Author's Note: Here you have it—the last chapter of Ferek's Story. Please enjoy, and REVIEW…

Disclaimer: Still don't own them. I'll notify you if I ever do.

Chapter Three

Founding of the Freefolk

Ferek lay in a bed a few feet away from the older boy he'd run into. The boy was silent, and he didn't toss and turn as the other had expected him to—he'd seen the effects of the Hall of Nightmares on people, and they'd been in spasms for hours. This boy was strong.

The older boy stood by the sink. He wet a cloth, and after wringing it out with his thin hands, the boy went to Ferek's bedside and placed the damp cloth upon his forehead.

Twitching slightly, Ferek's head lolled sleepily to the side. A bruise had blossomed near his temple and a burn spread across his back—a common wound from a Sunstone's ray.

A bead of water dripped from the cloth, running down the side of Ferek's nose and hanging there like a tear. When the other boy leaned down to wipe it away, the child's eyes opened, swiveling and wide with uncertainty.

"Welcome back."

Ferek gingerly rubbed his eyes and winced at the pain in his shoulder. "Where am I… who are you?"

"You're in the Underfolk levels. My name is Crow," he said, and nodded as though to indicate the feather in his lopsided hat. "Are you alright? You were sick."

Crow deliberately did not mention the Hall of Nightmares so as not to awaken the fear within the boy. Still, as Crow watched him, Ferek would shake and twitch every few seconds involuntarily. Crow pursed his lips—he knew the effects of the Hall, and it had certainly left its mark here.

"I… I think so," Ferek replied, shuddering. A silent fear rested inside him, and Ferek struggled to suppress the memories of earlier hours.

The boy who called himself Crow gave a weak smile. "Good… what's your name, boy?"

"Ferek."

Crow nodded. "You ran into me in the corridor. You've been unconscious for a few hours now. I… I've an idea of where you were running from, but… how did you get there?"

For a moment the child was silent. His eyes downcast, he swallowed a few times before he began, and when he did speak his voice was shaky and weak. Ferek told Crow everything, from the night he'd found Tari on the floor to the Hall of Nightmares. He even told of the insect shadows and all that they'd done to him. Crow listened quietly all the while, and deep inside him his hatred towards the Chosen grew. A child. They did this to a child.

Once Ferek had finished, he slumped down into the sheets and willed away the tears.

"Where had your sister been held?" Crow asked tentatively.

Ferek looked up at him. "Caretaker's Hall… I should go back." He twitched again. "I should go back and see if… there's anything I can…"

"No," Crow retorted, his voice gentle yet forceful. "You're still weak, and we can't have you sick again."

"But, Tari—"

Crow frowned. "I'll go for you, alright? You're a mess. I'll go and get some sort of herbs from the Caretaker for you and ask about your sister."

"I should go with you…"

"It's alright. You will…"

The door opened, and a large, burly man stepped into the room. A girl led him by the arm. She had long black hair and said nothing, but she nodded almost sadly to Crow and led the man to a chair. He sat down slowly, and only then did the girl release his arm and leave once more.

"Bennem." Crow got up and went to him, hugging the man gently round the shoulders. Ferek thought it odd that the man did not return the gesture. "This is my older brother," Crow told Ferek without looking up. "He's… he's had a similar experience to yours."

Ferek said nothing, but a shudder wracked his body.

Releasing Bennem, Crow stood and looked back at the boy in the bed. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like. Bennem will wait with you until I return."

Ferek trembled and nodded, though inside he would have much rather gone along. He would feel much safer that way. He cast a glance at Bennem, who hardly seemed to blink.

Before he could protest again, Crow left the room, and Ferek was left alone with Bennem. He shrunk down in the sheets and peered around though frightened eyes, trembling again despite himself.

All around him the shadows darkened, growing and reaching out towards him. Ferek whimpered and pulled the blankets tighter, but the shadows kept coming, closer and closer, forming their horrible claws and pincers.

Bennem sat in his chair and watched Ferek, silent and emotionless. He saw but did not register anything around him, for he was lost in a dream of his own.

"Come back, Crow," Ferek cried.

He curled up in defense against the nightmare.

Crow did not want to fetch herbal tea from the Caretaker's Hall to calm Ferek's nerves—that was merely his excuse to go to the place. Granted, he knew he'd return with some anyway, for it was useful. It had worked wonders for Bennem the first time he'd returned from the Hall of Nightmares. However, it had done little the second—not than anything could do much at all.

In truth, Crow questioned Ferek's tale. He didn't doubt that the boy was telling the truth—his tearful eyes had held no lie—but he wanted to see if Tari was truly dead. If not, he could return the boy to her, and with he Ferek would grow well again with time. If she had died… Crow had an idea of what he could do, but the boy would not heal easily without her.

As he thought of Ferek's condition and what had been done to him, Crow felt the hatred well up inside him once more—a cold, tight hand around his heart.

Why?

He was a child. A child, protecting someone he cared for—the only one left in the world for him. And the Chosen had given him the worst punishment next to death—the Hall of Nightmares. Perhaps death would even be easier to cope with.

He hated them—the Chosen. He hated them for what they did to the Underfolk—to Bennem and Ferek, and all the others who'd suffered such a fate. In his fury, Crow simply wished he could overthrow them all—a feat not so easily accomplished.

But was there anything he could do?

Crow himself was naught but a mere Underfolk.

Alone, he had no power.

Frowning deeply, Crow entered the Caretaker's Hall. He'd been there plenty of times before, mostly for Bennem. Still, the first time he'd ever been there had been when his parents died, and the memory had never quite faded.

Crow felt the familiar pain when he entered the room and saw the par of beds in which his parents had died after their accident at work. Taking a deep breath, he ignored it and looked away.

"Ikarik," Crow called, knowing the self-appointed Caretaker of the Underfolk would be nearby.

Soon enough, the old man poked his head through the door from the other room. "Hello, m'boy… something for your brother, I presume…?"

"Ahh… I suppose you could say that. Some of that tea… but more than usual. Actually, I have a few questions for you. Do you mind?"

Ikarik nodded, cheerful to have a visitor besides someone gravely ill or wounded. "Certainly. Please come sit down; I'll fix the tea."

Crow entered the next room and sat down in a threadbare chair pushed up against the wall. Ikarik busied himself with various liquids and spices at the counter.

After a strange silence, Crow began slowly, "Do you know of a boy named Ferek?"

The older man paused, nearly dropping the spice jar in his hand. "Yes… yes. Ferek… he ran out nearly a day ago. I suppose he wanted to save his sister… when he returns, I'm quite afraid he's too late."

With an inaudible sigh, Crow nodded. "I… I see. What happened?"

Ikarik proceeded to tell most of what had befallen Ferek and his sister. Crow listened politely though he'd heard most of it from the boy himself. What he truly wanted to ear was what had become of Tari herself.

"The Chosen came and took her. She was near-dead; I assume they finished her off. I wonder why they came? That's certainly never happened before, but I reckon it has something to do with that poor boy. What sort of trouble did he go and get himself in…? I hope he's all right, now…"

"He's alright for the most part," Crow explained Ferek's plight and experience in the Hall of Nightmares. Ikarik stared as though his eyes would fall out. "The boy is staying with me… he's safe."

"Poor boy. Poor boy." Ikarik muttered and shook his head. "It's too much for him. It was too much for your older brother…"

"It's too much for anyone!" Crow shouted, suddenly clenching his fists. "Bennem dealt with it twice. Ferek's just a child. The Chosen… they can't continue to do these things. Not to anyone."

Ikarik nodded solemnly. "Aye, right…" Crow could tell that the man didn't think there was anything they could do, however, as Ikarik finished mixing the tea. He put it in a container and handed it to Crow. "Good day, then. Best hope to the boy. You yourself may want to try some of that tea… calms the nerves, y'know."

Crow thanked him rather bitterly and left. He decided that he also hated the Underfolk that were too afraid to do anything for themselves.

He could hear the boy's screams from down the hall.

As soon as Crow turned the corner he realized his mistake. He'd left Ferek alone after all he'd been through, and Bennem couldn't do a thing…

Crow broke into a run and burst through the door. "Ferek!"

In the bed, Ferek thrashed about as though possessed, tangled in the sheets. He screamed, cried, and trembled, but as Crow ran to the bedside, his spasm half-subsided, and Ferek lay shaking in the blankets.

Crow took him briskly by the shoulders and pulled him upright, unwrapping the blankets. "What happened?"

"I'm sorry," Ferek sobbed, knuckling away his tears. "The shadows—like in the Hall of Nightmares…"

Again Crow cursed himself for leaving. He'd seen Bennem after he came back from the Hall of Nightmares—when his older brother had been left alone, he would relive instances of whatever horrible nightmare Fashnek had locked him in. Since then, Bennem was rarely alone.

"I should have known," Crow said to himself angrily, easing Ferek back into the bed. "Forgive me."

Behind them, Bennem had stood up and was staring at them, worry in his eyes. He couldn't comprehend what had happened, but his instinct didn't like it. Crow went to him and lowered him back down. "It's alright. It's okay now."

Bennem seemed to relax. Crow sighed and went back to sit on the bedside; Ferek had control himself by then, though his hands still trembled no matter how tightly Ferek clutched the sheets. He was sitting up, his gaze lowered and his sandy brown hair hanging in his face. Such a coward I am, he thought. Crying when I'm alone—and Bennem was here, even. But… the shadows…

"Here."

Ferek jumped and looked up. The older boy had poured a cup of Ikarik's tea. Ferek took it gingerly. "It doesn't taste perfect, but it works…"

"Thank you," Ferek's voice was small. He sipped the warm drink and found it bitter, but Crow was right—the texture and scent were greatly soothing, and he sighed.

"I… I think you're going to have to stay here for a while. If you'd be alright with it, that is," Crow added quickly and paused. "Ikarik… he told me your sister really is gone. I'm sorry."

Ferek's eyes clouded with tears, but he held them back. Crow's words only confirmed what he already knew—what Fashnek had whispered—and there was no use mourning here and now. Instead, he merely nodded and said weakly, "I don't think I can live alone… but I don't want to burden you…"

"No," Crow replied, and Ferek thought he saw the faintest of gentle smiles on the older boy's face. "No. It's all right. We couldn't just turn you out now."

Ferek was about to protest, but Crow shook his head once more. Ferek nodded and thanked him wholeheartedly, though he still felt awkward, having only met Crow. He is so kind to me, Ferek thought.

A brief silence. Ferek sipped at his tea and asked tentatively, "What… what did Ikarik say about Tari?"

Crow hesitated. Would it be right to tell Ferek exactly what the Caretaker had said? Yes… yes, it was best if the boy knew the truth. "He said the Chosen came and took her. She was already near death… he assumes they took her to finish her off, and to prevent any more interference…this was after you were caught."

Again Ferek didn't speak for a moment. Then he sighed and stated, "I suppose they had a right to. I… I broke their laws, and they had to punish me—us. Tari and I. I should have never tried…" he sniffled, but no tears fell. "…to steal that medicine."

"What?" Crow gaped. After all the Chosen had done to him, Ferek was going to stand idly by and claim it was his own fault? "Ferek… Ferek, you're wrong. It's not your fault."

"It is." Ferek's hands curled tighter around the sheet and he hunched his shoulders. "If I hadn't left Ikarik and Tari to find the cure…"

"The Chosen had it in supply and they wouldn't give it to you. She was the last person you had, Ferek, wasn't she?"

At this, Ferek nodded and rubbed at his eye. "But if she was going to die… the Chosen are right. We're just Underfolk."

Crow leapt from his seat. The cold-hearted half of him longed to lash out and strike the boy. How wrong Ferek was! But Crow held back—this boy had dealt with enough pain. Restraint obvious in his voice, Crow retorted, "If that is so, then the Chosen are Underfolk as well. How are we different? What puts us below them?"

"We aren't of any Order. We're below them… servants, slaves… colorless in their eyes." Ferek's' voice was indifferent then, though his eyes shone with discontent.

Crow felt his chest tighten with the cold hand of hatred once more. He opened his mouth to say something, but the hatred had somehow taken all his words. Ferek looked up at him.

"Tari was happy. She didn't mind being an Underfolk, so I never did, either."

The older boy took a deep, hesitant breath and ran a hand through his dirty hair. Crow sat down again and said, "You may have been happy then. I was the same once… but then Bennem…" He paused; it was painful to speak of such things. "…Bennem went to Fashnek. He didn't really deserve it—not twice. Twice… and then I hated them. Ferek, they've gone and done the same to you… they've killed your sister. They've taken her from you."

He noticed that Ferek had begun to tremble, swallowing every few seconds and whimpering.

"I'll ask you again, now…" Crow half-whispered. "Are the Chosen above us? Do you trust and agree with them? Were they right when they killed your sister, Ferek?"

Ferek burst into tears, sobbing and shaking all over. He leaned forward and buried his face in Crow's shoulder. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Crow stiffened. His heart felt light again, released, only for an instant. "It's alright. It's not your fault." He pulled Ferek into a soft, tentative hug. Quite suddenly he felt nearly every muscle in the boy's body trembling in frightened, uncontrolled spasms. Crow had never imagined it was possible to be completely consumed by fear and sorrow, but all the while he was reminded of himself, young and confused when Bennem had been lost to the nightmares.

As a young boy, Crow had cried against his brother, scared and alone, but Bennem could not respond. Perhaps Ferek felt the same… and now…

But Ferek has me, now, Crow thought. He won't turn out like I did.

Crow tightened his arms around Ferek, willing his sobs to ease. "It's alright. We… Bennem and I… we'll take care of you now.

"What can we do?" Ferek asked that night. He, Crow, Bennem, and the girl from before—her name was Inkie—were sitting at the bedside.

"We cannot do much alone," Inkie said. It was the first time Ferek had heard her speak. "But, if some of the Underfolk would rally together…"

Crow nodded and frowned bitterly. "It is an idea. But too many of the Underfolk have lost the ability to think for themselves… there will never be enough of them to do anything substantial."

"It… it's a start," Ferek said. "It can be just us for now… I'm sure we'll find others."

Crow ran a hand along the feather in his hat, musing. "A secret organization, and a fight for freedom.

"Freedom for the Underfolk?"

Crow nodded, but Bennem suddenly grunted. All eyes turned to him in surprise and anticipation. His eyes had cleared, and he looked at each one of them individually, a smile on his face.

"All," he said. "Freedom for all."

And then he was gone again, eyes losing their focus and smile fading. Inkie cried silently, wiping away the tears, and said, "Freedom for all… no Orders, no Underfolk. Just… everyone."

For a moment Crow thought of protesting, but then he stopped himself. If it was Bennem's will… he would agree. It was for the better. If only the Underfolk rose above, the Red Level would become the workforce. It would never end.

"Freefolk."

It was Ferek who had spoken.

He blushed a bit and looked down. "For a name, I suppose… Underfolk for Freedom… Freefolk."

Crow looked at him and then smiled. "I like it, Ferek. Freefolk…"

Ferek smiled with triumphant eyes.

"The founding of the Freefolk, then," Inkie said in her placid voice. "For all… Chosen and Underfolk alike."

They stood. Even Bennem got to his feet, a determined look on his burly face.

"Freedom," Crow said, and they put their hands together.

Standing in the circle with his newfound companions, Ferek felt the shattered pieces of his hope inside his heart slowly piece themselves back together. The cracks and scars would remain, and Ferek would always fear the shadows.

But he would fight for his people… no, for the entire Castle.

And he would fight for Tari.

Watch me, sister, he thought. I'm going to make you proud.

-FIN-

End Note: And that, my people, is how Ferek found Crow and the Freefolk were founded.

It's done! My first finished multi-chapter fanfic… aww, I hope it was good. I think it turned out well… thank you to those who read it. =)

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