Finally, pushing through the last of the brush, they halted on a small patch of weedy grass and rocks.
Hamish breathed deeply of the sea air. The hook-like curve of the harbour was more noticeable here, dominating the left horizon. We’re nae too late.
Twilight turned the ocean into the shade of rich whiskey. A hazy band of clouds, flushed an orange-pink, hovered on the horizon. The sun peeked through them like a fiery jewel. If he shaded his eyes and squinted, the other side of the harbour came into view as a dark line near the water’s edge. “Isnae she beautiful?”
Like the trees at their back, Darshan remained silently standing at his side. The waning sunlight glinted off his glasses, but his lover’s smile was clear enough.
“Do you have views like this back home?” He knew Minamist was situated in an almost lagoon-like harbour, but not if there were any cliffs to get a decent view of the sun sinking into the horizon. He would often watch the day’s end from the tower, eking out the most from each ray before the guards came for him.
“Ocean views, yes. The imperial palace has a magnificent one. Not wholly clear all the way to the harbour pass, though. And it looks nothing like this.” He finally tore his gaze from the sunset to face Hamish. “Is this what you wanted to show me?”
Hamish nodded. “I thought you might like a last look at something familiar before we head inland tomorrow.”
“So soon? A pity.” His gaze returned to the sunset, although his head cocked Hamish’s way. “Can we linger here for a while? Just until the sun goes down?”
“Sure. The campsite’s nae far.” And, even if it had been, the spellster was more than capable of lighting their way until they reached the others. He held up a small sack of wax cloth and waggled it. Dinner would be some time regardless of where they waited for it. “I already nicked some grub. I was saving this for tomorrow, but I reckon you need it more after the tree.” He peeled back the cloth to halve the remainder of the cheese and hand a piece to his lover.
“I could have survived until dinner, but thank you. A picnic on the cliff edge is a welcome relief from the forest.” He settled on the ground, patting the earth next to him in invitation and smiling when Hamish sat close by. “I do not believe I have seen so many trees for some years.” He waved his piece of cheese around like a lecture stick. “This would all be farmland in Udynea. Has no one tried to tame these forests?”
Hamish shook his head. Maybe if the people had ready access to magic like it seemed most Udyneans did. It took a lot of men and sheer grit to maintain the farms already out there. Adding more would only spread people thin. And when it came to some dangers, superior numbers was often the one factor towards victory.
They chatted sparsely whilst eating. Darshan dared to attempt teaching him a smattering of Udynean to describe the sunset. It wasn’t the easiest language to mimic. Hamish’s tongue mangled quite a number of the words until his lover was laughing uncontrollably, trying to explain what he had actually said whilst tears continued to stream down his face.
Eventually, he gave up at Hamish’s promise to practise.
“I see you are still wearing one of my gifts.” Whilst that hazel gaze hadn’t left the view since they had settled amongst the rocks and mossy grass, Hamish swore he felt the man’s eyes boring into his hand all the same. “Are you not afraid you will lose it?”
“Are you nae concerned about losing your multitude of rings?”
Darshan lifted a hand, seeming to consider the wealth of precious metals and gems it bore. “I have worn these for long enough that I know losing them is somewhat difficult. Even consciously removing them takes some effort. I cannot imagine that ring has such a tight fit.”
Hamish fiddled with the band, well aware the action was being noted. Maybe he should’ve left it back home. He could’ve tucked it into the box with the toy. Although the risk of losing the ring to prying eyes whilst he was gone seemed far more likely than having it slip off his finger out here. “Seems snug enough.”
His lover casually lifted Hamish’s hand to examine the ring. “A perfect fit, I would say. Without any need of adjustment, either. If I was a priestly man, I would say the gods rather declared it was meant to be.”
“I honestly thought you were going to swallow your tongue when Ethan pointed out you were trying to put the ring on the wedding finger.” The memory of Darshan standing there, shock draining the warmth from his olive-brown cheeks and turning his eyes as vacant as a pole-struck steer, was one that would be etched into his mind forever.
“I hope you will forgive me for putting you in such a spot.”
“Nae harm was done.” If Ethan hadnae said… Well, he wouldn’t exactly have taken it as a proposal, but he could have. The difference in marriage traditions should have been one of the cultural differences Darshan’s tutors would’ve focused on. Or were they really so inept as to not know? “As you said then, you dinnae ken.”
Darshan muttered something under his breath. It sounded Udynean.
“What was that?”
“The gods suffer an act of ignorance the once,” his lover dutifully translated. “It is from the Book of Kailin. He was a prophet of sorts. Mad as the God Jalaane. They say he spent a year in the desert bordering Stamekia towards the end of his prophet-hood, subsisting on nothing but sand and fresh air. Absolute poppycock, but people do like to embellish legends. He was rumoured to have returned home and slaughtered his wife because the gods told him to.”
Hamish wrinkled his nose. “I dinnae think it wise to take advice
