Threat of the Shadow Mage

TIME PASSED AND SOON DANTE WAS ALL HEALED UP AND PLANNING TO propose to Aspen the day she turned 22. They had built their relationship quite a bit since then and things were taken to a whole new level in every way. Cai found himself a lovely new wife, giving Aspen a new member of the family, the kids who were rescued before were beginning to show signs of a new maturity level as they began a new defensive arts club, and good things were happening all around the village as it was. Though all this excitement was taking place, Dante had lost his mother to a bad case of influenza. He managed to get over it quickly since he had Aspen, but it still hung heavy anytime he found himself deep in thought alone. Aspen always seemed to make things better no matter what the situation.

Then Aspen’s birthday came around, and Dante had put a lot of thought into the decision he was making.

“Cai?” he said as he came up behind him.

“Hey, Dante, how are you?”

“Doing well, hey listen; I’ve been thinking a lot about something, and I need to ask you about it.”

Cai was silent a moment, trying to find an answer to this riddle in Dante’s eyes. Stumped, he just said, “Let’s take a walk.”

After walking half a mile through a tree covered path in silence, Cai finally spoke up.

“So what is it you need to ask me about?”

“Well…you see sir, it’s about Aspen.”

Cai looked over at him, suddenly intrigued about what it was about Aspen it would be. “Go on.”

“For quite some time, Aspen and I have built our relationship and it’s taken a new course. These past eight months, I’ve been thinking a lot about this one thing. I just need your permission.”

Cai stopped, Dante doing the same.

“So what are you saying?”

“You are the only living relative and guardian Aspen has, and seeing that you are, I need your permission to ask your niece’s hand.”

Cai raised his brows, but remained quiet.

“Sir, I love your niece. I have since the first time I laid eyes on her. May I have your permission to wed Aspen, and your blessing?” Dante asked with the full hearted honesty of a child.

“Dante,” Cai put his hands behind his back and held a stern expression. “You have more than just my blessing and permission in marrying Aspen.”

Dante gave off a sigh of relief and laughed overjoyed. Cai put his hand on Dante’s shoulder.

“Yes, you may ask my niece’s hand. Go knowing you have, not just my blessing, but my trust and inherited love.”

Dante smiled. “I will. Thank you.”

With that, Dante went to find Aspen, and Cai watched him – smiling and thinking of how happy the two of them would be together.

Dante made a quick pit stop back at his house to fetch the ring that he had made for Aspen, and then went to find her near the village square.

“Hello Dante. Come to pick a pretty flower for your pretty lady?”

“As a matter of fact.”

“Alright, take your pick. I’ve got lilies, gladiolas, roses…well, you have eyes. You see what I have.”

“Ha, ha. Yes I do. I’ll take one of those Star Gazer Lilies there.”

“One Star Gazer, and that will be three shillings.”

Dante gave her the desired price and went on his way. Before he reached Aspen, he slipped the ring around the center of the flower.

“Dante, there you are. I was beginning to think you ditched me.”

“Me? Ditch you? The very thought.” He then held up the flower. “Happy birthday dear,” he said as he smiled cheekily. “Oh Dante, it’s beautiful.” She held it to her nose and inhaled the wondrous scent the flower bore.

“Thank you,” she said peeking over the edge of the petals. “You’re welcome.” Then something caught her eye and she looked into the flower.

“Dante?” she said pulling the ring from it. “What’s this?” she then asked holding it up.

“Well let’s have a look see,” he said taking it from her.

After a minute of looking like he was inspecting it, he looked deep into her eyes and asked, “Aspen, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”

Aspen was speechless, but her heart was over flowing with joy. “You okay?” he asked seeing she was getting weak in the knees. “Here, take a seat.”

He guided her to the bench they weren’t far from, and sat beside her. Holding up the ring, he said, “Aspen?”

She nodded but was too choked up to say anything at the moment.

Dante smiled. “Yes. A thousand times, yes.”

They wrapped their arms around each other and stayed that way for a couple minutes. Lillian watched from afar and smiled seeing them like that.

“He did it. He asked her.”

“What?” the clerk she was with asked.

“Nothing.”

Dante then pulled back and took Aspen’s left hand in his, and slid the ring onto her finger.