Section Twelve: Secrets Revealed
"It seems like we're as ready as we're ever going to be." Julian remarked, buckling the new saddle onto his horse, which stood patiently and allowed it. "I don't think we can thank you more, Aust."
"It is my pleasure." Aust watched the party prepare, and sighed. "There is one more thing, however."
"Oh?" Fox asked, looking up. His hair was tied back, but he still wore the circlet. He was slowly getting used to it.
"Yes. I suppose you would be the most interested in this." He directed this at Falco, then turned back to the main party. "Do you all know what a Wrack dragon is?"
"Only vaguely." Fox admitted.
"During the Titan's war, Wrack dragons were created to serve as soldiers and thus forth. They are huge constructs that are the size of a fully adult dragon and are made from wrack—natural power that has been made corrupt and destructive." Said Falco. "Evil beasts, thought destroyed, but every now and then…"
"There are still a few left, and they are still quite powerful." Said Katt. "There are only three types known, and those are Fire, Water, and Wood."
"I'm impressed." Aust smiled. "Well, in any effect, there is a woodwrack dragon in the area, and this may seem impossible… but he seems quite amiable. Almost befuddled. It seems he remembers little of the Titan's war and doesn't want to remember it. He told me flat out to my face that he used to be evil and he no longer is. Well, he's apparently heard that you're here, and he's hoping to travel with you and become an ally."
The whole party gawked at him.
"I've read that wrack dragons are always evil." Said Katt very slowly.
"There are exceptions to every rule. This fellow in particular has named himself Jordan, and seems a rather simple but thoroughly pleasant chap. Will you at least talk to him? If you don't, he'll probably whine and howl about it for weeks on end, and none of us will get any sleep."
"Well, as long as he doesn't plan on eating us, I have no problem with it." Fox said finally, and when a few members of his party looked at him, he said simply, "Tell me stranger things haven't happened to this group." They thought about that, and shrugged.
"Jordan, will you come to town square please?" Aust shouted in a general direction, and a few moments later a low rumble reached them, then the branches of the trees began to shake.
"You sure this is a good idea?" Bill looked at Fox. "We've had enough unpleasant dragon encounters to last me a lifetime."
"Then I hope I shall make this a pleasant one." Boomed a strange but cheerful voice, and a rather hideous but grinning dragon face emerged from the trees, the long neck allowing the dragon to stretch and face them without entering the town and breaking most of the bridges.
"Jordan, I presume?" Fox asked, mind processing a variety of things at once. This dragon seemed cobbled together from wood, bone, and vines, among other things. Near as he could tell, Jordan had a large pair of wings made of sinew and spider webs folded on his back, and bones and tree limbs stuck out of his hide at strange angles. Here and there metal plates stubbornly clung to the cobbled together body by straining chains, apparently the remains of armor that was one grand. His face was expressive, though, and obviously happy, though skeletal and having only glowing orbs for eyeballs.
"That's me." The dragon grinned again, laying down and wiggling forward, then extending a front leg in a general shake-hands gesture. Fox attempted it and was almost shaken out of his saddle. "I'm glad you agreed to meet me."
"I've met some pleasant dragons in my day. Falco is our dragon kin, though."
"Really?" The glowing orbs looked over the rest of the party, and Jordan stretched a bit more to look at Falco. "Ah, he's got one of those swords. I see." He looked back to Fox. "I imagine Aust told you what I wanted to do."
"Yes, I just don't see why."
"Redemption." Jordan grew serious. "I don't remember much, but I think I did some horrible, horrible things once upon a time. I have heard much about you, and I know that you want to bring the world to balance." He lowered his head more to look Fox in the eyes. "I want to help, or at least travel with you."
"Do you mind if I speak to my group about this?"
"Oh go ahead."
Fox gestured, and the group drew their horses into a tight circle, exchanging low words.
"What do you think?" Fox asked everyone.
"I think everyone deserves a second change. He never even got to decide things for himself the first time, so why not?" Alan asked.
"He'll scare the Bejesus out of anyone who sees him, though. Can you imagine what something like that could do to a city just by showing up?" Rita shook her head.
"Well then." Fox turned back to Jordan, who had his head tilted to one side. "We accept, but you're going to have to stay away from the cities. We can't have you causing mass hysteria."
"Fair enough. Honored to travel with you, Servant of Heironeous." Jordan attempted to bow and almost took out a rope bridge when he lifted his head.
"Out of curiosity, who did you serve and who do you serve now?"
Jordan blinked. "Chardun, once upon a time. I suppose that Hextor would be the modern equivalent. Who do I serve now? Well, if anyone, I guess I'd serve the demigod Erias."
"Erias? God of Dreams?" Alan asked.
"Well, yes. Before you ask why… I guess I'm hoping for a dream myself. Constructs can't dream, really… we barely even sleep." He shrugged. "So, we leaving now?"
Fox, who was a bit blown away by this, nodded. "Yes, we are."
"Ok, I'll follow along. You won't see or hear me, but if you need to talk to me, just same my name." And suddenly, he was gone, disappeared into the woods.
"Any other last minute business?" Fox looked at his grandfather.
Aust grinned. "No. Godspeed."
"So, are we heading back to town?" Slippy asked. His horse was following along with the group patiently, but Slippy wasn't even paying attention, reading one of his books, looking for more information on the Temple of Lazarus.
"No, we're going to bypass it and keep traveling." Fox replied. "I don't wish to return to the capital until we're finished with this quest."
"To keep people from thinking we have already finished?" Julian glanced at him.
"Yes, though that is not the only reason." He sighed, and glanced at Fara. Fara shook her head, she had no wish to return home.
By evening, they were at the edges of the forest, and Jordan appeared at the tree line, studying the open fields with interest.
"I can't hide out there." He remarked. "Would you prefer me to fly?"
"It would probably be best for you to stay on the ground, but don't worry, we won't be in open space for too long." Julian guaranteed. "Passing the capital will be the hard part…"
"Agreed. Let's camp here for the night, and move out in the morning." Peppy said. "That way, we'll at least be alert."
Fox sighed, leaning on a tree at the edge of the campsite, looking out over the fields. He still wore the circlet, still slowly growing used to the fact that it was there.
It seemed a bit odd, really. Him, the ranger, descended from a royal line, considered a Lord. Even more odd the fact that he was for the great majority human, yet he would be serving in the Elven courts…
Still though, he supposed there would be a few advantages to this. For one, he could now legally court the woman he loved… He shook his head, stopping that train of thought. They'd have to revoke her current arrangement first, and he wasn't sure that her father would be willing to do so. Titus' blood was more directly royalty, and someday he would be ruling a kingdom, which allowed political connections.
Fox's family line had fallen from grace with the Phoenix kingdom for the last two to three years, and only recently had gained back the honor that should have always accompanied the name. Fara's father knew he had done wrong to the McCloud family. Still, Fox doubted that entitled him to an instant arrangement with Fara…
He froze, twisting an ear, then slowly turning his head.
"You don't miss much, McCloud." O'Donnel, having been approaching under the cover of darkness silently, straightened and walked across the field toward him.
Fox held up a hand. "No closer."
Wolf stopped and crossed his arms. "Unless you wish to awaken your party, either you will have to leave the campsite or I shall have to join you. It's your choice."
He hesitated, then stepped away from the trees and walked across the field, one hand resting on his swords. "What do you want from me?"
"I thought it be best that we discuss matters." Wolf replied flatly, leading him farther away from Fox's campsite and to where a small fire had been built. "Tell me you don't agree."
"Actually, this may be best. Somehow I doubt that Hextor himself broke you out of prison and gave you the money to buy that armor." Fox crouched next to the fire absently.
"True that." He laughed, but it was without humor. "I'm going to give you some information, McCloud, and I'm going to do so to keep you alive." Seeing his enemy's surprised look, he continued. "Do not look so shocked. You see, I believe I am destined to fight you again. And if I am to do so, I have to keep you from dying between now and then."
"Someone else wants be dead besides your party? Who pray tell?"
"That is what I am getting to." Wolf sat next to the fire absently. "Before you left on your quest, Pigma and I were of course in the dungeon, and were approached with a rather interesting business proposition, which was to follow you while on your quest, meddle in it in any way possible, and ultimately kill you and as many members of your party as possible… with the exception of the Princess."
"Who gave you this assignment?"
Wolf grinned at Fox, and it was full of black humor. "None other then Titus Albrecht."
"I'll be." Fox shook his head.
"Ah, I see the pieces are falling to place into your mind now. Yes, he wants you dead. He doesn't want you between himself and the Princess, et cetera, et cetera." He shrugged. "Or at least, that is the way I have it figured out. Myself, I decided not long after accepting that it would also be a way to continue Hextor's mandates, since after all you do follow Heironeous."
"Why tell me this?"
"I already sent the message to Titus that you are going to be nearby. When you wake up tomorrow morning and start to travel, you'll find a royal escort waiting for you, I'm afraid. I imagine you'll be able to pry yourself away long enough to complete your mission, we'll meet again then, if you manage to survive staying in town."
"I take it Titus has hired on someone else?"
"Even I don't know that." Wolf snorted. "But I have no doubt that attempts will be made on your life. Go back to your camp. We'll leave you alone tonight."
Fox stood. "I suppose that I should thank you."
"Don't bother. We're mortal enemies, it is our nature to hate each other."
"Well. That said, may the best man win in the upcoming fight."
"That would be me of course."
"You've lost once already."
Wolf laughed. "Yes. But I will not loose this time. Now, go get some sleep, McCloud. And try to stay living."
Fox wordlessly left, and Wolf didn't watch him leave.
"So. Why did you tell him exactly?" Pigma asked as he and Leon rejoined the camp fire.
Wolf sent him a sharp look. "You heard every word I said, and I would just tell you the same thing, Dengar. If anyone is going to kill McCloud, it is going to be me."
"I imagine that Titus would not be happy if he knew that your personal vendettas were shading your reason." Leon remarked, settling down next to the fire.
"I do not give a damn what Titus thinks. I merely want the money he is going to pay us. Though, frankly, if I must kill him to lengthen McCloud's lifespan, I will."
"And there goes our pay." Pigma grunted.
"Do not dwell on that. I promise you one thing, Dengar. We'll be rich by the end of this."
"And if we aren't?"
Wolf grinned at him, dark and evil. "Then we shall be dead."
"Fox? What's wrong?" Bill asked. The camp had just been packed up, and Fox was standing separate from the party, eyes focused down the road.
"It's a long story, my friends." He shook his head. "Jordan?"
"Right here." The head and neck of the dragon appeared, the rest of his body tangled among the trees.
"It would be best if you did not show yourself today. Keep to the woods. You know where the capital is correct?"
"Of course, fearless leader."
"You have been talking to Alan too much. Regardless, to the west of the capital there is a small cabin in the woods. It is mine. Wait there for us, all right?"
"All right, I shall see you there." And with that, Jordan disappeared.
"What's going on, Fox?" Peppy asked flatly.
"O'Donnel took me aside and spoke to me last night. We are going to be met by a royal escort not far down that road, if he's correct." Fox sighed. "And from what he said, there is little we can do to avoid returning to the capital today." He swung astride his mount as the others did, leading the way down the road.
"Is there an alternate route we can take?" Fara asked.
"No, not without adding a week's travel time." Said Katt, familiar with the area.
"Well, that is wonderful." Falco said sourly.
"In more ways then you know." Fox murmured, nudging his disguised unicorn into a trot, hearing a flutter of feathers as Fara took off on her hippogriff. 'Now, O'Donnel. Let us see just how right you are.'
It was midday when a party of guards galloped up to where they had paused to rest their mounts, the lead guard holding a flag of the Phoenix kingdom. "You have returned, Sir McCloud!" Said the lead guard, dismounting and passing the flag to one of his fellows. "We only heard this morning that you had returned to this area. The King bids you return to the capital…"
"I'm afraid that isn't possible. While we are in the area, we must keep moving. We are not done with our task yet." Said Fox flatly.
"Even so, Sir McCloud, the King has issued a direct order." The guard, suddenly leaving his friendly mood, crossed his arms. "And as you are a Knight, you can't disobey a direct order."
"Why not just live under your Lord title and leave it like that? It would surely take care of this problem." Said Alan, knocking back some wine.
"I'd have to work that out with the King first." Fox sighed, rubbing his eyes. "All right, then, we'll go." He told the guard. "I don't think we have a choice."
The town practically rejoiced when the party rode back into town.
But the mood quickly dampened when they noticed that the party hardly seemed to carry themselves like victors. They kept their heads down, riding close to one another, not playing the crowd as they had before they left. Fara stayed close to Fox, whose eyes roved around constantly, as if looking for danger. From what she sensed from him, he feared that someone still wanted him dead.
The ride to the castle was a silent one, and the King and Queen were both waiting for them, Titus standing beside them.
"You have returned, my honored Knight." The King smiled, then saw Fox's cold look. "Not happily, I see."
"We came here under protest. Our task is not finished, your Majesty." Fox's voice was utterly cold and distant. "We will stay in town tonight, but we are leaving in the morning."
"We actually thought as much, the priests have said the world is continuing to sink farther into imbalance." The King shook his head, then turned to his daughter. "What is that you are riding? A hippogriff?"
"Yes, father." She replied, patting her steed's neck. "My charger fell during a battle, unfortunately, and this magnificent creature was nice enough to allow itself to become my mount." The hippogriff trilled happily.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but we must leave your presence. We have much to do before departing tomorrow." Said Fox quietly.
"I'd really rather you not, I'd like some details about what has happened so far. Has it been a hard journey?"
Fox was already leading his group out, but paused and looked over his shoulder. "Yes, it has. Many of us here had some very close brushes with death. Including your daughter and myself." And with that, the entire party vacated the castle grounds.
"What an insubordinate…" Titus growled.
"I've never seen him like that." The King remarked, shaking his head. "I'll let it pass this time."
"Why, King Phoenix? He hardly seems the proper Knight."
"He isn't, truth be told, but he's destined for great deeds, and I would much rather those deeds be in my favor." Was the flat reply.
"So, now it's all in the research, eh?" Alan asked, loading a tray with mugs and carrying it easily up the stairs, balancing a tray of food on the other hand.
"It would seem that way." Peppy agreed. "Do you need help?"
"Oh no, I am quite fine!" He guaranteed, dancing a jig without spilling anything as they progressed to the back room everyone else was in. "What exactly do we need to know now? We already know where the temple is."
"If we're going to be transported to another plane, we need to know about that plane. We also need to know what dangers are associated with this."
"That makes sense."
Peppy held the curtain open so Alan could pass through safely. He held the trays up victoriously, leaping onto the table and passing drinks out easily after passing the tray of food to Peppy. "What progress, then?" He asked Slippy, finishing his task and leaping up to hang from the chandelier.
"Some, at least." Slippy looked tired, stacks of books open in front of him. "A goodly bit of history, but there isn't much available on the planes."
"Our best hope seems this. A book on Lazarus himself." Said Rita, tapping what she was reading.
"But we haven't come across anything of real use yet, let alone about the plane the staff just happens to be on." Said Katt, rubbing her eyes.
"Where has Fox wandered off to, then?" Alan asked, hanging upside down, looking at the empty chair.
"Meditating, as far as I know." Said Julian, flipping pages of two books at once, one eye trained on each. Seeing Peppy's look, he smiled. "Minor talent."
"But a handy one apparently."
"For this, yes."
"Do you think we'll find out all we need to in time to leave tomorrow?" Falco asked around a yawn, nursing a headache. Reading still was an issue for him, but at least now he could understand most of the written words.
"I hope so, if anything for Fox's sake. Something really has him worried." Slippy shook his head. "I just wish he'd tell us what."
Fara opened the door a crack and knocked on the doorframe. "Fox?"
"Come on in."
She slipped in, and saw he was sitting on the floor, his back against one of the walls, fingertips pressed together. The room was only dimly lit, and his swords were at hand. "What's wrong?"
"From what O'Donnel said, there will be an attempt on my life tonight." He sighed and leaned his head back. "And he was telling the truth."
"Do you actually trust him?" Having closed the door, she crouched on the floor across from him. He still wore his circlet, and as she watched, he popped his knuckles absently.
"I don't have a choice but to."
"But they won't be the ones making the attempt?"
He dropped his head. "I don't think so…"
She stared at him. "You're scared. I don't think I've ever seen you scared before."
"I'm allowed." He said very quietly, reaching out a hand and taking one of hers.
She let herself be drawn close, leaning into his chest, listening to him sigh.
It was some time later when there was a quiet knock at the door, and Peppy leaned in, not even blinking at the pair sitting together in the dark. "I think we've found it, Fox."
"So, you've found everything we need to know?" Fox asked, sitting at the table.
"It would seem that way." Slippy said, rubbing his eyes. "I don't think you're going to like it much."
"Well, tell all. It doesn't do us any good to not know everything."
"The gate unto itself is extremely easy to use…" Said Katt. "But only one person can go through."
"At a time?" Falco asked. He had been absentee from the room for the last more then an hour of the research, and was now kicking himself because he missed everything.
"Period. The first person steps through and the gate slams shut, taking the key and disk with him. So whatever is on the other side, the person has to face alone."
"And unarmed." Said Rita. "Because the gate prevents any weaponry from being taken over."
"You're right, I don't like it at all." Fox sighed. "Is that all?"
"No." Katt closed her eyes. "You're going to be tested, Fox. And as near as we can tell, it's going to be an extremely long and excruciatingly painful test."
"Who's testing me?" He asked slowly.
"We're not sure. We're just telling you what we know. So even if someone else got through, they'd have to sit there and watch, unable to help you, as Gods know only what happens to you."
He sank into thought. "It's got to be done." He stood. "And it's got to be done soon. We leave tomorrow."
"We're not done yet." Slippy said in a grim voice. "If you're not strong enough, the tests will kill you."
He paused, and looked at Slippy. "Do you think I'm strong enough?"
Slippy gawked. "I hope so."
"So do I." And with that, he left the room.
The group was left to look at each other, then they started to get ready to go their separate ways for the night.
"Everything is ready for us to leave, right?" Peppy asked.
"Yes, everything is as ready as it can be." Falco sighed. "Baring catastrophe, within a few days, we'll have saved the world."
Fara lifted a hand to her temple. "Is Fox going home or staying at your house, Peppy?"
"My house, why?"
"I've got to intercept him." She swirled her cape on. "He's not waiting. He's leaving right now." And with that, she sprinted out.
"Going somewhere?"
Fox sighed and stood. "Fara."
"We're leaving in the morning Fox." She said firmly, walking forward and setting a hand on his chest. "And you are not leaving without us."
He looked at her helplessly, and seemed to sag. "All right."
"Why were you going to leave without us?" She pushed her hand on his chest, making him back up and sit on the bed. "Why?"
He didn't reply, bowing his head.
"Why?"
The windowglass shattered, and he snapped his hand up, catching the arrow right before it hit his throat, slicing his hand in the process. Fara yelped, lifting her hand to her mouth as he stood, tossing the arrow down and walking over to the window and closing the shutters over it, ignoring his bleeding hand.
"What… who…"
"You forget that certain someones still want me dead. And they are already here." He picked up the arrow and showed her the insignia carved into it. "Hextor."
She took the arrow and set it on the desk. "Your hand…" She turned his hand so she could see his palm.
He growled something, and the wound sealed up and faded away even as she watched. He wiped the blood away on a corner of his tunic absently.
"How close are they?"
"That wasn't O'Donnel, or Powalski, or Dengar, even if they are close by." He said in a cold voice. "THAT was your suitor, Titus Albrecht."
"Titus?!"
"Yes indeed. And I can't so much as touch him, even to defend myself, because he is royalty. That is why I must leave tonight. It is safer for you all if I do."
She looked at him, and closed her eyes. "Don't martyr yourself, Fox. Please."
He drew her close, nuzzling her. "I'm not going to. I'm going to set the world right, Fara, and to do that I need to be alive."
She leaned into him. "Let us go with you then. I'm sure the entire party would be willing to leave tonight if it meant keeping you alive. The whole party loves you, you know. They'll all lay down their lives for you."
He closed his eyes, hugging her close. "I know."
There was a tap at the half-closed door, and Peppy leaned in, and his sharp eyes saw the broken glass. "What happened?"
Fox let Fara go and handed the arrow to Peppy. "Titus."
"So he follows Hextor now, eh?" He looked at the arrow. "I am not surprised. So what is the plan?"
"I was going to leave to protect all of you." Fox said honestly. "Because I know there are people who want me dead."
"You're not leaving without us, fearless leader." Alan remarked, leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed.
"I am not fearless. I am terrified." He closed his eyes. "Absolutely terrified."
Alan blanched. "Well, apparently you almost died just now, so I guess you're allowed. So are we leaving now or in the morning?"
Fox watched as the rest of the party looked in at him, somehow managing to all look through one doorway. "Now would be safer, but we need rest."
Falco suddenly grinned. "Jordan."
"What about him?"
"He's a full-sized dragon, even if he is a construct. We'll leave our mounts here and use Jordan to get there."
The whole party exchanged a look, or as best they could crammed into one corridor.
"That's not a bad idea." Katt said thoughtfully.
Fox suddenly grinned. "Falco, can you contact Jordan like you can contact your friend the copper?"
"Sure, if I try hard enough, why?"
Fox crossed his arms, balancing on the beam easily, looking up at the sky. His whole party was sitting on Peppy's roof. Falco had already contacted Jordan, now they were waiting.
"Worried someone else is going to try to kill you?" Julian asked, watching Fox pace back and forth.
"Actually. Yes…" He paused, shifting his bow on his shoulder, and suddenly spun and brought his hand up, catching another arrow. Mage lights suddenly lit up the alley, and Titus cried out, blinded. "Well, well, look who I found…" He moved his bow to a ready position and lifted the arrow he had just caught to it, then fired. The arrow caught Titus' tunic, pinning him to the wall. Two more finished the pin job.
"I almost didn't want to believe you." Fara remarked, joining him where he stood and looking down the three stories at Titus, who looked back with wide eyes.
"He's wanted me dead and dishonored since he found out I rivaled him for your heart." Fox said.
"His anger and jealously poisoned his soul and turned him to an evil god." Said Alan, joining him as the others did.
"Poetic as that sounds, sadly, it's true."
"Am I fashionably late?" Jordan's voice boomed right above them, and Titus shrieked as the huge, gloriously hideous construct maneuvered into a landing spot in the road, lowering his head even with those standing on the rooftop. "Here now, what goes on?" He turned his head and looked at Titus, who was pale and shaking. "Ah. I see. Can I eat him?"
"No, you can't eat him, he's royalty." Falco said, trying very hard not to laugh.
"Royalty? But he stinks of evil, and believe me, that is one scent I know well." The woodwrack dragon shook off, sending bits of bone and wood everywhere.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely, as they say." Said Alan. "Listen, we need a ride. We need to get to the Temple of Lazarus, and we don't have much time."
"Not a problem, climb aboard. Watch for splinters."
Fox sighed, shifting where he sat. Jordan's construct body had more then enough seats and handholds available, and he flew with mechanical precision. Even with a huge, swift dragon transporting them, the journey would last several hours. Dawn was starting to break even as he thought about it, and many of his party were asleep.
Fara lifted from where she sat and moved over to sit next to Fox, wrapping her fingers around branches and bones that stuck out of what passed for Jordan's hide.
"Are you doing well back there?" Jordan turned his head around to look at them, doubling his neck back on itself, not faltering in his flying.
"I'm fine, just had to shift position. Thank you again for agreeing to give us a ride." Said Fara around a yawn.
"All right then, and you are very welcome." The wrack dragon turned back to the task at hand.
"We should probably try and sleep." Fox remarked, rubbing his itching eyes.
"Yes, but my mind keeps turning the whole thing over… I have a hard time believing that Titus is evil now…" She said finally.
He drew her close, letting her lean into his chest and nestle down. He had already found a place to sit that let him prop himself and lean back somewhat comfortably, though he wished that a skull wasn't digging into one of his hips. "In a way he is. You have to admit that good people would not do what he is doing and has done."
"True." She sighed, eyes fluttering closed.
He felt her relax slowly, falling deep into slumber, and rubbed her back gently, settling back slowly. It wasn't long before he fell asleep as well.
