Page 182 of The Ranger

Markhel set his plate aside. “What is it, little one?”

She looked into his eyes. “I’m homesick already.”

Markhel threw Dallan and Shona a helpless look.

Shona studied her then stood. “Maida, you’re half Muiraran, right?”

“I think so.” She set her plate down too.

Markhel shifted so he could more easily hold her if needed. Separating her from her family was going to be a problem, and he prayed Time Master Dallan could help.

Shona studied Maida some more. “On what does your heart feed?”

She shrugged again. “I had no idea it needed to.”

“If yer half Muiraran it will have to be fed,” Dallan said. He put his plate down and stood, closing his eyes. “Aye, I sense yer heart, lass.” He opened his eyes and looked at Markhel. “Did she flux when she gave her heart to ye?”

“She did.”

“Flux?” Maida said in confusion.

Shona smiled. “When you flux, your Muiraran features can be seen. We’ll explain it in more detail later. But it’s odd that your heart isn’t feeding.”

“It has to be,” Dallan said. “Or she wouldna look as good as she does.”

Markhel turned Maida to face him, his eyes intent on her before a smile slowly formed. “She does feed, Time Master.”

“Och, aye? On what?”

He looked at them. “Don’t you see? She feeds on home. This place, its people. We do not see it because she is always surrounded by what she needs.”

“Ha!” Shona said and slapped her leg with a hand. “That makes perfect sense.”

“Aye it does. Which makes this verra interesting.” Dallan rubbed his chin as he stared at Maida. “Verra interesting indeed.”

* * *

The dance over,the Cookes and Comforts, along with the Wallers and others privy to the existence of Muirarans and time travelers, gathered in the barn behind closed doors for a wedding. It was well past midnight, and Preacher Jo yawned as he stood before Maida and Markhel. She was in her new wedding dress and though already joined to him, was still giddy at the thought of having a human wedding, no matter how small. Markhel liked seeing her so happy and was glad Major had spoken to the preacher.

“I can’t begin to imagine what lies in store for you two.” Preacher Jo said. “You’ve finished saying your vows to each other, and this is the part where I usually pronounce you man and wife and say you may kiss your bride. But I want to say something else first if I may.”

Maida looked around, her eyes coming to rest on Markhel, and he gave her a hint of a smile.

“Maida,” Preacher Jo said. “Your father came to me this afternoon and not only asked that I marry you and Markhel tonight, but that you had already, in fact, been married this afternoon. This made me ask questions, which he answered and then some. I now know things I thought not possible but are. That said, you’ve been given a great gift, young lady, as have Jefferson and Thackary.”

He nodded to Jefferson, Thackary, and their Muiraran wives who stood amongst the other family members in attendance. “Use this gift wisely. Do not make what you have become through joining with Markhel an idol.” He looked at Dallan a moment, then gave his attention back to them. Markhel was impressed the preacher was handling this so well, but then, hadn’t he known a few things about Time Masters before this? Hmm, perhaps.

“I was also told that you need your family, your home, and Clear Creek to survive,” Preacher Jo went on. “But we all need these things. Other than our love for our Lord, there is no greater love than that of your family. Get along, take care of each other, as we all try to do the same. But for you Maida, from what I’ve been told, you need them to live.” He gave a nod, and Irene stepped forward carrying a tray of glasses filled with an odd green mixture.

Preacher Jo motioned for Irene to pass offer folks a glass.

Markhel took Maida by the hand and gave it a squeeze. Ever since he figured out what Maida’s heart needed to survive, and Kwaku and Zara confirmed it, a new problem arose. If Maida’s inner heart fed off home and family, then it was only a matter of time before a large part of her food source was gone. This created the necessity to act quickly. Kwaku and Zara had to hurry to the palace and inform King Jaireth that if he wanted his ranger to pledge himself to lifelong service, then he’d better make the necessary arrangements for that to take place. This was the quickest thing they could come up with.

“This is on a voluntary basis,” Preacher Jo went on. “And will be for a while. It’s a huge decision, and one not to be taken lightly. For those who wish more time to make the decision, it will be granted. But for those who have already made up their minds, take a glass.”

Maida looked around in confusion as her parents, Uncle Colin, Aunt Belle and even Preacher Jo and his wife Annie took a glass.

“What’s going on? What is that stuff?” Maida asked.