The kings’ road north to the Shadow Cult’s forest was littered with pieces of armor and weapons the closer Dack got to his destination. There were several horses grazing freely with no riders in sight, and later many soldiers in various stages of health called out to him for aid. He really wanted to stop and help, but he pushed his horse harder and raced past them all.
“We would not be of any real help,” he kept repeating quietly to his horse every time he dug his heels into its sides. “Someone will come along soon.”
When he was within sight of the place, he saw robed figures digging holes near the tree line. It became apparent that both Shadow Cult and Scarlet Brotherhood were working together to tidy up the mess that he had created. He stopped and watched the scene as his heart raced faster and faster. I am responsible for all these dead and dying. I did things my way, and all these paid the price, Dack thought uncomfortably. How am I ever going to convince them to help me now?
“Either help or ride on,” a voice called coldly to Dack.
“Are there any survivors?” Dack asked reluctantly after he shook himself out of the haze that was clouding his mind. “Is Orex alive?”
“Dack?” another voice called from farther in the forest. “Is that you?” A tall figure in a tan robe came running toward him. From the color of her hair, he knew right away who it was coming to see him. “We were afraid it was all in vain,” Faith continued as she reached the horse. “Tell me it is all over.”
Dack quickly got off the horse and hugged Faith tightly. “I am so sorry it has ended like this for so many,” he said, still holding on.
“Get your filthy hands off my wife,” Dack heard before he was wrenched free from Faith and spun around. “And give me a hug too!” Petrose shouted. Dack felt happy and looked at them both with great amazement. “Tell me we won.” Petrose appeared eager for good news as he waited for Dack’s answer.
“It wasn’t a clean victory, but yes, the armies have backed down,” Dack said proudly. “I did, however, lose control of the Way.” He paused and then looked at Faith and Petrose. “The king of the Northern Territory, the king of the Eastern Territory, and a general from the Western Territory were all killed.”
Faith looked at Petrose. Petrose tried not to laugh but wasn’t too successful. “I hope it was painful and slow,” he said as he elbowed Dack.
“Petrose,” Faith chided, “Dack is very upset about it. Control yourself or walk away.” Faith looked at Petrose sternly, and he stopped laughing.
“I am sorry, little one. You have sacrificed your innocence to achieve this victory. That is a high price to pay,” Petrose said sincerely.
“My actions directly killed and wounded others,” Dack said solemnly.
“You did what you had to do to win the victory. So what’s next?” Faith asked.
“I have other allies at the portal area that helped me. I need to talk to both of you, Orex, and Valay about another issue, but it should be done in private. Once that is done, I will return to the portal area to retrieve another ally that was injured,” Dack said seriously. Petrose looked at Faith nervously. “Is there something wrong?”
“Valay is dead, and Orex was badly wounded,” Faith said sadly. “There aren’t many Shadow Cult left that aren’t severely wounded. The ones you see here digging are about the only ones still alive.”
“They gave as good as they got,” Petrose said loudly. “Even better!”
“As soon as you left, the king of the Northern Territory ordered everyone to disengage the fight with the Brotherhood and to follow you. We tried to stop them, but most of our own met the same end as the Shadow Cult when we fought the better equipped horsemen and the king’s personal guard,” Faith summarized. “All that is left of both groups is right here.”
“There has to be some back at the castle,” Petrose added, “but many will be in hiding and fewer eager to get into any more fights. Do you want to see Orex?”
“Yes,” Dack said, sobbing slightly. “Is he well enough for a visitor?”
“He has been asking for any news of your return since you left. He’ll be very glad to see you,” Petrose said as he put his arm around Dack and led him into the forest.
Outside of Orex’s dwelling, a guard stopped them and told them to wait. Inside someone was talking softly but not loud enough for one to make out what was being said. “Is someone in there with him?” Dack asked the guard. When the guard didn’t reply, Dack asked, “Is he okay by himself?”
The guard eyed the door before speaking. “You may speak with him soon.” The group waited in silence until all was quiet in Orex’s hut. “Orex,” the guard announced, “the humans are here with Dack.”
A feeble voice from within replied, “Let them in.” The guard opened the door, and Faith entered, followed by Petrose, and then Dack.
Inside was very dark with no more than a single candle to light the room. Orex was putting away a black book under the pillow that propped him up as Dack entered. The book cover had gold lettering, as did the page edges, but Orex made no further mention of it as he motioned for all of them to sit. “It’s good to see you, Dack,” he said as they sat on the floor near the bed.
“I am so sorry,” Dack began before his eyes welled up with tears.
“For what?” Orex demanded.
“I didn’t realize you would lose so many to the king.”
“We made you a promise; you need not be sorry. Don’t you think we knew what it meant to once again help?”
“I guess I didn’t know what I was asking then.” Dack felt sad. “I am glad you are alive. Will you be okay?”
“Time will tell, but I already feel better than when Faith and Petrose first arrived.”
“You should have seen him then.” Petrose laughed. “You think he’s pale normally; he was three shades worse than that.”
Faith shook her head slowly. “I honestly don’t know why you feel you need to say whatever comes into your head as soon as it does.”
Petrose shrugged and frowned.
“Your husband is right. I really thought I was going to die. Valay dragged me back from the front when I was knocked down by some of the better armored horses.” Orex paused and looked directly at Dack. “He saved my life, but he didn’t want to stay back from the fight.” His eyes glowed red before he closed them and covered his face. After a moment, he breathed deeply and composed himself. “He felt he still had something to prove to me.”
“Take it easy, Orex. You’re still healing,” Petrose said. “No need to get too upset.”
“Dack, there is something you need to know. Something I wanted to tell you before, but I did not want to break my friend’s trust.” Orex pushed himself up into a sitting position.
“Whose trust?”
“Valay’s.”
“What is it you want to tell me?”
“When the king of the North sent his men to kill your parents, it was Valay who helped them find where they were staying.”
“What?” Dack yelled. “Why would he do that?”
“He thought your father betrayed us by uniting with your mother. After working with humans to betray his own brother, he wanted nothing more than to retreat into the forest and to never help another soul.”
“You’ve got one happy family, Dack,” Petrose blurted. “On both sides.”
“That is terrible,” Dack said in disgust, ignoring Petrose. “When did you know about it?”
“When the assassins failed, your father convinced one of them to tell him who had betrayed them in return for a swifter end than the others. Your father tried very hard to stay alive long enough to return here to confront Valay, but his injuries were too grave. Your mother knew the truth and quietly handled the situation with Valay. She was very sorry that it all happened, and her kindness broke Valay’s heart. He did what he could to convince her that all was well, but in the end she decided to leave this forest with you and stay with Theterm.” Orex leaned forward. “That is why Valay recognized your birthmark. That is why you still live today.”
“Would you have told me if he didn’t die?” Dack wondered.
“No, that would have been for Valay to decide.”
“I think he would have told you,” Faith added.
“Well, I have something to tell all of you, and I hope that, once again, you can help,” Dack said, looking around at all of them. “Theterm wants me to gather all who can make it to the portal area fortress in a month.”
“What does he have planned this time?” Petrose scowled.
“He is hoping to undo as many of the problems created by Lucan’s war. He wants to send as many home through the Way as he can.”
“And?” Petrose asked.
“He hopes to convince Lucan to help.”
“Lucan?” Faith looked shocked.
“He was never dead. Theterm just sent him far away. I can open Ways too, but hopefully Lucan will remember which ones he used. It is very complicated, but I trust that Theterm is starting to tell us all of the truth.”
Orex was visibly agitated, but he controlled himself. “Do you believe that it might be time to go home now?”
“If that is what you want. We can always see how it turns out. Maybe your people might want to stay, or maybe more might want to come here from your world. I believe that now is our best opportunity to make things right. What do you say?” Dack hoped they would agree.
“You want us all to show up at the portal area fortress in a month?” Faith asked.
“Theterm believes that it will take a little longer than that for Lucan to arrive, but we might need to devise a plan once we see what people and resources we have available. There will no doubt need to be some pressure applied to Lucan so he understands the situation; however, I am sure Theterm will make it work. Do I have the help of both of your groups?” Dack looked at them hopefully.
“If I am well, I will be there. I will leave it up to Faith and Petrose to march the rest down there when it is time.” Orex cringed as pain shot through him. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to rest now.”
Faith and Petrose stood up and motioned for Dack to do the same. Dack stood, stretched, and put out his hand to Orex. He grabbed it strongly and wished them all a good day.