Dack woke up far later than he wanted to, but he wasn’t well rested. He had a dull pain in his head and most of his body was cramped. The weather had gotten cold during the night and a steady breeze was blowing. If it wasn’t for the warm cloak, he would have been much worse off. There was nothing to eat, and he knew he was going to have to be strong for what was coming.
After some stretches, Dack grabbed the reins of his horse and decided to complete the journey to the castle by foot in hopes that he would regain his strength. The sky was overcast and gloomy but didn’t look like rain, it was just very dreary. I feel terrible about getting Fixx into this whole plan, he thought as he approached the castle. But he wasn’t invited to help except for the key. Maybe he’ll understand. Maybe once things are finished people will change their minds.
“Hello, is there anyone here?” Dack called as he made his way into the castle.
“Keep it down,” a voice growled nearby.
“I’m sorry, I am looking for Fixx. It’s Dack. Is he awake?”
Farah looked Dack up and down then said, “Did you get your key?”
“Yes. How about your group?” Dack asked, waiting for her answer so that he could get to Fixx.
She walked over to Dack and stuck her hand out. “The name’s Farah. Nice to meet you, Dack.” They shook hands, and Dack was glad when she stopped squeezing his. “Fixx won’t be awake for a while. Do you want something to eat?” She motioned toward a nearby table with some fruit on it and they sat down. “We didn’t have any trouble getting the key. I went a little crazy, but it seems that was part of Fixx’s plan that he forgot to mention.” She smiled.
“How many went with you?” Dack asked with genuine interest.
“There were five total. Chad, the twins, Fixx, and myself. Fixx found out where the key was, Chad got it, and Alix and Alin pointed me in the right direction when the rage took over,” she said as she began eating some of the fruit. “This stuff is new, you should eat some.”
Dack saw some red apples that looked good, so he began eating. “Tell me, I don’t mean to be rude, but what are you?” he asked with a full mouth.
“You are rude if you keep talking with your mouth full,” she said seriously, then laughed loudly when Dack’s jaw dropped. “Now you’re showing it off, that’s even worse,” she said, having fun at his expense. “Really, I’m just kidding,” she added to put him at ease. “You asked a question about what I am, right?” Dack nodded. “I don’t have a name like human or pig, but I’m both. Boar really, more than pig.”
“Both?”
“I can be, but I prefer this form since the other is too painful,” Farah said before Chad grabbed Dack by the cloak and put the hood over his eyes.
Dack reacted by trying to grab at what was perceived as a threat but only managed to knock fruit everywhere and fall backwards off his seat. Farah and Chad had a good laugh, but Dack was very embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Dack. I was only playing,” Chad said apologetically as he lifted Dack back onto the seat and helped him get composed. “A little touchy this morning?”
“Chad, leave him alone and sit down. He’s asking about what we are. Care to help fill in the details?” Farah asked, trying to take Dack’s mind off his embarrassment.
Chad sat down and started spinning the fruit on the table. “I am human and rat, but I have no problems with changing back and forth. If you ask me, Farah’s problem is all in her mind.” Farah growled at Chad, but he continued, “I prefer the rat form like Farah does the boar; however, I use the human form to blend in when necessary.” Chad was slightly hairier than most humans, and his eyes had an eerie look to them, but otherwise he could pass in his current form for human. “I think Farah and I are related, but we’re not sure how.”
Dack turned as he heard something approaching rapidly. “You found more fruit, great!” Alin said before he sat down and started eating. Alix wasn’t too far behind, but it was obvious that he was still tired. “Come on, Alix. There’s food!” Alin called to his brother.
“I’m coming, there’s no rush,” Alix mumbled as he sat down and began eating. “Is that you, Dack?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“Yes, nice to meet you and your brother,” Dack said as he smiled to each of them. “Will Fixx be joining us soon?”
“Didn’t see him, but I’m sure he’ll be here,” Alin said as he ate the fruit ravenously. “He doesn’t miss too many meals,” he concluded as he reached for more.
“So you got your key?” Alix asked as he reached for one of the remaining pieces.
“Yes, I have two, and the one this group has makes three.” Dack nodded, looking around the table.
“Why do you want the keys? Why not just break in and save the time?” Chad asked, wanting Dack’s answer.
“I was hoping to rally the people to some cause. The Brotherhood wants to return the island to its roots, and I think that most people want that too. I also hope to help those who want to go home to leave through a Way. I’m still not sure how it works, but I don’t want to break in to the area and be discovered. That would surely bring the armies down on me. I think the Southern Territory will resist any efforts that the king of the Northern Territory makes. Also, there are now many loyal to this cause in the armies of the north. The keys are not necessary, but having them will help the people see that I want to do this the right way, even if the method of acquiring them is less than honest,” Dack said convincingly. “The Shadow Cult has also agreed to help if there is a need.”
“Very impressive indeed!” Fixx shouted across the castle as he clapped loudly. “You made it, no worse for wear. Did the cloak come in handy?” He was at the table in no time, eating the last piece of fruit.
“Did you get it from the Southern Territory?” Dack asked, smiling. “I saw there were some on display there.”
“It’s funny you should mention it. That cloak and how it came into my possession is a rather great story. Want to hear it?” Fixx asked excitedly.
Almost in unison everyone shouted, “No!” which made Fixx smile.
“Maybe later then.” Fixx winked. “So what’s the next step in the plans, Dack?”
Dack looked around the table and felt very awkward because he liked the group, but he knew he needed the humans’ help more. “I think we should meet at the portal area to discuss what to do next,” he said.
“Fine, we can ride out together; we should be there in less than a day,” Fixx announced as he stood up.
“Fixx, I was hoping to make these plans with you alone,” Dack said, not knowing what else to say.
“Something so secret no one else should know?” Fixx whispered.
“I just think it’s best that you and I meet there first, then the others can get involved if necessary.” Dack shrugged.
It was obvious that the others were disappointed, but Fixx said, “If that’s what’s best, I will meet you there in roughly one day.” Dack nodded, thanked everyone, and left the castle.
“It’s obvious he doesn’t want our help, Fixx,” Farah spoke up after Dack was gone.
“He needs our help, but he knows others don’t want it,” Fixx said sadly. “He really wants what’s best; let’s not make this harder than it has to be.”
“You have to be joking, Fixx,” Chad interjected. “We risked our lives to get him that key. He owes us.”
“Did he walk out of here with it?” Fixx asked, holding the key in his hand. “He wants it, needs it, he said, to appear legitimate, but he didn’t ask me for it. We are going to help him because it’s our only hope. Dack is being directed by each group he comes in contact with. It’s apparent that each wants different things.”
“Fixx, I understand that, but I am human. He didn’t even bother to find that out. My brother and I have no problems working with others. What’s his problem?” Alix demanded.
“He has no problem with it either. He’s just not strong enough to stand up and demand others overcome their issues. I do, however, think he will find the strength, and he will need us there when he does. I am leaving for the portal area. Please wait here until I return,” Fixx said as he looked around the table. They all grudgingly promised they would and then Fixx was gone.
The road to the portal area was not used much, but it was still in good condition. Dack’s new horse was definitely well suited for such a journey, although the pace they maintained made the ride more physically demanding. He wasn’t about to stop until he was very close to his destination. After a few breaks, they arrived at the portal area as the sun was coming up.
Dack dismounted, walked himself and the horse to a nearby well, and sat down. “Good job,” he said to the horse as he relaxed on the well wall. The horse ignored him and began eating the tall grass that was plentiful. The bucket was still useable, so he lowered it down into the well to fill it. He was pleasantly surprised that the water was clear when he hoisted the bucket back up. Cupping his hands, he took a sample. Not bad, he thought. After several more buckets, he was washed and had enough for the horse’s needs. A nap wouldn’t hurt, he thought as he walked around the building that was constructed over the spot where Lucan opened his Ways. He wanted to try the keys but decided to wait until he had all four, so he sat down in front of the door and closed his eyes.
“Rise and shine,” Fixx said to Dack when he arrived hours later. “What’s the plan?”
Dack opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He was very hot and his mouth was dry. “Hi, Fixx, glad you could make it,” he said as he stood and walked to the well. “I need a drink,” he said as he lowered the bucket. “Did you run here or use a horse?”
“Ran. It gives me time to think as I push my body to its limits,” Fixx said as he watched Dack. “Is the water any good?”
“I think so. The well’s very deep, and the water doesn’t taste stagnant. Want some?” he asked as he pulled the bucket out of the well. Fixx nodded and grabbed the bucket. “Go ahead, there seems to be plenty.”
After drinking a lot, Fixx used some to splash on his face. “Cold, too, very refreshing. Thanks,” he said as he passed the bucket back to Dack, who did the same. Dack put down the bucket and looked at Fixx. “What’s the plan?” Fixx asked.
“I need all the help I can get. We both know that, right?” Dack asked.
“But you don’t want mine?” Fixx smiled.
“I am sorry, Fixx. The humans in the south don’t want to work with anything that’s not human. It’s all about the numbers. If they help, there will be hundreds, maybe even a thousand. I need the territories, all of them,” Dack concluded.
“What about the Central Territory?” Fixx retorted.
“The Brotherhood has agreed to work with the Cult, but I am sure that will not be something the humans will tolerate for long. They’ve been great allies in the past, but times have changed. Everyone’s grown hard, unwilling to compromise unless they know for sure that they will have the upper hand in the end,” Dack said as he paced.
“What about yourself; can you stand working with me?”
“I think you are a little intense, but I have no problems with you because we are different, if that’s what you mean.”
“Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. So what’s the next step for us?” Fixx asked as he removed the key from his pocket, balancing it on his finger.
“Next? Haven’t you been listening? I have to move on, go work with the Scarlet Brotherhood, get the final key. There is no ‘us.’ Let me have the key so I can ride to the Northern Territory,” Dack demanded.
Fixx jumped up onto the wall of the well and dangled the key over the hole. “So you don’t need me anymore?” he asked, waving the key back and forth.
“Please don’t make this difficult, Fixx. We can work something out that will suit us both,” Dack pleaded.
“You can’t stand me. You don’t like anything that’s not human helping you, is that it?” Fixx asked as he danced around the lip of the well.
“You don’t even know me, Fixx. That’s not fair!”
“I do know you and your kind. No backbone. No one will be good enough unless they meet the criteria you’ve set up in your mind,” Fixx badgered him.
“You don’t even have a clue, do you, Fixx? I have no set agenda; I am trying to work with everyone. Others are making this difficult. I’m stuck in the middle,” Dack said as he moved closer to Fixx.
“You are free to choose, so stop being like one of those stupid humans who hate me and give me a chance.” Fixx leaned over the well and pretended to drop the key.
“I am not a stupid human, Fixx. I’m trying to work with everyone. They wouldn’t even give me the time if they knew,” was all Dack said before he realized he had said too much.
“Knew what, Dack?” Fixx smiled.
“Nothing, just give me the key,” Dack said angrily.
“What’s your little secret? You already know how to open Ways, don’t you?” Fixx guessed.
“Give me the key!” Dack shouted as he charged Fixx.
Fixx jumped down and started running circles around Dack. “I know now. I should have seen it before. Oh, it all makes sense now,” Fixx said as he bounded around Dack. “You’re trying to finish what Lucan started,” he said as he threw numerous spikes at Dack, who dodged them easily.
“Get a new trick,” Dack said as he picked up one of the spikes laying on the ground. Fixx jumped back onto the lip of the well and dropped the key. It was a desperate shot, but Dack threw the spike, which knocked the key enough for it to fall on the ground instead of in the well. Fixx was so amazed that he actually stood still, looking at the key on the ground, and he didn’t see Dack rushing over until it was too late.
Dack tackled Fixx to the ground and started pounding him. Fixx laughed as he blocked most of the punches. His laughing made Dack even angrier, angry enough to pick him up and throw him toward the well. Fixx landed on the edge, tried to maintain his balance, and fell into the well.
“I am so sorry, Fixx!” Dack cried as he rushed to look down the well. “Fixx, can you hear me?” he shouted as he strained to see the bottom. Nothing but the sound of small rocks falling into the water at the bottom of the well could be heard in return. He lowered the bucket, but he pulled it back up when he was sure Fixx wasn’t grabbing it. After many repeated calls, Dack concluded that Fixx was dead.
“I am sorry, Fixx. I didn’t want it to end this way,” he said as he picked up the key. “For what it’s worth, I do understand because I’m half Cult,” he added, mostly to make himself feel better about his decision. “I will do whatever it takes to end this, Fixx, that is my vow,” he said as he prepared himself for the next part of his journey.
I want to see Theterm, he thought, but I’m not in the mood right now. I’ll meet with the Scarlet Brotherhood and finish this. He mounted his horse and galloped away into what he knew was his final meeting with the king of the Northern Territory.
Hours later, Fixx thought it was safe to emerge from the well.
“Half Cult. That explains why he still has his head after their meeting.” Fixx shook his head, wondering what to do next. “I might as well see if this key even works after so many years.” He smiled as he pulled out the real key from the Eastern Territory while walking to the portal area door. After unlocking and locking the correct one again, he pocketed the key. “At least I pushed him in the right direction. Boy, that was fun!” he added as he raced to get ready for the next part of his plan.