that I am looking at Jeremiah Morgan, leader to the house of Morgan, soon to be my father-in-law shortly.

I feel Isabel’s gentle hand on my shoulder and she steps around me to face her father. Justin steps between us and says, “Good to meet you brother-in-law. I do have a long story to tell you. Perhaps it is best in your tent.”

Jeremiah turns to Justin blinks in recognition then smiles, he asks, “You mean she made it to you and then here and only five days?” Justin smiles warmly at his brother-in-law.

Some of the kids have approached and nervously touched the carpet, when it does not do anything I pick up Isabel’s little sister Rebecca, and set her on the carpet much as I had Isabel. I pick up Isabel again and set her beside her sister. Jokingly I say, “Do not let your sister fly off with that thing.”

Rebecca giggles and says, “I will not let Isabel flyaway.”

Isabel’s eyes laugh but she holds her humor inside to spare her little sister’s feelings. One of the children tugs on my pants leg he asks, “Can I ride with Rebecca?”

Both Rebecca and Isabel give me a pout, but Isabel’s eyes still laugh. I turned to look at my father-in-law to be, whom laughs aloud, then says, “Welcome to my life young men.”

I take that as permission, and I begin setting children onto the carpet, I wave to clean their shoes of mud from the road as I place them aboard. Even Captain Michael has a gleam in his eye as I call him over I ask, “Could I trust the captain of the guard to watch over my carpet and its passengers as we come into the city?”

Michael chuckles and points out, “That would be hard to do from the ground.”

Smiling I agree, “Perhaps a better vantage point can be arranged.”

The dozen or so kids look wide-eyed as I gesture and the captain lifts off the ground, leaving the dirt and mud off his shoes. He flies to the center of the carpet where he lands with a chuckle. I step as if I am walking up stairs onto the carpet.

Justin chuckles and says, “Now you are just showing off.”

With everyone on the carpet that wished a ride, I begin moving us toward the East gate. As we get closer, it is easy to see that the carpet will not fit through with the normal traffic. I asked permission if I can cross the fifty-foot high wall of the captain, he merely shakes his head, he is enjoying the ride as much as the children are. I slowly rise the carpet up, and several of the children giggle as they wave and call down to their wide-eyed parents.

We cross the wall and set down near the Central fountain of the Plaza, just outside of the bazaar and only a short distance away from the gate. The bazaar has many colorful tents, all belonging to house Morgan. A wide grassy area backs up to the walls. A cobblestones street run from the gate, and creates a large central patio around the fountain. A large grassy area with other cobblestone streets is set up for a farmers market now used by house Morgan. Across a small park, is the main merchant’s quarter of Camarillo, many shops are on the street that faces the park and bizarre.

Camarillo exists because of the rich farmlands, a deep port, and its proximity to the capital of New Cowan.