Chapter Six: “Homecomings”
Day Fourty-Five- Hywrl
Daybreak comes much as it always had for most, but today is the appointed day to get our Queen Jaine safely back to us. The messenger stayed yesterday just long enough to rest his horse. In the early dawn hours, we offered him some of the fruits from our kitchens, but he seemed more trusting of the hard bread and water skin he had carried. At Kareth’s suggestion, we set Randall to scry the messenger through his journey north. Randall, the most powerful of our mages, has been invaluable, but we are draining him. The strange portal stones Archonus and I found have helped multiply his powers. They have even helped with training others in the magics, but it is still a high price. What if we need him later, but he is too weak to help. We have experienced the awesome power and the dire consequences of magic. Archonus would agree with any who spoke against trusting Randall. Something happened between the men back in Oceanus or perhaps even further back, but neither will speaking on it.
“There she is!” comes the excited shout from Xath drawing me back to the present. The lithe elf looks up with a slight smile, at least her spark of joy and happiness seems to be slowly returning. It is something that has been needed and missed. She has used her abilities to bring hope to everyone including us. “At the pace they are going we could intercept them just before dusk,” estimates Archonus standing at Xath’s shoulder. “Then we had better start out now,” comes Justice’s strong voice. Without looking up from the strange images swirling before us, I state, “I will tell the Duke we are setting out now. He knows what is expected.”
It took me mere moments to inform the Duke, everything had already been laid out. He knew it was coming. I quickly race out calling to Ohtar and saddling the dark gray horse I have been training with and meet the others by the stones again. I convince Ohtar to stay in Hywrl watching them for me. Later he could tell me what happened. He is more intelligent then most avians, but he still thinks as they do.
I approach to see Kareth’s large green frame holding the leather bridle of a squat horse. Atop the jittery steed sits Arfin’s stiff form. His mailed hands clutch the saddle while his metal tipped shoes strain to reach the already shortened stirrups. At least now he lets Kareth help him into the saddle and even sometimes seems to forget his dwarven dislike of horses. A bright shine of gold dims Arfin to a silhouette as Justice moves her horse forward in the lead position. As she continues forward, Archonus and Xath sit atop their black and brown horses pulling up behind Kareth’s back. After so long, it seems strange to see everyone ready for battle once more. Archonus wearing his shadowy blacks, grays and browns, and Justice decked out in her red and silver dragon breast plate, blade strapped to her back. Arfin glinting in shining plate from head to foot. Xath, Kareth and I seem the least changed, but for the armament of weapons and magic. The mail I got so long ago at the monastery clings to my upper body like a second thin skin. The plain green shirt hide’s it perfectly. While my leather leggings seem stiff from weeks of non-use, due to my new attempt of trying to fit in with Justice and Xath’s choice of dress.
"On the road again,” I smile at the thought. As we ride out, hands that see us wave and brows of those not knowing what spurs us into battle this time crease with uncertainty. How much we have accomplished, and how much we have done that none of us dreamed would be in our futures. How much else I have learned of my past, and with that sobering thought I pull on the red mask over my face. It is designed after the silver mask Archonus wears, only deep blood red for the color of our rebellion. Once I saw even Frarathier adapting to this practice, so I quickly got seven well made ones for the circle. Though Kareth needed some explanation on wear to wear his, we all now have one. As I don mine, I see the others follow suit.
As we reach the edge of the still dense woods we slowly nudge our horses faster. Kareth runs in the lead keeping us on a steady track with his paced footfalls. A few hours later, we come to a long stretch of wide road and see in the distance the tall slim shapes of humans and the rounded shape of a cart. As we reach the small group of travelers, we can make out four people. One an old man riding next to the cart steeldrake resting on his arm, but pointed at Justice in the lead. The old man quickly nudges his farm horse off to the side of the cart, in an attempt to flank us. The others are slower to move. A younger man grabs the cart horse’s bridle slowing it to a stop. His other hand grips the handle of a worn scabbard and an unimpressive looking sword hilt. A figure with similar features to his half rises from the seat on the wagon a hand swiftly motioning behind her. Two more small shapes half hide behind the rear of the cart with little flashes of light reflect from their deadly blades. All look better then when we last saw each other on our escape from Thanesport.
“Stop! Who ye be?” Shouts a dwarf standing next to the half raised woman in the cart. A cudgel swings from a stub were his left hand should be. His right fist is clothed in bandages which he quickly turns from our view. There is no mistaking this to be Gawyn Thunderheart. Once ambassador of the Thunderheart clan to the city of Thanesport.
Justice sits looking at the old man, her grandfather Joshua Preston. Archonus if his eyes could be seen I am sure is looking with self damnation at Gawyn’s new appendage and wounds. Kareth is looking at Justice almost waiting for her to make the first move. Xath and Arfin behind me make no move forward nor seem to be moved to speak. So kicking my horse forward, I ask in a clear voice, “What happened to contacting Darmac?” The woman in the wagon raises to a more queenly posture for this is our Queen Jaine. Darmac is the smith we were to contact should we not find Jaine or her companions in Sylvanus. She motions the okay to her companions, then lifting her head and voice with disdain, “What happened to the two weeks? I got tired of waiting.” Justice dismounts and taking the mask from her face pushes toward Preston. I move my horse backward knowing Justice and Xath will now take over. I grab the milling horses reigns letting my mask remain as it is.
Justice’s rare young giddy voice is heard across the small area, “Hello, grandfather. It is good to see you again.” Though it is easy to tell he was a good looking proud man in his youth, the now sixty year old man looks at Justice, “It is good to see you again as well.”
As the other remove their masks, Gawyn climbs down from the cart. “I know the rest, but who you be?” Gawyn hobbles over to Xath pointing with the clothed stump. Xath’s fair face turns to him sadly, “It is me, Xath.” I am startled to hear her deep accented Dwarven speech again. In a sudden change her words turn Gawyn’s eyes to mist, “What happen’ t’ ye?” She has had to explain so many times, it is starting to become easier “I… I died and when brought back it was in this form.” As we had seen with Arfin, Gawyn flipped the sadness to anger, “Poor shame! They mad’ ye ugly!!”
“We must be escorting you to Hywrl, my lady,” interrupts Justice with her arm linked with Preston’s.
“Then lets go quickly, I am sick of traveling. But there is still much I need answers about.” Jaine looks over at me, not seeming to care that I have not removed my mask, “So why have you claimed a title in the name of the king. We are starting a rebellion remember. Do you think this will help?” I continue to meet her gaze, as Xath speaks in our defense. “My lady,” she begins, “we claimed the title in the true thrones name, which is yours. The people of Hywrl and New Oceanus have been told of the deceptions of the king. They fight for you now.”
Jaine continues to look at me, “This will come back to haunt us I am sure.” Jaine resigns, “but there is nothing we can do now. Let’s get back to my people.” As with Justice when she regains her seat and relaxes for the continued journey I see the years wash from her face. Her eyes will always be far older then any her age, but she is still a young woman only about Justice’s age.
We start the slow ride back. While Justice and Joshua ride at the back of the company I ride in front keeping my mask on. Justice knows about Joshua’s time on the island, but there must also be other burning questions she has. I hope she has a chance to talk to him, more time then I got with Link. Later we will have questions for him from the circle, but for now hopefully they speak on better things.
As soon as we enter Hywrl, I see Justice slid from her horse quickly regaining Joshua’s arm. With a smile she pulls him toward Link’s tree. I follow for a few steps, but with a pleading look Justice begs me off. I stop for a second, remembering my hope for her to have time to talk with him. Almost touching my shoulder I hear Archonus, “Let them have some time.” Without taking my eyes from where they are going, I can only nod my head at Archonus’ words. I quietly throw over my shoulder, “I’ll be near the stones.” If they heard me, they can send someone should I be needed, if not there are always ways. I ride to a small glade area, to practice my aim and to think. Now Jaine is here, and now she is the claim of legitimacy.
I can feel the questioning probe of Ohtar through my mind. He is keeping his distance, but I can not shut him out completely. My arm finally shakes with the effort of holding the string taught, so I sit down under a tree and close my eyes. I once again try to delve into the shadows of the dream world as the regent had been teaching me. I can hear Ohtar as if from a far distance, he seems to know how easy it would be for myself to loose myself there. For now I just need to look in, to see the flowing of thoughts and magic. This is one of the mysteries of the green mages. Ohtar becomes more insistent in my mind, and slowly I come back into myself, my heart beating, my blood pulsing. Stretching my muscles, Ohtar lands feet away. With a strange short talk he tells me the tall golden one comes, Justice. I ask him to see to Joshua’s movements. It is hard to have him remember a person specifically as to him they are all simply things beneath him. Some though he has begun to name in his own way.
I hear the soft snap of a branch behind me and inhale the sharp sent of a floral soap, but keep my focus and shoot at the target one hundred and fifty feet away. Slowly lowering my bow I turn to face my niece, if all Dorn said was true. Her face normally a placid sea is cold with a strange mix of sorrow, confusion, and fury.
Seeing Justice is alone, I grip my bow in one hand and the red mask tied around my other. There is only one reason she would come to find me. I just want the truth, and it would tell me what I needed to know. Justice makes the first move, "L'Aurel... I have made astonishing discoveries in my conversation with Preston... he is a dear, dear man. It feels so good to finally have a relative... but, not just one... two. I know, L'Aurel... I know that you are Preston's daughter” At her pause, I can only stare. So he told her first… he couldn’t face me. She continues, “He does not know it is you. I do not know if he wants to know-- it shames him to no end. But, I will leave that decision up to you." If he didn’t tell her… I see that there is more on her mind then just this, so remain still as she gathers her thoughts. Tact has not been her thing, and when in high emotions I know it too much to ask for.
"I have not seen or heard from my mother for nearly six years. Preston and her have not spoken since she was pregnant with me... and, for a reason that makes me sick. This must stay secret... but, I must speak to someone, and... and, I feel I can trust you. L'Aurel... my father is John Darkson... a man that I have tried to kill."
I feel the tears of so many emotions in my eyes and turn to glance unseeing down the range, "I do not want to hurt him, but it is something we can not escape. Too many have already been hurt and had their lives destroyed... Blood destroying and linking blood... nice little cycle." With a sad chuckle, I turn back towards her, "Darkson, son of darkness..." I look up into Justice’s eyes, "Just as no one is truly all good, no one can be truly all evil. He... there is a possibility that he can be saved, that he can repent, that he can... change."
"If you must tell Preston, please do it gently, I will come with you, if you desire... but, I do know the value of being alone. L'Aurel, I do not know how you feel about the man that raised you-- the man you call Father... but, I do know that Preston will understand if you do not choose to call him Father. He knows, as well as I do, that the seed that creates a child holds little weight. At least, I hope that is the truth... for, if it is not, there is little hope for me."
Letting the bow rest against a nearby tree along with any other feelings, I gently put my hand on Justice shoulder, “I will go to Joshua later, after everything else is set. He will have a lot on his mind, and I want him to have some time with his happy memories of you, his granddaughter… as for the other, would you condemn Archonus for his blood, or mine for the way it was achieved? Blood may try to taint us, but it does not control us. There is a lot to be said for the spirit passed on and chosen, and remember Katie’s blood flows in you as well.”
She stand still as she responds, "Preston has few happy memories. The last 40 years have been noting but pain and torture for him... I can only pray that I can help to make his future bright. Katie's blood may flow in my veins... but, the Light only knows what has happened to her. Truth be told, I am not sure I want to know. Preston will be relieved to know that you are alright. He has thought of you, and Andara, frequently. But, was too ashamed to try to find you. What will you say to him? How will you tell him?"
Squeezing her shoulder I let my hands drop back to my side shrugging uncertainly,“I was hoping to find him tonight, after everything else is settled. Let him keep his mind on the goal and tasks at hand first.” Looking down at the mask again, “I can not go around in this forever trying to hide from him, but a few hours will not hurt anyone.” With an attempt at a smile, “Don’t worry. I do not want a confrontation, and I do not blame him for what they were all forced to do. They did make a choice though, but as for who and what to say from this point… that is something he and I need to decide.” Sounding defeated, I look away, “I fear destiny has already set our paths, and we are just trudging along it’s course. I would like only one death mark against me for now… that of being the blood of Link’s second child.” Looking back at Justice, “Katie, your mother, she sailed west with Tain and Darkson, and there is no telling what happened during there time there. But she did come back, and she did have you, and you were given into a better life with your brethren and sisters of the light at the academy.”
Once again, tears fill Justice's eyes, "No... no... she never returned. She has been gone for so long... Preston and I are so worried. She was a strong woman but, I don't know if she was strong enough to fight off the evils that surround Tain, Darkson, and their comrades... I hope she was." Her eyes clear, and she seems to smile, "But, finding Preston was like a gift from the Light. All those years of loneliness almost seem to have a purpose... the past has set my feet upon the path of the future... He validates my chosen course--I now KNOW I am doing the right thing. I am so glad to have him now."
Thinking back to other conversations, "I hope soon we will all have that certainty of purpose. Does Joshua hate Darkson as well? Does he know all that we know of him?"
"Preston hates Darkson with a passion that could rival my own. He knows all we know and more of that bastard. When Katie refused to leave Darkson... it was just too painful for him to watch her throwing her life away with that slime... and, when she became pregnant--she and Preston stopped talking altogether. As I said, if I do not kill him, Preston will."
“Will you or Joshua tell the others what you know of Darkson’s past? There could be knowledge we need. The fact that he is your… that he is directly related to you… can remain a secret, though why you wish it to be kept even from those that we pledged our friendship too I can not understand. I will hold your secret, but I warn you to think on what you are doing to them.”
"What he knows of Darkson is still something he and I have to talk about. There were more important things for he and I to discuss this day... tomorrow, maybe, he and I will talk more in-depth about him and his dark past." She sighs, "Some secrets are meant to be kept... I am simply not ready to tell mine to everyone, yet. I need to come to terms with it before I can announce it to the world... it is painful, shameful, and hurtful... not a thing I want to share. It will come with time, though--that you can be certain of."
"Time is running out, Justice.... for now, go and talk to Joshua as your grandfather. Do not take time for granted, for who knows when you will get a better chance. Please send someone to get me if there is need for the group, otherwise I shall stay out here. Tonight... after second watch sounds, then I shall go and talk with Joshua Preston."
Standing toe to toe, I reach out and take hold of Justice’s arm, “Know this, we have fought together and shed blood together, no matter our past or blood connection, you are an ally, a friend, a sister in arms. I will keep your secret as you wish, and nothing past nor present will change the bond of friendship we have." Justice nods crisply, whipping away the most recent tear tracks then turns straightens her back and leaves.
I told her what I could, but she must work through her demons, and I must finally face mine. I must remember magic, destiny, and prophesy are never sure from a mortals view. Darkson may be evil, but he could change. I must tell myself that he can be changed that there is hope for everyone. Some choose to not change, but it must be a choice first. May the light see her through this and guide her heart when the time comes.
As darkness falls, I pack up my bow and retrieve my most recent flight of arrows I just shot. Then finding the horse, Marry Weather, begin the slow walk to Hywrl. As I reach the edge of trees, I once again don the mask, “Only for this night, but I will not cause him undo pain too soon.”
I see Farathier sweaty and dirty walking from the practice area, apparently he had a late night test. “Farathier!” With annoyance he turns to me, “Yes.” I smirk at his typical tone, “Have you seen Justice?” “I saw her pass to the palace earlier, but never saw her leave.” He turns quickly apparently having enough of this conversation. Smiling I mutter, “Well, good night to you too” at his retreating back.
I enter the palace through the kitchen doors, to see if Justice is taking dinner to Father Dorn. Not seeing them, I pass Sorsha’s mom some herbs I picked up in the forest that may help spice up tomorrows banquet food.
After talking to one of the many pages still running around, I learn that he thinks ‘the old priest’ went to talk with Father Dorn, but that was some hours ago. I try to gather my emotions as I walk to were Joshua should be. I think back on our other brief meetings. It was back on the road so many months ago. The first when we saved the caravan from Mr. Miagi’s men. Then later when we saved Jaine and Joshua from the gallows. The next was shortly after that event as we were fleeing the Thainesport, and that was the night he told Justice of their connection. In all that time he had never once appeared to recognize me.
Maybe Father Dorn can see something in me that not many others can, and maybe he was mistaken... no, Link’s daughter saw it, also. I stop beside a hallway mirror, and take a look at myself. Who would have thought the ugly duckling from Greenwood would grow into such a… not a swan, I thinks as I pull the red mask down. Instead a countess, a relation to long ago heroes, one of seven generals for a rebel army, companion to a giant eagle, and friend to six people who look to be the great hero’s of this time. No not a swan, more like my companion like an eagle graceful and strong, but still lacking the common beauty. I left my little cottage in Greenwood to search for the truth and understanding, and I will not stop now.
As if finally coming to a definite decision I see the green harden in the eyes reflected back at me. Yes, now to see Justice’s grandfather, Joshua Preston. Justice who has the blood of the Apecto, special training and powers from Father Dorn, and a magical sword from one of Darkson, her father’s evil minions. She actually has a chance to get to know her family through Joshua, and not having had much time with Link I backed off earlier. But now I must intrude, and see if all that I have heard is true and what I should do with the knowledge.
With the mask back in place I go to where Joshua Preston should be, and knock……