her to wait until the next day. They made sure the horses were alright and took a short walk under the moonlight. There were many fireflies flying here and there and Johann and Rissy looked like children trying to catch them. When they did catch one, they let it go. Rissy’s hair sparkled in the moonlight and her skin had a bright glow. Johann stopped and watched her. He had missed this part of his life. He felt as though he were the most blessed creature walking the earth. Rissy had seemed to believe his story or at least had been pretending to but he was wavering back and forth on that thought. At least she was not running away screaming. Rissy looked over at Johann watching her and smiled. She felt natural running naked in the night. All of the stories she had been hearing sounded so strange and yet somehow she believed them. She remembered some parts being told to her long ago and she had thought they were just fairy tales but now she was questioning that belief. She was thankful that he had not pushed the story that day but knew it would start again in the morning. She slept better that night than the night before. Johann cradled her in his arms and snuggled close. She was sure that he could smell her scent as she was ready physically and for the most part mentally but she was sure nothing would happen until after marriage.
At break of day they heard a horse coming towards them and Rissy covered herself in the blanket. It was Charlotte with another picnic basket. “Well Rissy have you given it up yet? What a naughty girl you are taking him out to have your way with him.” “Just shut up Charlotte. I’m still a virgin. It was Johann who would not give in.” “Sure it was. I don’t believe that for a second.” Finally Johann broke in “Rissy is right.” Charlotte sat on the horse dumbfounded while Rissy smirked. “Well Mother told me to find you and bring this to you.” She held out the basket and Johann took it. “By the way Johann you still look in shape to me. If you need anything and I mean anything” while she looked at him and down to his crotch “give me a call and I’ll come, but probably not as loud as Rissy. She scared the quail yesterday. They flew from this way so I knew where you were.” “Leave us be, Charlotte” Rissy shot back. Charlotte left and Rissy flattened out the blanket. “I swear one day I’ll show her.” “I can’t wait to see it.” Johann laughed. The muffins were very tasty and Johann told Rissy that all of the ingredients come from the estate. “There was a time in America where they would as well.” Rissy chimed in. Johann pulled out a thermos of coffee and poured some for him and Rissy. “Well at least she was kind enough to bring coffee” stated Rissy. After breakfast Rissy knew it was time to begin once more. She was determined to listen closely. “I’m ready, Johann.” Johann began the tale. “The Moonshowers were good people. They had always assisted others in problems and could heal people. Down through the ages they were honored by kings and queens of great civilizations and even the lowliest beggar was welcome to come to them for assistance. They only performed the healing magic and magic for good, but knew the dark magic as well. It was thought by the whole clan that all magic should be known to be able to assist people in defeating the dark forces. They were the only clan to never have a dark witch, but no one knew why. Now is the time to unravel this mystery.
There was once a young girl of the clan who appeared to be very pure. The truth was that she was as pure as any human could be. She was kind and loving and never gave in to any temptation. She was unlike many of the others due to her very fair and creamy skin, her copper hair, and her lovely hazel eyes. She would face any danger to help another, even when she was very young.
A member of the clan who preferred to live a short distance away from the others was a favorite of this young lady and growing up she always followed the boy who lived with this sorceress. She would help him with many tasks and she learned powerful magic from her cousin Sera. Even at age ten she could heal with little more than a thought. Her friend, the boy, was always impressed by her abilities. Anything he tried usually didn’t work and once he almost exploded himself and had it not been for this child, he would have died. She would do anything for him and as they grew older, they became closer and closer to the point of not being able to spend any length of time apart for the heartache they felt would make them irritable and moody.
Unbeknownst to Johann, the boy, and Rissy, the young lady, Sera went to the elders of the clan and plead her case to let them be married. There was little opposition except for the fact that all anyone knew of his beginnings was that Sera had found him in the woods alone, but then again he had always jumped in to help anyone and had held many of the clan member’s hands as they died. He was always willing to learn and rarely shunned any request and even when he had the task would be performed within a few minutes. Everyone acknowledged his love for the lovely girl all of fifteen at this time and he was not much older.
After the meeting, all of the elders called for all clan members to come to the village center. Once everyone was there, it was announced that these two would be married if they so desired. They were the only two not there for having to watch the horses while the important members of the clan had their meeting. As the meeting was commencing, the boy turned to the lovely girl. ‘Rissy, I want to know if you would spend the rest of your life with me.’ He pulled out a copper ring with a polished garnet in the center. He had made it just for her. They had often gone out in the fields and Rissy would make rings out of flowers and once the boy had held onto one of them that she took off and made the ring the right size for her. He may not be able to perform magic, but he had a gift for making things. Rissy looked at him and as tears ran down her face, she said, ‘Johann, I would love to if only my family would approve.’
He had a confident look and kissed her. ‘I shall speak with the elders and I shall gain their approval or die trying.’ Rissy knew he was serious and when the others came back, Johann took Rissy’s hand and went straight to the elders who were still standing around talking. Johann asked them if he could have a moment of their time, to which they agreed. Johann stood straight and tall and faced them seriously. Rissy held back and watched silently. Sera came up behind her and asked what Johann was up to. Rissy smiled and said, ‘He’s asking them for permission to marry me.’ Sera perked a brow and held Rissy’s hand as they watched and listened.
‘You great and wise men of the Moonshower clan, I know that I am an outsider and not a magician or witch. I cannot perform any great acts but one. I will respect the decision you make of this lowly one’s request. I have always tried to do my best to show you all respect and have done what I can to assist you in anything that you have requested. I will be the first to admit that I have had my moments of disrespect, but I also always have followed through on your requests. I love the one named Rissy very much and would like permission to marry her.’ The elders told him to wait while they considered the request. They took their time and finally the most senior elder spoke. ‘Johann we have discussed your request and though you are not of this clan, you have shown yourself to be worthy of such an honor. We wish you and Rissy happiness in your lives together.’ Johann almost fell to the ground and thanked them profusely. When he turned around Sera and Rissy had tears in their eyes. ‘You have done well my child and have shown yourself to be a man. I give you both my blessing.’ Sera stated. Rissy finally was able to get words out. ‘Thank you Johann for going forth and asking as is proper. I love you so much.’”
Rissy saw the story unfold before her. She had kept her eyes closed since Johann had begun this story. She wished that she would have done so two days ago when he first began the story. Johann sensed this and stopped for awhile. He decided that they both needed something to eat and so he got the chicken out of the basket that Charlotte had brought with her when she had delivered the muffins. Charlotte had also packed another bottle of wine. “Johann what became of them? Did they marry?” “Rissy, I’ll continue after we eat.” Johann seemed to be taking his time at lunch and Rissy was a little frustrated. This story was making sense in a weird sort of way. As bad as she wanted to hear more she followed Johann into the pond where they swam for a bit. Rissy saw his wings for the first time then. She had not seen them at the office due to her anger and focus on Wilson. It hit her, really hit her that these stories were very true and perhaps what he was telling her was not farfetched. It dawned on her that maybe it truly was her in the painting in her room. She felt her neck and for a second she thought she lost the necklace but realized that she did not wear it on this trip. She wished she had now.
