Chapter Seventeen: Say Good Bye

Sarah's eyes snapped open and she sat up with a start. Someone was watching her. She nearly could see a pair of piercing blue eyes gazing at her, but it was just her imagination. She must have been dreaming, but she didn't remember anything. Sarah pulled a hand through her thick, and horribly tangled, brunette hair. She was just having a hard time adjusting, that was all. She wasn't going crazy. But why was she thinking of Jareth constantly and seeing him when he certainly wasn't there?

"I need a vacation," Sarah mumbled to herself.

She looked back at the comfortable pillow that had cradled her head in slumber. However, sleep would be all but impossible after the unnerving experience. She finally relented and decided that she would just have to get an early start on the day's traveling. It was just as well that she got going, then she would face the big good bye sooner as well.

Poor Kyper, simply couldn't come with her any further. He had family and friends that he needed to stay with. Besides, she couldn't watch over a child while she was on her quest. The whole quest could be very dangerous and she certainly didn't want Kyper to get injured. He would just have to understand that that was the way life went. It wasn't fair.

Sarah rose luxuriously from the quaint matters. She pulled the sweater over her simple gray dress. The morning had a cold chill to it. The wool felt warm and sweet against her neck. It reminded her of winter evenings by a fire with her father and her real mother. That was when they had still been a family. Sarah smiled at the lovely memory and decided that she would have to be positive about her quest.

"Sarah, why are you up?" a tiny voice asked from behind her.

Sarah spun around. Kyper was standing amidst the curtain of leaves. His furry head was poked through and several vines had wrapped about his ear. Kyper shook his head and freed himself from the tangle of foliage. He then trotted up to Sarah, a look of excitement on his youthful face.

"I just woke up," Sarah said.

She didn't feel like going into the specifics about the dream and the feeling that she had been watched. Kyper wouldn't understand, anyway. He was too young to know about paranoia. She remembered his mind reading ability and silently prayed that he hadn't used it. If he had, Kyper didn't show any expression changes. He was still very excited and obviously wanted to tell Sarah something immediately.

"You seem like you're in a good mood today, Kyper," Sarah remarked casually.

The young furrygatherer nodded his head in agreement. A large grin had formed upon his face. He looked like he was about to burst from anticipation. Sarah knelt down by her friend and awaited his news. She hoped that Kyper had something good to tell her.

"I just can't wait! It's going to be so exciting with all the traveling and the journey and the crystals! I'm all ready to go with you this morning!" Kyper stated.

Sarah's heart dropped. How could she crush poor Kyper's hopes? He was so happy and she was going to destroy everything. Sarah felt like a creep. Kyper still watched her with his trusting black eyes, but he looked a bit worried as well. She reached out and took one of Kyper's small hooves into her hand. The only way to tell him was to get on with it. There would be no more hesitating. Kyper deserved to know that he was going to have to stay home, where it was safe. She would almost certainly see him again. At least, she hoped that she would.

"I really need to talk to you about that, Kyper. You do know that this is going to be dangerous and not all that fun?" Sarah asked carefully.

The excitement was slowly falling out of Kyper's expressions. He gazed at Sarah, obviously wishing that he had used his telepathic power a little sooner. He looked down at his feet and then back to her.

"I know..but..." Sarah cut him off with a finger upon his mouth.

"Listen. It won't be a game. My quest is very serious and I'm afraid that I can't have anyone else with me. I greatly appreciate everything that you did for me, especially saving my life from that beast. I'm not saying I don't like you, because you're a great friend! I don't think that your parents would want you to take the chance and go with me. I seriously doubt that they gave their okay about this. Am I right?" she asked.

Kyper shook his head reluctantly. He knew what would be coming next. He should have understood that Sarah would not let him accompany her. He knew that it was important and dangerous, but he was her friend and she needed him to keep her company. Kyper couldn't bring himself to look at her for fear that he would break into tears.

"I didn't think they would. Now Kyper, I understand that you might be mad at me for a while. You have every right to be mad because it sucks. You are too young, and that is the best reason I can give you. Life isn't fair. I learned that when I had to go through everything to get my brother back. Now you have to learn it," Sarah explained.

Kyper nodded. He was losing a terrible battle with tears. They had welled up in his eyes and one trickled over. Kyper wiped at it without much of a thought. He didn't want Sarah to know that he was crying. He wanted her to think that he was old enough. He could go and he could take care of himself. It wouldn't be too hard. He could just tag along for a while and then go back home. Yeah... However, he knew that it wouldn't work the moment he decided to tell her. She would just shake her head and tell him that he was too young and he had to stay home with his family. It wasn't fair, she was certainly right about that.

Sarah placed her hand beneath Kyper's chin and drew his gaze up to her own. Her face melted into concern once she saw the tear stains on his fur. Kyper tried to hide them by wiping his hooves across his cheeks, but it didn't work. Sarah brushed his fur back gently on the top of his head.

"I'm sorry, Kyper. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you," Sarah whispered.

She wrapped her arms around Kyper's small furry body. He wrapped his arms about her neck and cried in her sweater. No longer did he care what she thought about him being old or young. He couldn't hold his emotions back any longer. He was being tossed away by someone he really liked and it hurt him.

"I-I don't w-want yo-u to go," Kyper said in between sobs.

Sarah patted his back and attempted to soothe him. Kyper only clutched her stronger, in an attempt to never let her go. Perhaps if he held on long enough she would let him come with her. No one would be able to pry him from her, no one!

Sarah pulled out of the embrace and shocked Kyper. He had thought that she would hold on for much longer. However, all she did was ruffle his head and then stand up, stretching her back. Sarah grabbed her pack and then did a quick check of the room. She had forgotten about Kyper. He was quite upset about it too.

"Sarah?" Kyper asked.

Sarah turned and smiled at him. She pushed him towards the door and swung the curtain of leaves away for them to pass by. Kyper blinked his eyes several times in the harsh sunlight. They were weak from the crying. Sarah placed her hand on Kyper's shoulder and walked beside him.

"Come one, buddy. I need to see Leader and you're welcome to accompany me," Sarah replied.

Kyper was perplexed. Hadn't she just noticed his crying fit? Why was she suddenly acting so different? Sure, he had only known her for a short time, but it was strange. Maybe she was trying to ignore the sadness. That made some sense, but Kyper wished that she hadn't changed her mood so suddenly.

They stopped outside of the largest building that was at the end of the walkway. That was Leader's home and it looked like he was still asleep, or meditating. Sarah hesitated outside the curtain of leaves. There was no door nor a doorbell. How was she supposed to let Leader know that she was there? She couldn't just yell to him. That would be rude. So what did one do to make one's presence known? Sarah looked to Kyper for some help.

"What?" Kyper asked.

Sarah gestured towards the home, but Kyper didn't seem to get the clue. He only looked at Sarah with a very confused expression. Sarah finally gave up and threw her hands into the air in defeat. She would just have to try and do it her way.

"Leader?" Sarah asked softly. She certainly didn't want him to get mad at her.

There was no response from within the home. Perhaps she had been wrong. Maybe Leader wasn't home. That would make her job a lot easier. Then she could just find him and not worry about how to ask to be let in without a doorbell.

"Or at least a knocker," Sarah thought to herself.

"You don't have to stand out there, child. Sarah, you and young Kyper can come on inside," a warm voice rose up from inside.

Sarah was relieved. She took Kyper's hoof in her hand and pulled him after her. Sarah pulled the leaves aside for Kyper and then let them swing shut behind her. Leader gazed at them mildly from his position on the floor. There were several candles lit about him. In the corner was the old orb. It did look dead. There was no glow and it was laying on the ground, like a normal rubber ball. There was no magic left.

"I wasn't sure what to do," Sarah explained.

Leader nodded. He understood everything. Sarah sat upon the ground by him and urged Kyper to do the same. The young animal fell to the ground, but went to play with the crystal. Sarah nearly grabbed him. She didn't want the magical orb damaged, but Leader caught her arm. He shook his head.

"Do not worry about Kyper. He can't damage the orb. Even though the magic no longer flows throughout its body, it is still resilient. Let him play, for he has few years left to be young. Too soon this child shall be full grown and have a family of his own. You just wait," Leader said, his ancient eyes twinkling.

Sarah looked at Kyper. She almost felt like a mother towards him. She couldn't believe how fast she had grown attached to him. It would be hard to leave. Sarah was going to have to struggle with the tears, especially since the furrygatherers might be gone when she returned. If she failed, then all of them would die. Sarah gulped.

"You are putting to much stress upon yourself, Sarah. Let the fates take their proper course. I feel that you will succeed in the end. I am quite sure. You are strong and determined, as I have told you many times before. I will wait here in this tree with the community, until the word of your success has reached my ears. I know it shall," Leader said.

Sarah could only smile at Leader. She wished that she shared his optimism, but she was the one going on the quest. Sarah, herself, wasn't sure if she could make it through all the trials. Only time would tell what would happen. Leader remained silent. He obviously didn't find it a proper time to comment.

Kyper snuggled against Sarah's arm. He looked at her and wrapped his furry forearms about her waist. Sarah placed a hand upon his shoulder and smiled. It felt nice to be with the furrygatherers and she really didn't want to leave. However, she had no choice. Her destiny had been pushed upon her by an annoying man!

"I guess it's about time that I get going. You know, the sooner I leave, the sooner I can get back," Sarah told Kyper.

He seemed to brighten up a bit at her comment. Kyper jumped to his feet and rushed towards the door. Sarah made her way up a little slower than the agile animal. She bent her knees several times, not liking the stiff feeling that had seeped into her joints from sitting on the hard ground.

Leader looked to Sarah, his eyes portraying his immense wisdom. Leader seemed to be trying to tell her something with his eyes. He was gazing into hers a little to closely. He seemed to say that she knew the truth.

"Do you really think you shall be back so soon?" his eyes seemed to ask.

Sarah shook her head. Leader was right once again. She didn't think that she would be back soon. Sarah seriously doubted if she would ever return. However, Leader had said that he thought that she would succeed. She just needed to dwell on that happy thought.

"Think happy thoughts," Sarah murmured to herself.

She waved to Leader and then turned to Kyper. He had already dashed outside to wait for her. Sarah didn't know where he kept all the excess energy. She wished that she had only half of his stamina. It would aid her a lot with her voyage. When she had been young, just barely eight, she had dashed about the house with a seemingly endless supply of energy. Oh, the good old days! Sarah smiled inwardly at her personal joke.

"Oh, Sarah. You mustn't forget this!" Leader called.

Sara turned and noticed a glimmer in Leader's hands. He tossed it to her and she caught it, with a brief moment of fear that she would miss and destroy the gift. Sarah gazed at the crystal ball. It was the one that she had left in the forest. That she was sure of. But, how in the world did Leader ever get hold of it? Sarah distinctly remembered leaving the crystal in the woods. As a matter of fact, she had thrown it into the woods. It would take ages to find the small thing. When did Leader have enough time? He couldn't have gone out and found it on accident. The place she had thrown it was at least a mile away and Leader was old. Of course, he could have used magic. He did have one of the orbs. His orb was dead though. How could he use the magic, unless he had used the last of the power to find her crystal? But why would he do that? Did Leader know something that she had yet to discover about the crystal ball? Too many questions!

"Thanks," Sarah replied, still very much in her own world.

Leader did not acknowledge her. He had gone back to his meditating. Sarah watched him for a moment and then hurried out. She placed the lovely crystal in her pack and then adjusted the bag over her shoulder. Kyper, sure enough, was waiting for her outside of the house. He had his golden balls out and was clanging them together. A wonderful musical symphony of sounds came from the gorgeous balls. Kyper stopped when he noticed that Sarah had finally come out.

"Poppa and Momma wanted you to stop by before you left. They said that they have some stuff to give you," Kyper said.

He had managed to improve his hoof skills. It was amusing, though a little sad, to watch him struggle to replace the instruments into their velvet bag. Kyper squeezed them between his hooves and, holding the bag in his teeth, placed them inside. It took nearly five minutes to put the four balls away, but Kyper was proud of himself and so was Sarah. He had matured a lot since she first met him...yesterday! It seemed like ages ago.

Kyper got to his feet and rushed down the walkway to his home. Sarah followed him at a slightly brisk pace. She had no intention of running. The morning was lovely and one that she wanted to enjoy a bit longer. Kyper would just have to wait a few extra minutes.

She stood up slowly and held the hoof of the small furrygatherer. It was just so hard to let go of him. Kyper was holding tears inside again, but he was about to lose control. Sarah feared that if he did, then she would too. Then they would have a crying fest!

"Yeah!" Sarah thought bitterly to herself.

Kyper's parents had given her much more than she had expected. They offered her more food than she could ever fit into her bag. There were canteens of cool water and the delectable punch. They had made her packs of meat that had been tediously wrapped into a large leaf for preservation. There were exotic fruits and vegetables. They had even included two whole loaves of bread. Sarah was shocked with the amount of everything. She had managed to take one loaf of bread, some meat, the canteens and a handful of fruits and other miscellaneous items. As it was her pack felt as if it weighed about ten times more than originally.

Sarah had thanked them many times and tried to give back some of the food . They would only take what didn't fit. She was worried that they were sacrificing their own meals for her. Sarah couldn't accept that. However, she doubted that the rest of the community would let Kyper's family go hungry. They were all very close.

Sarah stopped in mid stride and turned around once again. Kyper was still waving mournfully from his position beside his mother. She had an arm about her son and was waving as well. In fact, all the furrygatherers were waving. Sarah managed a smile, despite her depressed mood, and waved back.

She walked away once again and continued further into the woods. Sarah turned one last time to get a good look at Kyper. She would not allow herself to forget him as she had done with her other three friends. She had pushed their memories aside. If she ever returned home, she was never going to forget Kyper. He was too special, and she was going to keep her other friends in mind. Growing up didn't mean that you had to get rid of your childhood.

Leader had joined the farewell party when she glanced back the last time. His wise eyes sparkled in the morning sun. He looked older to her. Sarah was actually shocked at how much he seemed to have aged. The magic was taking its toll on him as well. He raised one weak hand to her and then replaced it upon his cane. Sarah turned away from them. She couldn't bear to see Leader so weak.

She remained on her course and didn't look back another time to say good bye to the furrygatherers and her dear friend, Kyper.