Chapter Twelve:
Return to Anegon

Mekae didn't lead them straight back to Anegon, however. He took a small detour and brought the ship into a port near what he said was his home. The traveled through the small port city, and made their way inland.

Coming out of a forest, they beheld a city at the edge of a large crater.

"Welcome, my friends, to Contigo, the city of ancient descent. The crater is a mute testament to the Anemos, who left long ago."

"Mute testament?" asked Elrik. Pointing at the oldest member of the party, he continued, "You mean like he would be if we left him somewhere? A Mute testament to our journey?"

Nobody laughed at this, and it took a lot of restraint to keep Mute off of the young Fire Adept.

"Anyway, shall we enter?" polled Mekae.

"I'd like to see it myself, but…" began Richard

"So would we," agreed Blair and Brooke.

"Well, if he goes," said Allen, pointing to Richard, "we'll go."

"It's decided then, I guess. Lets go."

They walked into Contigo, where many people recognized Mekae and told him of the motley crew that he had brought back.

"Hey, Mekae, don't tell your cousin you brought those people! She might go crazy like last time," remarked one boy, looking a bit older than Mekae.

"Last time?" inquired Allen.

"Long story. I brought friends over from Glatia over on the other side of the continent, and she got way mad. It's become a small legend. But that's my house up on that hill."

"Are the people so annoyed by you they made you live there?" asked Elrik jokingly.

"No, it was mainly my cousin's fault."

"What did I do?" A red-haired girl stormed out of the house, and with a look of disgust on her face, walked over to Mekae. "What did I do?" she snarled.

"I was just explaining to my companions the events which led to us living in this house…" started Mekae, but he was slugged before he could continue. He collapsed and rolled down the hill, to the astonishment of the group.

"I'm sorry, I was a bit rude there. My name is Blaze, and I'm unfortunate enough to have that idiot down there as a cousin. Supposedly I have an actual brother, and if I do, I hope he acts better than him."

"I have no idea of why we came here, but he could probably tell you," explained Richard.

"I brought them here to show them, and also to see if you could help," panted Mekae. "We must return to Anegon."

"Anegon? I haven't been there in nearly fourteen years. I'll come, at least to see what happened."

"A lot, I promise you," remarked Cyrus.

Finally, they returned to Anegon. For half the group, it was the first time they had seen the Tower of the Wind that stood guard over Anegon.

"It's beautiful," said Blair. "It's taller than the lighthouses, I think."

"Far from that," came Kevin's voice. "It's only about two hundred feet tall."

"How is the Reno problem?" asked Richard.

"Strangely inactive. He hasn't attacked since you brought Casey back."

Just then, he appeared. Reno was standing with two other figures by the forest path. They were Agomob and Mute.

"I have heard you've met my friends," he replied coolly. "Agomob here says he has a score to settle with someone, and I thought it would be fun to watch."

"Only you would say that," replied Brooke, advancing alone.

Blair walked up next to her, drawing a sword. "She's not alone."

"Very well. Mute? Show them the true meaning of no quarter."

Mute, striking hard, barely missed Brooke's shoulder. Blair made a deep cut with her blade, and Mute dropped his sword and howled. Agomob struck out, and made a deep gash in Brooke's back.

It looked like a standoff. Then Mute picked up his sword, knocked Brooke down with the blunt side.

"As he said, there will be no quarter. He drew his sword up for the stab, but another voice rang out.

"Legaso delquen Zambiandë, powenti unproen qi! Akiz Elder Higenti!" shouted Richard, and the familiar shadow of Altoda's Bane charged Mute and Agomob. They fell down, and Agomob was bleeding profusely.

"Nice try. Sadly, I think she won't miss your presence," remarked Blair.

She drove her blade down into Agomob, killing him instantly. Reno looked shocked. So did everyone else. Apparently, Blair had forgotten to mention her sword-wielding skills.

"You said no quarter, Reno, and so I gave him none. I think you better take your other friend and leave before I get over there," she threatened.

"It seems you win this round. Very well, I must prepare anyway. Mute!"

Mute got up and limped over to Reno, and they promptly disappeared.

"Wait a second…" said Brooke. "This isn't my cousin. He's just an actor."

"That's exactly right," snarled Agomob, shoving a sword through Brooke and also teleporting away.

Brooke fell, and some citizens who had been watching the fight, helped Blair get her to a doctor.