EPILOGUE

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  Ember scraped a sharp stone across the branch, another piece of wood curling away beneath his hands. It fell to the mossy dirt amid a pile of shavings, smelling of newly cut timber and pleasant memories. He didn't need to use the chipped stone, having acquired a knife and various other implements along his travels, but it was a sacred experience which held memories of the first wooden weapon he had carved many summers past. Pitch clung to his roughened fingers, but it didn't bother him.

  He enjoyed working with his hands.

  A tendril of smoke wafted up toward the roof of tangled boughs overhead, remnants from their fire of the night before; it had almost burnt out, and only a few smouldering coals remained. He would kick dirt over it before they left.

  He flexed his wrist, admiring the sturdy branch. It would make a fine spear when he was through, and already the end was quite sharp. He would be grateful to be armed with a familiar weapon again, especially in these strange lands. Strange, and stranger still. Each footstep carried him farther away from Sisters Mountain, until not even Ky knew what lay between them and the nearest town…

  Ember took a deep breath and closed his eyes, resting the sharpened stick against a bent knee. The air was cooler here, and sweet, the way it often smelled after a rainfall—but there was another scent which mingled with the trees and loamy earth, something fresh and clean.

  The ocean, Ky said. When you smell it, you will remember it always, and ever it will be beckoning you to return to those shores.

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  He glanced across the smouldering coals and circle of stones, where she lay curled into herself, her chin resting on her hands. He no longer blushed after her from afar, resigned to fleeting touches, but quiet moments like these reminded him of those days of eternal night. Her lashes twitched in visions he knew not, a sight which usually compelled him to brush his fingers over her dreaming eyes when they lay tangled together beneath the moon; their closeness still seemed a foolish fancy at times.

  When a faint light twinkled through the branches above him, he glanced up, expecting to see the last of a glimmering star.

  Instead, a luminous orb drifted overhead. It bobbed among the branches like an errant dandelion puff blown on the wind, though the forest was calm. As if attracted to the warmth, the bubble of bluish green light floated toward the fire, leisurely drifting down through the boughs. Then it lofted above Ky's chosen nest. Ember tensed, his hand tightening on the spear, but the little wisp only brushed across her face. She sighed as the glow washed over her shimmering cheek, but did not wake.

  It wandered across the clearing in his direction.

  Ember loosened his grasp on the spear and watched it silently, relaxed but cautious. It flickered, and he reached out, drawn by some innate curiosity. A thrum of energy rippled through his fingertips as his hand passed through the orb, and he took a breath, blinking quietly.

  The wisp bobbed gently before his face several times, and he found himself wondering if it was the same orb which had come to hear Ky speak and warned him away from the mountain path, what seemed so long ago. Then it drifted up and away through the sparkling branches of the trees and out of sight, fading into the early glow of dawn.

  A few birds twittered in the branches, beginning their morning chorale, and the world was touched with gold and silver dew.

  Song of Ember has entertained you and you have a Royal Road account, consider leaving a review! A higher rating and more interaction will help other readers find the story in the future, especially since it is no longer an Ongoing Fiction and therefore no longer appearing on "recently updated." So much gratitude to everyone who has read, commented, rated, or reviewed along the way.

  Projects Which May Interest You:

  Book #2 features Isabel, Hunter, and a third new POV character; it is in the works and almost definitely coming to Royal Road at some point this year! The partial title is "Lullaby," and yes, all of the titles in this series will be somewhat musically inclined.

  ? A possible re-posting of Song of Ember in the future to update it and maybe hit Rising Stars if I think it could be worthwhile, since it had so many unexpected hiatuses.

  ? I am ALMOST finished drafting a secret standalone project I started last year inspired by Rapunzel; working title is "The Changeling" and I think it is more of a classic Fantasy Romance than Song of Ember.

  ? Been working on a historical drama for years now and would love to start taking that more seriously.

  ? And of course, many more WIPs will be happening behind the scenes now that I'm feeling better because that's simply what I enjoy doing.

  Saf ??