He leaned down and gently pressed his temple against hers. "I know it's hard," he murmured as Iris and Hollis headed up the path. "We'll pick up some flowers for him in town, okay?"
"I love you too, Cal," he replied. The trip was as long as it had always been, the pathways crowded as elves made the trip across the land. Hollis and Iris kept each other entertained, and as they entered the city, Clem woke, his green eyes soft and sleepy in the afternoon light. "Memphs."
He gurgled, patting her cheeks as he beamed at her. "Mems." Hollis and Iris were holding hands with each other, and Puck took Iris' hand before he looked back at Calliope.
Clem laughed deeply, flapping his hand at Puck, who squinted. "We gotta work on your waving," he mused.
"You're just saying that because he says 'memphs' and not 'pemphs'," he replied flatly, kissing her temple before pointing to a flower seller. "There?"
They bought some flowers, and entered the Ortus chamber. It was just as she remembered, the tree in front of them glowing as they walked down the elven path. At their entrances to the main area, though, there was a small grave next to the elven pathway. There had been great debate as to where to put Ben's final resting place. Every race attempted to claim him, his fame preceding him. Despite this, when the argument was made that Ben's heart had been with the Elves, no one seemed able to produce a suitable counterargument. Flowers had been placed by his grave, hundreds of them in the soft glow of the Ortus. Ben's grave was simple. Benedict Luther May 3rd, 3712 - October 18th, 3736 Be Brave
The sight of the grave and those words always made Calliope tear up a bit. She came over, observing it for a moment before setting her flowers down, her brows furrowed.
Iris came over too, her fingers brushing the grave. "Mama, who was..." She squinted, trying to sound out the words. "Ben...Benedict Luther?"
Cal brushed her hair back gently, her gaze softening. "He saved the Ortus," she explained, "and he was a good friend of mine."
Cal looked back at the gravestone, nodding. "Yeah. Let's go back to Papa, okay?" she said gently, turning her around as they both went back to Puck.
Puck finished filling the last container of their Magyck, settling it down gently in the cart before looking over at Calliope. "Hey. You ready to go?"
He took her hand and the family left the chamber, the flowers surrounding Ben's grave floating in the water as the Ortus kept ticking, ever watchful and ever present. ~~END~~
