Nilsa and Gerd were enjoying the warm water and beautiful beaches, swimming, diving and sunbathing. Even Ingrid had relaxed a little and was spending time with the natives, learning to dive and gather pearls. She said that she found swimming underwater and seeing the beautiful corals and tropical fish deeply relaxing. Viggo, for his part, went on trying to woo all the young women he met. There were so many that at times he did not know whether he was coming or going and could not concentrate on any one of them, since they all seemed exotically inebriating.
Astrid and Lasgol spent that last day walking hand in hand along the paradisiacal beach, enjoying their last moments together. They had spent days of rest and happiness since their return from the Ferocious Islands, and although that imminent separation was always there in their minds, the days had been very happy for both of them. And for Ona and Camu too, who followed them at a certain distance, playing near the water like a pair of cubs, curious about every crustacean or mollusk they came across. Luckily they had stopped trying to catch the fish that came close to the shore, since there were so many of them and they were never going to catch them, especially Camu, no matter how much he insisted that he could.
“Egil would love this place,” Astrid said. “He’d be fascinated by the Turquoise People. I’m sure if he had the chance he’d stay here to live with them so he could study their customs and their way of life.”
“Yeah, I can imagine him writing down everything they do in his notebook. It’s a pity he couldn’t come with us, because the Turquoise Queen and her magic and the Shamans of the Sea, all that would’ve fascinated him.”
Astrid smiled. “It certainly would, with his love of magic! I hope he’s all right,” she added, with her gaze lost in the immensity of the sea.
“He’s sure to be, don’t worry. At the Camp he’s safe from those Zangrian assassins who were hired to kill him. They won’t be able to get to him as long as he doesn’t leave it.”
“That’s true. The Camp’s probably the safest place for him in all Tremia.”
Lasgol nodded. “The only thing that makes up for the fact that he isn’t here with us is that he’s looking after Dolbarar. I’m sure he’s trying to save his life, using all his strength and his cleverness.”
“And he’ll also be trying to find out who’s behind the Dark Rangers who’re after you,” Astrid said. She stroked his cheek lovingly, with worry in her eyes.
Lasgol smiled. “You know him well.”
“He won’t stop trying. If there’s anybody who’s devoted, who never gives up, it’s Egil. And with his intelligence and his knowledge, it won’t be long before he finds out what’s behind the dangers hanging over us in Norghana.”
“I’d like to be with him, so that I could help.”
“You soon will be. Now it’s your turn to save the realm from the Frozen Specter. There’ll be time to sort out those other problems as soon as the threat from the Frozen Continent is eliminated.”
Lasgol smiled at her words. “Yeah, better to tackle problems one by one.”
“Particularly those on that scale,” she said, and winked at him mischievously.
The day was beautiful and sunny, and the beach marvelous. They went on walking barefoot, with their pants rolled up and their feet ankle-deep in the water.
“It doesn’t feel right to leave you here –” Lasgol began.
Astrid put her finger on his lips to stop him. “We’ve talked about it. It’s our only choice. Uragh has left us with no alternative. It’s not your fault that I have to stay. It’s the price we have to pay to save our realm from the Frozen Specter. And I’ll pay it with pleasure, because I know my beloved will come back for me when he’s defeated the frozen threat.”
“And suppose I don’t come back? Suppose something happens to me?”
“You will come back,” she said with complete confidence.
“Things might go wrong … particularly with me at the middle of the tangle … you know that …”
“Because you’re special. I’ve always told you so, that’s why all those things happen to you. But it doesn’t alter the fact that you’ll come back for me. That I know for sure. I have no doubts about it, and I’m not worried about staying. Not in the least.”
“I wish I were as sure as you are.”
“Trust.”
“So many things can happen … that might go so wrong …”
“You’ll overcome them all, and you’ll come back for me. Trust me.”
Lasgol sighed. “I’ll come for you, I promise you that. Whatever happens.” He took her in his arms and gazed into her eyes,
“I know,” she replied, and she too lost herself in his own.
“Now and forever.”
She nodded, full of love, and smiled. “I love you.”
“And I love you too.”
“How much do you love me?”
“To the stars and back,” he said.
She beamed at him. “That’s right.”
They kissed with all the pure, overflowing love in their young hearts.
The following day they left at dawn, leaving behind the Turquoise Queen, her people, and Astrid.
The return journey to Norghana was a slow one, or at least it seemed to all of them that it was taking twice as long as the outward journey. Captain Olsen assured them that they were making good speed because they had benefited from several days of favorable winds. On top of that, although he now had
