Postlogue
“I’m proud to introduce all of you to Doctor Faye Lafayette. Her groundbreaking research into the previously unknown artist, Agari Tismona, shed significant light into the fascinating culture of fourteenth century life in Skyla.” The man smiled as the audience applauded enthusiastically. “Without further introduction, I give you, Dr. Lafayette!”
The applause was thunderous as Faye stepped out onto the stage. She walked over to the podium, adjusted the microphone and tried very hard not to look out at the audience. Clearing her throat, she paused a moment to look over to the left. There he was. Zantar stood just off-stage, watching her, his harsh features not smiling, but she could see the pride in his eyes.
And that was all it took. Her confidence skyrocketed and she turned back to the audience. All of her stage fright seemed to dissipate simply because Zantar was here with her.
“Thank you for that warm welcome,” she greeted everyone, then clicked the button. Behind her, an enormous picture of one of Tismona’s paintings lit up the stage.
“This is the painting most people ask about. The gardenia floating in the water,” she clicked the button again to show the magnified area of the painting, “and the strange box. Both are floating in what looks to be a calm sea.” She continued, flipping through the small aspects of the painting that didn’t make much sense. “After reading hundreds of letters from that time period, I’ve come to the conclusion that the gardenia represented Princess Floria al Sintara, the daughter to King Dimirt al Sintara, who reigned during the years fourteen-twenty-five to fourteen-fifty-one. Floria was betrothed to the prince in the neighboring region, but this was not a love match, according to several letters that teemed with gossip. The box, in my opinion, represents the al Sintara palace. In the painting, it is floating away. The seas look calm, but if you focus your attention here,” she clicked the button again, “it appears that a storm is brewing in the distance.” Faye turned back to the audience, gratified that everyone seemed to be entranced by the paintings and her findings. Several people were even taking notes. “In this painting, again, everything seems peaceful. But look more closely on the wall outside through this window.” Another click, and the small map appeared. “After scouring maps from various countries, I finally discovered that this map leads to another area of the world that has since been transformed into an urban center.” She clicked on the new map, with the old painting-map side by side. “The details are scant, but references to several letters and a historian’s detailing of a battle led me to believe that this was the road that Princess Floria would take to escape from her unwanted betrothal.”
Faye continued, lecturing on the various symbols in the paintings. By the end of the ninety-minute lecture, she brought everything back. “So you can see how one woman’s battle for freedom is at the basis for the fall of the al Sintara kingdom.”
The audience was stunned for a long moment, then everyone cheered, standing up as they clapped their appreciation for her research and explanation.
Once again, Faye turned, finding Zantar’s eyes. There he was. Always her rock! No hidden map for her, she thought. Her way was right there, stage left!