Disclaimer: I don't own Neopets the Darkest Faerie.

Chapter 18

Raging winds tore through Shadowglen as Tor and Roberta released the energy stored with their air motes. Roberta had given Tor a brief overview of how to open his mind to the mote on their way to the woods. He was very impressed with the results. Every plant within a twenty foot radius of them was torn to shreds. Once the winds died down Roberta grabbed Tor's arm and said, "We have to get out of here, quickly!"

He nodded in agreement, seeing more plants coming toward them from the shadows. He started running for the exit, cutting down everything in his way. The winds he had created had drained the mote completely and his sword no longer carried the blue-green glow.

Finally the two ran out of the glen, thankful for the clear air and sunlight that they were greeted with. Tor strained to hear anything following them, but there was nothing. I seemed that now they would have to return to Meridell sooner than they had wanted. Roberta summoned Solarin to come and get them with another uni. The two drank the rest of their Meerca Speed potion and ran as fast as they could back into the farm lands. It seemed that the others had been waiting for them because all of the farmers, including his parents and Lucy were standing in two groups, adults and children, near Tessa's farm. Baggus fruit was immediately given to them to clear their burns.

"What is happening in the glen?" Hubert asked.

Tor gave his father a sad look. "I'm calling a farm meeting. Aryanna, take the kids into Tessa's home." Aryanna nodded and ushered the children away, despite their protesting. The rest of the farmers formed a line in front of Tor, making him feel slightly out of place. In the past, Farm Meeting had always been called by his father and led by his father. Now Hubert was standing among the others and Tor wondered whether any of them noticed this change. Aryanna returned, taking her place with her mother and older sister, Carla and Jamie.

"It seems as though the Assassin is controlling the creatures in the glen," he announced. "Roberta and I have to leave a little sooner than planned as now we have to return to Meridell and report this to King Skarl. The unis are on their way now."

"What if those creatures come back?" Addison asked.

"Then you have to be ready," Roberta answered, taking Tor's place. "Everybody will have to be careful and watch out for anything in case of another attack. Everybody will have to work together as a team."

"Addison, keep your bow handy at all times," Tor ordered. The scorchio was an expert with his bow, rivaling the skills of Master Torak himself. He would be a great asset in a battle. "Turk, remember what I said about keeping that sword handy at all times. And that goes for everyone. If you have any weapons keep them on you at all times. If you don't, see my father. Turk, I want you to teach everything I showed you the other day. Do you remember it all?"

"Of course."

Tor looked up and saw two shapes in the distance, flying through the sky. The unis were almost here. "Everybody be careful. The Assassin is nobody to be messed with. Don't any of you try to take him on. He nearly killed me more than once and has killed many others in the past. If you see him, you run. I cannot stress that enough."

The unis touched down and Tor recognized one as Solarin. "Time to go, Tor," Roberta said sadly. He nodded and strapped his pack to his uni.

When he turned around Aryanna was coming back with the kids. He hated that he had to say goodbye to everyone on such short notice. For all he knew, no matter how he and Roberta called themselves an unbeatable team, they could still die. He began his good-byes starting with Old Man Boggs and Farmer Addison and going through the line. Lucy was already crying having been told that he was leaving.

"Don't cry Lucy. I'll be back before you know it," he said softly.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"And Roberta?"

Tor chuckled and looked over at the sorceress who was saying good-bye to Tessa. "Yeah, she'll come too."

Tor said good-bye to Turk and Aryanna last. He hugged both of them tightly and said, "I'm going to miss the both of you. Be careful."

"That's our line, Tor," Aryanna said, wiping away a tear. "It's been too long to only see you for three days. You had better come back."

Tor smiled. "I'll be back. No worries there. And you had both better be here when I do. Not like the last few times. Better yet, visit me in Meridell one day. I could take a few days off after all this!"

Turk chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck Tor. With everything. Especially dealing with Roberta."

Tor grinned and lightly punched his friend in the arm. He began walking over to his uni and as he climbed onto its back he turned and pointed to Aryanna. "And I will get you back for that little story."

"Yeah right! Get outta here!"

Roberta laughed at the thought of the story of Tor's childhood and turned to the lupe. "Are you ready?"

"Always." He snapped the reins and called out, "Full speed to Meridell!"

…..

"My Lord, the Assassin has taken control of the creatures in Shadowglen Woods," Tor announced, standing in front of King Skarl and Maser Torak with Roberta to his left. Moving at full speed had allowed them to arrive just as it began getting dark and they had immediately called to see the King. "They attacked the farmlands earlier this afternoon. Roberta and I went to check it out and the Assassin was there."

"Hm," King Skarl grunted, stroking his chin. "I wasn't aware that the plants could be controlled. Are you positive of this?"

"Yes, You're Majesty."

"There aren't enough men to send any out to Meri Acres."

"You don't need to," Roberta cut in. "The farmers there are quite capable of handling themselves against the creatures."

"Attacks have happened before," Tor added. "They have always randomly attacked the farms, though it was always just in small groups to destroy a few of the crops. Everyone there is ready for another attack. We came back just after we went to Shadowglen."

"Very well. I suppose my brother will need to hear this bit of news." He glanced at Roberta and she gave him a short nod. "Now both of you get some rest."

Tor walked with Roberta to her room. They were silent the entire way, lost in their own thoughts. Even when they reached her room they just leaned against the door for a while.

"I guess I'm leaving sooner than I expected," She said finally, and Tor noticed she didn't sound very happy about it. "Tomorrow afternoon I'm thinking."

Tor nodded slowly. He couldn't think of anything to say.

"You're worried, aren't you?"

He looked helplessly at the acara. "I didn't want them to be dragged into this. And now this happens! The Assassin keeps ruining everything! I can't even get out of the city unless I am given permission by the King and state where I am going and when I will get back. I have to train every day for hours just so I might have a chance to defeat somebody who has had over a hundred years to train! I wish I could have fought him earlier today, just to get it over with!"

"Tor, you don't need to worry. Everyone will be fine and we'll beat the Assassin. Then it will be back to normal. You'll see. And then you can go sailing like you talked about."

Tor looked at Roberta and smiled. "Turk says you're wrong that there's nothing to see out there."

Roberta smirked and put her hand on the door knob. "And I'm still waiting for you to prove me wrong. Good night, Tor."

"Night."

….

Tor could already see Solarin waiting for them at the East gate. He sighed quietly so that Roberta didn't hear him. There were very few things that had kept him sane the past few weeks and she was it. They'd had months of trying to keep one another sane and now were still trained in that art. Already Tor knew that he would be throwing himself into training harder than ever just so that he had an excuse not to do anything else.

"Tor, be careful," Roberta said quietly and seriously as they neared the gates. Wade and Oliver were on guard and they dipped their heads as he and Roberta walked by. "If I hear that you so much as sprained your ankle I will hit you hard enough that you'll see stars for a month."

"Yes, that will help me fight, I'm sure," Tor joked. Roberta glared at him and he made his face serious again. "Fine, I'll be careful."

"I don't think you even know the meaning."

"I got us through most of Shadowglen undetected."

"That was strategic."

"Which goes hand in hand with 'careful'."

Roberta rolled her eyes and turned to tie her gear onto Solarin's back securely. "Really though, be careful."

"I will. If those werelupes come here again then I will show them what happens when you decide to follow somebody like the Assassin."

"Tor, I don't think that falls under the category of being careful," Roberta said warily.

The knight laughed. "I'm not joking either. I make them regret attacking, but I will do it in a safe and secure way."

Roberta smiled. "I'm sure." She reached out and hugged Tor tightly. "If you can't be careful, then don't be stupid. I won't be around to save your ass this time."

Tor smiled and rested his chin on the top of her head. When they first met they'd been about the same height. Now he was over a foot taller than her and he still seemed to be growing. "I can't make any promises about being stupid. According to my sister, there's no way I could have made it this far with my stupidity."

Roberta laughed, though it was muffled by his armor. She stepped back with a sad expression. "I have to go."

Tor nodded. "You be careful too, Roberta. Stay paranoid."

She grinned and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. Then she climbed onto Solarin's back. "I'll be seeing you, Tor." He nodded and took a step back as she snapped the uni's reins. Tor watched her go until she took to the air. Then he turned around and walked by the guards again and stopped, crossing his arms and thinking what he could to. The pub was his favorite option.

"Hey Tina," Tor greeted the aisha as he walked into the pub. Sat down at the bar in front of a blue techno. "Give me the usual, Pat," he said heavily.

"No problem, Tor." He poured a golden liquid into a mug and slid it across the bar to Tor. "Where's Roberta today?"

"She just left for Brightvale," Tor answered. "Something rather unexpected happened while we were at my farm and she had to go and report to her uncle."

"Oh? What happened?"

"The Assassin has showed up in Shadowglen Woods. The creatures there are now under his control."

"That's terrible!" the bartender gasped. He slowly shook his head. "Things are only going to get worse before they get better. It seems that Meridell has a tough battle ahead."

"Not just Meridell, Pat," Tor murmured. "Everyone does. And we down have enough man power to keep going like this."

Pat shook his head again. "I'm growing too old to see these dark times again."

"I feel older than I should."

…..

Tor walked into his chambers, dragging his feet across the floor. He hadn't spent too much time at the pub and right after he had gone to the training yard, which was a wreck now that he had gotten through with it. He had used up half of his store of motes within a few hours and most of his magical energy. But the results had been impressive to say the least. He would have to teach the others about opening their minds to motes and becoming one with them. It would help in the battles ahead.

He set down his sword on the able along with his armor as he took off the pieces. The knight sighed with relief and looked around his room to make sure that everything was still in the order he had left it. The books that Roberta had left him were still stacked neatly on the chair. He picked up the top book and stared at the cover. The thing had to be as old as the treasure vault and Tor could barely make out the title, Secrets of Magic. He opened it to the page Roberta had marked. "Chapter Twelve: Transportation Magic," He read under his breath. "Smoke Step."

Without much else to do but sleep, Tor sat down at his desk and began to read.