After the little chat with DG's family and friends about the situation, Jalanili had walked away to find her cousin. She would need to explain the entire situation to Nikel as to what she planned on doing. Though she had no idea what those plans would be. DG's family was here, leaving no reason for her to go to FinAqua, but she still wasn't sure.
Jalanili found her cousin sitting on her cart, making sure no one took anything from it. She waved to Nikel, making sure she had the older woman's attention. Nikel smiled once she saw Jalanili waving the young family over.
"So, how goes the reunion?" Nikel asked as Jalanili got onto the cart, "Didn't think I knew?"
"Nothing gets by you, Nikel." Jalanili smiled, sitting next to her cousin, "Not sure, I left when they all entered the tent."
"Is that man any better hon?" Nikel asked, "The man was shot and you aren't even fazed."
"Use to it, I guess. I did get the bullet out." Jalanili replied, handing Nikel the plant, "Check the center."
"I would like to know how you do that." Nikel stated, popping out a warped and still bloody bullet. She checked the object over, noting how parts of the metal sparkled green and red, "So this is what the Longcoats used?"
"Yeah, but something is unique about the metal. Hopefully, no Longcoat is still alive to know about it." Jalanili replied solemnly, "I think Zero lost his sanity after the Witch was vanquished."
"Why say that? Zero was crazy from the get go." Nikel replied, handing the bullet back.
"I think I understand why I was asked to help them. Zero and a number of other Longcoats were haunted by the 'Hag'." Jalanili stated, "That's why the elaborate camp was made."
"How the hell, but The Hag… we…" Nikel stuttered, lost in confusion.
"Exactly." She said, letting the bullet role in her hand, "We made sure she was complete destroyed. Her spells weren't, though I can tell the bullets hold little."
"So what, they made the bullets from her bones?" Nikel wondered, looking to her young cousin for answers.
"Not intentionally, no. I think when they forged the metal; they picked traces of the Hag. Her deteriorating spells must have driven those men mad. Why else would they be digging in the Badiya?"
"But there are still Longcoats out there, Nyk." Nikel said, rubbing her face.
"Zero is dead. The Witch is forever gone. I think they will ultimately kill themselves." Jalanili concluded, "They have no one to lead them."
"But still to be feared." Nikel countered.
"No doubt, but the force behind them is gone." Jalanili shrugged and looked into the back of her cart, "I think I need to readjust things."
"Alright deary, I'm heading back to the house. Call if you need anything." Nikel hugged her cousin and jumped off the cart. The house wasn't that far away and Jalanili watched her disappear.
She was soon engulfed with her work, realizing that even if she didn't leave with DG, they would surely need the cart. Jalanili was moving the boxes and crate of her things around, not noticing someone standing next to the cart. When she finally looked up, she nearly fell off the cart in surprise.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Jeb said, laughing as he steadied Jalanili.
"You so look like you do." She smiled, able to get her footing back, "How's your father?"
"He is better, so I came to say thank you." Jeb said, "And that you are coming with us, if that's okay."
"That was the original plan." Jalanili smiled, "I guess I have no choice?"
"DG would appreciate it, but I do want to ask you a few things." Jeb said, climbing onto the cart.
"Sure, but I need to get the cart ready for the trip." Jalanili nodded.
"One, how did you know my father and heal him and two, who's this Hag?" Jeb asked, staring at her.
"I'll deal with the Hag first. She was an old sorceress, like the witch that enslaved Azkadellia. The difference, the Hag would kill to take their bodies and leave the soul lingering forever in this realm." Jalanili recounted, "The villagers here in Darnall trapped her and 'dealt' with her. Completely destroying her and we're leaving it at that."
"I heard what you said and that's all I wanted to know." Jeb nodded.
"As far as me knowing your father, I can't explain that as well. I live by a different lifestyle…"
"Your magicks…" Jeb remembered.
"Yes, my magicks which I ask permission to use, but also they in turn ask or show me images from the ends of the O.Z. So, helping DG meant going through your father I guess." Jalanili shrugged, "He isn't too… upset."
"No, confused him at parts, especially the song about an old gray lady." Jeb replied, "So I guess that part is the Hag. Sing it… for me."
"What, the rhyme?" Jalanili just stared at Jeb, watching him nod, "Fiddle deed dum and fiddle dee dee, the old gray lady's after me. She comes for my shoes, she comes for my skin. There's none so small she can't fit in."
"God, that's disturbing." Jeb shivered, "Well, would you be able to leave tonight if we wanted to?"
"I don't see why not, but I would suggest early morning. You heard what I said about the Longcoats." Jalanili said, pushing the last crate, "I'm going to get some blankets and stuff, maybe another horse."
"You can use ours. We have four horses in the stables nearby. Leave yours here and use ours." Jeb said, helping Jalanili off the cart, "I'm going to talk to the others so where will you be?"
"If not with the cart, I will be in that house." Jalanili pointed, "Azkadellia was staying there so she could help."
"Thanks, see you soon." Jeb said, watching her leave before going back to the tent. Azkadellia, Raw and Glitch were busy packing items together for the trip. Jeb took Az aside to explain what he had heard and talked with Jalanili.
"Early morning it is then." Azkadellia nodded, "If it would mean a safer trip."
"I am saying so. That way, we also have more eyes looking on the road." Jeb replied, giving Azkadellia a kiss, "Are we staying with Nikel, Jalanili's cousin?"
"Yeah, that way she can say her good-byes." Az said, kissing Jeb on the cheek, "I am going to see how DG and Cain are doing. Would you help Glitch and Raw put our stuff in the cart?"
Jeb nodded and walked back to help his friends as Azkadellia made her way into the tent. If she didn't have a need, she would have walked back out that instant. Cain had is arm draped protectively around DG who, in turn was cuddled up against the man's chest. Azkadellia wasn't sure who to wake, but needed to let them know about leaving early. Maybe coming back later, when dinner was being served…
"What's wrong, Azkadellia?" Cain's voice made the elder Princess jump, "Need something?"
"We are going to leave first thing in the morning. All of us are including DG's friend Jalanili." Az whispered, "But we'll come get you for dinner."
"Do we know anymore on the kid?" Cain asked, propping himself on his elbow.
"A lot more and Jeb talked to her. Once we get on the road I'm sure he'll tell you if not the young lady herself." Az smiled, "She is no threat, Cain. She saved DG and whoever else lived from the camp."
"I know, but I just want to get home…" Cain said, rubbing his tired eyes.
"We all do Cain and we'll be heading home tomorrow… Promise." Az smiled before leaving the tent. Cain just nodded, repositioning himself next to DG for another few hour nap.
Hours passed and before long, dinner was served. DG actually looked healthier than Jalanili had ever seen her and the entire group enjoyed the meal. Laughing and joking as if the last few months hadn't been hell.
That night, the group all slept in Nikel's home. Before dawn, Jalanili and Jeb were outside readying the cart for the trip. The others awoke not long after and soon the group was heading back south, finally back home. Jalanili, Jeb and Azkadellia were all up front, letting the other ride in the back. Though Cain and DG mainly napped as Raw and Glitch talked amongst themselves.
Two days had passed before the hedge maze was insight. Jalanili had never seen so many happy to see a plant, but allowed Jeb to steer around the maze and to FinAqua. Jalanili's breath was taken away, seeing the huge, but lovely place in the distance.
"So there is what DG's been telling me about…" She marveled, "Look at all the plants…"
"Yeah, I'll give you a tour in the next few days if you want." Azkadellia said, nudging the young lady.
"I would love that, but can I sleep out here?" She asked, sounding like a young child.
"I don't think my parents would go for that yet." Azkadellia laughed to which the others joined in. Glitch and Raw soon jumped from the cart, running around like children themselves.
Looking back, Jalanili saw tears in DG's eyes, but just smiled to her friend, "I promised…"
"Yeah, but you are rooming with me." DG said, wiping her tears.
Jalanili turned back to the passing scenery and watching the two men play in the water. Cain tipped DG's face up to meet his, looking into her eyes.
"Are you alright?" Cain asked worry laced in his voice.
"Just glad to be home, Cain." DG replied, kissing his lips, "Just glad to be home and with my family."
Looking back to the palace, DG could make out her parents standing in the doorway. Both were waving and smiling and DG could swear her mother was crying. Hell, she was crying herself, but still there was more hardships to come, but at least she was with her family and friends where she belonged.
This is the end of this story. Thank you all for all the reviews and just anyone who read and like the stories.