Page 62 of Mattox
“Correct. Remember your father saying he thought I was dead?” She pointed to the side of her head. “That’s because, when that raccoon attacked, it cracked my skull. Your father and I lost contact with each other. Plus, I lost all memory of him and Alta Novis.”
He sat up straighter. “I know you lost your memory. You still say there are times things are a bit hazy for you. But…” He lowered his eyebrows. “You and Dad are still connected.”
“Yes.” Her smile widened. “It eventually came back to me. To the both of us.”
“So chances are good you and I will reconnect?” He turned to his siblings. “We’ll all be able to reconnect again?”
Lucien grinned. “Yeah, unfortunately,” he teased, eliciting chuckles from everyone.
Caralas sniffed and cleared her throat. “So, if the compound is damaged that badly, what of the campsites? I guess they sustained a lot of damage, too?”
Atty gave a nod. “Nearly all the tents were destroyed, and the campsites razed…on the north end.”
Mattox gave her a surprised look. “All the Normals?”
“Yes. However, there was very little damage or loss in the Mutah camps on the south side.”
“Is that because they took shelter amid the trees?”
“We’re thinking it is,” Paxton confirmed.
“So what’s happening right now?” Mattox questioned. “Is the conference still going on? Or has Father called it off?”
“He was debating that when we left,” Atty admitted. “Since Alta Novis sustained most of the damage, he’s hoping we can salvage the conference and use the storm as a lesson to the other battle lords.”
“In what way?” Caralas inquired.
“In the way the Mutah are helping us to rebuild,” Atty told her. “Rather than have me or Yulen try and explain and enunciate all the reasons why Normal and Mutah relationships can benefit each other, the battle lords are getting to see it and experience it first-hand for themselves.”
Caralas glanced up at Mattox, who also nodded. “You’re talking about their specialness, aren’t you? About how their differences make them better and stronger at some things, right?”
“Yes,” Fortune replied, drawing her attention to himself. “My name’s Fortune Kalich. I’m a Mutah hunter.”
“And a very close friend of the family,” Atty added with a smile.
Caralas held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” She scanned his face, then quickly glanced over his body. “Can I ask if you have a, uhh…”
“A mark?” Fortune supplied. “I used to have a tail until I lost it in battle.” He tapped his bandolier. “My weapon of choice is my knives.”
She glanced over at Renken. “Are you Mutah?”
“No. Just a Normal soldier who’s sworn allegiance to serve the D’Jacques Dynasty.” Renken grinned. “I’m also a friend of the family. Name’s Garet Renken.”
“And this gentleman standing behind me is my second, Warren Paxton,” Atty introduced. “He’s also my brother-in-law.”
“Well, since everyone’s made their introductions, may I do the same?” Mattox requested. Turning to Caralas, he smiled warmly at her. “This is Caralas Edge, Battle Princess of Vega City, and the woman I’ve fallen in love with. And, God willing, the woman who’ll agree to be my wife, and the next Battle Lady of Alta Novis.”
She stared at him, tongue tied and unable to speak, until he gave her a little jiggle with his arm. It was enough to jolt her out of her stupor.
“Well?”
“Yes. Yes, I agree!” She laughed and threw her arms around his neck to seal her promise with a kiss.
None of them saw Atty lean back and close her eyes to let her husband know the good news.
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