Secrets

"Sweetie."

Such a beautiful voice.

"Sweetie, get up, you are going to be late again."

Asleep? Yes, of course, just sleeping. One bad dream after another they seemed to last forever. I open my eyes, everything is so hazy. I am so tired still, but the nightmares. They will return, and her voice is so wonderful.

"Baby, get you lazy butt out of bed."

I can see her…so pretty, like the day I married her. Nothing has changed, not a thing. She wears her overalls and gardening hat, and that marvelous smile. How I have missed her.

But I can't move, my body is too tired. So much work recently, so much work. All I want to do is lay here, letting the sun cover my body, warm what has grown cold over the years.

It is so warm, so bright here. No, don't go; clouds must be rolling in it is getting dark. It gets darker, and darker. Something is wrong; there are too many clouds, everything is becoming too dark. So hard to see, the shadows cloud everything.

She screams.

I hear her screaming! Baby, I will save you, stop screaming! You are too loud, I cannot focus, so hard to focus! No, I see her someone is coming behind her. He comes closer, I try to yell, but nothing, no sound comes out. Run, my darling, run!

No, get away from her, get away from her.

Tears fill my eyes, she no longer screams. Her body falls to the floor, a cloaked figure loaming over her. He creeps in, I must stop him! Why can't I move? Slowly, he makes his way over, still no feeling.

He stands over me…he is looking at me, watching me. Moving his arms, he grasps his cloak, pulling it carefully off of his face. Still, shadows, not fully removed. I can see his chin, but not removed. I can see his nose, but still not…

No…

His skin is gray.

His eyes are faded.

His name forgotten…

He is…Colonel.

He draws his sword upward, twisting the blade so that the tip pointing down at me. "Forget all folk of the great tales." His voice dark, crackling with the shadows within, "In time, all of them are the same. They have their stories, and some even their legends. But in the end…"

He pauses.

"All heroes will fall."

The tip flies into its target straight into his stomach. He winces in pain, falling to his knees. His eyes lock with mine, burning, disappointment communicating between us both. His limps quiver in anguish.

"Wake up."

Driving at a pace wild, my heart channels blood as if it was challenged. Sweat pours out of me, the broken faucet I am. The darkened sky is a relief. Now at least I know I am normal once again. No more nightmares…

Rolling my head to the side…I am chilled. Phin lies, his fluid of life cursing from multiple scars on his face. The spikes must have gotten him, ended his life. My poor friend, to end like this.

A strange sound tingles my eardrums. What is that? It sounds like water or some liquid. It is on the tip of my tongue, what is it…ah yes! It sounds as if someone is gargling. Leaning forward, I am barely able to move my neck, but what I see is worse then Phin.

Sword driven deep into his chest, protruding out his back, Tok is the one who makes the sound. Twitching slightly, his body reacts to its new addition. Moments later, the body flops down, removed of what kept it upright. Its tip drags across the surface of the soil. Slowly, he moves towards me.

This has to be a nightmare…has to be.

No, this isn't…it is too real, this…this is happening.

The armored being walks to me, a bit of sun blocking his face from my vision. But the sword is familiar. That bastard, he woke me for this. He used is new powers to wake me, wake to face my fear awake.

The Colonel's face breaks from the light behind him. His eyes are as dark as the dream, his skin as pale as the nightmare. In seconds, he loams over me once again, the blade resting in both hands.

"Go to him."

I do not understand…what is he talking about?

"Go to him."

"What?"

"Find him."

There can be only one person he speaks of. "Are you speaking of…my boy?"

"Seek him out…"

He pulls the sword up, gripping with both hands now. The tip once again pointing down.

"Forget the tales." There is a pause. "All heroes will fall."

This time…the sword doesn't move, or rotate…it heads straight down.

"Wake up!"

Moving, everything is moving.

Something shoves me, then pulls me, shoves, pulls, shoves pulls shoves pulls. My head hurts so much, and my body aches. I am afraid to open my eyes. What will be there this time? More dreams? More nightmares?

I cannot be afraid forever. Hesitantly, the lids fold back, letting the dulled light from the clouds above pierce the sensitive orbs underneath. It doesn't take me long to get situated to the light, and the person that once shook me, gives me a firm slap on the shoulder.

"Go to see you up and about…"

Turning my head, I attempt to see who it is, and just barely am I able to catch sight of Occulus walking to the distance. Tok and Phin stand arguing with one another, and what appears to a few other new faces. But I am just out of range to hear.

Then my thoughts focus inward.

We barely escaped…I don't even remember getting out. What happened? How did we get here? How long has it been? Ah, that doesn't matter…stop worrying about the past.

Now, at the moment, what truly draws my attention is the shielded city, Dalaran. The large purple orb sparkles brightly in the darkness around, its massive walls reaching at least one hundred feet in the air. Ruins scatter themselves around the dome, but no one remains in them like perusal.

My legs feel weak, dulled from the fight prior. Using my arms, I pull chest to a vertical position, and pull myself partially upright. Slowly, feeling creeps its way into legs. Bending them carefully, I draw them in and very achingly bring myself to standing.

Shaking a bit, my legs still feel unstable, but once again, I bring myself to a balance. Near the dome, I can hear the pack of them talking, not quite yelling, but more of a loud inside voice.

Making my way to them, it seems hard at first, but soon, I am walking fine again, and just as soon, the voices start becoming clearer. Tok and Phin are the loudest of the pack of what seems to be eight now, excluding myself.

"The portal was just closed, Phin, I am terribly sorry." I am able to catch a phrase from one of the new comers. "We shall make our stay out at the boundaries, holding the forces here."

From where I stand, I can see Tok shaking his head. " Wat ya planning to da, mon? Stop dem all by ya selves?"

Coming closer, I can hear all of them now.

"No, troll, we just plan to watch Dalaray fail at taking this city. You are beyond foolishness to assume that that mere boy can bring down what has taken hundreds of years to create." The man waves his hand at Tok in a way to shoo him away. "The city will not be taken, not today, not by a incompetent wizard, who failed his master years past."

Finally, I stand beside Phin and slightly behind Tok. As I settle myself, the mage who belittled Tok glares at me. "Who is this? Another one of your dimwitted comrades?"

I am only mildly enraged by this. "Dimwitted? I am not the one who plans to stand here, expecting to get something through to Dalaray just by telling him." I chuckle, "You have absolutely no idea what he is capable of."

Looking back, Tok smiles a bit, turns back to the two mages before us, and nods. "He be speak'n da truth. Da Dalaray is gonna remove ya from his path no matter wat happens. Also, he ain't planning ta listen to ya."

The other mage shakes his head. "You fools! Even if he does plan to destroy us, every day he plans to siege this impenetrable fortress, he is going to fear our words."

"You are thick-headed! What you speak of is madness!" Phin steps forward. "Why didn't you take your portal back with the rest of the refugees? You will simply encourage the darkness that already makes its way here."

"Again, you act as if we did not plan this thoroughly. Phin, my aging friend, time now is different from the past now, standing against an army does not mean you will live to see another day."

"You make no sense! That was the same as when I was younger. Dying a fool's death is just that…useless."

Tok moves from the front and shifts his way behind his. Going around the side of Phin, he whispers something to him and then moves his head in a motion to get Phin to look. Of course, I respond as well and turn to see what he is directing us too.

Already moving, our three mages have begun marching north, leaving us with the two idiots here. Looking back, Phin nods to Tok and then gazes back at the wizards. "Very well, if you two must stay here to stand against Dalaray, then we will leave you here to do that."

"Yes, wise decision, Phin. We will do the Kirin Tor proud! They will not forget what he did here this day!"

At that, we walk off, leaving them where they stand. Neither of them move, neither of them budge from their location. Neither of them no of what comes this way. Neither of them are ready for what awaits them.

As we near the western side of the dome, one of the mages shouts one last time. "Remember this hour! For we shall be the glory of tales for decades to come!"

They are gone, from sight and from hearing.

Gone.

Moving further, we see the three stopped by a ruined building, resting for a moment for us to catch up. I stumble over a large rock, or maybe debris, and move into the open foundation.

Crunching the rock beneath my feet, I let my thoughts fill my head. What were those dreams about? What did they want from me? Was Voat himself trying to communicate to me? Has he really grown that powerful? So confusing…

I hear Tok laughing during my brief mental intermission. "Glory of da tales? Dey will be da part of someone's stores…but not any I will be tell'n"

Phin chuckles. "Some of the Kirin Tor are truly…special. I don't know what they are possibly thinking, you don't choose to be part of world's history, fate chooses you."

Stories. Forget them, forget them all.

Anger courses through me once again, heating my motives. Whipping across the rock structure, I cannot contain myself. Forget the tales! Forget the tales! My hands grab Phin's robe and I throw him against the only wall remaining.

"Where is he?!" Startled, he cannot speak.

"You recognized my name when it was first mentioned!"

Raising his hands, he is now able to communicate to me. "Lad, calm yourself. I do not know of what you speak…"

"Lies! Stop your lies!"

His palm turns, and a great force rips into my chest, I cannot feel my legs, and suddenly, my back collides heavily upon the ground. Pain rushes through me, so hard to move, but I must know the truth. I am to my feet in a hurry, but something stops me. Peering down, I catch sight of a stick…a staff. Tok's staff.

"Colonel, you must get a hold of yourself! What is it that you want so desperately?"

Breathing hard, I am able to maintain my composure. "Where…where is my boy?"

Phin frowns and glances over to Tok. He throws Tok a nod, Tok shrugs, and then the troll glances down to me. "Lad, if it be ya boy ya want'n…den ya might want'n ta talk to me."

I peer up at him.

"I sorry, me friend, we be mean'n ta tell ya bout ya youngin. We just haven't had da time till now." He points at the ground "Ya may wanna be staying on da ground."

Without a word, I sit back down, my heart being calmed by focus.

"First, in orda' ta know bout ya boy…ya need to ignore all dat be told bout him…him tales be half true."

Forget the tales…

"Phin knows best bout da true story."

My eyes shift to him. "Uh, yeah…yes, yes I remember that day. We grew desperate, lost all hope. The remainder of Voat's forces stumbled into town, taking their final refuge there. A few members of the Silver Hand were stationed there…under the command of their young, powerful leader Tristan."

He coughs. Then flicks his eyebrows strangely.

"I stayed in the Inn for the most part, telling the women and children stories to change their mood and distract them from the darkness. Then…they came. Thousands of broken men marched to the city. Our soldiers held strong, beating back wave after wave. But they were no match to the living undead that eventually their mortal bodies wore. I remember Voat's Charge…his valiant strike into the heart of the enemy."

There is a moment where he pauses.

"Tristan ran forward, and saved the great hero. Then he unleashed something indescribable, something fantastic. The stars themselves seemed to sing, raining beauty upon the planet. Light danced upon the Azeroth like never before. The clouds above broke, purity pouring from the sky. Marvelous…breathe taking. Sadly, he couldn't contain all of it. He was not ready…"

Looking at the ground he shrugs a bit.

"The beauty turned to destruction. Exploding from where he was standing, a massive dome of energy surged outwards. It caught the undead scourge head on, vaporizing countless numbers, but…the power was too much. Debris was picked up, shot like bullets through the air. Soldiers ducked in cover, so couldn't move in time. The ground below him broke, shattering to the overwhelming force. Some of the men closest to fight…went blind, the energy burning their vision…"

A heavy sigh follows.

"Rippling throughout the town, the final blast wave tore through the tiny village, windows shattered, a few less stable structure were knocked down. But it was…like nothing I had ever seen before. Even as it came towards me…I was amazed. Sadly, after being struck, I didn't wake for four days."

He smiles. "Best dreams I have ever imagined."

Lines form within my head. Bunching together, they cram tightly and block the flow. None of them move, yet all of them travel infinitely in all directions. Each one wants out, each one wants it place at the tip of the tongue. Yet only one manages to escape to freedom.

"My boy…my boy did not do what they said he did?"

"No, your son did more than any of those foolish kid's stories he did what legends dream of. Unfortunately, he also managed to do what demons only plot. What was truly amazing of it all was it was he who picked his punishment, if that was what was deserving of his remarkable feat."

My eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"

"Mages deemed the young boy a menace, an uncontrollable monster. So, fearing him, they do what they always have done with something they cannot truly contain, they try to imprison it. However, it was I would dared them elite to free him…at a cost."

Confusion settles in, forcing my mind into a loop. I am unable to speak. Bursting from the side, the slightly annoyed troll points the staff now at Phin. "Hey, mon, I done be help'n dere too, don't ya be forgett'n now!"

Lines draw from his lips, creating a grand smile upon the mage's face. "Of course, Tok, I just wish you would let me finish before you interrupt." A harsh cough erupts from his lungs "Anyway, TOK and I dared challenge the elite. We simply asked for the boy to be allowed freedom to at least roam the streets of Dalaran, that way they could keep a close eye on him."

Cracking loudly the man clears his throat before continuing.

"They let him free, but upon doing so, they forced Tok to leave the grounds of Kirin Tor; as we well know, the Kirin Tor did not play kindly with the agents of the horde. However, given Tok's…ability…they simply used one of their magical orbs and all was ignored. The rest, however, is for another day…

My mind is full to bursting. I cannot contain that within. "And you?"

His eyes navigate downward, as his mind wanders. Then, after a brief moment, he peers back up. "They gave me that book…that horrible, wretched book. Insane the last owner was found in one of the fountains earlier that month. Using my plea to their advantage, they gave the text to me, and requested me to leave the city. I understand now, why they made me leave…the pages…those pages cried to me. Ceaselessly, they screamed my name, filling all my waking moments with anguish…and turning sleep into a never-ending nightmare."

Stopping, his eyes appear to water, but with some force, the haze from the orbs vanish, and quickly Phin returns.

"But that too, is a story of another day. What isn't is your boy." This time he dusts his robes before speaking. "Before we left, he came to us, giving us his thanks and asking one last request from us. He wanted us to change his appearance, so that no one could ever remember he existed. Sadly, the Kirin Tor got word of this, and decided to use it to their advantage."

Taking over Tok takes a step forward as Phin seems to struggle with inner thoughts.

"Ya mon, dey done made him a guide for da'commoners ta come ta when dey came to da dome." He chuckles. "But, I done found dat insult'n, some I gave him a pretty title, a rank, and put me mages under him command. I mean, da boy didn't need ta do much, just let the word of his greatness spread amongst da ranks."

His head bobs up and down. "Yup, everyting I tell dem young'ns rubbed off, and soon Archmage Cedric, Tristan, became the respected memba' of da Violet Eye

Muscles tightening, eyes widening, heart pounding. Energy flows through my veins as wonderful reagent is pumped through my veins. I know that name, everyone does.

"You mean…"

He nods. "Ya mon…" His body pivots, and his staff points over to the northern side of the dome, "He be right ova dere."

Speechless. I am utterly speechlessly. My eyes focus forward, resting on the spot he pointed to. Unexpectedly, something jabs me in a stomach. Turning, I see Tok's staff a few inches away from my body. I gaze, up and the troll throws me a confused look.

"Go ta him, mon?"

I do not hesitate, running across the ruins at an extreme pace. My breathing is wrong, and I find myself winding fast, but that doesn't matter. I must see him, I must get to him. Almost there, I can see the northern end of the dome.

Almost there, almost winded.

Almost there, I can see the hut where I know he stands!

Almost there, faster.

Almost there…I see him.

Stopping…stopped.

I don't know if I can make it to him. What if he is ashamed of his old man? What if he doesn't like what he sees? Maybe…maybe he really hid to keep me away, keep his useless old pop from him. No, don't think like that, what is wrong with you? Your boy loves you…

"Mon, don't be afraid of him."

I nearly jump out of my skin. Twisting, I find Tok only a few yards away from me. Was I just standing there for this long? Come on, man, get a hold of yourself, get your ass in gear.

Ok, one foot, another foot, take a step, then another.

Good job. Only a few yards left. He looks busy, maybe I shouldn't disturb him. Keep going, old fool, keep going. Only a short distance between us. Keep yourself together.

"Good sir…" I manage to actually open my mouth, but he doesn't move.

"Good sir, could I ask you a question?"

Again, nothing.

"Archmage Cedric?"

The figure twitches, but continues doing what he is doing. "What do you want?"

I feel a knot of rage twist in my stomach. "I was wanting to ask you…"

"Then ask it, I am busy."

His tone is harsh, snapping at me. The rage is too much. "Do not take that tone with your father, young man!"

He shoots up and spins himself. Instantly, he stops, mouth a gape. His skin, aged, wrinkles cover his face. His hair aged, missing on the top and grayed at the sides. His posture aged, holding him at a slight slouch. His voice, aged, deeper than before. His eyes…connected with mine…not aged, not glossy or dull.

My boy.

Carefully, I step towards him, stilling unmoving. Slowly, I inch my way to him. Within seconds, I am upon, only a few feet away. All the rage inside me, gone. Replacing it, something…better. Something, calming…something…wonderful. Tears force their way to the surface, drilling a hardened face to breaking. His eyes swell as well, lips quiver slightly.

My arms fly, I pull him close. I hold tight, almost crushing him to my chest. The armor blocks him from full connection, but that does not bother me. No, he is here, that is all that matters. Placed upon his head, my chin rests gently, shaking a little from the whimpers below.

I rock softly, moving to a pace perfect.

Then I laugh, a strange thought crossing my mind.

"What, " he sniffles, "What is it?"

I continue to laugh. "It is pleasant to know Tok and Phin aren't sick enough to fool me with…cause, if they had…I just hugged a random, elderly mage."

He snorts, laughing the tears from his eyes. "Yes, you are definitely my father."

Pulling him back, I get a good look at his…old…old…face. "Boy, what did you do to yourself?"

A frown forms on his face. "I thought you…that…you…"

"What?"

"Thought you would be ashamed of me…of what I did…"

"Ashamed?!" I give he a hard shake, "What I am going to be ashamed of? You saving Voat, or you vaporizing half a town? Heck, I can barely get my armor on, you blasted some people's off."

He tries to hide it, but a smile breaks on his face. "Seriously, father, I thought you weren't be able to stand my face if you knew I had injured so many people."

"Son, I have hurt countless people over the years, many due to my own incompetence, and to be honest, I figured you would be more ashamed of your old man…"

"I can never be, father…never."

Again, I give me a tight hug then pull him away from his body. He smiles again, and then throws a look at Tok. "Yeh be ready now, mon? Yeh be done wit ya punishment? Personally, I would'a lasted two days like dat, but, ya."

A concerned look covers his face then he nods. "Yes, I think I have punished myself long enough. These mages no longer seem to know that I even exist, I think it is time for me to leave these grounds. I think, I would like to earn a name for my true self." Nodding to Tok, he smiles. "I would like to have my face back, if you don't mind."

Tok chuckles, and reaches his hand into his pocket. Pulling from it, a small blue sphere rests gently in the palm of his hand. "Ya sure now? I mean, ya won't be able to have so many wrinkles fo many years, ya sure you can part wit dem?"

We all laugh, but Tristan manages to keep an almost straight face. "Good point, my friend, but I think I am going to have to make the sacrifice."

The troll nods, and with a tight squeeze, he shatters the orb in his hand. For a few seconds, he grinds the ball into a fine dust, raises his hand to his face and blows the powder toward Tristan. Letting go, I take a step back, the dust turning to a cloud. Covering his entire

From the side, Tok laughs to himself. "Ha, simple magic. If ya want a different look, just take ya own look and hide it. When ya want it back, wit a simple movement of da hand, take it back."

A few seconds pass, and suddenly, the cloud vanishes, ceasing to exist in a flash. Standing before us, now, is a younger boy. His skin no longer wrinkled, his hair no longer gone, his voice…young again, and his eyes, now teary.

I cannot help myself, and for another time, I give my boy a hug. I don't want to let go, I want to stay here forever. I want this to last for an eternity. I never want to let him out of my sight again.

Unwelcome, something jabs my side. Turning, I see Tok's staff once again resting near my body, but when I go to yell at him, I notice him peering up at something behind me.

"Sorry ta interrupt ya moment…but…"

He motions to the hill, and quickly, I turn to look. There he stands. A figure shaded by the setting sun, stands tall upon a mountain overlooking this area. Bracing the right side of his body is his sword, dug tip first into the soil below. The shadowy figure is most likely peering down at us, watching our every move. And if I know him like I do, he is reading our actions.

From behind I can hear loud rustling as what sounds as someone scurrying down a bank of this lake rings loudly. Turning, I catch sight of the troll shifting quickly to the water's edge before turning and gazing at us all in a mildly concerned manner.

"Come, come to da wata."

All of us move…except for three. Standing near the ruins, the three mages who joined as at South Shore stare up at the hill above. Occasionally they throw glances at one another, but they do not move from the spot.

Waving to them, Tristan attempts to draw the few with us. "Come on, guys, we gotta move."

Unmoving, they simply stare back as if what he said was not comprehensible. "Our journey with you has come to an end, sadly."

Tok's eyes narrow, and the look of concern is now a bit sterner. "Wat? Mon, we don't have time…"

Occulus interjects suddenly. "Back at the Inn, we were not truly honest with you…" he clears his throat, "what we said, didn't happen the way we said it."

Now a confused look takes place. "Wat, mon, wat?"

Moving away from us, he talks as he goes. "What we did was terrible…we lost our minds."

"Mon, wat ya talk'n bout."

He slowly moves away, turning his head to talk again. "I faked consciousness back the field, I just didn't want you to notice…to notice there was no inner-demon for me to fight."

Concern returns, but now it is mixed with a hint of sadness. "Mon?"

Ignoring the troll, Occulus continues where he ended. "There is no longer a demon within me, churning darkness into thoughts built for damnation. No, it is no longer inside." His vision drifts down, "I must go face my darkness now…"

Tok takes a step forward. He stares at the mage, and at first simply lets the orbs in his head shift back and forth wildly, searching for answers. Sighing heavily, he lets his head droop as I am guessing he found what he was looking for – it appears unpleasant.

"I be not stopping you, mon, I just nee'a know…"

Moving to stop him, his hand shoots up. "We…I…lied….there was no blade in the end of the true story…" Walking again, he heads forward, to the hill. "Only flame and destruction began what started here…

Another brief pause, and he stops suddenly.

"Occulus, fool of time, bringer of damnation killed Voat Brighton in cold blood."

Continuing forward they move forward. None of us say anything. None of us can. None of us want to.

"Are they going to make a stand like the other mages?" Tristan speaks up.

Phin shakes his head. "No, lad, no. What they go to do, will be told in no tales, told in no fabulous stories…as of now, they will be known as villains, dark bringers. What they go to do, is not for glory, but salvation."

He turns, heading to the water. "I can only pray they get some peace from their actions."

Then he waves to us, and we follow, hearts empty.

Moving quickly, we hurry to the bank of the lake, and there, Tok reaches into another pocket that I have never noticed and he pulls out four tiny vials. In a hurry, he pops one open, splashes a smelly fluid onto Phin, opens another and splashes me, repeating until all the vials lay upon the ground and we all stink, badly.

"Go, go to da isle…we be safe dere for da time being."

And that…he walks across the water. Now, when I say walk, I mean he stepped onto the upper layer of the fluid substance, and took step after step across it as if it was a bridge. Hesitantly, I place my foot on the water…

Amazing…another step, and I have yet to fall through. Now, at a full run, we spring across the lake, heading to the old crescent island ahead. After a few minutes, we find ourselves safely upon land again. We all take a moment to breathe, catching our breath.

"Ok, Tok…" Phin draws for air, "What now?"

The troll shrugs. "We wait here…unless ya done got a rune on ya…"

Sadly, Phin shakes his head. "Sorry, my friend, I haven't carried those in a good while."

"Darn, mon, we…"

"I have one…" The young voice brings a smile to my face.

"Why ya have one?"

He laughs, pulling a small shard from his pocket. "Because, I had to make my appearance seem more believable."

Phin quickly takes the item from him, and turns back to Tok. "That makes about as much sense as half the stuff going on currently, so, good by me. But now what? We plan to head to Stormwind…the Exodar?"

He shakes his head. "No, many of da cities will be hesitant to be hav'n a troll or members of da marked Kirin Tor in dere cities."

I stand and wave my hand. "Why would anyone be afraid to have the us in their walled fortresses?"

Pointing at me he speaks. "Like I said, mon, you done be marked. Word travels fast now'a'deese days and me betting dat da people don't want da dead walk'n endangering der people."

Taking a step back, I nod. "But then…where?"

Fingers drag across his long chin as he thinks. Then, his eyes widen and he smirks. "We have to head where all da people from dese lands wants. Where dem idiot mages sent dem." He pauses, "We must go to da last place willing ta accept outcasts."

He coughs. "We must be going to da last sanctuary…"

"You mean…" Phin tries to interrupt, but Tok is determined. "We must be heading to Shattrath."

Standing Phin motions in objection. "That will take far too long to create a portal for all us to reach that outlands city."

Turning, Tok looks up dat hill and frowns. "Dat not be a problem…Dalaray not be chasing us no more." He looks down. "He be here for da big price…but I must know, wat dem three will do, wat dem three gonna go and wat dem three gonna get and I wanna see wat he got."

He gazes back upon the hill.

I am not sure I understood the bulk of that, but I did understand the last part. What he's got?

Only the gods know…