“It won’t be long now until the king rounds up the rest of them,” a guard said arrogantly.
“I still don’t understand why he’s doing it now, what’s the hurry? He’s had many on the inside already. A couple more days won’t matter, will it?” asked a second guard.
“Something about it just doesn’t seem right,” said a third.
“It doesn’t matter what we think. It’s what the king wants. He tells us to get them and we do. His orders are to crush the Scarlet Brotherhood by any means necessary, and that is what we will do. Do you have any problems with that?” the first guard paused and glared menacingly at the others who quickly avoided his stare. “Good, then we head into the woods north of the castle. There’s supposed to be a meeting there in the next few days. Let’s go.”
The three guards exited their tent, mounted their horses, and galloped away. Dack felt his heart sink. He feared the king would try something like this, but he hoped he had more time. That’s exactly why he’s doing it now, he thought. He must know I am almost finished. Dack kicked the ground in disgust, wondering what to do next.
Dack’s ride to the Northern Territory was mostly uneventful; however, he spotted some patrols inside the Central Territory. He guessed they were stepping up security, but he never thought they would come inside the wall. After leaving his horse far enough from the wall to be spotted, he walked the rest of the way until he crossed through the wall and saw the guard tent.
I have to see if I can get in contact with the Brotherhood, he thought as he surveyed the empty streets. The White Bull is my only hope, he concluded and began walking that way. He had left his cloak with the horse but decided to keep the keys. As he prepared to enter, he took a few deep breaths and walked in like he was a regular.
He managed to find a booth in the secluded part of the tavern where he hoped no one would bother him. After a few minutes, the same barkeep from his previous visit walked up and asked him what he would like. “I hope you’ll remember me because I’d like the same thing I had earlier,” he said as he looked up and smiled at the man. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I can help you with that,” the man said, nervously looking around.
“Sit down, I need to talk,” Dack whispered.
The man sat and said, “Are you trying to get me killed? No one knows I sympathize with the Brotherhood. It’s not a good time; now please leave me alone.” He started to rise.
“Please, I need to get in touch with them. Faith or Petrose, anybody? I know the king is putting pressure on everyone. I need your help,” Dack pleaded.
“I can contact Petrose, but no one’s seen Faith in days,” the man said as he stood and motioned for Dack to follow. “Go downstairs and wait until someone comes for you.” Dack nodded and walked down a flight of noisy wooden steps. The cellar was cold and dark, but at least he was out of the way while he waited.
Hours went by before the door opened again. Dack tried to see who it was before making himself seen. Petrose and one other were coming down the steps. “Dack, where are you?” Petrose called out.
“Who’s with you?” Dack asked before coming out into the open.
“I brought one of the leaders of the Scarlet Brotherhood to talk to you,” Petrose said.
“My name is Merson. We came as soon as we could,” the man said, looking around for Dack.
Stepping from the shadows, Dack approached them and said, “I heard the guards talking about crushing the Scarlet Brotherhood. They said they were heading north because they thought some were there. They said the king has people working on the inside, what should we do?”
“We should not panic,” Merson said, resting his hand on Dack’s shoulder. “The king has always been keenly interested in our actions. He was one of the founding members. The other three kings all had a part in its beginning. This is not something that will stop us. We do, however, have to talk about what you have been doing.”
Dack stepped back and looked at both men uneasily. “Me?”
“Yeah, you,” Petrose spoke. “Whose idea was it to rile up the whole island?”
“Are you talking about the keys?” Dack asked, offended.
“Yes, Dack. Who told you to gather them?” Merson asked calmly.
“It was something I thought was important, like the scepter,” Dack concluded.
“You did not answer the question, Dack. I will ask it another way. Who put the idea about the keys in your head?” Merson said as he stepped toward Dack.
“It was something that I talked about with the king, but I still thought it was a good idea,” Dack defended himself.
“You don’t get it, do you, Dack? We are all suffering because of your thieving trip around the island. Even if you get all four keys, that will change nothing. The king is telling everyone that the Brotherhood is working with someone who can open Ways like Lucan. Like Lucan! Do you get it yet? We have lost the support of many,” Petrose said as he glared at Dack.
“I have gained the support of the Southern Territory; they want change. What about those people?” Dack demanded.
“Do they know about the keys and the portal area?” Merson asked.
“No, I only told one person about the keys,” Dack said sadly.
“And when the king finds his key missing, do you think those people will still follow you?” Petrose asked, shaking his head.
“We need the last key. You told me people will see the symbolism, like the scepter,” Dack said.
“The keys symbolize the locking away of something that no one person should control. Do you see that?” Merson asked.
“I see it as a chance to send those who want to go home and a starting point for bringing back the island’s greatness. I am willing to work with every group to see it happen. Are you still willing to help me?” Dack asked as he locked eyes with Merson.
“What do you propose?” Merson asked.
“But we can’t—” Petrose started.
“—we can listen. We might even be able to undo the harm if we can show the people that it is better to use the Ways wisely than to seal the area and live in fear of those who want to go home,” Merson said to Petrose.
“Thank you,” Dack began, “for giving me the chance to finish what I’ve started. I am confident that we can get the last key from the king and figure out how to undo what Lucan has done.”
“Well,” Petrose spoke, “you’ll be happy to know that we do know where the last portal area key is being stored, and just so happen,” he said, pulling out another smaller key, “to have the key that will get you into where it’s kept.” He handed it to Dack. “The king might have a few people in our group, but our group has many in his ranks.”
“We weren’t sure why you were acquiring the portal area keys, but we decided to keep an eye on this one,” Merson said with a smile. “Did you manage to get the other three?”
“Yes, with a little help.” Dack smirked.
“You did it in amazing time, I’ll give you that,” Petrose said enthusiastically. “The king was hoping to have more time, so we may still have the element of surprise. He wasn’t expecting you for another four or five days.”
“So you have a plan for the last key?” Dack asked, ready to get moving.
“Do you know how to swim? Or, more importantly, how long can you hold your breath underwater?” Petrose asked as they started up the steps in preparation for the beginning of the end.
“Through here and up? That’s it?” Dack asked, looking at the place Petrose said he had to swim through to enter the castle. Petrose nodded. “And if I run out of air, just stop swimming and I’ll come right out?” Again Petrose nodded. “Has anyone done it?”
“No,” Petrose said firmly. “Those who built the castle assured me that it was possible. You need the fourth key. Are you having second thoughts?”
“I had second thoughts several hours ago. I know,” Dack stopped, “knew someone who would have done this with no reservation.” He was angry at himself for not having the courage earlier to work with Fixx regardless of the demands of those in the Southern Territory. “I didn’t want to ask earlier with Merson around, but what happened to Faith?”
“I really don’t know,” Petrose said sadly. “I don’t think the king has her, and the Brotherhood has no idea either.”
“I’m sorry, Petrose. I don’t know what to say,” Dack said sheepishly.
“It’s all right, Dack. I understand. Well, you ready to do this?” he asked, getting back to business.
“I think I’m as ready as I can be.” Dack smiled.
“Take a couple of deep breaths first, just to get ready, and I’ll help you in. The hardest part is the current. Stay focused and you’ll do fine,” Petrose coached.
Dack took a few deep breaths, plunged under the water, and felt Petrose guiding him into the current. The water rushed around him, pushing him out, but he struggled forward by grabbing the small rocks jutting out all around. He was able to move forward slowly, but his lungs were beginning to burn. Exhaling, he relieved some of the pressure, but then he wanted to inhale. He struggled to move forward, but he couldn’t find anything to grab on to, only rushing water.
He opened his eyes and realized that he was right below the opening of the well. There was nothing more to do than to pull himself up. Rusty metal rungs helped him finish the task as the rest of his air ran out. That went well, he thought, trying to avoid the fact that he would have been breathing water if he hadn’t managed to pull himself up. Lanterns illuminated the small chamber. Probably left by someone in the Brotherhood, Dack imagined. When he was sure no one else was nearby, he climbed up and peeked out of the well.
“What’s that?” Dack started to say aloud before he stopped himself. A pungent odor filled the room, making him nauseated. Chamber pots lined the walls, and he realized that the well served two purposes: getting fresh water and channeling outgoing sewage. He quickly checked his clothes, fearing the worst, but was thankful that the swift current kept the tunnel clean.
Some clean linens lay nearby, and he dried off as much of himself and his clothes before getting ready to move onward. He patted his pockets to be sure the keys were still with him, and then he moved toward the steps that led to the exit. Petrose told him that he needed to follow the hallway to the end and the door would give him access to the vault.
Looking through the door, he saw no one in sight, so he walked quickly but quietly to the hall’s end. After getting the vault key out, he managed to open the door, slip inside, and close the door behind him. Pitch blackness surrounded him as he felt around for any light source. After several attempts he decided he would have to go back for one of the lanterns.
He opened the door and heard women walking toward the well. A few minutes later they left, and Dack proceeded down the hall quickly. Grabbing a lantern, he turned and began back to the door. More voices were heard, but he hoped he had enough time to get through the door and close it quietly. His timing was perfect; he made it into the room mere seconds before the others arrived.
The lantern’s light filled the room perfectly, allowing Dack to see his objective from the door. “He must not have arrived yet,” a voice said from the other side of the steel-reinforced vault. Dack stood motionless, not wanting the others to hear him.
The lock, Dack thought. If they try the door I’m done. He wanted to reach over and lock it, but he was sure they would hear.
“Are you sure they took the key?” asked another voice. It sounded like a woman, but the door muffled most of the sound.
“It was gone when I looked for it,” a third voice said, definitely familiar but unrecognizable.
Dack looked around the room to see if he could hide somewhere or if there was another exit. Nothing, there’s no way out, he thought as he scanned the room. He noticed something next to the key that made his heart sink.
“Well, did you try the door?” the female asked as Dack ran over to the key and pocketed it quickly.
I already messed this thing up, so I might as well finish the job, Dack thought as he grabbed the scepter. “At least I know who I’m dealing with,” he said as Faith stepped through the door.
“It’s over, Dack. You’ve lost,” Faith said, stepping aside to let a guard through. “We appreciate all of your help; now it’s time to unite the island the way the king wants.” The guard approached Dack slowly, not wanting to get him too excited.
“Do you think he cares about anyone but himself? Why, Faith?” Dack asked, knowing it didn’t matter.
“She has lots to gain by working with me,” the king said, entering next to her.
In a blind rage Dack rushed the king, swinging the scepter, hoping to get in one last hit before dying. The blow never connected. Dack fell to the ground and the scepter landed loudly next to him. The last thing he heard as he passed out into blackness was the king’s voice. “Oh, look, he’s knocked out another jewel.”
“Wake up. I want to talk to you,” a voice whispered to Dack.
Dack tried to sit up, but his body wouldn’t move. He looked around and saw that he was chained securely to the floor by his wrists and ankles. Turning his head toward the direction of the voice allowed him to see that he was back in the cell with the same creature.
“You want to talk to me?” Dack asked, surprised but a little angry. “What if I don’t want to this time?”
“Can you get me out of here?” it asked.
“Does it look like I can even get myself out of here?” Dack said sarcastically.
“That is not what I meant. I want to go home. If you could, would you send me home?”
“You mean through a Way? I don’t know if I can. I haven’t even opened the door yet,” Dack said, hoping he would see the outside of the cell.
“The door is not important. The keys are not important. You can open Ways, you just haven’t. Do you understand? I just want to know if you will send me home.”
“You must be feeling better, I haven’t heard you cough once,” Dack said nervously.
“You made me better. Lucan did that too. That is why I helped him. That is why I stayed. Is Theterm close?”
“Theterm? Why do you keep bringing him up?” Dack asked, but received no answer because the guards were coming. “We will talk later. I will help if I don’t die,” he whispered.
“It’s time to die, little one,” a guard said loudly as he entered the cell. Bending low to unlock Dack’s shackles, the guard leaned over him, revealing a familiar jewel around his neck. “Trust,” he said quietly as he finished unlocking his right wrist. He tied a leather strap around the other wrist and tied the two together before unlocking the left wrist. “No escaping today,” he announced and then winked at Dack.
“I’m done here. You two can finish. I’ll meet you outside,” the guard said before leaving.
Two other guards entered, unlocked the remaining shackles, and stood Dack up. “Thanks,” Dack said before the guards silenced him with menacing glares. They walked to the wall that Dack had failed to climb while escaping earlier, and a guard wrapped the strap around a hook above Dack’s head. After a few minutes, a crowd entered the courtyard and filled up the space around all the walls, except the one Dack occupied. Minutes later a group of archers entered and stood at ease about twenty feet in front of Dack. Trumpets echoed through the courtyard, and Dack could see the king enter with Faith walking behind him and Merson walking next to Faith. Dack couldn’t believe he never had a chance from the beginning to the end.
“Good people of Storality, I am saddened today to inform you of some very troubling events that have recently transpired,” the king began. “The one you see before you is trying to incite a rebellion not only in our fine territory, but in every single one.” He motioned to Faith to come forward. “This dear patriot has risked friends, family, and her own life to uncover and stop this fiendish plot.”
“With the king’s help,” Merson continued, “the Scarlet Brotherhood has tracked and contained what could have been the worst catastrophe since Lucan’s war. My personal opinion is that he hoped to rival the damage caused by that madman. Nevertheless, many have been swayed; many have rallied around this new threat.”
“That is why today, in front of your very eyes, we will end this foolishness. I trust,” Faith said loudly, “I repeat, I trust that you will remember this day as the last day you will ever have to put up with the tyranny you’ve had to endure.”
The king looked oddly at Faith, who smiled as she watched hundreds of arrows fly over the castle wall, scattering the archers and the crowd. She ran over to Dack, cut his strap, and handed him a bag. “I trust this is not what the king had planned.” Dack smiled as he followed Faith. “You sure had me fooled,” he said as the crowd erupted into battle.
“Get out of here. Tell the Cult to stop the army that will be following you and get that Way open to end this all,” Faith commanded as they reached the main gates. “The Scarlet Brotherhood dies here today. Make our deaths worth something,” she finished as she pointed to his waiting horse.
Dack hesitated long enough to see hundreds of people in combat with the king’s loyal forces. “I will do that, Faith, or I will die trying,” he said as he rode south as quickly as possible.