It was a good thing that Johann had placed the blanket in a shaded area or Rissy would have been badly sunburned. He tried to wake her and she protested. “This is where I belong and I know that now and do not wish to spend another moment separated from you.”
He smiled at her. “I know the feeling my sweet love, but we need to go wash off a little.”
Rissy laughed. “I’m stuck to you and can’t pry myself loose.”
Johann jumped up holding her against him and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “But a girl wishes to stay stuck.” she said laughing.
“Well a girl is still going to get wet.”
“A girl thinks she still is Johann.” She hid her face in the crook of his neck after realizing that she had said it out loud. “Why not take advantage of a girl’s little problem?” Then the thought entered her head. “What if he takes me up on that? What if he doesn’t? What if he never wants to? What if there is something wrong with me and I don’t let him ever?”
As Rissy was consumed by these thoughts she felt the water climbing up her back as Johann carried her out into the lake and when he lowered her she closed her eyes waiting for the pain to follow, but it didn’t and she realized that he was simply moving her so she could wash herself off. In a way it upset her more than relieved her. She knew that he knew she was looking for a way to lose her virginity without her initiating it and she knew that he had told her that the time was her choice and not his. She hated that part of him and then she remembered that with her, he had always been like that. She somehow knew that with other women in the past that it had not mattered to him, but she was something more than a nice time. He truly did love her she realized, but there was one question she had never found the answer to or at least she didn’t think she ever had with him. “Johann, after I decide the time is right; will you still be so passive about initiating our lovemaking?” When she saw his smile she knew. “That much? I think I need a thigh master.” They both laughed so hard that Johann almost dropped her.
They walked out of the pond hand in hand to the blanket. Once there, they drank the wine straight from the bottle and ate the sandwiches that had been prepared for their little journey. They fell asleep and it was almost dark when they awoke. They debated whether they should go back to the house or not and finally decided that they would stay there. It was a warm evening and Johann gathered wood for a fire and Rissy lit it with her glance. Johann would have but he was not sure that Rissy was ready for that. She tried to get him to tell her more but he denied her requests and told 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