Before leaving Ishalem to return to his capital city, Omra went with Istar to the cathedral’s highest minaret. From that vantage, they could look across the beautiful holy city. The soldan-shah inhaled the fresh salty air and felt its healing strength. “It’s good to be a ruler again, Istar, instead of a military commander,” he said. “I want to meet with emissaries from all five of my soldanates to discuss the future of Uraba. We have so much work to do.”
Istar leaned closer to him, and Omra slipped his arm around her waist and held her there. He knew this woman belonged at his side. “I am glad you decided to stay with me. I need you.”
“It was the right choice.” Her voice grew wistful. “Someday, though, I’d like to return to Windcatch and see my old home. Would you go with me?”
His throat went dry. “I doubt that would be a good idea, considering the circumstances the last time I was there.”
“But it might be a necessary step…after the other wounds heal.”
“If that’s what you ask of me, how can I do anything less?”
Their quiet moment was broken when Naori joined them, accompanied by Omra’s two boisterous young sons. “Oh! The view is beautiful from up here.” The boys bounded to the open windows, eager to see.
Omra looked at the two women and mused, “My father set up a separate residence for his wife Asha here in Ishalem, while his other wives remained in Olabar.” He glanced from Naori to Istar. “Would you like me to do the same for you? If we’re at peace now, you will both be safe wherever you are.”
Naori answered immediately, “No. Why would we want that?”
Istar laughed. “We’re happy together, Omra. Naori and I help each other.”
The older boy, Zarif Omirr, interrupted them, pointing vigorously. “Look, are those the Saedrans?”
From the minaret, they could observe the canal across the isthmus. The mer-Saedrans had labored hard to clear away the sunken ironclads, and the waterway was finally open again. As Omra and his family gathered to look, they spotted a group of swimmers frolicking and laughing in the water.
“The one in the lead is King Sonhir, I think,” Omra said.
“Where are they going?” the zarif asked.
“Wherever they like.”
Together, they watched the mer-Saedrans swim through the canal, all of them heading out to the Middlesea and new waters to explore.