A/N: We thought we'd update a little faster this time. Updating will be sporadic now-sometimes days apart, sometimes weeks apart-so keep an eye out for those new chapters! And thank you all for the reviews-complimentary or critical, it's humbling to know people care enough to comment. And sometimes the comments help shape a scene or a story slightly differently. In this case, Lord Kain, your comment spurred the scene with Marzo and Hutch. It was planned out, but we realized we hadn't clued the reader in enough. So thanks!
Keldor and Lyn appeared behind a screen of trees that bordered the edge of the village where Serena sensed Adam being held.
"Got a plan in mind?" Keldor asked.
"I do now," Lyn murmured as she looked into the crystal globe in her wand. "Hutch has grown overconfident. He's locked Adam in an ordinary room. There's only a basic magical seal around the building, but I can enter and bring Adam out of there with ease now that I have the power of the Ram Stone within me."
"But for you to sneak in and out with Adam will require a diversion?" questioned Keldor, though he already knew the answer. He sighed heavily. "Woman, why do your plans always end up with my getting shot at?"
Lyn chuckled. "Because you need the exercise. With a new baby on the way, we'll both be ducking flying Lenes fruit in no time."
"If we're lucky," Keldor agreed with a rueful chuckle. "Now get in position. I've got to hone my evasion techniques."
"Teela," Adora said urgently. She had spent a few minutes debating whether to say anything, but she knew she had to tell Teela, Lana, and Marlena what was going on.
Teela's gaze sharpened as she took in the worry lines on Adora's forehead. "What's wrong?" she asked. It didn't matter that she had on a long golden gown at the moment; she was instantly all-soldier, ready for trouble. It made Adora smile slightly. She and Teela were kindred spirits in that respect.
"I need to-" began Adora, only to be interrupted by a squeal.
"Why I never!" exclaimed an older gray-haired noble Adora had secretly dubbed Lady Dragon. Adora and Teela looked over; the woman's formerly black gown was now covered in a rainbow of neon-colored flowers. The two women looked at each other and bit their lips to keep from giggling.
"You can't go around in black on such a happy occasion," Perfuma scolded her with a smile. She spotted Adora. "Adora! It's time for a game!"
"But I-" Adora protested.
"Never mind, dear," Marlena said firmly. "Whatever it is can wait."
"But-" Adora tried again, but to no avail. Laughter and chatter made it impossible for her to be heard. Teela had been pulled away by a friend, Marlena accosted by two ladies from a kingdom Randor was trying hard to create a trade agreement with.
Adora sighed. She couldn't help but think that if the Horde had had the Eternian and Etherian noblewomen in their armies, the rebellion would have failed.
Keldor rolled behind a cart, cursing as he avoided the latest volley of rocks tossed at him by Faker. He'd drawn the imposter as far away from the village as possible but the villagers still stood close enough to see the battle and jeer and shout at Keldor.
Keldor used his staff to sling the cart he was hiding behind into Faker's path. As Keldor hoped, the "hero" sliced the cart down the middle without considering the consequences of his actions. The moment his sword cut through to the bags within the cart, a great cloud of flour exploded around Faker. Keldor used this distraction to once again try to undo the magic he'd used to create Faker.
"I don't know how you've strengthened yourself, but I will see you destroyed," ground out Keldor as his magic wrapped around Faker.
Faker laughed delightedly as he walked clear of the flour, still encased in the magical bonds. "You think this puny magic can harm me now?" mocked Faker. He groaned and tensed his arm. The glow encircling him exploded violently, sending Keldor flying into a nearby stable.
Keldor roared in anger and blasted open the doors on the horses' paddocks. He leaped on a ladder going to the second level and spooked the horses. Faker barely jumped out of the way of the panicked herd. Cursing, he got back to his feet and approached the barn Keldor had crashed into.
"Ah, ah, ah," chided Faker. He walked through the cloud of dust the horses kicked up. "Not even wild horses could keep me away from our reunion." Faker's eyes glowed for a moment before he added, "My former master," in a low voice.
Adora heaved a breath as she bee-lined for Teela again. She tried to catch Teela's eye, but suddenly, there were hands on each arm. "Time for the gifts!" Castaspella sang out cheerily.
"No, not yet, I need to-" Adora argued. She stopped in mid-sentence as a blindfold was placed around her head. "Wait, stop! What are you doing? I have-"
"You can't blame this one on me," Marlena said with a chuckle. "This is all your maid-of-honor's fault."
Lohni laughed. "Thanks, Queen Marlena. Okay, Adora, here's the deal," she said as she and Castaspella guided Adora to a central chair. "You have to open all your presents with the blindfold on, and guess what it is you're feeling." The women around the room squealed in delight, and Adora ground her teeth together.
It wouldn't be polite to tell them how she was really feeling, Adora reminded herself. "Look, I really need to talk to Teela," she tried.
"Really?" asked a voice Adora didn't know. "Trying to get some tips for the wedding night?" There was an uncomfortable laughter at that; some of those present clearly thought the remark was crass.
"Open the first one, Adora," Teela said, placing a present on her lap. She leaned down and lowered her voice. "Just appease them by opening a few. I'll be right here when you're done and you can tell me what's going on."
Lyn cringed as she heard the splintering of wood and the panicked neighing of horses. "Keep safe, Bonebrain," she whispered as she rounded the last alley across from the small hut where Adam was being held. Lyn cupped her hands together and a sleep mist formed in her hands. She blew it toward the single guard that stood before Adam's door. Within moments, the man crumpled on the ground next to his fallen shovel.
Lyn sped off, her cloak flowing behind her, and focused on the power that hummed within her. When she felt the magic unfurl and permeate her, she leapt through the wall and landed in a graceful crouch on the wall opposite Adam.
"What? How?" asked Adam. He was bleary and obviously just waking up.
"I'm here to rescue you," explained Lyn, helping Adam to his feet and throwing his arm over her shoulder.
"Obviously," Adam said dryly, now fully awake. "I didn't think you were here for the spa treatment." He groaned slightly as his muscles protested his movement. "It's not very good."
"Well, I would imagine Faker would give more of a beating than a massage," Lyn commented drolly. Feeling Adam pull away from her, she frowned. "We've got to go, now. Can you make it on your own?"
Adam nodded. "They didn't hurt me. I'm okay."
"Keep your hand on my shoulder, then, so I can transport us through the walls," ordered Lyn. Adam quickly obeyed. Without another world they passed through his prison walls and darted into the shadows and safety. 'I've got him,' Lyn sent.
Keldor sighed in relief. He hurled several massive bales of hay toward "He-Man" and teleported back to Lyn at the place they had first arrived. Once together, Keldor focused once more and managed, in spite of his exhaustion, to teleport them back to the palace just outside of Adora's party where, from the sounds of it, everyone was still celebrating.
"Hold still and let me heal you," demanded Lyn. In spite of Adam's earlier assurances, in the light she could see some minor cuts and bruises, probably a result of being manhandled and placed into his impromptu prison.
"I'm fine," Adam ground out.
"No, you're not," said Lyn, "and if you don't let me heal you, you'll have your womenfolk fussing over you like a baby."
"I'm going to place some wards around the castle. Hopefully we can guard against this sort of thing happening again," Keldor explained weakly, hoping to distract Adam. But he could see his nephew was annoyed over something. "Lyn," he added in a warning tone.
Lyn took a look at the set to Adam's jaw and dropped her hands. "I'm finished," she said quietly.
"Thank you," Adam said tightly.
Lyn wasn't sure if he meant for the rescue or the healing, so she merely nodded. 'The men of this family and their pride,' she thought to herself with a silent groan. 'They make things so difficult sometimes.'
"Are they gone?" Hutch asked, lightly tossing the red jewel up and down.
"Yes," Marzo nodded. "Keldor just teleported them out." He eyed the jewel. "Did it work?"
Hutch grinned, an evil sparkle in his eyes. "See for yourself." He tossed it to Marzo.
Marzo caught it and his eyes widened at the power that flowed through him. "I could get used to this," he muttered, holding it up by his fingertips and staring into its red depths.
"If we time this right, we'll be unstoppable," Hutch said, relaxing back in his chair and putting his hands behind his head. "We'll wipe out all those do-gooders at once."
Adora opened another present and wondered again why people who lived in a palace and had everything they needed, and had bank accounts the size of hers, needed any of these things she had gotten. A throw rug, knickknacks, revealing night clothes, lotions...she took off her blindfold and stared at it all balefully, struggling to keep her emotions under control when all she could think about was Adam. Teela's idea of a "few presents" had turned out to be at least a quarter of the ones there-the socially acceptable amount before taking a break-and so Adora had resorted to simply unwrapping as quickly as she could without being rude. At the same time, she had tried to reach Adam telepathically several times, but failed. 'Please let him be all right,' she prayed again, biting her lip.
Marlena's eyes narrowed at her daughter. She had thought Adora was simply uncomfortable, but it was now clear to her that in fact Adora was upset over something. "All right, everyone, let's take a break and get something to eat," she said, clapping her hands together twice. Several ladies made a beeline for the bathrooms, relief clear on their faces. Marlena caught Teela's eye and inclined her head towards Adora; Teela nodded her understanding and remained behind.
"All right," Teela said in a low voice, bending down to talk without being overheard. Marlena followed suit, each of them holding one of Adora's hands. "What's going on, Adora?"
Adora's eyes welled with tears. "I tried to tell you, Teela," she choked out. "I did."
"I know," Teela agreed. "So what is it?"
"It's Adam," Adora said, the tears falling down her face now. "Hutch has him."
"What?" Teela shot to her feet. "Why didn't you go after him?"
"The Sorceress told me not to," Adora explained. She glanced at Marlena. "I'm sorry. I should have gone with them anyway."
"Who?" Marlena asked, keeping her voice gentle only with an effort.
"Lyn and Keldor. They-" Adora's voice broke off and her eyes grew wide. "Adam!" She sprang to her feet and ran through the doorway, throwing herself into her brother's arms.
"Ooof!" Adam huffed out, falling back against the far wall. "Take it easy, Sis."
"Are you all right?" Teela demanded.
"Yeah," Adam assured her, grimacing as he straightened up. "Thanks to Lyn and Keldor." There was a note of disgust in his voice.
Adora pulled back to look at him. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine." Adam shrugged and smiled, but it didn't fool any of the women there. "Get back to your party, Adora. I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. Lyn said you were worried."
"I was," Adora confirmed unashamedly.
Adam shifted as the three women continued to stare at him in an assessing manner. "I'm going to get some rest," he said uncomfortably. "The physical therapy wore me out even before Hutch kidnapped me."
"I'll go with you," Teela said. "We need to make sure this doesn't happen again."
"I'm not a child," Adam said irritably. "I don't need someone holding my hand."
Teela took a step back as if she had been slapped. "Since when is it a crime to care about your safety?" she demanded.
Adora's brow furrowed but before she could say anything, Marlena placed her arm around her shoulders. "Come Adora. Now that we know Adam is safe, we can attend to your guests."
Adora turned an unbelieving gaze toward her mother, but saw the wary look in her mother's eye and the way she raised her brow. She reluctantly allowed Marlena to escort her through the hall to her party. 'The very last place,' Adora groused internally, 'I want to be.'
"I'm not your job anymore, Teela," Adam pointed out, barely taking notice of his mother and sister as they left.
Teela's jaw dropped, but instead of growing more angry, she grew worried. "What's gotten into you?" she asked, reaching out one hand. This wasn't like Adam at all. "You know that's not how I meant it."
Adam nearly jerked as her hand rested on his forearm, and he shut his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry," he whispered, opening his eyes again. "I need some time to think, Teela. I can't do this anymore." He pulled away gently, turning to leave.
"Wait a minute! What's that supposed to mean?" Teela demanded, cursing her long gown as she tried to step up alongside him and see his face.
Adam heaved a sigh. "Nothing. Everything." He reached out a hand and cupped her face for a few seconds. "I just need some time," he repeated. "I feel so...lost." He looked around, and the stone walls and the stale air suddenly couldn't compare to the beauty and sweetness of the afterlife he had come to think of as heaven. He realized with a start that at least part of him wished he hadn't come back to reality at all.
"He-Man," Teela said simply, understanding at least that much of it. Adam nodded once, shortly, and Teela moved in wrap her arms around him. "You'll always be my He-Man," she offered softly, only half-teasing.
A small, lopsided smile appeared on Adam's face. Somewhere in his heart, he knew he'd make it through this, and a large part of the reason why was the woman in his arms.
"Mother,'" Adora whispered as the third course of steaming bronbeast glazed with elderberries was placed in front of her. "Are you sure we did the right thing, leaving Adam? Even with Teela he seemed so..." Adora looked into her mother's eyes. "I'm just so worried about him."
"I know sweetheart," Marlena said, squeezing her daughter's hand. "But Adam hates appearing weak. If Teela was to have any success in helping Adam it had to be with as few witnesses as possible."
Adora gritted her teeth, "Why of all the stubborn, proud..." She shook her head.
"Adam can't help it. He is your father's son in every way."
Adora chuckled ruefully. "I suppose he is. But then Hawk is like that too. Maybe it's just a male thing? "
Marlena laughed heartily at that. "You may be on to something."
A few moments later Dree Elle entered the ballroom with a tiny parcel in one hand and the handle of a floating baby carriage in another.
"I'm sorry I'm late Adora. The babies all needed changing at the same time." Dree Elle sounded more frazzled than Adora had ever heard her, and she smiled at her friend to let her know it was all right.
At the word "babies" Adora's friends and many of those fond of Orko gathered near the cradles. "Oh dearie my," crooned Madam Razz. "They are so sweet."
"Yes, and so very active," noted Glimmer as the babe nearest her reached up and gripped her finger.
"That is a fine piece of magic powering your carriage," complimented Castaspella.
Dree Elle practically glowed through her veil. "I think so too! Orko worked a solid week to get the controls right. All I have to do is press this button," she explained delightedly, "and the carriage is locked, and if I pull this green lever the carriage goes where ever I tell it to. Orko's just so talented."
The women smiled indulgently at Dree's pride in Orko and her new family as her babies kicked and wiggled in their carriage.
"Come, join us, Dree," urged Marlena. "We've seen so little of you of late, and I know Adora would love it is you sat near us."
"Oh yes!" Adora said with a sincere smile.
"Of course," said Dree, locking her carriage. "I suppose I would like to go to the table and have some punch."
Unfortunately at the words "go to the table and have some punch," the child nearest the movement lever got in a powerful and well-aimed kick-right at the green lever. The buggy zoomed off in the last direction Dree had spoken, right past all of the guests, sending ladies ducking under tables and tipping their chairs over to get out of the way. Castaspella teleported in front of the snack table to freeze the carriage before it could hit something and harm the babies. But the carriage zoomed around her and landed with an enormous splat in the ruby fruity punch, dousing Castaspella in vivid red liquid.
Dree rushed over as swiftly as she could fly to find her babies laughing and splashing in a small amount of punch that had splashed back into their carriage.
The guests gathered around the table as Castaspella produced a towel to wipe away the punch dripping from her hair. Finally, struck by the sight, Dree began to giggle. Soon everyone joined in until Adora found herself laughing so hard that tears of mirth streamed down her face.
"I'll think I'll go change," Castaspella said with a chuckle, and she glided gracefully out of the room.
For a while Teela and Adam just walked. Teela laced her fingers between Adam's and thanked the ancients that Adam was here with her now. She glanced out a wide picture window to see the sun setting over the Vine Jungle.
"It's late," Teela said, pulling Adam's aimless wandering to a stop. "We need to go to Father's suite and pick up Josiah. Father's sat with him all day since Mother and I were busy with the shower."
Adam grimaced. "Since I wasn't able to pick him up like I was supposed to."
"Adam," Teela said, "that wasn't your fault."
Adam harrumphed lightly, disgust plain on his face. "I couldn't do anything, Teela. It was like our very first combat lesson when you dropped me in five seconds flat."
"Three," Teela corrected automatically.
They shared a small smile at the private joke. Teela placed a kiss on Adam's jaw and turned down the nearby passage to her father's rooms.
Adam shook his head when she glanced back at him. "I'll wait here."
Teela hesitated, then went on to pick up Josiah, leaving Adam alone for a moment. He leaned back against the wall and stared aimlessly at the sky. He barely noticed the clicking of heels coming down the hallway until it was too late. Perhaps he would have chided himself for his lack of attention if it had not been for the sight that confronted him: Castaspella covered from her head to her boots with bright red splatters.
Adam chuckled. "Let me guess. Orko? "
Castaspella chuckled. "No. His lovely children."
"Really? I thought they weren't supposed to be able to use magic yet," Adam said, a light frown touching his face. The idea of three child-like Orkos playing in Duncan's workshop made him smirk.
"They didn't use magic. At least not their own. One managed to kick a lever on their hovercarriage and inadvertently sent it careening into the buffet table. I tried to stop the carriage. I'm sure you can see how successful that was." Castaspella smiled ruefully.
Adam laughed. "They're definitely related to Orko." He arched an eyebrow. "Why didn't you just use your magic to clean yourself up?"
"I needed an excuse to get away from the Eternian 'nobles' I was seated next to. If I heard one more remark about dress patterns and the price of handmade lace, I was going to scream," Castaspella explained. "But now that you mention it, I suppose I don't need to wait any longer to correct this." With a flash of light Castaspella stood before Adam immaculate.
"Nifty trick," he commented, but Castaspella could see that his spirits had dropped again.
"I heard what happened..." Castaspella said hesitantly. "With He-Man. Adora told me about your sword."
Adam shifted uncomfortably.
"If you ever need to talk about it…" Castaspella placed her hand on his arm and Adam focused on her face. "I can keep a secret. And I would like to help. As a friend."
"There's not much to talk about," Adam said in a careless tone. "He-Man's gone. Just regular old Prince Adam is here now, who can't fight enough to keep from getting kidnapped."
Castaspella's jaw dropped. She was about to ask what he meant when Teela rounded the corner with Josiah bundled in her arms.
Adam smiled at the two of them, his face softening. "Hey, that was quick." He wanted to reach for Josiah, but didn't trust his strength at the moment; he settled for dropping a kiss on his son's forehead.
"Too quick?" Teela asked teasingly. She smiled, realizing she no longer felt threatened by Castaspella. She was secure in Adam's love for her.
"Never," Adam countered, slipping an arm around her.
"He's so beautiful," cooed Castaspella, barely resisting the impulse to push the blanket away from Josiah's face."I'm so glad he's well." She threw a concerned look Adam's way, thinking that although he had been spared the loss of his son, he had suffered another loss that was almost as painful. "Forgive me for asking, but how are you dealing with He-Man's, ah, demise?" She glanced at Teela, wondering if she was overstepping her bounds, but Teela was studying Adam, watching for how he would respond.
Adam felt a flash of irritation as he recalled his current weakness, but as his eyes fell on Josiah, it fell away. "It was a fair trade," he said. He met Castaspella's warm eyes. "Josiah's safe. That's all that matters."
Teela's arms tightened around Josiah. While she agreed with Adam, there was something in his tone that said he wasn't as settled as his words. And given their fight earlier, she knew her instincts were right. But he hadn't spoken to her about it lately, and clearly wasn't about to open up to Castaspella either—a fact that comforted Teela as much as it concerned her.
"Hawk!" Adora said, joy and relief in her voice as he appeared in the doorway. With his arrival, the bridal shower was officially at an end. She had never been so happy to see the end of anything—with the exception of the Horde's rule over Etheria, of course.
"Great gobs of ganderfish," Hawk said in disbelief, surveying the pile of presents. "Adora, where are we supposed to put all of that?"
"In your new suite, next door to Adam and Teela," Marlena said casually, packing several items into a box.
"Really?" Adora asked excitedly.
"Mmm-hmm," Marlena affirmed as she held up a raggedy-looking piece of cloth. "Adora, what on Earth is this?"
Adora wrinkled her nose and chose to ignore her mother's slip, focusing instead on the object in question. "Ummm…I have no idea," she confessed. She watched as Marlena turned it this way and that. "Oh…it has three holes—head and arms," Adora said slowly. She must have missed it as she opened the piles of presents.
"Oh, surely not," Marlena objected. She pulled it on, and it immediately became a shimmering floor-length gown that fit her perfectly.
Hawk and Adora looked at each other and grinned. "Castaspella," they said in unison. Chuckling, Marlena removed it and packed it into one of the boxes.
"Hawk, while Mother and I finish up here, would you do me a favor?" Adora asked suddenly.
Hawk raised an eyebrow. "Sure, Adora. What is it?"
"Adam was kidnapped by Hutch today, and when he came back, he…wasn't quite himself," Adora said. She picked up a set of crystal goblets, wondering when she would ever use them, and packed them carefully.
"He was kidnapped? Why didn't you tell me? You went after him alone?" Hawk's questions came in a rush.
"No, I didn't go after him. The Sorceress told me not to. Keldor and Lyn rescued him." Adora turned her attention to the next item, a painting of the Crystal Castle. She smiled. That one was from Adam and Teela.
"Keldor and Lyn rescued him?" Hawk repeated slowly, drawing her back to the present.
"Yes, and when he got back, he was…frustrated. Angry." Adora shrugged, but worry was lining her face. "Not himself. And I don't know why."
Hawk glanced around and stepped closer to her. "He-Man lost all his powers, was kidnapped from his own home, and had to be rescued by Skeletor and Evil-Lyn, and you don't understand why he's upset?"
"Oh." Adora froze and looked up at him. "When you put it that way…"
Hawk shook his head. "I'll go talk to him." He walked out, muttering under his breath.
Adora shot a look at Marlena. "I don't think I want to know what he's saying."
"Probably not, dear," agreed Marlena.
"Hi Teela," Hawk said, stepping into the suite as she opened the door. "Adam around?"
"Sure," Teela replied easily, though she was surprised to see Hawk. She had assumed he would be with Adora now, moving their presents into their suite. Marlena had told her Hawk and Adora would be next to them. She gestured towards the sitting area. "He's just reading."
Hawk nodded his thanks and moved into the sitting room. Adam, leaning back in a large, overstuffed chair with his feet propped up, looked up in surprise. "Hey, Hawk. What's up?" There was a slightly suspicious tone to his voice.
"Adora told me Hutch got a hold of you today," Hawk said frankly, making himself at home by sitting in the sofa across from Adam. He glanced around, realizing Josiah must be sleeping. "I just thought I'd see how you're doing."
Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm fine."
Teela eased back from the doorway, listening intently.
"Really?" Hawk's eyebrows raised. "So you're not upset about anything?"
Adam scowled at him. "Did Adora ask you to come talk to me?"
"No," Hawk said honestly. "Although she probably would have if I hadn't said I was coming down here first."
"Well, I appreciate your concern, but really, Hawk, I'm fine," Adam said. His jaw twitched in irritation.
Hawk regarded him steadily. "You're not fooling anyone, Adam. I know we can't make it better, but it might help to talk about it."
Adam snorted, slammed his book down on the table next to him, and lurched to his feet. "Everyone wants to talk about it, everyone's concerned," he grumbled. He began pacing about the room restlessly. "Talking is not going to do any good, Hawk."
"It helps you work through your feelings," commented Hawk calmly, his hunter-green eyes narrowing.
"Since when did you become a counselor?" Adam snapped.
"Since when did you fight with everyone who wants to help you?" Hawk demanded, getting to his own feet and going nose-to-nose with Adam. He knew from experience that re-focusing on other people deflated Adam's anger instantaneously, and it was no different this time.
"I just want to be left alone," Adam said with a defeated sigh. "I don't want to talk it to death. He-Man's gone, he's never coming back, and Prince Adam is all that's left. Talking won't change it."
"That desire to be left alone is depression," Hawk said quietly. "You're an extrovert, Adam. It's not natural for you to want to be left alone, but your family understands. We also understand that you're grieving right now. But so are many others; people who don't know that their friend He-Man isn't truly gone. Instead of retreating into a shell, you should be reaching out to them. It will help all of you."
Adam shook his head slightly. "I'm not sure I have the strength to do that," he confessed quietly. "Physically or emotionally. Without He-Man…Hawk, I'm just not strong enough."
Teela had heard enough. She strode into the room, scowling ferociously. "How dare you!" she growled at Adam, grabbing his arm, her fingernails digging into his skin. "After all you've been through, all you've fought for, how dare you doubt yourself! Your heart is what made He-Man, Adam. Without you, there was no He-Man. Just because the magic is gone does not mean the strength is gone."
"She's right," Hawk agreed as a stunned Adam returned a strangling hug from Teela. Adam looked at his friend. "Never forget that, Adam. He-Man was nothing. It was your courage, your compassion, your heart that made He-Man. And that all still belongs to you."
Adam said no more, but inside, the doubt continued to plague him, Faker's voice echoing in his mind. 'You are nothing anymore.' It shouldn't be so easy to believe a lie from such an evil source, but Adam found that he could not banish that echo, no matter how hard he tried.