Striker's Promise

The dew of the early morning swept across the field, sparkling from the moonlight. Evan dug his feet into the soft ground, lifting his sword at the ready. His opponent was stoic, unconcerned with Evan’s sword.

“Take this!” Evan yelled, charging his opponent. He swung his sword down on his opponent, tearing it apart. Straw fell to the floor and the pumpkin for a head cracked open upon hitting the dirt below. Evan picked up the pumpkin head halves, trying to put it back together.

“I didn’t even get to practice my stabs yet,” Evan said to the pumpkin.

“Evan! Food!” His father called from a small cottage nearby.

Evan left the defeated pumpkin and jogged back to the cottage. He did not make it two feet inside before his father stopped him.

“Take off your boots. And no swords at the table.”

“Yes, Father.”

Evan took off his boots and leaned his sword against the wall, next to the door. He followed the sound of boiling soup into the kitchen. His father was stirring from a large black cauldron that had a fire ablaze underneath it.

“Smells good. What are you making?”

“An old recipe your mother used to make me. It will keep you strong.”

Evan sat down at the small table. “Good. I will need it if I am going to take down that evil sorceress, Calesso.”

“Son, can you please stop talking like that?” his father asked, bringing over a bowl of soup.

“Why? She has laid waste to the kingdom. Just last week a group of knights were slain by her. Someone needs to teach her a lesson.”

“I don’t want you fighting. Especially not for the king.”

“King Ulitch is the only one trying to stop this foul witch. That bitch needs to be put down like the mangy dog she is.”

“That is enough Evan!” his father said, slamming his own bowl on the table.

Evan stopped and took a sip of soup. “I signed up to be a knight.”

“What?” his father’s face turned to concern.

“King Ulitch himself walked by just as I signed up. He actually shook my hand. Like I was his equal.”

His father shook his head. “Son. Why did you do that?”

“Because it was the right thing to do. Calesso must be stopped and the King believes in me.”

“Calesso isn’t the problem, King Ulitch is.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because I know her.”

The kitchen was silent, except for the bubbling soup.

“So you're a traitor to the kingdom.”

“So are you.”

“If I don’t turn you in I am,” Evan said, pushing away from the table.

“No, you are by blood.”

Evan walked back to the door, grabbing his sword. “The king will forgive me. Might even forgive you if you tell him what he needs to know.”

“Like that you are her son.”

Evan stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. “I’m what?”

“I should have told you this a long time ago. I just didn’t want it to get out by accident.”

“I’m Calesso’s son,” Evan said to himself.

“Please sit.”

Evan put the sword back down and came over to the table again. Each step he grew more and more weak. His stomach turned and his head spun.

“When your mother and I first met, I was a knight for King Titus. I was sent on a mission to procure a potion that would heal him of his illness. There were rumors that a herbalist in the forest had such a cure. I searched for a week before I decided to go back. On my way back I found a little cottage near an open field. It was the only place I had found during my journey and lucky for me it was the place. Calesso was so kind and willing to help after I explained what was happening. She didn’t even charge for the cure,” his father said.

“I guess time changes people.” Evan scoffed.

His father ignored Evan’s cutting comment. “The problem was she didn’t have enough when I arrived. She told me to take the one bottle she had and more would be ready when I returned. This went on for over a month and each time it got harder to leave her. The king eventually got better, yet I continued going back to her. I had fallen for her and she for me.”

“So why did she turn against the kingdom?”

“After one of our more memorable visits, I grabbed the vial she had on the table and left. What I didn’t realize was that it was not the right one. By the time I made it back and gave it to the king, it was too late. Calesso arrived just as he took it and tried to stop the effects, but his death was unstoppable. I was going to admit to my mistake, but Calesso wouldn’t let me and became the villain the new king needed. To protect me.”

“She plagued the kingdom so you wouldn’t get in trouble for King Titus’s death? And you went along with it?”

“I wasn’t going to at first. But when I found out she was pregnant and she had already done what she did, there was no other choice. One of us had to be able to take care of you. Give you a life not on the run.”

Evan put his hands over his eyes. “My mother is a witch.”

“Sorceress.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Never found a good time. I was afraid you would try to stick up for her and risk the wrath of the king.”

“I must see her.”

“Now is not a good time.”

“Why?”

His father scratched the back of his head. “Well...she is pregnant again.”

“You still see her?”

“Nothing can keep me away from her. Not for long anyways.”

“Then how is she killing all those knights if she is pregnant?”

“There is a reason there are no survivors.”

Evan let his father’s words sink in before the realization hit him in the face. “You? The man who refuses to spar with me. Killed six knights by yourself?”

“Your mother was in danger. I had no other choice. And that is exactly why I didn’t want you to join.”

“This is going to be a problem then.”

“Why?”

“I head out at dawn tomorrow. To the Far Reach Forest. They think she is hiding there.”

“She’s not there. But now that you work for the king you must go.”

“Where is she?”

“When you come back, I will make sure you get to see her. Maybe even your new sister too.”

“You promise?”

“Promise.”

***

Evan kneeled on the bright red carpet before the King, his armor still stained with goblin’s blood.

“My King, you hailed for me.”

“Yes, Sir Evan Striker. I heard you had returned from your quest to find Calesso to no avail,” King Ulitch said.

“My King, we searched for weeks and we only found an outpost of goblins. We tried to befriend them to find her whereabouts, but alas they left us no choice.”

King Ulitch waved away his two servants next to his throne. They left from the chambers and King Ulitch approached Evan.

“That is of no consequence. If they weren’t going to turn on Calesso, they were better off dead anyways. Could you point out on a map where you traveled?”

“Yes, My King.”

“You can stand up. And drop the formalities. Call me David.”

He stood up and smiled. “Yes...David.”

“Evan I heard you fought gallantly in the forest. Much like your father used to when he served under my father.”

“I was just trying to best serve you.”

“And humble like him too. You know, when I was growing up, your father and mine were best of friends. They would drink and jest with one another. Never in public, but behind these walls you could never ask for a more loyal friend than him. When I heard that you were going to join my army, all I could think of was how happy my father was having a close friend. Now, I know we don’t know each other, but I hope that we could become friends like that one day.”

“I would be honored as well.”

“Excellent. You must be tired from your travels. Feel free to stay at my castle and get cleaned up. Tomorrow you can speak with the cartographer.”

“Actually David, I was hoping to see my father again. It has been awhile and I do miss him.”

“I completely understand. If my father was around I would want to see him too.”

“Is there anything else you need from me before I go?”

“Yes. There was a question that kept gnawing at me lately. Do you happen to know why your father quit his service from the kingdom?”

“He never said. I never even knew he was a knight, until after I joined.”

“Hmm. When you see him, please ask him. When my father died, he was the only one who left the service. At the time I didn’t think much of it, but as I have gotten older I wish I knew the answer.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Good. Until we meet again.” King Ulitch dipped his head slightly.

Evan bowed and left his throne room. He thought it was strange that King Ulitch wanted to know more about his father, but he put that thought away. Instead, he dwelled on the promise his father made. To see his mother. His horse carried him away from the castle, past the village and into the forest. He traveled for an hour before he arrived home. The moon was rising in the sky and the fresh smell of stew escaped the cottage. He disembarked his horse and went inside, eager to see his father. Evan entered and looked into the kitchen to see his father manning the cauldron and three bowls set on the table.

“Father.”

His father turned around and let go of the ladle. “Son!”

His father ran to him and hugged him tight. Evan patted him on the back.

“You smell like goblin,” his father said.

“I haven’t had time to clean up.”

“You better. Food will be ready soon.”

“Are we expecting someone?” Evan asked, motioning toward the bowls.

“You get cleaned up. Don’t want your mother seeing you for the first time in goblin blood.”

“Too late,” Calesso said, coming out from the doorway that led into the kitchen.

Calesso’s green and black hair coursed down her fitting black dress. Her face ghostly white and her lips crimson. She walked over to them, her dress making her seem like she floated instead. “You look so much more handsome in person.”

“Mother?”

“Yes dear. It’s me.”

Evan was frozen, his emotions swirling. He thought about what it would be like to see her for the first time during his travels, but his wildest imagination did not prepare him. Calesso wrapped her arms around him and he knew in that moment it was his mother. So full of warmth that it transcended the physical. Her love pierced his heart like only a mother’s love could. He held her for a few moments before letting go.

“So Evan, why do you have goblin’s blood on your armor?” Calesso asked, wiping the blood from her hand back on his shirt.

“That is a long story.”

“Tonight you have my undivided attention. Your father has generously offered to make food and take care of little Erin while we catch up.”

“Erin?”

“I said your little sister might be around by the time you came back. Congrats. You’re a big brother,” his father said.

“Can I see her?” Evan asked.

“Later. Your mother just put her to sleep. Don’t want to wake her,” his father said.

Evan’s father had only finished his sentence before the door was knocked down. Knights with swords drawn came pouring in followed by King Ulitch. Evan’s father moved Calesso and Evan behind him.

“Evan. You know after our conversation I had a thought. Why would your father, Sir Striker, leave the service after his best friend was killed? Not even wanting to seek revenge. The only thing I could think of was guilt. And he had a child, yet I never knew the mother. So a crazy thought came to mind. What if Calesso and Sir Striker were lovers? But now, it doesn’t seem so crazy, does it?

“King Ulitch, your father’s death was a mistake. It was my fault he died. Not Calesso’s. Not my son’s,” Evan’s father said.

“It is far too late for apologies.”

Evan’s father drew Evan’s sword from his scabbard and swung at the nearest knight. “Run! I’ll hold them off!”

Calesso pulled Evan away and into the other room where little Erin was still sleeping peacefully in her bed. Calesso kicked the door closed and sat on the bed next to Erin.

“Take Erin,” Calesso said.

Evan picked Erin up in his arms, her little body so fragile and tired.

“I can’t stay here. I need to help father.”

“He knows what he is doing. We need to get out of here,” Calesso said, moving her hands in a pattern on top of the bed. She ended with a punch and the entire bed glowed like an emerald in the sun. Calesso grabbed Evan by the collar and he fell on the bed, cradling Erin safely in his arms. Calesso tucked Evan's dangling legs onto the bed and chanted something he could not hear. In an instant the door crashed open and the three were gone. Nothing left but a scorched bed sheet to prove they were ever there.

***

Evan’s eyes opened to a blue sky above and a smoldering fire next to him. He sat up to get his bearings. Small destroyed wooden homes were scattered throughout the plain, some still on fire. Arrows were stuck in the ground, splintered wood scattered about. Evan had been here before. This was the goblin’s outpost in the Far Reach Forest. But where were the bodies? Evan looked down at his lap. Erin was gone.

“Erin!”

“Over here darling,” Calesso called from one of the larger, partially torn down cobblestone houses.

Evan went over to her. Inside, a small fire was brewing and Erin was sleeping in Calesso’s arms. A pile of dead goblins were in the corner, hacked to pieces. Evan remembered killing the goblins, maybe slashing a few in half, but the severed limbs in the corner looked excessive.

“How did we get here?” Evan asked.

“Here? I am not entirely sure. I was aiming for a warm place, but sometimes magic has a mind of it’s own.”

Evan felt dizzy, bracing himself against the wall. “Magic?”

“I can see you are not used to traveling like this. Your father never had the stomach for it either.”

“Father. We have to go back. I have to help him,” Evan said before placing both his hands on the wall, focusing on standing upright.

“You are in no condition to go anywhere. Just lay down by the fire. You will feel better.”

Evan crawled down to the ground, curling up next to the fire. His body relaxed and felt less dizzy. He took in the warmth of the fire, looking up at his mother rocking Erin in her arms.

“Mother...do you think father is alright?”

“I know he is.”

“How can you be so sure? He was outnumbered.”

“The king would never risk killing him. He is too valuable.”

“To the king? How?”

“He knows I will come for him.”

“Lure you into a trap.”

“Precisely.”

“Then what do you plan on doing?”

“Right now, my plan is making sure you two are alright.”

Erin woke up from her nap. Her little blue eyes blinked at her mother and yawned.

“Evan, can you hold her? I will make us some food.”

Evan sat up and took Erin from her. Erin’s eyes got big, staring at Evan, unsure who he was. He rocked her back and forth, smiling at her. Meanwhile, Calesso grabbed a severed goblin arm from the pile and stuck it over the fire. The aroma smelt sweet, unlike what they smelt like when he slaughtered them up. Calesso dug her fingernail into the skin and dragged it along the entire goblin arm, creating a groove. The goblin arm turned black, except inside the groove, where a green paste bubbled.

“Alright Erin, time to eat,” Calesso said, moving the goblin arm toward Erin’s face.

“Are you sure that is good to eat?” Evan asked.

“Goblin paste is actually really good for newborns. The problem is finding goblins.”

Calesso scooped the paste out with three fingers and the paste sizzled upon touching her hands. She kneeled down and put her fingers up to Erin’s mouth. Erin moved her head away.

“Oh, you need to see mommy eat it.” Calesso ate the paste, making sure Erin was watching, “Mmmhh. Good.”

Erin clapped her hands together awkwardly. Calesso scooped up another three fingers full and Erin ate it. She did this a few more times before Erin didn’t want anymore. Calesso then offered the arm to Evan. Evan looked at it like she was offering him maggots.

“Just like your father. Never liked trying new things.”

“I like trying new things...just not sure about eating goblin puss.”

“You really are your father’s son. Lucky for me, I know how to get you to eat it,” she said, scooping up a handful and covering her hand over his mouth. “This hand doesn’t move until you swallow it.”

Evan’s cheeks were full with the mushy paste. He looked at his mother, smiling warmly at him while Erin’s baby laughter filled the room. Evan relented and swallowed it in one gulp like it was water.

“Wasn’t that bad, was it?” Calesso said.

“No. It wasn’t.”

“New favorite food?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Fair enough,” she said and scooped up Erin from Evan.

Evan watched Calesso tickle Erin’s nose with her finger. “So Mother, what compelled you to have another child after all these years?”

Calesso blushed. “Honestly, Erin was an accident. I ran out of potions that would stop me from getting pregnant and I hadn’t seen him at that point in over a month. Your mother has needs you know.”

“Okay, I get it. No need to say more.”

“But once I got pregnant again, it really put everything in perspective for me. I should have stayed with you and your father. I was so afraid to lose you, I never got to be with you. And I don’t want to repeat that with Erin.”

Evan grabbed his mother’s hand and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “What matters is that you are with me now. I know father would have wanted that.”

Calesso smiled and leaned her head against his. “Don’t worry. We are going to get your father back. This family has been separated long enough.”

***

“We only have one more Goblin head,” Evan said, picking up the last one in the corner of the room by the few strands of hair left.

“Then we will need to make it count,” Calesso said.

Evan handed her the goblin head and she dropped it straight down on the fire. Once it was consumed by the fire, it rose above the flames and glowed white hot. It looked like an orb of light instead of the grotesque green head it was earlier.

“Show me the King,” she said to the floating orb.

The orb changed to show King Ulitch in a dark dungeon lit only by a few flame torches. He was punching a man who was suspended by chains. The groans of the man and shaking of his shackles echoed out of the orb. Calesso gritted her teeth, watching her husband being beat by King Ulitch. Evan was equally tense, squeezing his empty scabbard.

“It has been a week. How much longer do you think you will be able to last here?” King Ulitch said.

“This is the punishment I deserve. Not my family.”

“Wrong. Your family is just as guilty in this. But I only want Calesso. If you tell me where she is, I will spare your son.”

Evan’s father spit at King Ulitch. King Ulitch wiped his face.

“If you won’t give up Calesso. And she apparently won’t come for you. I don’t see the point in keeping you around.” King Ulitch drew his sword.

Calesso frantically drew in the dirt with her fingers. Evan went over to grab Erin, who was sleeping soundly.

“Stay with Erin. I will get your father,” Calesso said.

“But we need to stick together.”

Calesso stopped drawing and faced Evan. “You need to take care of Erin. I can’t protect her over there. Promise me you will keep her safe.”

“But–”

“Promise me!”

“I will. I promise.”

She kissed him on the forehead and punched the ground. Dirt kicked up and put out the fire. The floating orb turned to dust, sprinkling over the smoldering fire. Evan stood holding Erin, shielding her from the dust. He waited for his mother to return at that very spot, but every passing moment felt longer and longer. The sun started to set and he knew he had to get the fire going again. He placed Erin in a little makeshift crib his mother made out of bones and one of his undershirts, while he searched for more firewood. Not wanting to travel far, he collected pieces from other destroyed houses in the outpost when he heard the snapping of sticks in the forest.

Evan looked over to where the sound came from, but saw nothing. He continued collecting wood when he heard the croaking of goblins. Spinning around with his arms full, three goblins charged him, with swords waving in the air. Evan threw the pile of sticks at the first goblin and reached to his empty scabbard. He grabbed air and looked down, realizing he wasn’t armed. Evan backpedaled as the other two goblins slashed at him, until he tripped over a rock jutting out of the ground. The two goblins put their swords to his neck, while the first goblin approached them and spoke.

“What did you do to this village? What did you do to our brothers and sisters?” the goblin asked.

Evan said nothing. It was better than telling them he slaughtered and ate their people. Before the goblin spoke again, Erin started crying. The goblins looked up toward the sound and breathed in deep.

“Mmmhh. I smell a small human. What a delicacy,” the first goblin said and started walking toward Erin’s cries.

Evan looked to his right and saw a stone the size of his fist. He slapped the swords away and rolled to grab the stone. The nearest goblin stabbed at Evan, but he deflected it with the stone. Evan got to his feet and followed up with a strike to the goblin’s head, knocking it to the floor. The other goblin stabbed at him and Evan narrowly evaded it. Evan threw the stone at that goblin. The goblin felt the wind from the stone passing its head before Evan charged head first, tackling the goblin to the ground. Evan wrestled with the goblin over the sword, while the other goblin had gotten up and tried to stab Evan in the back. He rolled over, lifting the sword in the air and both goblins impaled each other. Evan pushed off the ground and ran to Erin. The goblin was inside the home, standing over Erin, taking in the little human’s scent.

“I am eating well tonight,” the goblin said over Erin’s cries and raised its sword.

Evan dashed inside and pushed the goblin into the cobblestone wall, the sword flying in the corner of the room. He mounted the goblin and began punching it until green blood came oozing out of its eyes. Evan stopped out of exhaustion and rose to his feet, wiping off the green blood on his trousers. Erin was still crying.

“It’s okay. I’m here,” Evan said, picking up Erin and rocking her.

She started to calm down in his arms and he walked outside to get away from the goblin he smashed. Outside was a worse sight, however. A large group of goblins were coming out of the treeline, twenty strong.

“Human!” one of the goblins yelled, pointing at him.

Evan ran away, into the other side of the forest. The sound of angry goblins chased him through the forest, but with each step their voices became muffled by the trees. He kept going until he did not hear their voices again and the foliage was getting denser. Covering Erin the best he could, he pushed through the brush until he arrived at a dirt path that led to a small cottage, much like his father’s. The light from the cottage beckoned him, as nighttime was almost upon them. He made his way up to it and knocked on the door. After he did that, a thought blew through his head. What if it was another goblin house? He backed away from the door and it opened. Inside was a large woman with long brown hair.

“Who goes there?” the woman said.

“My name is Sir–” Evan said.

“You have a baby! Get in quick. Before the goblins smell her.”

Evan went inside and was greeted by a mastiff that walked up next to him. On his left was a kitchen table and on his right was a wood floor with two children sleeping. The woman closed the door and motioned him to sit.

“I’m sorry to barge in here like this,” Evan said.

“It is alright. What were you two doing out there at this time of night?”

“Goblins attacked us. There were too many for me to fight so I took my sister and ran.”

The woman looked down at Erin. “Where is her mother?”

“I...I don’t know,” Evan said.

“When was the last time she was fed?”

“A few hours ago.”

She put her hands out. “Do you mind?”

He gave Erin to her and she cradled her. His arms felt lighter after not holding her anymore.

“I didn’t know anyone lived out here.”

“Not many do. My husband, Hillard and I moved out here quite a few years ago. He trades in special lumber and wanted to be closer to his supply. I wanted to live out in the forest and raise children, so we both got what we wanted.”

“So those are your two?”

“Oh yes. They are the best children I could ever ask for. I miss them as babies though. So tiny and innocent,” she said, pushing her nose close to Erin’s.

Evan started to think about what his mother said to him. To keep Erin safe. He knew he couldn’t take her with him. Erin wouldn’t last more than a few days and this woman knew how to take care of a child. She even wanted another baby.

“I hate to impose, but could you take care of my sister? Only until I find our mother. When I return I will be able to pay you,” Evan asked.

The woman lit up with delight. “I would love to.”

Evan leaned forward and rubbed his finger against Erin’s soft skin. He knew it would be the last time he would see her in a long time. His last thoughts, I’ll come back for you. I promise.

_________________________

If you want to read more of this story, my first novel, Striker's Search, takes place after these events. Buy it here!

Revenge That Isn’t

"Sophie?" King Vantrune said, holding her against the wet soil with his blade at her throat.

"I'm not Sophie you dolt," the woman said, knocking his blade away from her throat. 

She pushed him off of her and stood up. The rays of sun shined through the treetops, highlighting her flawless skin. Her red hair glistened while she shook a few bits of mud out of it and readjusted her dark cloak. Her silver necklace hugged her chest.

"Sophie, it’s me? Henry. Your husband.”

"My name is Lena. Don't you remember me?"

Henry shook his head. "Whatever that witch did to you, we can fix it."

"You can't fix what she did to Sophie."

"Sophie, I know you're in there somewhere. Please you can fight this."

Henry put his hands on her shoulders. Lena responded with a swift kick to the crouch. He grunted and fell to the ground. The mud splashed around him as he made a little crater in the soft ground.

"My name is Lena you prick. Sophie's twin sister."

Henry was still writhing on the ground. "I remember...you always...were a mean one."

"Maybe if you didn't mix us up I wouldn't have to kick you."

Henry caught his breath and his pain started to subside. He got up and brushed himself off.

"I'm sorry. You just look so much like her. It's been hard…"

"I know. I miss her too."

They stood in silence while the birds sang from the trees and the leaves rustled in the wind. His sword still dangled from his hand touching the mud.

"What brings you all the way out here? Aren't you busy ruling the kingdom?" Lena asked.

"I'm looking for her killer. My informant said she would be out here by a cave. You were the first person I saw.”

"I got the same information. From Barnabas at the tavern?"

"The same."

"Then we might as well work together. Seeing as we both want the same thing.”

"Do you know where this cave is supposed to be?"

"Not far. Just past this clearing."

Henry followed her to the cave, along with some bunnies that bounced from bush to bush trying to avoid the open field. Deer stared at them from afar like they were the first people they had ever seen in the forest. Lena stopped at the entrance. Unable to see inside, the opening cut through the side of a hill. Foliage drooped over the top and vines wrapped around the sides. 

"This must be it," Lena said.

"Ladies first."

"Really? You're going to make me go first. You're the one with the sword."

"No, I insist," he said, running her through with his sword. 

She gasped. Her eyes wide open, staring at his smug face. 

"You want to know how I knew you aren't Lena?"

She continued to gasp for air. He leaned in close to smell her. Onions and old person stench leaked from her pores. Wrinkles started to take shape in her face.

"It was the necklace. Lena is allergic to silver. I tried to give her one as a gift one year. Her whole chest turned red like her hair."

Her hair faded to grey along with her skin. His fingers sunk in basically touching her bones against her clothes.

"So, Witch, any last words?"

"I never killed Sophie. I killed Lena," the witch coughed. "But I know who killed Sophie."

"Who?" he asked. The witch smiled and blood snuck out of the corner of her lips. He shook her, rubbing the sword back and forth inside her. "Who!”

She snapped her feeble fingers. "You." 

A high pitched scream echoed from the cave and a light appeared.

"Sophie!" Henry yelled.

Her voice was unmistakable. He ripped the sword out of the witch and ran to the entrance. The light got brighter until he realized it was a flame. It rushed toward Henry, consuming the entire cave. Henry got a few steps into the cave when the fireball was almost upon him. He doved to the ground, facing his back toward it. The fire rushed over him for only a second or two, leaving his cloak steaming from the intense heat. 

He got up and sprinted down the dim cave lit by the few bits of foliage that still burned. 

"Sophie! Sophie!" His desperate calls echoed down the tunnel without an answer. Once he got to the end of the cave, he saw his wife on the floor amongst the grey ash. Her body charred from the intense heat, arms behind her back, melted together like a black wax sculpture.

Henry kneeled by her corpse while tears dripped down his burnt face. Her body crumbled when he tried to touch her with his roasted hands.

"Please...Sophie...forgive me."

Those were his final words before he collapsed next to her. The life faded from his eyes with every blink. Completely transfixed on his wife, he knew his time had come. To be with his wife once again.