Chapter 13

"I've never been here before," Seth commented, looking out at the lake. "I mean, everyone talks about it, but..."

"Not many come here these days. Which is good. I prefer privacy."

Seth glanced anxiously at Drake. "Well, I don't have a sword... They aren't too abundant at a doctor's house."

"Here," Drake said, tossing a wooden pole at him, who attempted to catch it. "If we were to use swords this early, I would be a dead man and dying isn't on my list of things to do yet. I have to get married first."

Seth laughed as he awkwardly held the pole. "Ah yes. When are you going to ask her?"

"Hopefully today. I'll get the ring after we're done here, and over to her place." Drake twirled the pole to face the young doctor. "All right, hit me."

Much of the next few hours consisted of an onslaught of attacks by Seth while Drake lazily hit them down, demonstrating the correct technique along the way. They finished once Seth had become too frustrated from his inability of hitting his teacher. 

"Not bad, doc. You have the strength, now all you need is the speed. We can work on that next time."

"That's fine," panted Seth, rubbing his arm where Drake had hit him last. "When will you be free? Sounds like you have a lot planned."

"I don't know!" Drake beamed. "I don't know what will happen after today." The proposal had suddenly grabbed ahold of him, his excitement and anxiety rising.

Seth laughed at the gaiety. "Well, good luck, my friend."

Drake took this as an official goodbye and set off back into the city. As usual. the Friday afternoon market was teeming with people. He nodded here and there to various people he knew before reaching the stand he desired. Hugh ran a small exotic jewelry  shop, open for business everyday, though on Fridays he set out his most prized products. As far as Drake knew, this was the only place to get reasonably priced merchandise.

"Ah, good afternoon, Drake my boy!" boomed the rather round owner, as Drake approached. He had come here so often to gaze at the gems he dreamed of one day buying for Leanne. "Finally going to get that girl something? Or perhaps for the new lady that is rumored to be livin' with ya."

"I know you don't really mean to intrude, but it's my personal business. But yes, I am here to finally make a purchase." Hugh's eye lit up. "May I see that silver ring I've been eyeing for some time?"

"Sure, sure." Hugh pulled out a hidden drawer beneath the stand and retrieved a thin silver band. "I've been savin' it for ya, just in case. But are ya sure ya don't want somethin' more... Extravagant?"

"Yes, I'm sure. This is perfect. How much?" Pulling the indicated amount out of his pocket, he slapped it down on the small counter. It was done. Drake had been looking at that ring for so long, he knew it would fit perfectly on Leanne's slender fingers. Perhaps it was meant to be, just like the heart his father had given his mother, but of course this was bit more formal and less romantic. 

Drake stood at Leanne's door, and with a deep breath, rapped his knuckles against the wood and waited. There was no reply. He tried once more, and a soft voice could be heard from inside. "Come in!" he heard Leanne say. Opening the door, he called, "It's Drake."

"Oh Drake! I'm in my bedroom." He closed the door and walked over to the doorway of Leanne's room. He had been here once, when he was little, and surprisingly remembered it quite well. Nothing had changed, though a much older Leanne lay in the bed of lavender sheets. He remembered how she had begged and begged for them for her eighth birthday.

"Where are your parents?"

"Out shopping. They will be gone for a while."

"I see." Approaching the bed and kneeling down next to it, he fumbled for the ring in his pocket and held it firmly in his hand. "Leanne... Are you feeling well?"

"I feel marvelous. Just a little weak."

"Ahhh I understand. Well good. You look much better - I mean, you're always beautiful - Ah - Leanne, look. Will you marry me?" He brought his shaking hand up to the bed and opened it. Now it was his turn to act like the fool. Leanne steadied his hand and took the silver ring. Smiling, she exclaimed, "Yes Drake, oh yes!" and leaned over and kissed him on the lip. Drake could feel the passion and relief wash over Leanne as their lips were pressed together. He felt not a care in the world. Truth was shoved into the deep recesses in his mind. Everything was gone except for his fiancee. Then they broke apart and the moment was lost. Reality returned. They opened their eyes and smiled at each other, her smile so wide her dimples that had disappeared with adulthood now resurfaced.

"When will we tell our parents?"

"Whenever you like, dear."

"Tuesday? Hopefully I will be out of this accursed bed by then... Oh Drake, I'm so happy! I've been waiting for so long for you to ask me. I was afraid something was going on between--"

"No, of course not. She is just a friend. The only woman I want to be with is you." He kissed her once more. "Four days, then."

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Truth walked into the room, her body glowing and her hair gently flowing. She wore her red silk, now in the form of a long dress that made her appear to float as she approached Drake laying in his bed, tired eyes absorbing her radiance. Truth's face now hung above his, her eyes shining cerulean into his black orbs. As their lips met, a fire surged through Drake and he was jolted awake. The morning sun filtered into Cassie's room through the closed curtains, the air crisp and cool. He rubbed his eyes and felt sweat upon his brow. Wiping it off with the back of his hand, he glanced up to his sister's bed, blankets neatly folded and no sign of a girl. Drake quickly sat up to get a better view of the empty bed, and after confirming her absence, scrambled over to the window and threw the curtains open, sunlight washing over his bare chest. It was already mid-morning. Frantic and confused, he stumbled to the door and yanked it open. Cassie stood by the table setting their nice silver dishes down. They had been his mother's prize possession, handed down from her mother. Cassie smiled as she saw her older brother. "Good morning, Brother. You're up kinda late."

"What are you doing?" stammered Drake.

"Setting the table, silly. Leanne and her mommy and daddy are coming over for supper, don't you remember?"

Drake froze in the doorway. The engagement! They had yet to tell their parents, which was why they had set up the meeting. Without a word, he ran out the door to the well that stood between his and Leanne's house, dropping the bucket in and heaving up the water. Because of his minimal time, his bath would have to be cold. By God he hadn't taken one in a week... Drake cursed himself for forgetting about today. Dumping the water into the basin on the side of the house, he returned to the well to find Leanne standing there, apparently searching for the missing pail. Upon noticing him, she trotted over to him and placed an awkward kiss on his lips, holding onto him even when they broke apart. 

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Just, ah, filling up a bath."

"Wake up late?"

"Ha, yeah, I was having a rather interesting dream -" Drake stopped, somewhat blushing.

"Oh?" Leanne winked at him. He gulped. She gestured toward the empty bucket he held. "Are you almost done with that?"

"What? Oh, yes, almost -" His lips were stopped by hers. This kissing thing was starting to get in the way.

Drake finally stepped back. "Are you ready for today?"

She giggled at his nervous look. "Yes." She fingered the silver ring on her left hand.

He mustered a believable smile. His insides were churning. He was nervous. Excited. Guilty. "I think I am too."

Truth's pounding heart came to a climax as she heard those words. So it was true, they were getting married, and now she had to sit there and act happy for them. The thought was repulsing. For once she was jealous of the young woman. A human. I bet she doesn't even know what love is. Drake should be lecturing her, rejecting her! Truth could feel the demon inside of her. It was what tempted her, the evil. It made her lie. Imagine horrid things. It made her wish Leanne dead. But not, that was not an option. Drake would see. He will see that I am the better one for him. Someone else had already poisoned her before she could. There had to be another way to get his attention. 

Truth glanced around the table. To her right sat Cassie and next to her was Leanne. Her father sat at one end of the table, Drake's father on the other end, each staring down the other's child. Drake and Leanne tried not to look at each other for they knew they were being watched. Truth said nothing throughout the meal. It simply wasn't her place to get involved, nor did she really care for any of this. Cassie was excited though rather anxious because no one had declared a reason for the meeting. Drake finally cleared his throat and everyone looked up from their dinner of venison to him.

"Well then, I'm sure you're all wondering why I have invited Leanne and her parents here," Drake began. "There is an important matter that I must inform you of." He paused and took a deep breath. "I have asked Leanne to be my wife. Naturally I ask for your permission--"

"Of course!" interrupted her father. "I mean, why not? We have known you ever since you were a child. In fact, we thought you would have asked her sooner." Leanne's mother silently nodded in agreement, her eyes never meeting Drake's for more than a second. 

"I just had to be certain this is what I wanted, sir. I hope you understand."

"And I support my son in whatever he decides. I think it is a marvelous idea," Drake's father mentioned.

"Yes yes, I understand. Of course it's a marvelous idea. Now Leanne, do you accept Drake's proposal?"

She looked down to hide her red cheeks. "Yes, Father."

"Good! So it's settled. When do you suppose the wedding will be?"

Leanne's mother's eyes lit up. "Darling, you don't have to rush things, they just--"

"Silence, woman!" His hand rose but he did not let it fall on it's target. He sighed and lowered his hand. "Drake?"

Drake dared a glance at Leanne for help, but knew she really had no say in the matter. "Well, we're not sure yet, but we hope soon."

"Very well. Aren't you happy, Leanne, sweetheart?"

"Yes, of course, Father."

"Good! Everything is just fine. Excellent meal."

The man is very amusing, thought Truth. So much anger and hate for himself and for the ones he loves, but also excited to see his daughter married off. Leanne doesn't deserve that happiness felt for her. Everyone is wasting their time on her. I will certainly not be singing at their wedding like I did for her.