It was close to nightfall before Fixx decided he needed a break from his running. From all outward appearances he wasn’t tired; however, he knew he had limits that would prevent him from completing his task if he didn’t rest periodically. After a drink from a swift-moving stream, he headed deeper into the forest, away from the kings’ roads and the local footpaths. His first stop would gain him the allies needed to complete the job of obtaining the Eastern Territory’s portal area key. They would do anything for him, including attempt the impossible just because he asked.
Once he was certain he had arrived at the right location, he slowed to a walk and then stopped to make sure he wasn’t being followed. Several minutes passed as he stood in complete silence in near darkness. A smile grew slowly on his face as he began filling his lungs, readying himself for what he hoped would be his desired outcome. After he was sure that no more air could be inhaled, he let it all out in one tremendously long, ear-piercing scream that was definitely heard by those for whom it was intended.
Four objects fell through the trees and landed roughly on the ground surrounding Fixx, who was trying hard not to let his snickering be heard.
“What was that? Is it still here?” asked a raspy voice.
“I don’t hear anything moving around, but I smell something,” snorted a second voice.
“I’m relying on you two for information, I’m blind here,” said a third voice.
“Same here!” shouted a fourth. “I’ve got a good idea what we’re up against though.”
“Hey, no fair,” Fixx blurted out when he received a swift kick from behind. “You’re getting too good at this teamwork idea. Can’t blame me for testing you, right?”
“Fixx!” All four converged on Fixx’s location only to find the spot empty.
“Okay, listen,” Fixx said as he lit a small torch to illuminate his new position. “We need to talk, but not here. Can you meet me near the glen outside of the Eastern Territory, near the wall?” They looked at each other inquisitively, then nodded. “Good. Take all of your belongings and ride there as quickly as possible. I’ll meet you there very soon, so wait until I show.” He handed over the torch and dashed off again into the darkness.
“Alix and Alin, you two get the horses ready. Chad, you help me pack our things. If we hurry, we’ll be there late tomorrow,” snorted Farah as she threw the torch to Alix. “You two will need this more than we will.”
Alix fumbled the torch, but Alin caught it before it hit the ground.
“Wrong one, dear,” Chad said with his usual raspy voice. “While they look the same, there is a difference in skills.” He smiled as he patted Alix on the back. “One day Alix will come in handy, I’m sure.”
“Well, they all look the same to me in the dark,” growled Farah.
“We look the same in the light too,” Alin said as he held the torch close to shed its glow on his and Alix’s faces.
“I prefer you in the dark though,” he said, pointing the torch toward Farah.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say your tusks are showing.” Alix grinned, showing his teeth.
“See, I told you he would be useful. Stating the obvious is always an underutilized skill. No one else could have noticed those things without him pointing them out,” Chad said with a serious tone.
“Enough. Let’s get going. Fixx will be so far ahead of us by now.” Farah turned from the group and began packing. The others joined in the effort, and soon the group was on their way to meet Fixx.
Fixx had continued on and was nearing the spot he hadn’t visited in quite a long while. Ahead the ground grew steep as it became more like a mountain than a forest. The trees thinned until there was little but small loose rocks that he had no problem traversing. He slowed down to a walk as he attempted to gain his bearings by looking for familiar landmarks. Near the top he saw two leaning trees that had grown together and knew he had arrived.
“My home away from home.” He chuckled as he cleared some loose branches and vines that were covering a small opening. He had no problem getting into the cave, but it took a little while until he found the things he needed to start a small fire. Except for the gentle glow of embers, he searched through the dark cave.
In the darkest corner of the cave he saw what he had come so far to retrieve. With a big grin, he bent down and pulled up two things that had been growing in the ground. “I guarantee this will do it,” he said aloud as he placed the items in his bag. He sat down near the fire and looked around the cave. Tears began to flow softly down his cheeks as he thought of how long he’d had to live here on Storality in the cave against his will.
Dack will get me home, he thought as he brushed away the tears. Just the thought of home put a smile on his face; however, it soon turned to a frown as he sighed at the prospect of anyone he knew being alive. He pounded his hands in the dirt as the anger toward Lucan swelled within him. It’s no use, it was my fault too, he thought as he stood and kicked dirt into the fire until it was completely extinguished.
“Stupid tea, it’s the nastiest stuff I’ve ever tasted!” he screamed as he dashed out of the cave on his way to meet the others. As he ran along, he began thinking of what he would do if he was stuck on this world and ended up ruling with Dack until things returned to the way they were. We would do all right. He smiled as he thought of them sitting on thrones and people doing whatever he wanted. The rest of the trip was spent deciding which was really better: returning to what he had, or staying for what he might have. Either way, Dack was crucial in making either happen. “I’ll do my part, I can promise that,” he said as he approached the meeting spot, which was quickly becoming dark as the sun was setting.
“Hello, all,” Fixx said as he arrived at the meeting spot and sat down in the grass next to the others warming by a fire. “Glad you all could make it on such short notice.”
“What’s this all about, Fixx?” Alix asked.
Fixx looked at each of the group to ensure that everyone was listening before he spoke. “I have an opportunity to help someone, but I will need your help too.”
“That one we were following?” Farah asked.
“Yes. His name is Dack, and he is trying to reunite the island and make things better,” Fixx said.
“Make things better for whom?” Chad asked.
“We will all benefit. I am sure he’s the one who can do it, we just need to help him,” Fixx concluded.
“He’s got ties to the Shadow Cult; can we trust them again?” Farah asked.
“If Dack can get in and out from their forest, he’s got something that none of the others the Scarlet Brotherhood have sent had. I am sure Orex will help now,” Fixx assured them.
“What type of help does he need?” Alix asked.
“He is gathering the keys to the portal area and needs us to secure the one from the king of the Eastern Territory,” Fixx announced.
The group looked at each other nervously. “Portal area? The humans don’t want that opened again. What’s he gain by unlocking that? Unless . . .” Farah paused, “unless he can create Ways.” Farah stood up and began to leave.
“Farah, please sit down,” Fixx pleaded.
“It’s all starting over again, isn’t it?” Farah said to herself.
“Farah, please,” Chad spoke up. “Fixx needs to continue, please sit down.”
“He’ll be just like him. He was okay at first, too, until he knew how to control Ways. Same age. Everything’s the same, why can’t anyone else see it?” Farah continued, ignoring the others.
Alin stood up and went to Farah. He whispered something in her ear and she stared intently at him. He nodded and they both sat down again. The others looked at each other but said nothing until Farah spoke again. “Tell me, Fixx, what’s going to be different?”
“Different? I think a lot will be different. He is not doing this for himself. He genuinely wants to help everyone, not just a small group. If he can figure out how to open Ways, he will do it so that those who want to go home can, and those who stay will be treated equally,” Fixx said.
“If he can figure it out?” Chad asked, surprised.
“He doesn’t know how it works, no one does, but no one else is trying,” Fixx answered.
“So why ride around stealing the keys? Why not just break in to one place and save ourselves the time and trouble? We don’t need any more people hunting us,” Chad replied.
“I agree, Fixx. Why this elaborate plan?” Alix asked.
“If he managed to get in and started trying and anyone found out about it, do you think they would believe he was doing it for everyone’s good?” Fixx asked.
“But no one ever goes there. Hardly any humans venture into the Central Territory as it is now. I’d rather spend time trying that,” Chad concluded.
“Please, we do not have many options open to us now. The king of the Northern Territory already knows about Dack and is hunting him down. That’s why he needs our help in the east. If we don’t help him get the support of the people, it won’t matter if he knows about Ways. If Dack just goes to the portal area, the king will eventually look there. It’s not an option. He needs to do everything in the open once he gets the keys,” Fixx said.
“A showdown against the armies is what is going to happen now. How do you propose to stop them?” Farah snorted.
“I guess we will have to trust that Dack is able to get the keys and the support. I think he can do it,” Fixx said adamantly.
“What if he does, what’s next?” Alix asked.
“He will reinstitute the King’s Tournament and try to figure out Ways. If he succeeds, we won’t have to live the way we do now. Dack and I will rule together.” Fixx smiled.
The others began laughing. “Does he know that?” Farah asked. Another round of laughter ensued.
“Of course he does, that was the best deal he could negotiate in his situation. Does anyone else have something to say before we start planning on just how to get the key?” Fixx said as he looked around. Alin didn’t say anything, but he avoided Fixx’s eyes. “Alin?”
“Yes?” Alin answered quietly.
“Do you have something to say?” Fixx asked.
“I am just concerned about this whole thing, that’s all,” Alin began. “I just don’t like the odds, sounds awful risky. I saw the patrols. They are out in force, and I figured it had something to do with what you wanted us here for.”
“Saw the patrols?” Fixx asked nervously.
“I went to the wall alone when we got here and saw the increased security. Patrols of three went by several times. At least three different groups. If there is that much this far out, I am not sure if closer will be any easier. That’s all.”
“Any suggestions?” Fixx asked.
“I have a couple of ideas, but we need to act at night,” Alix interjected.
“Is everyone ready now?” Fixx asked.
They all nodded. “I think we should eat and discuss our strategy, sound good?” Chad asked because he was extremely hungry.
“That’s fine, Chad. We will eat, and tonight we will get the key. So, who wants to start?” Fixx asked as they began eating and planning what they hoped would be a flawless operation to liberate another key from the possession of a king who had ruled too long without the people’s support or approval.
“I don’t want to hear it again, Farah. You agreed,” Fixx said from the bushes near the edge of the road.
“You didn’t say anything about turning human again. You know I wouldn’t have agreed,” snarled Farah, trying to loosen herself from the ropes Fixx had tied tightly around her wrists. “You also didn’t say anything about being tied upside down by my ankles from a tree over the road!” shouted Farah as she struggled to free herself.
“If you turn human, you will slip out easily,” Chad added.
“If I turn human, I won’t be able to protect myself until I turn back. You know it’s not that easy, Chad. I’d like to know how my volunteering to provide a diversion turned into this?” demanded Farah.
“It was Fixx’s idea,” Alix said.
“But it took all of you to get me up here. There has to be a better way,” growled Farah.
“Here they come, Farah, three guards on horses, all heavily armed. It’s now or never,” Alin informed everyone as he joined the others in the bushes.
“We need a damsel in distress, Farah, not a pig in a poke. Start changing,” Fixx insisted.
Farah closed her eyes and began to relax. Her features became less wrinkly and her muscular frame slimmed. Within a few moments, the ropes around her wrists fell off and the transformation was almost complete. “I hate you for this,” Farah whispered.
“Concentrate, Farah. Your tusks are still showing.” Chad chuckled.
As the process completed, the guards were in sight of Farah. They slowed their pace, unsure of what was hanging from the tree. “What do you make of that?” asked one of the guards as they rode within feet of Farah.
“Looks like someone needs our help,” said a second guard as he grabbed Farah. “Cut the rope and I’ll lower her.”
The transformation made Farah very weak and unsure of what was happening. “Alix, is that you?” she asked, looking at the guards through blurred vision.
“What happened here?” asked the guard who cut Farah down.
“I’m so weak, I don’t remember much,” Farah said honestly.
“We’ll get you back to the castle. There’s too much going on around here,” concluded the guard as they put Farah on the back of one of the guard’s horse. “Can you hold on?” Farah nodded and they rode off quickly.
When it was safe to come out, the rest of the group emerged from the bushes. “We take the next group out,” Fixx said commandingly.
“What about Farah?” Alix asked.
“By the time she knows what’s going on, she’ll be resting in the castle. The change back will not weaken her like this one did. So when we find her, she’ll be ready,” Chad answered.
“So we have her on the inside and all we have to do is overtake the next set of guards and meet her there. Does everybody understand their parts?” Fixx asked. Everyone nodded and headed back to their positions. It wasn’t too long until the next group of guards came by.
“Excuse me!” Fixx shouted as he darted in front of the horses, causing one to throw its rider. “Did I do that?” he asked with mock concern.
Alin and Chad took out the other two riders from behind, and soon all three guards were firmly tied to trees well off the road. Fixx tried to ask them about how many other guards were on patrol and how many were guarding the castle, but none of them would say anything more than there was no chance for success.
Alix, Alin, and Chad put on the armor, which fit well enough for their needs. Once they were ready, they mounted the horses and waited for Fixx.
“You three should be able to make it to the castle with no problems. I will run along with you and divert any of the guards who get too curious. We’ll meet near the main entrance in case we get separated, okay?” Fixx asked, waiting to begin the next phase.
All four made it to the castle with no further incident, but it became obvious that getting the key would be very difficult with the remaining guards patrolling the main grounds.
“There’re too many of them, Fixx. We just can’t walk in there,” Chad said after he had surveyed the area.
“Alin and I stand the best chance of getting in without problems,” Alix suggested.
“If you two could get in, find Farah, and then start a panic inside, Chad and I could slip in and get the key.” Fixx smiled as he pondered the options. “I can handle the king myself; I can be very persuasive at times.”
“What will you need me to do?” Chad asked.
“Start a panic on the outside. Make them think there’re more of us then there are. We’ll wait here until Alin and Alix start the noise inside.” Fixx paced for a few moments while everyone waited. “Whatever happens, we should all meet back at the castle in the Central Territory when it’s over. Go ahead, boys, make me proud!”
Alix and Alin rode up to the castle, dismounted, and headed toward the main entrance. “They’ve got the drawbridge up. We’ll have to get them to lower it,” Alin whispered.
“Not a problem, just follow my lead,” insisted Alix. “Lower the drawbridge!” he shouted as they approached the moat.
“What business do you have, guard?” came a response from within.
“We are here to collect the girl found earlier!” Alix shouted back.
After a few moments, the drawbridge lowered and they crossed quickly. A guard approached quickly and said, “Follow me. She’s still very disoriented, and the sooner you take her, the better.” They walked up several floors and finally arrived at a wooden door that the guard unlocked. “I have to get back to my post; you can find your way out, right?” They nodded and the guard left.
Alin opened the door and peered in the room. “Farah, you awake?” There was no answer, so he motioned for both of them to enter and then closed the door. “Farah?”
A lump in the bed moved and then sat up. “Alix?” asked Farah as she started to move toward them.
“It’s us, Farah, Alix and Alin,” Alix said, moving toward Farah. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t remember much. Where am I?” Farah asked as she looked around the room. “Where’s everyone else?”
“They’re waiting outside for you to start a panic,” Alin blurted out.
“Panic?”
“You remember Fixx asking us to help him get a key, right?” Alix asked, becoming nervous.
“Fixx! I remember now,” Farah growled as her physical appearance began to change again. “He set me up, used me to do what he wanted. Made me do something I promised I would never do again.” It was obvious that an unusual rage was overcoming her.
“Farah, control yourself. It won’t help if you don’t stick to the plan,” Alix said as he approached her, trying to calm her down.
“Plan? It’s Fixx’s fault. It was Fixx’s plan all along. He knew I wouldn’t be able to control myself when I first changed again. I am so out of control, I could take on the entire castle!” Farah shouted as she moved toward the door. Her body did indeed look much more muscular and animal-like than Alix or Alin had ever seen. “Let’s go!” she screamed when the twins paused to think about what to do.
Moving down the hall, Farah broke everything in her path as she breathed heavily, looking for the way out. Some guards responded to the noise, but most ran away when they saw the damage Farah was doing. A few guards tried to tackle her, but none were successful as she punched, kicked, and threw them out of the way. “Get out of my way and you won’t get hurt too much!” she yelled to those who were trying to stay ahead of her.
“Chad, I think that’s our cue,” Fixx said, then ran toward the castle. “See you later,” Chad heard as Fixx disappeared into the night.
What will cause the most panic? Chad thought as he approached the guards’ tents. He saw a lot of horses tied to a post near the rear of the tents. It did not take long for all the horses to be free, knocking over lanterns, uprooting tent stakes, and causing more mayhem than Chad thought possible. That should do it. He smirked as he slinked into the shadows near the moat.
Fixx had to time his jump perfectly, for someone thought it best to raise the drawbridge. It wasn’t difficult because he was moving so quickly, but he hoped getting out would not be much trouble when it was time. He checked the contents of his sack, smiled, and began searching for the king. Farah was getting close, so Fixx headed in the direction to meet up with the others.
“Farah, have you seen the king?” Fixx asked as he dodged the things she began to throw at him. “Really, we don’t have time for this. Alix, which way?”
Farah continued trying to grab Fixx as Alix answered, “He’s not been seen, although there aren’t too many other places he could be. You might need to persuade someone to tell you.”
“Thanks. You three get that drawbridge down, it’s our quickest way out,” Fixx said over his shoulder as he ran down the hallway. “See you on the outside.”
Farah tried to follow Fixx, but Alin grabbed her and pointed her in the other direction. “You can hit him later. We need a way out now,” Alix said. Farah nodded and headed toward the drawbridge.
“Has anyone seen the king?” Fixx called as he went room to room. “I’m looking for the king!” Suddenly, Fixx stopped and looked at a painting hanging on the wall. It was the king, and Fixx remembered seeing him a few rooms back, near the servant’s quarters. He turned around and found that the door was locked. “Open up, I know what you look like,” Fixx sang.
Another door opened in the hall and the king looked out. Fixx ran and arrived in time to stop the door from closing. “I just want to talk, really. Please step away from the door,” Fixx said soothingly.
“What do you want?” asked the king, still trying to close the door.
“The key. Didn’t you get the message?” Fixx chuckled.
“I threw it in the moat. It’s useless anyway,” pleaded the king.
“The moat? Disgusting, but definitely not where I would have looked. Where in the moat?”
“Right under the drawbridge, near the wall. Please go now,” the king insisted.
Fixx stopped pushing on the door; it closed and the king locked it as Alin came running up. “We are ready. The drawbridge is down, Farah is calm, and Chad is with us now,” Alin reported.
“Tell Chad to jump in the moat under the drawbridge near the wall and he’ll find the key. If he finds it, all of you leave; if not, come back,” Fixx whispered to Alin, who left again. “Okay, I’m leaving now. Thanks, King. See you later,” Fixx said to the door.
After a few minutes, the king opened the door to look out. “Hi there. Remember me?” Fixx shouted as he jumped in the room just as the door closed. “I just wanted to give you a present before leaving,” Fixx said as he reached into his bag. The king took the opportunity to draw his dagger but found he was too slow. Fixx had pinned him to the wall with eight spikes. “As I was saying, I’ve got a little present for you.”
“Stop this. You have what you want, now leave me alone!” the king shouted.
“I can see this is a bad time. I’ll just leave it here for you. It’s a present from my world,” Fixx said as he turned to leave.
“Are you going to leave me like this with whatever’s in that bag?” the king asked, very much afraid.
Fixx rubbed his chin and said, “Yes, you should be fine if you don’t move.” He opened the door and raced toward the drawbridge. Chad was climbing back up with a bag in his teeth. “Is this it?” Fixx asked.
“I’m sure there aren’t too many other keys in there, so it’s probably the right one,” Chad said as he gave the bag to Fixx, who opened it to examine the key.
“Looks right. Let’s get out of here before the guards regain their courage. I have a stop to make. I’ll meet you all back at the castle,” Fixx said as he began to run off.
“What are you doing now?” Alix asked.
“I need to see someone to ensure that plans won’t change. Now get going before they organize and come after us,” Fixx insisted before disappearing in the opposite direction of the Central Territory.