The anger Dack felt had only slightly diminished as he continued his ride to Theterm’s keep.
Why does he feel the need to treat me like a child? Dack thought as he rode. I am trying my best, but there’s still so much more Theterm hasn’t told me about this whole mess I’ve gotten myself into. If he would have told me sooner that I could open Ways, maybe Fixx wouldn’t be dead.
Dack had promised Fixx that he would do whatever it took to send him and the others home, but it was too late for Fixx.
I am so sorry, Dack thought as he remembered the pain Fixx was in because of their plan going awry. I will do whatever it takes to put things back to the way they were during the King’s Tournament, before Lucan waged war against the island. I will send as many home as I can and will help those who want to stay.
In the distance Dack could see someone walking on the road in the same direction he was riding. As he got closer, it was obvious that the man was a soldier, but he wasn’t wearing his uniform. The man didn’t have on a shirt or boots, but he carried his sword in his hand and rested it on his shoulder. His pace was steady, and he only glanced over his shoulder casually as Dack slowed the horse down to match the man’s gait.
“Where are you headed?” Dack asked, concerned.
“Home,” the man muttered.
“And where is that?”
“It used to be in the Northern Territory, near the castle, but I’m thinking of moving to the coast when I return,” the man said as he kept walking.
“Would you like a ride?” Dack wanted to help, but the man seemed determined to walk the whole way.
“I would like a ride, but not with you.”
“I don’t even know you,” Dack said, shocked.
The man stopped and looked at Dack. “You’re the one who killed all the kings. You blew the roof off the building, and part of it nearly crushed me alive. It burned my clothes and shredded my boots. You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t take a ride with you.” He rolled his eyes, turned, and began walking again.
“I didn’t know,” Dack said, stunned.
“Of course you didn’t, but now you do. I’ve had enough of fighting people like you. I’ve had enough of serving kings like those who died. If you don’t mind, I’d like to walk home and forget that any of this ever happened. If I am correct, the fishing will do me good.” The man kept walking as Dack kept pace next to him.
“So, I should just ride off and leave you?” Dack asked, not sure if he could do anything.
“Yes.”
“And you’ll be okay?”
“I survived Lucan’s war, and I survived your temper tantrum. I’ll be fine.”
“Temper tantrum!” Dack blurted out. “You think I killed the kings because I was mad?”
“No, I think you killed the kings because you are just like all those who want something they don’t have and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. You just have a different way of doing things.”
“You have it all wrong,” Dack began.
“Save it. You don’t have anything to prove to me. I quit being a soldier the moment I thought I was going to die. I’m going fishing now.” The man kept walking without looking back at Dack.
Dack stopped his horse and sat, watching the man walk away. There was nothing he could say to convince the man that he was trying to serve the best interest of the whole island. After a few seconds sitting completely dumbfounded, Dack grabbed the reins tightly and urged the horse to gallop past the man, toward Theterm’s keep.