“You understand me, don’t you?” Dack yelled through the bars. “I am only here to find my friend, and then I promise we will leave.” He rattled the door to the cell and then sat down heavily on the floor. “A whole world full of Fixxes, a whole world,” he grumbled as his fingers dug into the hard-packed dirt floor. “You know they understand us, right?”
Alin didn’t respond right away until Dack gave him a push. “Yes.” He yawned. “They have understood us from day one, but that has not gotten us any closer to getting out of here.” He sat up and looked around. “Where did they go?”
“It was the sirens again. They all grabbed their staves and raced out of here. It’s funny. They aren’t as fast as Fixx.”
“It’s not really funny since you’ve said it almost every day since they threw us in here.” Alin stood up and stretched. He stood on his toes and looked out the small window that was their only source of light. “It looks like they are fighting those things again. Do you think Fixx is still alive?”
“I hope so, but there’s no way to know for sure.” Dack looked around the dimly lit prison and could see that the door was left open when they exited in a hurry. “What do you think those things will do in Storality?”
“I’m not sure, but they seem harmless until provoked. I think they learn to attack things that attack them.” Alin could feel Dack tugging on his pant leg. “Stop it. I’m going to lose my balance,” he said in time to see what Dack already saw. “I guess we’ll find out now, won’t we?” he said in a whisper.
Floating outside the bars of the cell, a small metallic ball was getting closer as they watched quietly. “We are never going to find Fixx if it attacks us in such close quarters,” Dack said as the ball entered the cell. It seemed to respond when Dack spoke, getting closer to his face. “Friend,” he said calmly and then waited. Again the object glided closer, moving slowly around his head. Dack slowed his breathing and closed his eyes.
A buzzing noise near his ear made him turn his head slowly as he opened his eyes.
“What was that?” he spoke softly. Again it buzzed soothingly and actually pressed against his ear. “It is still making sounds,” Dack said as Alin moved away from the window.
“How do you think it works?” Alin asked as he cautiously moved to get a better look.
“It sounds like it tried to repeat what you said.” Dack laughed. “Now it is vibrating slightly, like it is laughing too.” Dack slowly stood up and faced Alin. “It’s repeating a pattern, and it sounds more like words each time.” He stood still and kept listening for a few moments. “I am Dack,” he said as he cupped his hand over the ball that was now covering the side of his face. “Yes,” he said. “Yes.”
“What is it Dack?” Alin asked excitedly.
Dack looked at Alin and smiled broadly. “Fixx has been sending these things, hoping that I would find him. I’m not exactly sure where he is, but this little thing should be able to lead us there if we can get out of here.” A noise outside made them look toward the front door. The ball reformed itself in the air and floated in front of Dack. He held out his hand, and it wrapped around his wrist and then hardened as someone entered.
“Back so soon?” Dack yelled to the guard.
“Don’t provoke him. We still need to come up with a plan,” Alin whispered, trying to pull Dack away from the bars. “Those staves kill those things, and you don’t want that, do you?” Dack backed away, and he and Alin sat on the floor.
The guard moved toward them and stared. He snarled at them and put his staff near the bars. When the prisoners didn’t react, he wrinkled his nose, turned away, lit a lantern, and sat with his back against the exit. In a short amount of time, he was snoring loudly as he curled up next to his weapon.
“Well, I’m going back to sleep too,” Alin said as he found as comfortable a spot as possible in the cell. “We can talk later about how to get out of here,” he said softly.
“Okay,” Dack said as he lay down too. He looked at the light coming through the window until his eyes would no longer stay open.
He woke up hours later and sat up. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around the cell as he felt the ground shake slightly. His wrist felt warm where the ball had formed, but it was no longer there. “Alin,” he said quietly, “did you feel that?” He shook Alin again after another wave went through the prison.
“Why must you keep waking me up?” Alin said as he sat up. “Yes, I felt you shaking me.”
“That wasn’t me, Alin. It was the whole place.”
“Maybe this place has tremors like on Storality. Go to sleep.” Alin lay down but sat up quickly when he heard shouting from outside. He stood up and looked out the window. “I’m not sure what I’m looking at, but there are two very big metal things outside. They look like they are walking around. Maybe they’re here to rescue us.”
Dack moved Alin from the window and looked for himself. “It looks like armor made from the same material as those balls. The one on my wrist is gone.” Dack turned around quickly when he heard the guard getting up. Dack smirked at him and waved, saying to Alin, “I think our friend here had better start running.”
The guard walked close to the cell door and pulled out a ring of keys. Dack and Alin looked at each other when he opened it and motioned for them to leave.
“I’m glad to see you’ve come to your senses,” Dack said, crouching down in front of the guard. The guard motioned again for them to exit the cell. “All we ever wanted was to find our friend and leave.” Dack stood and ruffled the hair of the guard as he walked past. “Thanks for all of your hospitality these past few months,” he said as he opened the door, moving quickly away from the sneering guard.
Outside Dack could see the armored behemoths lumbering closer to the prison. “I hope Fixx is with them,” Alin said to Dack. “I am ready to go home and soak in a tub of very warm water until I wash this world’s dirt off me.”
“I think we could both do with a shave and haircut too,” Dack said, rubbing under his chin.
“We need to get to the Way quickly so I don’t have another one of those breathing attacks,” Alin said as he watched the other guards, carrying staves, talk to the armored newcomers.
“It doesn’t look like they are putting up a fight,” Dack said, looking at how the two groups were interacting. “Are you getting a bad feeling about this?”
“It looks like they know each other. I would have thought they were here to rescue us, but now I’m not too sure. Do you think we should run for the Way?” Alin asked, as he looked around, trying to get his bearings. “I’m not sure which way we need to go, do you?”
Dack closed his eyes momentarily as he tried to sense the Way’s location. “I think I know where it is, but we would never make it there before they caught us. I do not want another beating.”
“I could distract them,” Alin said seriously.
“I am not leaving you. Alix would kill me if I came back without you. We stay together and see what happens. Here they come,” Dack said, smiling as the armored ones moved closer.
“Are you the Alkaskre?” a voice asked from within the armor.
“I do not understand,” Dack said, puzzled. “We just want to find our friend and leave.”
“Can you open Ways to other worlds?” the armored one asked angrily.
“Yes. Do you know where Fixx is?” Dack demanded.
“Fixx is being hunted for his crimes and will be executed upon sight,” the other armored figure said.
“At least he isn’t dead,” Alin said quietly.
“We came here to return him alive to our world. Is there something you want in return? Maybe we can make a deal,” Dack said confidently. “Do you need me to open a Way for you?”
“We want you to teach us how to do it. After that, we might allow you to take Fixx away if you promise that he will never return again.”
“I will open a Way to my home as proof, but then you have to help us find Fixx. Once Alin and Fixx are safely home, I will teach you how to open Ways.” Dack winked to Alin, who tried not to laugh. “Do we have a deal?”
The two armored figures talked to each other in another language before turning to Dack. “Can you both open Ways?”
Dack tried to quickly figure out what the best answer was, but his delay was answer enough.
“Your friend will stay here until you prove yourself. Let’s go.” They pushed Dack in the direction of the Way.
“If anything happens to either him or Fixx, I will not help you anymore,” Dack said as he began walking away.
“Prove yourself, and all will be fine.”
Dack put his hands out and found the Way easily. He whispered the name of the Way that opened to his home, but nothing happened. He looked at the two, smiled nervously, and whispered the name again. “Something is wrong,” Dack muttered. He walked around the spot and put his hands out again. Nothing happened, even when he slowly and loudly enunciated the word.
“What is the problem?” one of the armored guards asked impatiently.
“That Way won’t open. I can try another one, but I would recommend moving back a little,” Dack said, concerned.
They moved back as Dack put his hands out, whispering the name of the first Way he had learned, the one that killed the kings, and it opened slightly. He looked at them and could tell that they were affected by its opening.
“Close it now!” they both shouted.
The armor they wore dissolved slowly into a puddle as they fell to their knees, gasping for air. As the armor seemed to melt away, it revealed two individuals, reminiscent of the other guards, but slightly taller for their kind, frighteningly pale, and sickly thin. They were bandaged over most of their bodies and struggled to breath.
“What have you done?” one wheezed.
“I didn’t know that would happen. What do you need me to do?” Dack asked nervously.
“Get help,” the other said, collapsing.
Dack kneeled down and managed to put one over his shoulder while he guided the other one toward the prison. “It’s only a little farther,” he said calmly when they were in sight of the building. “I need some help!” he shouted when he spotted some guards. “Come quickly!”
Alin rushed to Dack behind the guards. “What happened?” he asked while the guards were attending to the fallen. “Our Way home wouldn’t open, so I tried the fire one, and it destroyed their armor. It looked like it melted off them.”
“At least we know the armor has a weakness. The staves the guards use do the same thing to those floating balls. Now what do we do?” Alin asked as he stepped back to let more guards get closer. “Run?”
“The Way is working here, but not on Storality. I hope Lucan didn’t do something to trap us here,” Dack said as he moved away from the crowd. “The ones after Theterm might have done it too.” He shook his head when he considered the options. “This is not good.”
A guard pulled on Dack to get his attention and then motioned for him to go over to the sickly ones. “How can I help?” he asked when he arrived.
“You have to get us back,” the conscious one said, breathing heavily.
“Okay, how do we do that? How did you get here?” Dack asked, looking around.
“The shells allowed us to travel here, but they are destroyed now. We will have to find another method. This outpost is near the coast, so we need to get there and see what we can do next. The guards can give us some supplies, but options are very basic this far from where we need to go.” He sat up and looked at his weaker companion. “We need to leave as soon as possible because it is going to be a long journey.”
“I am very sorry,” Dack said sincerely.
“That won’t matter if we don’t all make it alive. I am sure the king will not take kindly to you as it is, but if either of us dies, you will be hunted like your friend Fixx.”
“They seem to be getting better, don’t you think?” Dack asked Alin as he watched the two injured guards sleeping in the back of the cart.
Alin felt his stomach. “We should stop for something to eat and wake them up again.” He pulled back hard on the reins, and the creatures finally stopped. “Those things really do like running.” He jumped down to the ground and moved to the back of the cart to look through the supplies. “What do you want?” he called to Dack.
“Water is fine right now,” Dack said as he watched the two in the cart stirring from their sleep. “Are you two all right? We stopped for a break. Do you want anything?”
The two sat up and looked around. “We are making very good progress. I think we will be at the coast in the next few hours.”
“We need to tell them now,” the other said as he looked through the supplies.
“Is there a problem?” Dack asked.
“The king is not very popular here, so you will have to make all the arrangements without our help.”
“Without our shells to protect us, we would not survive if they recognized us. They consider us traitors,” the other added.
“Is there anything else we should know?” Alin said as he walked a water skin to Dack.
The two sickly ones began to talk in their own language but stopped when they noticed that Dack and Alin were visibly annoyed. “The truth is that our king is not from this world’s surface. He and his kind have slowly been taking over for hundreds of years.”
Dack chuckled and looked at Alin. “How long do your kind live?”
“Not as long as that, but some of us have volunteered to have our lives extended. You can see the results,” he said as he pointed to his bandages. “That is why we always wear those shells.”
“Was your current king here when Fixx left?” Alin asked, eating something from a bag.
“Yes, and Fixx was a well-known instigator before his departure. It was his disappearance that led our kind to find the Way. The metal used in our shells was discovered there and then modified. It keeps replicating itself under the right conditions.”
“Who are the Alkaskre?” Dack asked, sipping some water.
“There was a small group that appeared like you did, but they wanted to overthrow the king. They spoke this language and convinced many to join them. The king sent some like us to infiltrate and spy on them. They told us they were called Alkaskre and were here to help us regain our world. The king eventually defeated the rebellion, and as far as we know, no more Alkaskre have arrived since. Recently, with Fixx’s return, the hostilities have begun again, but on a much smaller scale.”
“Were you alive when Fixx left?” Dack asked, moving to the supplies for something to eat.
“No, and the only one who remembers him firsthand is the king. He would do anything to stop him again—”
“How are we supposed to get a ship to take us across to the mainland if you can’t help?” Alin interrupted. “It seems all of us are a little out of place, don’t you think?”
The two in the cart thought for a moment and then one said, “You could tell them you are Alkaskre and that you have come back to stop the king again.”
Dack laughed. “No, that is not going to work.”
“Why?” the other one asked.
“All I want to do is find Fixx. As soon as we do, we will make sure you are safe, and then we will leave,” Dack said as he began walking to the front of the cart. “Alin and I will think of something when we get there.”
“I thought you were going to take us back to the king,” one said desperately.
“If there is no other choice, then yes, we will. Do you really think he will take kindly to friends of Fixx?” Dack sat down on the driver’s bench of the cart. “Alin, are you ready?”
“I’ll be right there,” Alin said as he stuffed some food into his pockets. He once again sat in the cart and grabbed the reins. “Do you have any ideas?” he whispered to Dack.
“No, but we are not there yet.” Dack was hopeful as Alin shook the reins and the creatures started running.
“How many of them do you see?” Dack asked Alin, who was hiding in the bushes on top of a hill.
“It looks like at least ten. They are all wearing shells and pushing the locals around. There is no way we can get past all of them. I can see some small boats, but we would be caught before untying one. Should we keep going and look for another town?” Alin called to Dack.
Dack walked back to the cart. “Those shells, how far can you fly in them?”
“As far as you need,” one answered. “Is there a problem in the town?”
Dack felt the situation was growing hopeless. “I have been honest with both of you, and I hope you will tell me the truth now. There is a group of your friends right over that hill. If we return you safe to them, could you guarantee our safety?”
The two in the cart talked to each other in their own language and then looked at Dack. “You would be taken to the king, and he would decide what to do.”
“Do you think the king would allow us to find Fixx and leave?”
“No,” they both answered quickly.
“Are you willing to help Alin and me find Fixx so we can leave?”
“That is not up to us,” one said as he shrugged.
“Do you have an idea where Fixx is?”
“No one has seen him recently,” the other said. “Why?”
“He is my friend, and he did not come here on his own. I think he will want to return with me.” Dack’s wrist started to tingle, so he started to rub it. “I am not sure what to do now though.” He looked at his wrist when it started to burn. His skin was getting darker, and it felt like something was moving below the surface.
“What is wrong?” one asked.
“It feels like something is crawling around inside,” he said, panicking as he squeezed his wrist hard. Liquid metal oozed from his pores and formed into a small ball. It flew around the area and then stopped in front of him. “That hurt! Do not do that again.” He pointed at the object. “Why did it do that?” he asked the ones in the cart.
“It needed to recharge, so it melded with you,” one said calmly.
“You should be happy it is small. The ones we use for shells often do some serious damage,” the other said, pointing to his bandages.
“I think it was trying to tell me where Fixx was when we were in the cell when you arrived. Is that possible?” Dack watched the ball floating around. “Could it lead me to him?”
Alin came running up to the cart. “What is going on, Dack? I saw something was happening.” The ball floated close to him as he spoke. “Is that thing on our side?” he asked quietly as he stood completely still.
“It is the same one from earlier. Can it help us find Fixx?” he asked the others again.
“I know it can learn and remember, so it is possible, but if Fixx has left where he sent it from, it would never find him.”
Dack spoke to the ball that was now hovering near his face. “Where is Fixx?” It moved closer to his ear and pressed up against his head. It made some sounds, and he tried to repeat them.
“Sounds like Kwiglin,” one said. “That would make sense. It’s a very remote place where the king would never send his troops.”
“Why not?” Alin asked, leaning on the edge of the cart.
“It’s a harsh desert. The king is not fond of sending his troops that far from the coasts. That’s one reason he still doesn’t control the entire mainland. If you can cross over to the mainland, it would still be difficult to get to,” the other added.
“Would you be willing to help us get there?” Dack asked, hopeful.
“I told you already—”
“I know what you said before, but you have our promise to leave as soon as we can,” Dack pleaded.
The two in the cart looked at each other and then at Dack and Alin. “They would kill us.”
“No one would know. You can get us there and then take us back to the Way.” Dack hoped they would be willing to help.
“How are we supposed to get you there without shells?”
“How long would it take to get from here to where Fixx is if we could acquire some?” Alin asked.
“A few hours, but we aren’t going to take you,” one said firmly.
“How do the shells work? Is there something special to it, or can you communicate with it like the smaller ball?” Dack kept up the questioning.
“You have to train how to use them. One cannot simply take one and hope to fly,” the other spoke up. “Take us into that town and turn yourselves in now!”
Alin looked at Dack. “We don’t have many options. Maybe we should talk to the king.”
“These two know where Fixx is now,” Dack said. “There won’t be anything stopping them from telling the king. I don’t like how that could end.”
“Even if we waited until the other guards left to take a boat, it might take a really long time to get to that desert. Does anyone have any other ideas?” Alin asked.
The two in the cart sat quietly.
“I’m afraid we are going to have to surrender.” Alin moved to the front of the cart and grabbed the reins as he hoisted himself onto the driver’s bench. “Are you ready, Dack?”
Dack motioned for the floating ball to enter one of his pockets. “I hope this is the right thing to do. We might never see Storality again.” He shook his head sadly as he sat next to Alin, who urged the creatures forward.
“I hope your trip here was a pleasant one,” the king spoke slowly as he poured something into the cup in front of him. He looked at Dack and asked, “Do you like tea?”
“Is that the same kind Fixx stole from you a long time ago?” Dack asked without thinking.
The king stood up slowly and looked at Dack. “Yes, now that you mention it.” He scratched the back of his head and looked around. “I don’t remember where I was going, but it was important.” After a moment, he sat down again. “Sorry about that.”
Alin looked at Dack and stifled a laugh. “It is nice to meet you, sire. We were hoping you could help us get to Kwiglin.” The king looked around slowly and then pointed to a large map on the wall.
“May I?” Alin asked as he got up from the table to look at the map. “Is this the mainland or the whole world?” he asked as he approached.
“It is the mainland and some of the surrounding islands. There isn’t any other land to be found. To be honest, most of this world’s beauty is found underwater,” the king said, taking in a breath and then sighing deeply. “Much has changed though.”
“I am sure you have seen a lot in your lifetime,” Dack said as he looked around the table.
“Oh, that is so true. Our people did not want to take over, but the little ones cannot control themselves.” The king made slurping noises as he took a sip of his tea. “They would not listen when we told them how they were hurting us. We told them for years, but no one did anything differently.” He shook his head and blew loudly through his nose. “So finally we came ashore.”
Alin finished looking at the map and sat at the table again. “I have a better idea of where we are and where we need to go. Thank you.”
“What is in Kwiglin? It is nothing but a desert,” the king asked while trying to decide what to eat from the large arrangement of bowls on the table.
“Fixx,” Dack said as he looked in the bowls near him.
“Is he still alive?” the king asked, grabbing things from the bowls closest to him.
“Yes, and he is much better behaved. We want to find him and take him with us to our island.” Dack admitted, watching the king stuff his face with what looked like fish.
“Which island are you from?” the king asked after chewing.
“Storality,” Alin answered.
The king tapped his webbed claws gently on the table as he thought. “How far off the mainland is that one?” he asked, eyeing Alin.
“That island is not from this world. We have come here through a Way,” Dack admitted.
“You are Alkaskre?” The king blinked several times and sat back.
“I can open Ways like they did, but we only want to find Fixx and return home. You have our word that as soon as we can, we will leave.” Dack smiled and looked at Alin. “Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, sire, we promise,” Alin said, nodding.
After looking at both of them, the king stood again. His shell was completely dark black and fit more like armor than how Dack remembered similar smaller creatures on Storality. “How can I help you?” he asked as he extended his neck a little farther out and rolled his head slightly.
“We believe that Fixx is in or near Kwiglin, so we were hoping that we could have some of your guards take us there and then return us to the Way. With that much help, we could be gone in a few hours or days,” Dack said sincerely.
“Otherwise, it could take weeks or months from looking at your map,” Alin added, pointing to the wall.
“Has Fixx changed that much? Is he worth all this trouble?” the king asked as he walked over to the map on the wall. “I have been advised against giving you anything other than a life sentence in our most unpleasant of cells.” He returned to the table and sat down again. “Well?”
Dack looked at Alin and shrugged. “He is our friend, so I’m not sure what else to tell you. I will admit, he does and says things that can be very annoying, but everyone deserves one more try at getting it right.”
“He risked his life to save me and my twin brother when we were babies, and he helped raise two others. I do not know all that he has done wrong, but we hope you can help us now,” Alin said as he looked kindly at the king.
“One thing that I have learned through the many years I have lived and ruled is sometimes it is better to pardon than to punish. In Fixx’s case, he had no respect for authority, and that is why he did what was done. Honestly, his removal from this world was the best solution the first time, so I would imagine it would be the best solution again.” The king breathed heavily through his nose and laughed. “I really do appreciate your honesty and the fact that you came here willingly.”
“Can we count on your help?” Dack asked, leaning close to the king.
“I do not think it would be wise for my guards to stay long in those conditions; however, we can make arrangements to wait close by. There are a few towns loyal to me near that region, so you could be taken there and then return when you have found your friend. From there all of you could be taken back to where you first appeared. I think that would be best for all involved.” The king concluded by clapping loudly.
Doors opened quickly, and guards entered from several directions, all carrying unsheathed swords that looked like they were made from fiery red coral. There was a mix of guards that were of the same kind as the king and those like Fixx’s kin in metal shells. Dack and Alin sat back cautiously in their chairs, waiting for the king to speak.
The king stood and motioned for the guards to stay still. He said something in the little ones’ language as he looked around the room. After a few moments, he made some deep noises, and a guard stepped forward. Both made noises back and forth until the king turned to Dack and Alin. “Only one of my guards is familiar with that area, but it would be best to have more accompany you, so I will ask for volunteers.” He turned to the guards again.
Before he had a chance to speak, two guards stepped forward in metal shells. “We would like to go, your honor.” Both knelt in front of the king and then stood again. “We both speak Alkaskre, our own language, and can understand your tongue as well. While we have not been to Kwiglin, we are both familiar with the area and its dangers.”
The king looked at them and then the other guard, who stepped forward. He made more deep noises as he pointed to Dack and Alin and then continued with his communication to the three. The three nodded several times, and then the king turned again to Dack. “These three understand what you need and are willing to fly you near Kwiglin, wait for you to return with Fixx, and then take all of you to the Way. They also understand that any deviation from that plan will not be tolerated. Are you ready to go?”
Dack was glad and knelt before the king sincerely. “You have treated us more kindly than I could have hoped for. If there is anything we can do in return, please let me know.”
“If you do what you have promised, then I will be in your debt for taking Fixx away again,” the king said as he attempted to smile.
“We have to land. It is not possible to get any closer!” the guard shouted over the winds. “I am sorry.” They descended rapidly until the entire group was safely on the ground. “There is a small outpost not far through those trees. We will wait there until you return.”
“Can’t you take us farther once the storm dies down?” Dack asked hopefully.
“We have our orders to go no farther.” The three guards talked among themselves and then headed toward the forest surrounding the desert.
“Do you want to follow them or head out?” Alin asked as he pulled his hood over his head. “I agree with whatever you decide.” Fine sand blew occasionally in their direction, but the new outfits the king provided helped shelter them more effectively.
Dack opened his cloak and found the pocket in which the small metal ball was staying. He grabbed it gently and held it out. “We need to find Fixx,” he said calmly. “Can you lead us?” It floated high into the air and circled the area. “I hope it doesn’t need to recharge again. Maybe you can do it next time,” Dack said as he watched the ball.
Alin cringed at the thought of something that size pushing its way out. “I don’t know about you, but I am very excited to be this close to the end. Do you think Fixx has been behaving himself?” Alin grinned.
“I hope so. I am still concerned that I couldn’t open the Way home earlier. If that doesn’t work, then we might be spending the rest of our lives here.” Dack watched the ball as it returned to float in front of him. “Where is Fixx?” The object headed in the direction of the storm, so Dack closed his new cloak and pulled the hood over his head before following.
Along with the clothes, the king provided some dried food and water, enough for both of them for a few days. Each carried an equal share in backpacks that hung nicely as they began their journey. All around them there was only swirling sand, and they could barely see that something was farther ahead.
“It looks like it is heading toward whatever that thing is up ahead,” Dack said over the winds, which were getting stronger the farther they travelled. “Can you tell what it is?”
“I am not sure, but it looks like a bunch of things sticking out of the sand,” Alin replied, trying not to get sand in his mouth. “It’s hard to tell though.”
After half an hour of walking against the wind, following their metallic guide, they arrived at the place. “What is this?” Dack asked, looking at the transparent pillars jutting nearly thirty feet out of the ground. “Someone had to bury these, right?”
Alin walked around, trying to determine exactly why twenty of them were in the middle of nowhere. He tried to wrap his arms around them and found that their circumference was nearly twice his height. Looking through them did not really distort what he saw on the other side. They were arranged almost in a circle and each leaned slightly so that the sun shone brightly on them.
“They definitely served some purpose, but I don’t know enough to guess what,” Alin said as he pounded on one. “Solid. Someone either had a great idea or a really dumb one to put them here.”
“Did you see which way that ball went?” Dack asked nervously as he searched the distance for it.
“I wasn’t paying attention,” Alin said as he too scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of it. “There is something catching the light over that way,” he said, squinting. “Not sure though.”
“We might as well keep going in that direction. That thing might notice sooner or later that we aren’t behind it.” Dack was growing uneasy as they continued in the direction Alin suggested.
After another fifteen minutes, they arrived at another similar grouping. Winds were definitely getting stronger, so they decided to stop for a rest. Sitting with their backs against one of the pillars provided enough of a break from the wind that they managed to take a much-needed drink.
“This isn’t the same set as before, is it?” Dack asked Alin as he looked around.
“No, I kept this place in sight the whole time we were walking,” Alin said confidently. “We will need to get out of these conditions soon. I understand now why the king never bothered to come here.” They packed their bags and looked for the next landmark to head toward. “Something is definitely over there, but I do not see that ball anywhere.”
Dack focused his senses as he looked where Alin had noted seeing something. “It isn’t more of these things,” he said, tapping on one. “Looks more like a bunch of small shacks. I can’t imagine why anyone would voluntarily live here, but at least they can provide some shelter until this storm passes.” They put their packs on their backs and continued walking.
The temperature seemed to double, as did the wind, as they got closer to what was now surely an abandoned trio of rusting shacks. Once inside one of them, they both collapsed roughly onto its crumbling rock floor. High ceilings allowed for most of the heat to rise as they huddled in the shadows out of the wind.
Dack rummaged through his pack, searching for what looked best to eat. “I am not sure what this stuff is,” he said, biting into a strip of some tough red food. “It tastes like smoked fish.” He laughed as he chewed. “It is actually pretty good,” he said, staring at it. “Are you going to eat anything?” he asked Alin, who was breathing heavily.
“In a minute,” Alin said, trying to catch his breath. He opened his pack, took out a water skin, poured some into his hands, and then splashed it on his forehead. After standing up to take off his cloak, he sat again to look through his provisions. “Am I going to like this?” he asked, holding up the same thing Dack was finishing.
“If you don’t, I’ll take it.” Dack smirked. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I will be in a few minutes. The temperature in here is almost bearable. How are you holding up?” Alin asked, sniffing the food.
“I think we should stay here until the winds stop. There is no sense wasting our energy walking against them if we can avoid it.” Dack took a sip of water and then stood up to take off his cloak. “I am concerned that those Alkaskre who came to this world are somehow connected to those that Theterm said were coming for him.” He sat down and picked up a nearby rock.
“Did Theterm tell you anything about them?” Alin said, watching Dack.
“He told me there were others like us and that he was concerned they would show up and take us all away for the mistakes we’ve made.” Dack threw the rock and picked up another one. “He told me we all need to work together to try and undo all the things we’ve done wrong. I know most of the things Lucan did and what I did to the kings when I opened the Way to save myself and Fixx. I can only imagine what Theterm has done.”
“There is still so much he hasn’t told you. I hope we get the opportunity to return in time to hear it all and then be able to help.” Alin stood up and stretched. “From the sounds of the wind outside, I get the feeling we might be here awhile.”
“In that case, I think it would be best if we stayed here,” Dack said as he cleared a spot to lie down. “A little nap should do us a world of good,” he said as he closed his eyes.
Dack was startled awake and tried to sit up. His head was pounding and his vision was blurry. When he tried to move, his body did not respond. He tried to speak but couldn’t gather the breath. Hands grabbed him and sat him up while others applied cool wet things to his face and neck. Water was poured slowly into his mouth so that his tongue moved properly again.
“I—” he managed to say before his body convulsed uncontrollably. Everything slowly turned black, and he passed out.
“You’ll be okay,” Alin said to Dack as he opened his eyes. “Don’t try to move.” He stood over him and smiled.
“Where are we?” he asked, looking around.
“Still in the desert, in the same place.” Dack tried to move, and Alin frowned as he pushed him down. “Do not try to move. It’s too soon.”
“What is happening? Why can’t I move,” Dack demanded. He moved his head to see tubes and bags of colored liquids surrounding him. “Alin, what is going on?”
“I fell asleep when you did. We both would have died if those little ones hadn’t shown up. I think the ball brought them.” Alin smiled as he held it out in his hand. “You were so bad that they feared moving you would have made it worse.” He pointed to the tubes and continued. “They are putting something into you that should speed up the process of recovery, but you need to stay still so you don’t hurt yourself.”
“Are you okay?” Dack said, trying to see more of his body.
“I am all right now, but I am still very tired and ache all over. Even though we were out of the sun, this place was slowly baking us.” Alin sat down next to Dack. “They should be back soon.”
“How many of them were here?”
“A lot, actually. I am not sure exactly, but at least ten. They kept coming in and out, helping us. It was really chaotic. I asked them about Fixx, but they seemed confused since we really didn’t understand each other. They have to know him, don’t you think?”
“I guess, but it’s possible that he’s no longer here. Theterm said each of our days on Storality was like a month, so it was six or seven months for him before we even arrived. We have been here almost three months, so that is really a long time without hearing anything from us.” Dack sighed. “I really hope this trip was not a waste of everyone’s time.”
“Except for almost dying from an allergy attack, spending two months in jail, and then almost dying again in a desert, it has been fun spending the time to get to know you. I hope you feel the same.” Alin laughed.
The door to the shack opened slowly, and someone peered in cautiously. “Dack?”
Alin turned quickly, but Dack tried unsuccessfully to see the door without moving. “I am Dack!” he called out. “Come in.”
Another one of Fixx’s kin walked in slowly, eyeing them both nervously. “Are you looking for someone?” He wore glasses, making his eyes appear larger, and a white cloak that fit him snuggly.
“Fixx,” Dack said hopefully. “We want to find him so we can take him home.”
“My name is Omeran, and I have come to help you if I can. Can you tell me more about Fixx?” He moved closer so that Dack could see him easier.
“He returned here through a Way about eight or nine months ago. I am sure he was close to dying from a wound to his chest. Alin, show him the ball,” Dack said, trying to prop himself up.
Alin handed the ball to Omeran, who took it and held it close to his eyes. He spoke a few words, and the ball flattened out. After turning it over a few times while running his fingers slowly across its surface, he spoke again, and it regained its normal shape. “New Kwiglin, three months ago.” He handed the object back to Alin, who put it in his pocket. “We are close to there now, but I think it would be better that you rest.”
“Fixx is close?” Dack moved quickly and painfully pulled on the tubes. He grimaced and then continued. “How far?”
Omeran blinked. “Only a few hours, but the desert is most treacherous, so rest. I think you will like it there.” He removed his glasses and wiped his forehead. “There are only a few people who could have sent that messenger, so finding that one should be easy. If your friend was injured, that will narrow down the search considerably. New Kwiglin is the last free place for our people, so there should be no trouble from the guards.”
“I thought the king was very helpful in getting us this far,” Alin said as he looked through his pack for something to eat.
“You have met him?” Omeran asked, backing away.
“Sure. He had some guards fly us to the edge of the desert,” Alin said, still looking in his bag.
“Alin!” Dack yelled.
Alin first looked at Dack and only turned to Omeran when he saw Dack gesturing wildly. A curved wooden club glanced Alin’s shoulder, making his arm go numb. With his other arm, Alin grabbed Omeran’s wrist and lifted him into the air.
“What are you doing?” Alin asked calmly. Omeran began screaming in another language and wiggled violently, trying to escape. He tried scratching and biting but was unsuccessful when Alin managed to grab Omeran’s other wrist. “What is your problem?” Alin laughed. “Calm down.”
Omeran stopped and looked at Alin and then Dack. “Spies,” he hissed. “I will not take you there. You can’t make me.”
“Put him down,” Dack said to Alin. Alin began to protest, but Dack shook his head. “Let’s start over, okay?”
Omeran looked surprised as Alin put him on the ground and let go. “Why would the king help you?”
“I told him that I would take Fixx away, and he was happy to see that happen. Fixx has not always done the right thing, so having him go was an option that everyone agreed was best.” Dack looked at Alin as he rubbed his sore shoulder. “Are you okay, Alin?”
“What is that thing?” Alin asked, looking curiously at the weapon Omeran was picking up again.
Omeran wiped it off and handed it to Alin, who pounded it into his open hand a few times. “It’s solid. Sure does hurt.”
“You can throw it too, but that takes practice. This one was specially made for me since I’m left-handed,” Omeran said, holding out his left hand. Alin handed it back, and Omeran tucked it into his belt in the back. “I have a hard time believing that the king is being so nice to your kind, looking for the likes of Fixx.” He rubbed his wrists and looked at Dack. “Our people have a lot to lose if we are betrayed.”
“We will have to trust each other all the more then.” Dack smiled, and Omeran nodded.
“Wake up, wake up,” Theterm whispered, kneeling next to Zara. He wanted to shake him but feared what might happen. Zara was lying face down on the floor, snoring loudly, surrounded by numerous empty food containers. His face and hands were crusty from dried food that had obviously been shoved ravenously into his mouth. “I need to talk to you before you leave.”
“You need to get out here now,” Sicar demanded from outside.
Zara continued sleeping until Theterm stood up and kicked the bottom of his foot. “Get up!” he demanded, still trying to be quiet.
Zara rolled over, blinked several times, and yawned. “It’s good to see you’ve returned. You are getting low on your food supply.” He sat up, looked at his fingers, and began tasting what was still sticking to them. “The pheasant was especially delicious.”
“You have to leave with Sicar,” Theterm continued, trying to ignore Zara’s loathsome behavior.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Zara said as he stretched. “You just got back, and we have a lot to catch up on.” He tried to stand, but the floor was slippery.
“Sicar is expecting to take me away right now. I thought you understood that I need you to take my place,” Theterm said as he helped Zara to his feet. “Don’t you remember?”
“I only remember that I was very hungry and probably said some very desperate things. Now that I am full again,” he started as he patted his stomach, “I am okay.” His face changed, and he took a deep breath. “I’m getting hungry again.” He looked at Theterm fearfully. “How fast is it here? I will need to eat again very soon.”
“I told you before, you need to go with Sicar. He is returning—”
“If you don’t get out here now, I will come in there and end it,” Sicar said loudly from outside. “Do you hear me?”
“I am just picking out a few things to take,” Theterm responded, trying to stay calm. “Are you willing to take my place?” he asked Zara.
Zara nodded slowly as he began to double over in pain. “I would do anything for you,” he said as he held his sides.
“Thank you so much,” Theterm said as he patted Zara on the back. “Stay here, and if I get a chance, we will trade places.” He turned and ran outside. “I’m coming, Sicar.”
Sicar turned toward him and moved closer. “I am glad that you are ready. Follow me to my ship, and we will get going,” he said, watching Theterm breathing heavily. “Are you all right?”
“I’m just a little nervous,” Theterm said, smiling. “Ready?”
Sicar turned and moved quickly toward the place his ship landed. As they approached, lights turned on, and a ramp slid down so they could enter. “This will be a long trip, so I’ve made arrangements for you to be a little more comfortable and safe.” Sicar moved inside the small quarters and motioned for Theterm to do the same. Theterm looked around, trying to remember every detail as he entered. Sicar pushed a few buttons, and the ramp lifted up and sealed. A few seconds later, a lid opened on a strange white box. “You can lie down in there. It will take care of you until we arrive.”
Theterm did not really understand, but he looked into the box and saw what appeared to be a very comfortable cushion. He looked at Sicar and then sat down. “Just stretch out here?”
“Yes.”
Theterm slowly moved into the proper position. The lid came down, and he was alone in the dark. He couldn’t see anything, but he could smell that the space was filling up with something faintly sweet. This isn’t too bad, he thought as he breathed deeply.
“We will be leaving soon,” Sicar’s voice said softly from somewhere near Theterm’s head. “You will be asleep by then, so I will see you when we arrive.”
“I could use some sleep.” Theterm laughed. He touched the ring on his finger with his thumb as he heard a series of muffled sounds and felt some slight rocking of his body. I wish Zara was here, Theterm thought as he felt like he was floating.
“I think they merged into this one,” Farah said as she held up the ball to show Alix.
“I would agree,” Alix said as he took the object from Farah. “So, it just fell out of the sky and isn’t doing anything?”
“It looks that way.” Farah shrugged. “Should we bring it back?”
“We can put it into one of our packs and head back to the Way,” Alix said, moving toward the horses.
“Do you think the boys are back with Fixx?” Farah asked as she mounted her steed. “It’s been a few days, so I hope they are waiting for us with something good to eat.”
“I hope so too,” Alix said. “I’m not sure who I’m more excited to see, my brother or Fixx.” He secured the metal ball in his saddlebag and mounted his horse. “Alin will finally be older than me, and I’m sure he won’t let me forget that.”
Lucan kept paddling well into the night. He heard something fly over his head, going the opposite direction than days earlier. In the darkness, he tried to see what it was, but the sound was gone before he was able to turn around. Too fast, he thought.
“I wonder if anyone will believe me,” he said, getting comfortable again. He continued pushing himself closer to the island. “Half of my life has been spent in almost complete isolation, wandering in and out of a small group of people’s lives. I did not deserve that punishment, but Theterm never bothered to hear my side. He will hear it this time,” Lucan said, even more determined to return quickly.