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“Why not?” Potbelly exclaims.

“Be the best money maker we’ve ever had,” adds Scar.

Silence falls for a moment then Jiron says, “I would just like to see Tersa again. See how her teddy bears are coming along.”

“Every woman in Cardri will be making them before long,” Shorty says.

“Perhaps,” agrees Jiron. Then he looks to Aleya who’s sitting next to him, propped up against the wall behind her chair stands her bow and a quiver now full of arrows. Jiron had managed to find a fletcher here in Zixtyn and bought her a score.

“There’s been something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time,” he says as he gazes to her.

“You have?” she asks.

“Yes,” he replies. “And if I don’t do it now I may not have a chance to later.” He takes her by the hand which begins to tremble in expectation. “Aleya, though we have only known each other such a short time…” he trials off as he has to clear his throat. He sees her nod for him to continue.

“I’m not what you could say a great catch. Not rich, never home and likely to be killed at any time, but…”

“Yes?” she asks with a catch in her throat.

“Would you be willing to be my wife?” he asks. The whole room becomes silent as everyone in the room strains to be able to hear her reply.

A single tear runs down her cheek as she nods. “Yes my dear Jiron,” she says. “I would.”

“Yes!” exclaims Stig and the others clap as the engaged couple share a kiss.

“A toast!” hollers Scar.

“Yes, a toast,” the others say as the ale in their mugs is quickly refreshed. Once everyone’s mug is filled, they turn to James who suddenly realizes he’s the one they’re looking to make the toast.

Getting to his feet, he turns to the couple and says, “Not very good at this, but here it goes.” He sees a reassuring nod from Jiron and a smile from Aleya. “To Jiron and Aleya, may the life they embark upon be filled with joy, happiness, and lots and lots of children!” At the mention of children he sees Jiron’s eye’s tighten in panic but then relaxes when he realizes there’s some time before he’ll have to worry about one of them coming into their lives.

“To Jiron and Aleya!” the others say and raise their cups.

Then Scar comes forward with two beautiful silver cups of fine workmanship. “Jiron had informed me earlier today that he planned to do this,” he explains. “So the rest of us went out and bought these as a gift.”

Potbelly comes forward with a bottle of wine. Opening it, he fills each of the cups before handing them to Aleya and Jiron. “Can’t have the first drink you two share after something like this be just ale.”

“Thank you,” Aleya says as she takes hers.

“Yes,” Jiron states. “Thank you all.” Taking his cup, he entwines his drinking arm around hers and they both drink at the same time. Cheers and applause erupt as they finish the wine to the last drop.

Setting their cups back on the table, they gaze into each other’s eyes. Then Jiron leans forward and gives her a kiss. She returns it. Her eyes close and when he breaks off the kiss, her head lolls to the side.

“Sorry my love,” he says to her as he picks up her unconscious body and carries it over to the bed. Laying her down, he turns to James and asks, “Do you think she’ll ever forgive me?”

“Only time will tell,” he says.

“Is everything ready?” Jiron asks Scar.

“As ready as can be,” he says.

Jiron gets up off the bed and then turns to Reilin, Shorty and Stig. “If you don’t see her safely back to The Ranch, I’ll personally hunt each of you down and kill you.”

Stig lays his hand on his shoulder. “Only our death is going to prevent us,” he says, “rest assured.”

Earlier that day, Jiron and James had come to the conclusion that where they are going, it would be pure folly to take Aleya and Aku along. Reilin, Stig, and Shorty agreed to escort them back to The Ranch starting at first light. He wanted Scar and Potbelly to accompany them as well, but they would not be denied their chance to have some fun. Said they were tired of always being left behind.

“Okay then,” Jiron says. Coming back to his Aleya, he bends over and kisses her upon the forehead and moves a