“We are here,” Theterm announced as he pulled the reins to stop the horse. “This is as far as we should go in case the others are still here.”
Sicar loosened his grip on Theterm and slid off the back of the horse. “That is not the most comfortable way to travel, is it?”
“You didn’t even get a chance to feel it at full gallop. Holding on, even with your extra limbs, would have been a challenge.” Theterm chuckled. “I’m glad you were willing to try, because your ship would have attracted too much attention,” Theterm said as he dismounted and directed the horse toward the trees.
Sicar looked around as he stretched his legs, unfolding them and refolding them. “Is that the place over there?”
“Yes, so you need to stay out of sight,” Theterm insisted.
Sicar turned and faced Theterm. “We’ve gone over this before, and that is not going to happen,” Sicar said calmly.
“Then there is no way to prove to you—”
“Why do you insist that I still need convincing?” Sicar moved closer to Theterm and crouched lower in a menacing posture.
Theterm clenched his fists tightly and shook his head in disgust. “Your plan is to take me away after I send Dack on his way.”
“So?”
“I cannot leave. There is still too much to do before they arrive.”
Sicar approached closer and circled around Theterm a few times before stopping in front of him. “After you see Dack on his way, we will return to my ship and leave. If you bring it up again, I will bite you and leave you for dead.” A clicking noise from within Sicar’s hood sent a shiver up Theterm’s spine. “I’ve been told that humans find death by my injection to be cruel and unusual, but I promise you, it will be swift. Do you understand me?”
Theterm backed away slowly.
“Do you understand?” Sicar yelled.
“You have my word,” Theterm said confidently as he slipped his right ring finger through the object in his pocket. Taking his hand out slowly, he made sure it fit tightly by sliding the nut over his knuckle with his left hand. Even though he winced slightly, he managed to keep smiling nervously. “Are you ready to continue?”
“I will bury myself near the portal fortress so I can observe your interactions with the others. When they leave, we will both go.”
“I thought you didn’t want to stay out of sight?”
“Are you questioning me?”
Theterm sighed. “No.” He turned and stepped out of the woods toward the portal fortress. “It doesn’t look like anyone else is here yet.”
“Who are you talking to, Theterm?” a raspy voice called.
Theterm turned to see Sicar silently moving farther into the shadows of the forest. “Go,” he whispered.
“Theterm?” A figure moved closer and spoke again. “It’s Chad. Are you alone?”
Theterm threw up his hands and smiled brightly. “Chad, it is so good to see you again. Let us gather all your friends and talk.” He moved rapidly to where Chad stood and gave him a big hug. Chad didn’t know what to do, so he stared blankly at Theterm. Theterm spun him around to face the portal fortress and pushed him along. “Is Farah nearby?”
They entered the portal fortress, and Theterm looked around quickly. “Where is everyone?”
“What’s wrong, Theterm?” Chad said as he backed away from him.
Theterm folded his arms disappointingly. “I was hoping everyone would be here already.”
“Farah and the twins went hunting; they won’t be back for hours. Where’s Dack?”
Theterm frowned. “Dack should be here soon, but I need to tell you some things; you have to trust me. I know I haven’t been the most trustworthy person, but so much depends on what happens in the next few weeks. Can you trust me?”
Chad looked seriously at Theterm and shook his head. “Answer a few questions first.”
Theterm smiled. “That’s fair.”
“What did you do with Fixx?”
“I sent him home. When Dack arrives, he is going to get him.”
“He’s not dead?” Chad was washed with relief.
“No, but he would have been. By the time Dack and Fixx return, he should be feeling much better. What’s the next question?”
“Okay, well, that’s good news at least. The other thing I wanted to know is where you disappeared to.”
“Disappeared?” Theterm asked, knowing what Chad meant.
“Dack said you walked out of the door, and I didn’t see you do that. How did you do that?”
“I’m also a Whisperer of Lore,” Theterm said quietly, hoping to end the questioning.
“Why did you let Dack go through all—”
“I did not want anything like what happened to occur. I really did not know about the whole thing until after Dack had no other choice. I take full responsibility for Lucan too,” Theterm said firmly.
Chad leaned on the wall. “Okay. What do you need to tell me?”
Theterm sat on the floor. “I need your help to track someone.” He picked at some of the burned pieces of wood and paper littering the floor.
“Track? Who?”
Theterm chuckled. “You might want to sit down first.”
“No more games.”
“I am very serious. Your skills will come in handy, I promise.” Theterm motioned for Chad to sit down.
“Go ahead, who is it?”
“Lucan.”
Chad tapped loudly on the floor. “Figures.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You really are a liar. You have this whole island believing that he’s dead. Where is he?”
“He is returning to the island, but I am not completely sure where he is going to beach. My guess is that it will be near the northwest shoreline.”
“When?”
“Probably within five or six weeks.”
Chad looked around and through the remains of what once was the roof. “Farah won’t help, I can tell you that right now.” Chad scratched his head vigorously. “She hates him. The twins might not do it either.” He paused and then looked at Theterm. “I’m definitely interested though.”
“It might be better that way, since you only need to follow him and stay out of sight.”
“Why do you think he’s coming back?”
Theterm shifted his weight to get comfortable. “He realizes now that I lied to him about sending him away to another world, and I’m sure he’s not too happy about spending twenty years in miserable conditions.”
Chad shrugged. “I don’t blame him.”
“I was wrong to do what I did. I should have been more involved sooner, and now I hope to have another chance at making things right.”
Chad laughed. “Do you think he will care about you feeling sorry?”
“He will if I can get a chance to talk to him alone. There are other problems bigger than revenge that we will all have to deal with very soon. I’m not sure how much you want to know, but there are others coming, so none of this will matter. Do you think you can help track Lucan when he returns?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem to do that. I’m not sure, however, what to tell my friends. I will not lie to them.”
“That is good to know. Well, if Dack is successful in recruiting the remaining Scarlet Brotherhood and Shadow Cult, there should be a sizeable force here in case Lucan decides to use Ways again. All we will need is some advanced warning, so that option will be cut off without his knowledge.”
Chad nodded. “Maybe I should take off now. You could tell the others whatever you want.” He stood and stretched. “I think that is what I will do. Northwest shoreline?”
Theterm thought for a few seconds before responding. “The best I can imagine, that would be the place he would go, considering the direction he is coming from. It would be the most familiar to him.” Theterm stood and looked at Chad. “I really appreciate your help. It does mean a lot to me.”
“Well, I think it’s time to do something exciting on this island. With Fixx gone, things have been too quiet.” Chad swished his tail.
“Fixx should be back again soon once Dack arrives.”
“That’s all right; the others can have some extra time with him. I’m sure he’ll understand.” Chad walked out of the portal fortress and whistled for his horse. “I can get there in a couple of days and have plenty of time to set myself up at the best location to watch the water.”
“You have my deepest gratitude,” Theterm said sincerely as Chad walked over to his horse and boosted himself into the saddle. “We will see each other again back here in about a month.”
“Stay safe, and keep telling the truth.” Chad waved as he galloped off.
“That was an interesting conversation you had with him,” Sicar said as he approached Theterm. Theterm was startled, having momentarily forgotten about his watchful captor.
“I’m glad he was willing to help.”
“You are capable of manipulating others as easily by using the truth as by lying to them. Is everyone you know this gullible?”
“What are you talking about?” Theterm demanded, offended.
“From what I gathered, that individual was here waiting for his other friends to return shortly. You managed to convince him to leave by himself to do something none of his other friends would have done and probably something he did not want to do at first. He does not want to be dishonest to his friends, but he left so that you could tell them where he went. Are you going to be honest with them?”
Theterm rubbed his temples and closed his eyes tightly. “I am trying to do the right thing.”
Sicar looked around and then walked over to a spot of dirt under some bushes in sight of the door to the portal fortress. “His friends will be back shortly, followed by Dack after that?”
“That is the plan.”
“I am going to rest over here. Please do not go anywhere or do anything rash. While I do not understand everything that is happening here, I will be watching. There is still hope for you yet.” Sicar began digging while Theterm walked over to the well for some water.
“What is your problem?” Farah growled. She stood outside of the portal fortress, looking suspiciously inside. “I’ve been calling for the last ten minutes.”
“What time is it?” Theterm asked as he sat up and stretched.
“A couple of hours before sunset. Why are you sleeping in there?”
“I was waiting outside for a long time for you to return and wanted to stretch out for a few minutes. I guess it’s been hours.” Theterm stood up and looked at his right hand to make sure he still had his new ring on in case of an emergency. “Chad said you would be back soon, but that didn’t happen. Where did you go hunting?”
“Where is Chad?”
“Why don’t you come in for a few minutes so we can talk,” Theterm said as he stood in the doorway.
“No way.” Farah turned her back and walked away.
“I really need to talk about what Chad is doing.” Farah stopped and turned quickly. Theterm smiled broadly. “It would mean a lot if you could step in here so we can discuss a few things before Dack arrives.”
“I am not stepping foot in there again.” Farah folded her arms, and it was quite apparent that it would not be an easy task to change her mind. “You are welcome to stand there, but I am fine right here. Where is Chad?”
“You know it’s the Way that is making you afraid. It has that effect on most people.”
“Where is Chad?”
“He is doing something I asked him to do.”
Farah was visibly annoyed that Theterm wasn’t directly answering her questions. “What is he doing?” she asked slowly.
“He is going to the northwest shore to wait for someone to arrive, and then he is going to stay at a safe distance to see where that person goes and what that person does. Chad knew you and the others would want nothing to do with the trip, so he left by himself.” Theterm shrugged.
Farah took a few deep breaths in a failed attempt to stay calm. “Who is it?”
“I think you can guess.”
Farah ran at Theterm as fast as she could, her hands outstretched, ready to choke the life out of him. Theterm turned and was able to retreat a few steps before she caught him by the scruff of his neck, sending them both to the ground roughly. With her left hand, she pinned his head as she raised her right arm high, ready to strike.
“Answer me!” she screamed.
“Lucan,” he said calmly. “Chad is tracking Lucan.” Theterm could feel her taking more deep, angry breaths as she applied pressure with her knees to his ribs. “Please!” he cried.
“You will pay,” Farah snorted as she moved her hands around his neck and began to apply incredible pressure.
“Get her other arm,” Alix said as he began pulling Farah off Theterm.
“Farah,” Alin said gently, “you have to stop, please.”
Farah turned to Alin, tears streaming down her face, as she loosened her grip. “Don’t you get it? He’s been lying to everyone, and now he’s sent Chad off to follow Lucan.” She turned to Alix. “Why should we help?”
“We don’t have to.” Alix let go of Farah’s arm and stood up. “Let’s get out of this place.” He turned and started to leave.
“Fixx,” Theterm said as he took a few short breaths.
Farah leaned close to Theterm’s face and locked her gaze with him. “What did you do with Fixx?”
“I sent him home to heal,” Theterm said as he began to squirm away from Farah’s tusks.
Farah stood and pulled Theterm to his feet. “He’s not dead?”
“No, and by the time Dack returns with him, he should be feeling much better. I knew we couldn’t do anything for him here.” Theterm moved backward as Farah reached for him again, but this time he was too slow as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. “This is a hug, right?” Theterm asked with the remaining air in his lungs.
“Sorry.” Farah released her grip slightly before letting go.
Theterm rubbed the back of his neck while he checked his rib cage. “I think I like you much better when you are happy,” he said as he brushed himself off and tried to gain some composure. “So, can we start over again, please?”
Farah looked at Alin and then Alix. All three nodded. “Can we do this outside though?” Farah looked around at the long shadows now appearing on the walls.
Theterm looked at each of them and could see that the Way was negatively affecting all of them. “That is probably best.” He motioned for them to exit and then followed them outside. When they exited, the strong smell of something cooking caught their attention. “You caught something?”
“Some small game,” Alix said as he turned the food over the flames. “We might as well sit down and get ready to eat. Will Dack be here soon?”
Theterm sat down and warmed his hands near the fire. “I hope he’ll be here before sunrise, but I cannot be sure.” Alin and Farah sat down and looked at Theterm. “So, should I start from the beginning concerning Chad?”
“I think we all want to know how it is that Lucan is alive,” Alix said as he tended the fire and then sat down. “You can tell us about Chad after that.”
“Fair enough,” Theterm began. He took a deep breath and looked skyward. “I sent Lucan away in hopes that he would never be a problem again.” Theterm looked at the fire and then down at his feet. “I should have told the truth. I didn’t because that would have meant telling everyone that it was ultimately my fault for everything Lucan did wrong.” Theterm turned the nut on his finger nervously as he looked around at the other three.
“You taught Lucan how to open Ways?” Farah asked.
“I did, but then I stopped watching over him. I thought he could handle it, so I let everything happen. Even when he made some wrong choices, I thought he would fix them. In the end I sent him away and decided to start over with Dack.”
“You didn’t tell Dack anything about what he could do?” Alin asked.
“No, and that was another mistake. I was afraid he would end up like Lucan, so I raised him like a father but never told him until he got himself into trouble with the kings. In the end, the outcome turned deadly because he lacked the control he would have had if I would have trusted him in the first place.” Theterm shook his head sadly. “I am trying to make things right now, but I fear very few people will trust me enough to do what it will take.”
“What do you think it is going to take to make things right?” Farah asked.
“I need to talk to Lucan and tell him that I need his help to send back those he’s brought here. It probably won’t matter since those who sent me here are coming now to take me away. Actually, they are most likely going to take Lucan and Dack also, but I will do whatever it takes to prevent that. I hope that if they see that the island is not fractured beyond repair, they will allow those two to stay and help move this world forward with what they can accomplish by using Ways for the good of everyone, not selfishly.”
Alix turned the spit several times, began to pick pieces of meat off, and put them on a plate. “It looks like we can eat some of this now.” He put the plate in front of the others, and they all took some. “So, do you have a plan for us?”
“I figured you could help here when the remaining Brotherhood and Shadow Cult arrive in a month. If Lucan insists on finishing what he started, there will be enough of a force to stop him. Chad will track him and report back here if he is coming this way. A show of force should be all that is needed. After that, we can begin to send others home, if that is what they want.”
“What if he doesn’t want to help?” Alin asked as he chewed.
“Then he needs to be removed with me. I am sure Dack is committed to doing what is best, and I have a feeling that you all can help keep him going in the right direction. No matter what happens, the others will come, and we have to be ready for that.”
Farah shuffled uncomfortably and looked at Theterm sternly. “When will Lucan pay for what he’s done already?”
“What do you suggest?” Theterm asked seriously.
“He has ruined and ended many lives,” Farah retorted.
“He has also created and saved lives too,” Theterm shot back.
Farah stood up and began to walk away. “I want to help, but I don’t think I can do it.”
“If you walk away, there is no way you can help.” Theterm took another piece of meat and began pulling it apart.
Farah stopped and clenched both of her fists tightly. After a few seconds of silence, she relaxed, turned, and sat down. “I am not a failure.”
“No one thinks that,” Alin said, breaking the tension.
“Chad has accepted the way things are, but I don’t know if I want that.” Farah tapped her tusks. “Do you know what I mean?”
“I hear the words you say, but the meaning is far from that. It is your choice to look like you do. From what I understand, you are quite beautiful, but feel as equally vulnerable, so you keep everyone away with those tusks. Look any way you want on the outside, but that changes nothing on the inside. Does that sum it all up?” Theterm stared at Farah until she looked away. “I thought so.”
“Let us leave this discussion for later,” Alin suggested.
“Are the three of you willing to come back here in a month or so?” Theterm asked.
“I think I can,” Farah spoke up. “I do not want to see things get worse, so you can count on us for at least being here when you need us. We returned to Fixx’s castle and took care of his bulls, so there should be no other reason to leave here for a while. What do you guys think?”
“We don’t have anything better to do, so I’m okay with the plan,” Alix said.
“If you are both going to stay, then I’m in too,” Alin said.
“Then the only thing left to do is wait for Dack.” Theterm smiled.
“Maybe we could go with him to get Fixx,” Alin added.
Theterm scratched the back of his head and looked at the others. “I guess you could do that. He should be back in plenty of time before Lucan arrives. I would suggest that you let him try opening the Way a few times to make sure he is able to do it with no problems, and then I’m sure he’ll be glad to have all of you help locate Fixx.”
“What kind of place is Fixx’s world?” Alin asked.
“To be honest, I’m not really sure. I pushed him through without looking. What I do know is while he has been here roughly twenty years, his world has experienced about six hundred years. So, even if you are there almost two years, you would be back before Lucan arrives.” Theterm hoped everyone understood.
“I’m not sure if I could take that much time around a bunch of Fixx’s people.” Farah held her head tightly. “One is enough.”
“From the stories Fixx tries to tell, it sounds like he was very much an outsider,” Alix added.
“No matter what, it still sounds fascinating travelling to other worlds, seeing different sites, and making new friends,” Alin said as he stood up. “Do you think we need to pack anything special?”
“I have no idea what to expect, but I would suggest we all get some rest so you’ll be ready when Dack arrives,” Theterm said as he stifled a yawn. “I think I’ll go back to lying down in there, if you don’t mind.”
“I still do not—”
Theterm waved Dack into silence, then abruptly took the book from Dack and flipped through the pages. He stopped suddenly and tapped on the page. Handing it back to Dack, he stood behind him, looking over his shoulder.
“Do you understand now?” Theterm tapped something on the page for emphasis. “This is so important.” Dack moved his face closer and squinted a little. “Well?”
“Those little letters?”
Theterm smiled.
“That’s it?”
Theterm nodded.
“Why put it there?” Dack stood up straight and frowned slightly.
“I did not create this book or the other two that were lost, but their maker wanted to make it more difficult, I guess.” Theterm closed the book. “He gave them to me to study, but I haven’t been to most of these places.”
“How many Ways have you opened?”
Theterm laughed. “I’ve opened a lot to observe but haven’t gone through more than ten or twenty.” Theterm handed the book to Dack. “Some of those worlds no longer exist, and some would kill you as soon as you stepped through.”
“How?” Dack asked, concerned as he looked at the book’s cover.
“Nothing to breathe or crushing pressure, to name a few. That’s why I observe for a while before I would even consider entering. I’ve even opened Ways, once I think it is safe, so that creatures can come through to see if they survive.” Theterm shrugged. “The other thing to remember is the time difference. You could go into a world and come back so many years later that all you hold dear is gone.”
“Is that what happened to Fixx?”
“If I am right, his world experienced roughly six hundred years while Fixx was here for twenty or so. So yes, things will be very different for him.”
Dack felt sad at the thought that a moment somewhere else could mean never again seeing someone for whom he cared. “Fixx has been away for almost a week, so how long has he been home?”
“Seven months, I think. I figured that should be enough time for him to heal from his wound.” Dack looked concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“What if no one found him? He could be dead.” Dack handed the book to Theterm. “I think I am ready to try.”
Theterm put the book on the floor and stepped back a few steps to give Dack more room. “Do you remember how to open it just to observe?”
“Pull back toward me and out.”
“Good.” Theterm motioned for Dack to move forward, closer to the Way.
Dack put his hands out into the air, hoping for the warm feeling that signaled he was in the right place. Once he was in position, he pulled his hands back slowly, as if he were opening the doors on a wardrobe, and he whispered the name of Fixx’s world. The space between his hands shimmered slightly as the Way began to open.
“I can’t see much.”
“Open it wider, and keep your arms outstretched until you stop feeling it trying to close.” Theterm moved behind Dack so he could better see through the Way as it opened. “Almost there.”
Dack held his arms out widely for a few more seconds until he could tell it was not trying to close. “Now what?”
“The Way will stay open until you close it, so you can put your arms down and observe. You can cross through, but nothing can come through.”
Dack put his arms down and sat on the floor. “So, will everything look like it is moving slow or fast on the other side?”
Theterm tousled Dack’s hair and laughed. “That is exactly what I was hoping for when I started, but no, it will appear normally.” Theterm sat down next to Dack. “I’ve been given different reasons why, but I am sure we can discuss all that later.”
Dack nodded. “It looks like the Way is in the middle of a field, but I think I can make out some buildings in the distance over there. It’s pretty foggy. Can others see us sitting here?”
“No.”
Dack found it hard to stop smirking. “I can see why one might abuse this.”
“Is it okay for us to come in?” Alin called from the doorway.
Dack turned quickly and motioned for the others to come inside. “This is Fixx’s world. Come and take a look.” Dack turned again and looked through the Way. “I haven’t seen anything moving yet, but everything else looks safe.”
Alin, Alix, and Farah moved cautiously into the room.
“Is it okay to come closer?” Alin asked.
“Sure,” Theterm answered, still looking intently through the Way.
Alin looked through the Way and then walked to the far end of the room. He looked back at the others with a puzzled expression. “I don’t see anything from over here.”
“Really?” Farah walked over to Alin and looked too. “It’s like they’re staring into the air.” She walked back and stood next to Alix. “What do you think?”
Alix was amazed. “I see it.”
Alin walked back and stood behind Alix and asked, “Well, what do we do now?”
Something moved quickly across the sky in Fixx’s world and stopped near the ground in front of them. It was a shiny metal ball about the size of a fist. Seconds later, two more arrived, and the three seemed to be hovering around the spot. All three merged together into one, like drops of water, and continued to circle around the area.
“Can those things see us?” Dack asked nervously as he moved back a little.
“Interesting,” Theterm said as he leaned forward for a closer look. “They should not be able to see us; however, they might be able to sense that the Way is in use. I have never seen anything like those things, but we should be safe sitting here.”
“But you are not sure?” Farah growled.
“I have never seen anything like them before, but we opened the Way, so nothing can come through,” Theterm said assertively.
The ball flattened itself like it was pressing on the Way from the other side, and that was enough for Dack to jump to his feet and put his hands out to close the Way.
“Wait,” Theterm spoke up, pulling on Dack’s clothes. Dack looked down at Theterm as he paused, arms outstretched. “Please. You can close it if you want, but you have to believe me. We are safe.” Dack relaxed and waited, keeping a close eye on the object.
In the fields, something was moving through the tall grass. All eyes shifted their focus to the new thing approaching. The ball moved back from the Way and split into three again, taking off rapidly to head off the creature. As the balls closed in on it, a dull hum grew louder, and then there was a blinding flash that frightened Dack enough that he closed the Way.
“What did you do that for?” Theterm shouted.
“I thought—”
“I told you we are safe. Now it’ll be at least half an hour later, do you understand? That might have been Fixx. Open it again now,” Theterm demanded, standing up quickly to give Dack more room.
Dack put his hands into the Way and spread out his arms while whispering the name of the Way. Before Dack could correct his mistake, a metal ball flew through the Way and into Storality. It spun around rapidly inside the portal area fortress, moving around the walls, and then upward through the roof. Pausing for a second, it gleamed in the sun, split into three, and took off in different directions. Dack closed the Way and ran out of the door, followed by the others, who were pushing and jostling him. The balls were moving around the edges of the clearing and circling the fortress. They joined together again and came close to the crowd.
Farah pushed forward and grabbed at the object as it dipped lower. Her hand closed tightly around it, but it ran like water through her fingers and reformed in front of her. An intense wave of sickness passed over Farah, and she backhanded the ball, which once again split into three and disappeared deep into the forest. “That thing was doing something to me,” Farah said as she regained her strength. “How are we supposed to stop it?”
“Do you think it will come back?” Alin asked, looking around in every direction.
“It seems to be intelligent, or at least trying to learn. I think finding Fixx is even more important now. Whatever or whoever was in that field might give us some help in capturing that thing so we can send it back.” Theterm shook his head in disgust. “You know what you did wrong, right, Dack?”
“I didn’t pull back, just out,” Dack said quietly. “I am sorry.”
Theterm put his arm around Dack. “It will be okay, son. We will all work together.” Theterm looked at the others, who were nodding in agreement. “Okay, then I would recommend that you and Alin go get Fixx, and we will wait here. If that thing returns, we will take care of it the best we can.” Theterm leaned close to Dack and whispered, “I can send it away if it gets close enough.” He subtly showed Dack the ring on his finger and smirked. “We will be all right, so go get Fixx.”
“Alin, are you ready to go?” Dack asked as he headed back into the fortress.
Alin looked at Alix and then gave him a hug. “I’ll be older than you when I come back,” he joked as he went through the door. “Farah, keep him out of trouble because he’s not as smart as me.” Farah waved and looked at Alix.
Dack put his hands out in search of the Way. “Dack, wait a second, please.” Alin stepped next to Dack and looked at him. “Shouldn’t we pack some supplies or bring some weapons?” Alin looked through the door nervously. “We aren’t exactly prepared, right?”
“It will be fine, I promise.” Dack nodded to Alin. He opened his arms wide and spoke the name of their destination—Fixx’s world. The Way opened, and Dack nodded to Alin for him to go through. Alin looked through the Way, and everything looked safe enough, so he stepped through quickly. Dack went through, looked around cautiously, and then closed the Way. “The fog has cleared, but it looks like the sun will be setting soon,” he said as he pointed skyward. “We might as well head toward that group of buildings over there.”
Alin turned around as he took in his surroundings. “Are you having trouble breathing?” he asked as he continued looking. He put his hand on his chest and took a few deep breaths. Dack moved closer to Alin and looked at him closely. “I don’t feel so good, Dack.” Alin’s knees buckled, and then he collapsed to the ground and lay still in the weeds.
Dack knelt next to Alin and noticed that he was still breathing slowly, but his skin color was getting paler. He tried to sit Alin up so he could lift him onto his shoulder when he heard something coming through the grass. “Fixx, is that you?” he called out. “Alin needs help now.” A dull hum grew louder as Dack turned quickly to see someone like Fixx standing close by, pointing a long staff at him. “Please—”
The area filled with a bright light, and Dack saw nothing when he opened his eyes again. Quick blows rained down on him as he tried to move to his feet. He felt around on the ground for anything he could use, but the strikes increased in intensity until Dack passed out.
“How long do you think it will be until they return?” Farah asked.
“Should only be a few hours. A day at the most,” Theterm answered as he moved closer to the tree line. “A day here would be roughly a month there. I’m sure Dack will want to get back as soon as possible.”
“It is time to go now,” Sicar called to Theterm from where he had recently been buried. “We had a deal.”
Alix and Farah moved in front of Theterm in a defensive posture. “Theterm, what is going on here? Who is this?” Farah demanded.
Sicar moved slowly around them in a circle like a crab. “Tell them, Theterm.”
“He was hired to kill me,” Theterm began. “He wants to take me back to sort everything out.”
“He can’t leave right now,” Farah said calmly.
“He has told me that many times.” Sicar stood upright, shaking dirt and leaves from his cloak. “I do not care about what he wants. I gave him this time so that I could observe, but I do not need to see anymore.”
From within the fortress, someone yelled loudly, as if in pain. Sicar turned and dropped low. “What is going on, Theterm?” he demanded.
“Theterm!” a cry came from inside. “Theterm!”
Farah moved forward, but Sicar blocked her path. “No farther,” he demanded, arching up in her face. “Theterm, find out what is going on in there. You two stay where you are.”
Theterm slowly started going toward the fortress when someone burst through the door and fell down abruptly. It was a tall and extremely thin man wearing a baggy grey jumpsuit. He wore nothing on his feet and kept checking his clothes with a manic expression on his face. “No damage, no damage.” He twitched crazily.
“Everyone move slowly away from here,” Theterm said as he moved closer.
The man looked up at Theterm and smiled happily. “I knew I would find you here.” He winced in pain and held his head tightly while rocking back forth. “I have to eat soon, Theterm, very soon.”
“What are you doing here, Zara?” Theterm knelt down next to the man and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Did they let you out?”
The man looked up at Theterm and shook his head slowly. “The power kept going out.”
“How is that possible?”
“Someone drained off the power by opening a Way, I heard them say. There are only a few people who know that Way, they said. I knew it had to be you from all the stories.” Zara cackled as he slapped at his chest. “These things need to feed. Time is moving too fast here, too fast.”
Theterm looked at the others as he stood up. “He needs to go back now.”
Zara looked up at Theterm sadly. “I can’t.”
“I know conditions are terrible there, but they are trying to help, right?”
“Helping me like they helped you?” Zara shouted as he tried to stand up. His legs were very shaky, so he held on to Theterm to pull himself into a standing position. “They were coming now, you know.”
“I know.”
“Then you are happy I stopped them, right?” Zara hooted and stomped his foot. “Happy, right?”
Theterm looked quizzically at Zara. “How did you stop them?”
“I shut down the Way from here,” Zara admitted.
Theterm pushed Zara out of the way and ran into the fortress. His scream could easily be heard. He ran out again and grabbed Zara tightly by the shoulders. “What is that thing in there?”
“I don’t know what you call it, but it stops the Way from opening. They were right behind me. They were bringing it. Aren’t you happy?”
Theterm let go of Zara and turned to Sicar. “If you take me and they arrive, they will kill everyone in this world.”
“If you do not leave, I will kill you.” Sicar moved closer to Zara. “Does he have a bounty on his head?”
“What is that thing?” Zara fell backward and landed roughly on the ground. “What does it want?”
“Theterm, would the Alkaskre pay to have him returned?” Sicar moved to Zara and circled around him.
“No, they were trying to cure him,” Theterm said, twisting the ring on his finger.
“What a shame. I was going to propose an exchange: his life for yours. So, what is his problem?” Sicar moved backward and turned to Theterm.
“There are some rather nasty things that feed off of him. If he dies, they will find another host, and if they all die, he might too. That suit contains them so they don’t spread. I don’t know much more than that.” Theterm leaned close to Sicar and said quietly, “If he stays here, it won’t be too long until those things escape and infect every living thing. If you must take me, he should go too.”
“He is not my problem, so he stays.” Sicar turned and moved away. “Say your good-byes now and get your horse. I will meet you by the road when you are ready. Do not take all day.” Sicar looked at Farah and Alix and then scurried off toward the road.
“This is going from bad to worse,” Theterm muttered.
“Farah and I could squish that thing for you,” Alix said loudly.
“He has deadly venom that would take out at least one of us in the process. I think I can handle it, but I need you and Farah to go after those things from Fixx’s world. Now that the Way is closed, our options are limited. Do you think you can do it?”
“I am not too sure how to catch something that can slip through my fingers. We will try though, you have my word.” Farah patted Theterm on the arm roughly. “You need to take care of those other two.”
“We will still need to meet back here as soon as we are all done, right?” Alix asked.
“Yes, we will need to be back here as soon as possible. It looks like plans might be changing again, but we have to continue on. Thank you both for all of your help.” Theterm bowed slightly to Farah and Alix. They returned a smile and moved toward their horses in preparation to leave.
Theterm turned toward Zara and sighed. “How long until you have to eat?”
“Two hours, probably less.” Zara rubbed his temples and closed his eyes. “I can’t take it anymore, Theterm. This has to end. They couldn’t help me. No one can help me. I knew you would understand.”
“I think I understand.” Theterm paused and looked intently at Zara. “How would you like to eat to your heart’s content one last time and then help me out of this problem with Sicar?”
“I would do anything to help you, Theterm. We’ve both been through so much together. You have always looked out for me, even when I got myself into this,” Zara said, pulling on his clothes. “I am ready to be done and accept—”
“Okay, okay,” Theterm held up his hands, cutting off Zara abruptly. “No more talking. How about that food?”
“That would be great.” Zara was hopeful again. “I am so tired of eating what they gave me. Do you have any meat? I am so hungry.”
“I am sure I have plenty of everything you like. You will need to stay out of sight when you hear us arriving in about a day.”
Zara looked very confused.
“I am going to send you to my house. Eat whatever you want, but stay out of sight, understand?” Theterm asked.
Zara nodded.
“Good. Are you ready?”
Zara shrugged sluggishly. Theterm hugged him, whispered something, and Zara was gone. Theterm looked around to make sure no one was watching and then walked toward where Sicar was waiting.